Importing - Overview

Importers – seven key points to consider
Central Clearing House

If you want to import food into New Zealand, you must comply with the relevant legislation.

In New Zealand, food is regulated under the Food Act 1981 and delegated legislation under that Act. Food cannot be sold that is unsafe, unfit for human consumption or contaminated. Under Section 11C of the Food Act, the Minister for Food Safety has the power to issue food standards.

Importers – seven key points to consider

You should at least consider the following seven points when you are importing food for sale into New Zealand:

1. Find out about other agencies’ controls on imported food.

Import clearance procedure - other requirements

2. You must be listed with NZFSA before importing food for sale into New Zealand.

Importer listing - application form IMP1

3. Comply with the Food Importer General Requirements Standard which is a pre-import requirement. These cover sourcing, storage, transport prior to import and record keeping requirements. We strongly recommend that importers read and understand the Food Importer Standards Guidance before sourcing products to import.

Food importer standards guidance

4. You need to understand the import clearance procedures and requirements for food imported into New Zealand.

Import clearance procedure

5. Some foods present a risk to consumers and are monitored for specific hazards. These are called ‘prescribed foods’. Find out which foods are ‘prescribed foods’ and the clearance options and procedures for these foods.

Import requirements for specific foods

6. If you are importing ‘prescribed foods’ read information about NZFSA sampling and testing protocol for prescribed foods and Single Use Permit Applications for ‘prescribed foods’.

NZFSA single use permit application

7. Be aware that Central Clearing House charges for its services eg, sampling and testing required under the Food Act 1981. A full description of the services and activities along with the associated costs in the fees and charges page.

Fees and charges

Read the Imported food legislation page for more detail about importers' obligations.

Imported food legislation

Flow diagram of importing process

Flow diagram of importing process [PDF 26 KB]

Central Clearing House

Central Clearing House (CCH) facilitates the inspection and clearance of imported prescribed foods. CCH provides the initial point of contact for information to importers and customs brokers throughout New Zealand.

For more information see the Import Clearance Procedure.

Contact us:

Central Clearing House
NZFSA Verification Agency
Level 1, 96 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland
PO Box 3540, Eden Terrace, Auckland
Email: imported.food@nzfsa.govt.nz
Fax: 09 909 6208
Phone: 09 909 6210 or 09 909 6211

Glossary

If you are unsure of a term used on this page check out NZFSA glossary / acronym definitions. You will also find a list of helpful terms in the Import clearance procedure.

Glossary and acronym definitions

Import clearance procedure.