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Registering as a food importer

08.59am 01 July 2021

If you import food for sale in New Zealand, you must be registered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) as a food importer or use an agent who is registered.


As part of New Zealand Food Safety's improvements to the food safety system, from 30 June 2021, there will be an automatic check of Food Importer registrations for all consignments intended as food for sale. This includes tariffs in Chapters 2-5, 7-13 and 15-22 and codes 0602.90.00.01G and 1404.90.00.39C of the Working Tariff Document.

From 30 June, food consignments imported into New Zealand by unregistered importers will be held, until a Food Importer registration number is issued.

For more information please visit the MPI website. Queries can be emailed to info@mpi.govt.nz