Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and 
Water   
SOWTR .IHS 
[Document Date]  
 Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 15 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date] .  
 
REVOCATION  
This import health standard revokes and replaces all prior versions of and amendments to the Import Health 
Standard: Soil, Rock, Gravel, Sand, Clay, and Water  (IHS.SOWTR) , dated 21 June 2021.  
 
The amendment history for this import health standard is in Appendix 2.  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  pursuant to section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.   
 
Dated at Wellington , [Date of Signing]  
 
 
 
 
Manager, Environmental Health  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Direc tor-General)  
 
Contact for further information  
Animal and Plant Health Directorate  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: plantimports@mpi.govt.nz   
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Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  5 
1.1 Application  5 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  5 
1.3 Definitions  5 
1.4 Requirements for biosecurity clearance  5 
1.5 Packaging  6 
1.6 Treatment  6 
1.7 Transitional facility  7 
1.8 Documentation  7 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements  9 
2.1 All consignments  9 
2.2 Wate r 9 
2.3 Soil 10 
2.4 Rock, sand and clay  11 
2.5 Goods sourced from New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ)  12 
2.6 Core samples  12 
Appendix 1: Definitions  13 
Appendix 2: Amendment Record  15 
 
 
 Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the  import health standard (IHS) , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
This Standard  specifies the requirements  that must be met when importing  soil, rock, sand, clay , and water  
into New Zealand from all countries , to manage the biosecurity risks which may be associated with these 
goods.  
Background  
An import health standard  issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993  (the Act) specifies the requirements for  
effectively managing the biosecurity risks associated with import ing risk goods . An import health standar d may 
include  requirements that must be met in the exporting country  before the risk goods are exported, during 
transit  and importation and after clearance.  
Who should read this?  
This Standard  should be read and understood by anyone involved in impor ting soil, rock, sand, clay, and 
water  into New Zealand . 
Why is this important?  
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that risk goods comply with the requirements of the relevant 
import health standard . Risk goods that do not comply with the requirements of an import health standard may 
not be cleared for entry into New Z ealand and may be directed for treatment, re -export, destruction , or further 
action deemed appropriate by a chief technical officer  (CTO).  
Importers should take all responsible steps to ensure that the goods comply with this Standard  (section 16B of 
the A ct). Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
Equivalence  
A chief technical officer  may consider an application for an equivalent phytosanitary measure to be approved, 
different from th at provided for in this  Standard , to maintain at least the  same level of protection assured by 
the current measures . 
Document history  
See Appendix 2 for the amendment record for this Standard . 
Other information  
This is not an exhaustive list of compliance requirements , and i t is the importer’s responsibility to b e familiar 
and comply with all New Zealand laws , particularly the following:   
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act (1996)  
Imported goods that may be, or may contain, a substance defined as a hazardous substance under the 
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996, may require an approval from the 
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) .  Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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Imported goods that are, or contain, a new organism (e.g. , plants and microorganisms, including seeds, 
spores, pollen, cells , or other propagules) where those new organisms are essential and integral to  that 
importation (i.e. , intentionally imported) may require a HSNO approval from the EPA.   
Domestic and international transport requirements  
It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that the exporter is informed of the international and domestic 
requirements concerning the safe handling, transport and labelling of risk goods.  Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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Part 1:  General Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This Import Health Standard (IHS) applies to the import of soil, rock, sand , clay, and water  and their 
derivatives from all countries into New Zealand . 
 
Guidance  
The following items are out of the scope of this Standard  and are eligible for import under other 
import health standard s: 
• Ballast water intended for discharge in New Zealand waters ; 
• Raw peat which has been excavated from peat bogs or at depth ; 
• Inorganic fertilisers;  
• Research samples that do not otherwise meet the requirements of this S tandard  
• Goods  for the purpose of isolation  or propagation of organisms they may harbour  
 
1.2 Incorporation  of material  by reference  
(1) The following documents are incorporated by reference  under section 142M of the Act : 
– ISPM 5. 2017. Glossary of phytosanitary terms.  Rome, IPPC, FAO;  
– MPI Plants Biosecurity Index  
– Official New Zealand Pest Register (ONZPR)  
(2) Under section 142O(3) of the Act , it is declared that section 142O(1) does not apply, that is, a notice 
under section 142O(2) of the Act is not required to be published before material that amends or 
replaces the above list  has legal effect as part of those documents.  
1.3 Definitions  
(1) Defini tions are listed in Appendix 1.  
1.4 Requirements for b iosecurity clearance  
(1) Soil, rock, sand, clay, and water are eligible for biosecurity clearance if they meet the requirements in 
this S tandard . 
(2) Contamina nt plant or animal material is not eligible for biosecurity clearance unless it meet s the 
requirements of the relevant import health standard . 
 
Guidance  
• Depending on the circumstances of import, consignments may be directed for inspection at the 
importer’s c ost, even if inspection is not a requirement of this IHS.  
• Some goods have post -clearance requirements that specify restrictions on the use of the goods. 
See “Part 2: Specific Requirements” for more detail.  Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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1.5 Packaging  
(1) Consignments must be securely packaged to prevent loss of contents and cross -contamination during 
transportation.  
(2) Packaging materials must be inert, clean , and appropriate for the goods.  
(3) Unaccompanied consignments  must be clearly labelled to identify the contents, along with the names 
and contact det ails of the recipient and sender.  
1.6 Treatment  
(1) Treatment is only required if specified in “Part 2: Specific Requirements ”. 
(2) Goods requiring treatment must meet  one of the following options:  
a) Option 1 : Treatment before  import  
i) Consignments must be accompanied by a treatment certificate  (see Part 1.8 ); and  
ii) Following treatment, goods must be packaged and held in a manner t hat prevent s 
contamination.  
b) Option 2 : Treatment in New Zealand  
i) Consignments being  treated in New Zealand m ust be directed to an  MPI-approved 
treatment supplier in a transitional facility  or biosecurity control area .  
 
Guidance  
• If you are an importer, it is a good idea to arrange treatment  before  your consignment is shipped .  
• The MPI website has a  list of MPI-approved treatment suppliers  and the types of goods they can 
treat. 
• The importer is responsible for all costs of treatment.  
1.6.1 Accepted treatments  
(1) “Part 2: Specific  Requirements ” specifies  which treatment types are accepted for each type of goods . 
Details of the treatment types are listed in Table 1. 
Table 1  
Treatment type  Requirements  
Boiling  Heat to 100°C for a minimum of 1 minute . 
Filtration  • Filtration down to 0.1 μm 
• Avoid  filter overload  by using  progressive  filtration  where  appropriate.  
• The residue  must then be securely  destroyed,  re-exported  or treated  with one 
of the following  options:  
− Chemical  treatment  in accordance  with this Table  1; or 
− Irradiation  treatment  in accordance  with this Table  1 
Chemical  • Add calcium hypochlorite at 20  mg/L.  
• The water must be agitated for 1 minute and then left to sit for 30 minutes.  
Irradiation  • When used for s oil, the soil  must be loosely packed and spread no thicker 
than 10  cm.  
• Irradiation at 50  kGy Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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Treatment type  Requirements  
Moist heat  • When used for s oil, the soil must be loosely packed and spread no thicker 
than 10  cm.  
• Heat treat at a minimum of 40% humidity, to  
− 100°C for 25 minutes; or  
− 85°C for 15 hours . 
Dry heat  • When used for s oil, the soil must be loosely packed and spread no thicker 
than 10  cm.  
• Dry heat treat to  
− 110–120.5°C for 16 hours ; or 
− 121–154°C for 2 hours ; or 
− 154.4 –192.5°C for 30 minutes ; or 
− 193–220°C for 4 minut es; or 
− 221–232°C for 2 minutes  
Autoclave  • When used for s oil, the soil  must be loosely packed and spread no thicker 
than 10  cm.  
• Autoclave at 100  kPa 121°C  for 30 minutes  
Cleaning  • Manual ly remov e all visible plant material , animal material  and soil.  
• It may be necessary to use clean tools and/or water.  
• Any removed organic material must then be disposed of as quarantine waste 
or re-exported . 
1.7 Transitional facility  
(1) If specified in this Standard, goods must be d irected to a transitional facili ty (TF). 
(2) Facilities approved to  any of the following standards are suitable to manage biosecurity risk:  
a) Transitional Facilities for Biological Pro ducts  (154.02.17)  
b) Facilities for Microorganisms and Cell Cultures: 2007 a (154.03.02)  
c) Transitional Facilities for General Uncleared Risk Goods  (TFGEN) approved to hold, process 
and/or treat the speci fic risk goods being directed.  
1.8 Documentation  
(1) All documentation must be either : 
a) in English; or  
b) accompanied by an English translation.  
1.8.1 Declaration  
(1) If specified in “Part 2: Specific Requirements ”, the goods must be accompanied by a  declaration . 
(2) For u naccompanied consignments , a written  declaration must  be provided, contain ing the following 
information : 
a) name and signature of person authorised to act on behalf of the supplier or exporter  
b) date of issue;  
c) a full description of the consignment;  
d) (commercial only) name and address of the supplier;  
e) (commercial only) at least one of the following identifiers linked to the specific consignment:  Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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i) air waybill  number ; 
ii) bill of lading  number ; 
iii) container number ; 
iv) batch/lot number ; or 
v) invoice number ; and  
f) any statements as required in “Part 2: Specific Requirements ”. 
(3) For a ccompanied consignments , a written or verbal declaration must be provided  by the supplier or  the 
person accompanying the consignment , containing the following information:  
a) a full descripti on of the consignment;  
b) (commercial only) name and address of the supplier;  and 
c) any statements as required in “Part 2: Specific Requirements ”. 
1.8.2 Treatment certificate  
(1) A treatment certificate  is only required as specified in Part 1.6  “Treatment ”. 
(2) Treatment certificates must be issued on company letterhead by a person authorised to act on behalf 
of the treatment company.  
(3) A treatment certificate must contain the following information:  
a) a unique product identification number;  
b) a full description of the consignment ; 
c) details of treatment  including treatment parameters (e.g. dose rate) ; 
d) date that treatment was completed ;  
e) the number and/or volume of items treate d; and  
f) name of the person who ca rried out the treatment (including signature), if applicable.  
1.8.3 Permit  
(1) A permit is not required  unless specified in “Part 2: Specific Requirements ”.   
 
Guidance  
• MPI will only issue a  permit if the biosecurity risks can be managed to an acceptably low level. 
The importer will need to provide information with the permit application to demonstrate 
equivalence with the requirements of this standard . 
• A permit will specify:  
− whether the goods are eligible for biosecurity clearance on arrival;  
− whether the goods must be directed to a transitional or containment facility on arrival and 
the standards that facility must be approved to;  
− whether any HSNO approvals are required to carry out the proposed activities ; 
− any special conditions necessary to:  
◦ support and/or clarify the requirements of this standard ; 
◦ show that the requirements of this standard  are met; and  
◦ effectively manage the biosecurity risk.  
• To apply for a permit, complete the form Application for a Permit , and email  it to 
plantimports@mpi.govt.nz . Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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Part 2:  Specific Requirements  
2.1 All consignments  
(1) Goods  may not be imported for the purpose of isolatin g or propagatin g any organisms they may 
harbour . 
(2) Goods that are not eligible for biosecurity clearance may be directed to a suitable trans itional facility 
(see Part 1.7 ). 
 
Guidance  
• There are no quantity limits unless otherwise specified.  
• Goods for the purpose of isolation or propagation of organisms may qualify for import under the 
IHS Research samples (excluding animal samples)  or Microorganisms from all countries . 
• For any use case not covered by these IHS, please contact Plant Imports 
plantimports@mpi.govt.nz  to request consideration for a new pathway.  
2.2 Water  
2.2.1 Potable water  
(1) Potable water is eligible for biosecurity clearance.  
(2) There are no specific requirements for potable water.  
(3) If it is unclear whether the water is potable, the water will be treated as non -potable water.  
 
2.2.2 Non-potable water  
(1) Non-potable water is eligible for biosecurity clearance if it meets the requirements set out in Table 2. 
 
Guidance  
Examples of non -potable water include ice, snow, steam and ground water or  surface water that is  
not fit for drinking .  
 
Water for religious purposes is treated as non -potable even if consumption is the intended use.  
Table 2 
 Type of goods  Requirements  
1 Water for religious purposes  • 5 litre maximum total volume  
• Inspection  on arrival in New Zealand  to confirm no visible  
contamination with plant material, animal material, or soil  
OR Guidance  
Examples of potable water include commercially packaged water, drinkable municipal water, 
drinking water on ships and aircraft, distilled water, desali nated water and drinking water from 
bores, springs , and aquifers.  Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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 Type of goods  Requirements  
One of the following treatment types (see Part 1.6 ): 
• Boiling  
• Filtration  
• Chemical  
• Irradiation  
2 Geothermal water  One of the following treatment types ( see Part 1.6 ): 
• Filtration  
• Chemical  
• Irradiation  
3 All other non -potable water  One of the following treatment types ( see Part 1.6 ): 
• Boiling  
• Filtration  
• Chemical  
• Irradiation  
2.3 Soil 
(1) Consignments of soil are eligible for biosecurity clearance  if they meet the requirements in Table 3.  
 
Guidance  
Other goods included under soil are sediment, silt, mud, sludge , and marine soil . 
Table 3 
   Type of goods  Requirement s 
1 Soil collected from more than 
3 metres below surface level  
 
The 3  m depth does not 
include covering water . 
Measurement starts at the 
surface level of the soil.  • Declaration ( see Part 1.8 ) stating:  
a) the origin of the soil; and  
b) that all of the soil was collected at least 3 metres below 
surface level  
• If the declaration is missing or unclear, the goods will be treated 
as all other soil . 
2 All other soil  One of the following treatment types ( see Part 1.6 ): 
• Irradiation  
• Moist heat  
• Dry heat  
• Autoclave  Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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2.4 Rock , sand and clay  
(1) Consignments of rock , sand and clay  are eligible for biosecurity clearance if they meet the 
requirements in Table 4.  
 
Guidance  
Processed inorganic materials are  not risk goods and do not need to meet the requirements in this 
standard . Example s include:  
• Manufactured beauty products containing natural minerals or clay 
• Refined decorative rock products , including jewellery , cut gems, polished stones, carved statues  
• Manufactured stone benchtops and furniture  
• Industrial crushed stone , slag, aggregat e and ore  
• Glass and kiln-fired ceramics  
• Chalk, salt , or diatomaceous earth (fossilised algae) products  
• Inorganic growing media (e.g. perlite, vermiculite , akadama, kanuma ) 
Table 4 
 Type of goods  Requirement s 
1 Rock, sand, or clay under 
100 kg Declaration ( see Part 1.8 ) stating :  
a) the origin of the goods ; and  
b) that the goods are free of  plant material, animal 
material, and soil . 
OR 
One of the following treatment types ( see Part 1.6 ): 
• Irradiation  
• Moist heat  
• Dry heat  
• Autoclave  
• Cleaning  
OR 
Inspection on arrival in New Zealand to confirm no visible plant 
material, animal material, or soi l from the entire surface area of the 
goods.  
2 Rock, sand, or clay collected 
from more than 3 metres 
below surface level  
 
The 3m depth does not 
include covering water.  • Declaration ( see Part 1.8 ) stating:  
c) the origin of the goods ; and  
d) that all of the goods were collected  at least  3 metres 
below surface level.  
If the declaration is missing or unclear, the goods will be treated as 
all other rock, sand, or clay.  
3 All other rock, sand , or clay  One of the following treatment types ( see Part 1.6 ): 
• Irradiation  
• Moist heat  
• Dry heat  
• Autoclave  
• Cleaning  
OR 
Permit ( see Part 1.8 ) Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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2.5 Goods sourced from New Zealand ’s exclusive economic zone  
(EEZ)  
(1) Goods sourced from the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand are eligible for biosecurity 
clearance  if they are  accompanied by a  declaration (see Part 1.8 ) stating :  
a) the goods have been sourced from the ocean or ocean floor within the exclusive economic zone 
of New Zealand only ; and  
b) the goods have either:  
i) not left the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand before being brought into 
New Zealand territory; or  
ii) been held securely in a sealed container that is inert, clean , and appropriate for the goods 
until being brought into New Zealand territory.  
2.6 Core samples  
(1) Core samples are eligible for biose curity clearance if they meet the requirements in Table 5. 
Table 5 
 Type of core  Requirement s 
1 Ice or snow  The following post -clearance requirement  must be applied to 
ice or snow core samples . 
• The core must be k ept frozen until disposal . 
• Untreated meltwater : 
− must not be disposed of into the general 
environment ; and  
− may be disposed of via a municipal water treatment 
system.  
• Meltwater may be disposed of into the general 
environment if it is first  treated using one of the following 
treatment types ( see Part 1.6 ): 
− Boiling  
− Filtration  
− Chemical  
− Irradiation  
2 Core samples collected from 
more than 3 metres below 
surface level  
 
The 3  m depth does not include 
covering water.  Declaration ( see Part 1.8 ) stating:  
a) the origin of the sample ; and  
b) that the consignment consists only of goods 
collected 3 metres below surface level.  
If the declaration is missing or unclear, the goods will be 
treated as all other core samples.  
3 All other core samples  One of the following treatment types ( see Part 1.6 ): 
• Irradiation  
• Moist heat  
• Dry heat  
• Autoclave  Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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Appendix  1: Definitions  
Definitions have the same meaning as defined by the Act  and ISPM 5 , unless set out below . 
clay 
Fine-grained inorganic natural mineral material characterised by plasticity when wet  
core sample  
A cylindrical section of a naturally occurring substance obtained by drilling  
exclusive economic zone (EEZ)  
The area between 12 and 200 nautical miles off the coast of New Zealand  
New Zealand’s  exclusive economic zone  is as described in section 9 of the Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, 
and Exclusive E conomic Zone Act 1977.  
geothermal   
Heated by the internal heat of the earth  
gravel  
Mixture of coarse sand and small rock  
ISPM  
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures  
IPPC  
International Plant Protection Convention  
mud 
Mixture of soil and water  
municipal  water  
Water o riginating from the official supply of a village, town, or city  
potable water  
Water that is fit for human consumption, having minimal contamination with microorganisms, bacteria, toxic 
chemicals, viruses and faecal matter  
rock 
Naturally occurring s olid mass or aggregate of mineral s forming part of the surface of the Earth’s crust an d 
most of its interior.  
sand 
Lose granular substance formed from worn down rocks , often composed mainly of silica quartz  
sediment  
Naturally occurring particulate material  that consists of differing amounts of soil, silt, sand, clay, rocks and 
minerals, as  well as the remains of plants and animals, that is transported and deposited in a new location by 
the action of natural processes (e.g., wind, water, ice, gravity).  
silt 
Solid, dust -like sediment transported and deposited by water, ice, or wind ; often found in river deltas and flood 
plains  
slag 
Glass -like by -product left over after an industrial process, such as smelting, welding and other metallurgical 
and combustion processes  
sludge  
Generic term for a suspension of solids (organic and inorganic) in a liquid  slurry usually produced from a 
range of industrial processes, from water treatment, wastewater treatment and sanitation systems (e.g., 
sewage sludge, biosolids, industrial wastewater sludge, faecal sludge)  Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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soil 
Upper layer of earth containing a  mixture of organic material  and mineral components ; includes variations 
such as silt, mud, sediment, silt, and sludge  
water  
Includes water in different states, including liquid, gas (steam, water vapour) and solid  (ice, snow) ; may be 
fresh or salinated (containing salt)  Import Health Standard : Soil, Rock, Sand, Clay, and Water   
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Appendix 2:  Amendment Record  
This table summarises  amendments to this Import Health Standard.  
 
Number  Details  Date  
0 Draft for consultation  April 2023