Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Personal Consignments of 
Products for Human 
Consumption and Personal 
Effects  
P-EFFECTS.ALL  
19 July 2021  
  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 1 of 20 TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date]   
AMENDMENT  
This Import Health Standard amends specific clauses of the following  Import Health Standards : 
a) Import Health Standard: Importation and Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables into New Zealand , 
152.02, 19 November 2020:  
Clauses: 1.3, 5.1, 5.4, 6.1 .  
 
b) Import Health Standard: Stored Plant Products for Human Consumption , SPP.HUMAN.IHS, 14 
November 2018:  
Clause  1.1, Appendix 1 .  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Dated at Wellington, 19 July 2021  
 
 
Peter Thomson  
Director, Animal and Plant Health  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Direc tor-General)  
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Animal and Plant Health  
Invasive Species  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
 
Email: Standards@mpi.govt.nz   
  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 2 of 20 Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  5 
1.1 Application  5 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  5 
1.3 Definitions  5 
1.4 Information  6 
1.5 General Requirements for Personal Consignments  6 
Part 2:  Personal Consignments of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables for Human Consumption  8 
2.1 General  8 
Part 3:  Personal Consignments of Stored Plant Products for Human Consumption  9 
3.1 General Biosecurity Requirements  9 
3.2 Specific Requirements for Stored Plant Products Types  9 
Part 4:  Personal Consignments of Animal Products for Human Consumption  14 
Part 5:  Personal Effects  15 
5.1 General Biosecurity Requirements  15 
Schedule 1 – Definitions  16 
Schedule 2 – Highly Processed Plant Products  20 
 
 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 3 of 20 Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the  Import Health S tandard (IHS)  but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
An IHS specifies the requirements for importing risk goods into New Zealand from all countries. This IHS 
specifies the requirements that must be met when importing personal  consignments of products for human 
consumption (including plant and animal products)  and personal effects  into New Zealand . 
Background  
An IHS issued  under the New Zealand Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) specifies the requirements to be met to 
effectively manage biosecurity risks associated with importing risk goods, including the risks from new 
incidentally imported organisms. IHSs include measures that must be appli ed to risk goods in the exporting 
country or prior to arrival in New Zealand . IHSs also include requirements that must be met by importers 
before biosecurity clearance can be given . 
Who should read this?  
This IHS should be read by  any person importing (or bringing with them) goods for personal use (not intended 
for resale) containing  plant products (fruit, vegetables , seeds and other products ) and animal products (also 
managed under IHS for Personal Consignment of Animal Products ) for human consumption , and belongings 
that are for personal use (including any household items and outdoor and sporting equipment) not already 
covered by an IHS.  
Why is this important?  
It is the responsibilit y of the importer  (or passenger)  to ensure that risk goods (i.e. plants and animal products  
or personal effects ) comply with the requirements  in this IHS, including those existing requirements of the 
relevant commodity IHS. Risk goods that do not comply with the requirements of an y IHS may not be cleared 
for entry into New Zealand and will need to  be either imported as a commercial consignment or  directed for 
treatment, reshipment, destruction or any further action deemed appropriate by a chief tec hnical officer (CTO) . 
Consignments that do not comply with the requirements of this IHS may be re -shipped or destroyed under the 
Act or tested/treated in accordance with this IHS prior to release or equivalence determined. Importers are 
liable for all asso ciated expenses. The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of 
personal consignments will be recovered in accordance with the Act and any regulations made under the Act. 
All costs involved with documentation, transport, storage an d obtaining a biosecurity clearance must be 
covered by the importer or agent.  
Equivalence  
A CTO  may consider an application for an equivalent phytosanitary measure  to be approved, different from 
that provided for in this IHS, to maintain at least the s ame level of protection assured by the current measures.  
For plant products or plant pests or diseases, e quivalence  will be considered with reference to the 
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM ) 24. Guidelines for the determination and 
recognition of equivalence of phytosanitary measures . 
Document History  
Version Date  Section Changed  Change(s) Description  
n/a    
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 4 of 20  
Other information  
Guidance boxes are included within this IHS for explanatory purposes.  The guidance included in these boxes 
is for informati on only and has no legal effect .  
Within this IHS, terms printed in bold have the same meaning as that set out and defined by the  FAO  in 
ISPM  5. Glossary of phytosanitary t erms , the Act , or in this IHS. 
Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species  (CITES )  
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that the consignment is accompanied by any permits required 
to meet the legislation of the co untry of origin and the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered 
Species (CITES) (http://www.cites.org ). See the Department of Conservation  website  for further details 
(http://www.doc.govt.nz/about -doc/role/international/endangered -species/ ). The importer is advised to clarify 
the status of the species of animal in relation to international agreements on their trade, prior to export. 
Material arriving in New Zealand without the relevant CITES permits may be subject to seizure by the 
New Zealand Department of Conservation. Any requirement for CITES or other conservation -related 
documentation must be met by the exporter/import er. 
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and New Organisms  
Importers of new organisms must meet all requirements of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms 
Act 1996 (HSNO Act). Before an inspector can authorise a new organism to go to a containment  facility, the 
EPA must have given approval for importation of that organism into containment in accordance with the 
HSNO Act.   
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 5 of 20 Part 1:  General Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This Import Health Standard (IHS)  applies to:  
a) personal  consignments  of products for human consumption  that contain any of the following : 
i) fresh fruit and vegetables;  and 
ii) stored plant products ; and 
iii) animal products.  
b) personal effects . 
(2) This IHS must be read in conjunction with any relevant commodity product IHS .  
 
Guidance  
• Personal consignment s of animal products  for human consumption are included in the 40 kg total 
combined weight limit  in this IHS but are subject to additional requirements in the IHS for Person al 
Consignments of Animal Products . Please refer to that IHS for specific import requirements  for animal 
products for human consumption . 
• As a point of clarification, only the requirements in the IHS for Personal  Consignments of Animal 
Products  that relate to human consumption are applicable to this IHS.  
• Examples of  a “relevant commodity product IHS” that could also cover a  common  item you might be 
importing : IHS for Specified Processed Bee Products , Used Equipment Associated with Animals or 
Water,  Woodware from All Countries , Dried and Preserved Plant Material and Plant Material for 
Research , Preserved Animal Specimens from all Countries , Ornamental Products of Animal Origin , 
Ornamental Fish and Marine Invertebrates , Seeds for Sowing , Hides and Skins , etc. 
For more information  concerning IHSs that apply to specific goods , see MPI’s  Import web site.  
 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  
(1) The following documents are incorporated by reference under section 142M of the Act:  
a) ISPM 5. Glossary of phytosanitary terms . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
b) ISPM 12. Phytosanitary certificates . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
c) Official New Zealand Pest  Register  (ONZPR ). Wellington, MPI.  
d) MPI Schedule of Regulated (Quarantine) Weed Seeds . Wellington, MPI.  
e) MPI Standard Approved Bi osecurity Treatments  (MPI.STD. ABTRT ). Wellington, MPI.  
(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 any material incorporated by reference has legal effect as part of those  documen ts. 
1.3 Definitions  
(1) For the purposes of this IHS, terms used that are defined in the Act have the meanings set out there. 
The Act is available at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/ . 
(2) See Schedule 1 for additional d efinitions that apply.   
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 6 of 20 1.4 Information  
(1) All documentation required by this IHS must  be written in English, or if bilingual, English must be one 
of the languages.  
1.4.1 Phytosanitary certificate  for plant products  
(1) All phytosanitary certificates  (as required in Parts 3) must:  
a) be the original, or a certified copy of the original; and  
b) be issued by the national plant protection organisation (NPPO)  in accordance with ISPM 12. 
Phytosanitary certificates ; and  
c) meet the requirements of the relevant commodity product IHS. 
 
Guidance  
• If documents  are not written in English and if an inspector cannot determine whether New Zealand’s 
import requ irements have been met, MPI may require the importer to obtain a translation from a 
competent authority  at the importer’s expense . 
• Please see MPI’s website for the relevant  commodity  product  IHSs . 
https://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/law -and-policy/requirements/ihs -import -health -standards/  
1.4.2 Manufacturer ’s certificate  for plant products  
(1) Manufacturer’s ce rtificates (as required in Part  3) must be  issued on a company letterhead by a person 
authorised to act on behalf of the manufacturing company and must include:  
a) name, job title, signature,  and contact details of the authorising person;  
b) supplier name and a ddress (if different to the manufacturer);  
c) product identity (brand/product name and description e.g. weight, packaging details);  
d) manufacturing details (type and duration); and  
e) date of manufacturing/processing.  
1.4.3 Treatment certificate  for plant products  
(1) Treatment certificates (as required in Part 3) must be  issued on  a company  letterhead by a person 
authorised to act on behalf of the treatment provider and must include:  
a) name, job title, signature,  and contact details of the authori sing person;  
b) date of issue;  
c) name and address;  
d) product identity (brand/product name and description);  
e) treatment details ( type, treatment rates, and duration);  and  
f) date of treatment.  
1.5 General Requirements for Personal Consignments  
(1) A personal consignment of  products  for human consumption  must not exceed 40  kilograms in weight  
(includ ing packaging) .  
  
Guidance  
• Any weight requirements for specific products still apply to t hose specific items in each consignment.  As 
an example, if a person is bri nging in 40  kg of products for human consumption in total, only 2  kgs of 
that 40  kg may be made up  of a dairy product  which also complies with  IHS: Personal Consignments of 
Animal Products .  
• Any personal consignment may be subject to on-arrival activities such as inspection on arrival.   
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 7 of 20 • If a personal consignment of products for human consumption exceeds 40  kg, there may be delays and 
charges associated with the products’ verification, storage  or treatment, or any thing else needed for the 
products to become compl iant with this IHS or another applicable IHS .  
• If products for human consum ption  arrive unaccompanied , MPI will assess the products and determine 
the appropriate verification process on a case -by-case basis.  
• The 40  kg combined total weight of all food  products includes any goods that have gone through a n 
MPI-approved system . For example , a personal consignment could include a  Pacific  Island  Food 
Programme  package  like a Samoan Quarantine Service or Tongan Food Programme  box of 20  kg, plus 
any other foo d products they may be carrying or importing,  adding up to  a combined total  40 kg only .  
  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 8 of 20 Part 2:  Personal  Consignments of  Fresh Fruit and Vegetables 
for Human Consumption  
2.1 General  
(1) Personal  consignments of fresh fruit and vegetables for human consumption are NOT  permitted to be 
imported into New Zealand , unless  the consignment : 
a) meet s the requirements of the relevant  commodity  product  IHS; or 
b) is imported through  an MPI-approved system . 
 
Guidance  
• MPI-approved system  means  a system for w hich the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) has approved the 
processing and packaging and transport of specific  products on the basis that the CTO is satisfied that 
the system will appropriately manage the biosecurity risk associated with the se products , under section 
27(1)(d)(iii) of the Act.  
• Please contact Standards@mpi.govt.nz  for further information.  
  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 9 of 20 Part 3:  Personal Consignments of Stored Plant Products  for 
Human Consumption  
3.1 General Biosecurity Requirements  
(1) Personal consignments of stored plant products for human consumption must be in one or more of the 
following  process ing states : 
a) canned; 
b) cooked 
c) preserv ed; 
d) dried; or 
e) frozen. 
(2) All personal consignments stored plant products for human consumption and associated packaging 
imported under this IHS must:  
a) be free from regulated pests and biosecurity contamination; and  
b) be for  human  consumption; and  
c) be clearly identifiable; and 
d) be listed in the Plants Biosecurity Index (PBI ) as anything other than ‘Entry Prohibited’; and 
e) not be listed i n the Schedule of Regulated (Quarantine) Weed Seeds . 
(3) The total weight per plant product type per consignment must not exceed 2  kilograms  
(includ ing packaging) . 
(4) All treatments required within this Standard for plant products must be completed in accordance with 
the MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments , MPI.STD.ABTRT . If treatments are conducted offshore , 
they must be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3). 
(5) Low-risk commercially processed food s (from plant products) for human consumption in commercial 
packaging where no further risk management actions are required are outlined in Schedule 2.  
(6) Personal consignments of stored plant products for human consumption must also meet the 
requirements app licable to the specific stored plant products type in clause 3.2.  
 
Guidance  
• Please check below if there are any extra requirements for your specific plant product type.  
• All products may be subject to verification activities such as inspection on arrival.  
• Commercially manufactured and packaged ” (processed)  does not include homemade products. MPI 
inspectors have discretion to determine if a product is commercial processed or homemade.  
3.2 Specific Requirements for Stored Plant Products  Types 
3.2.1 Cooked  
(1) All jackfruit (from Artocarpus heterophyllus ) must be deep -fried chips that are thin and completely 
cooked.  
(2) Subject to 3.2.1(3), all breadfruit (from Artocarpus altilis ) must be deep -fried chips that are completely 
cooked.  
(3) Breadfruit from Samoa that is a cook ed product other than deep -fried chips  must:  
a) be prepared, cooked , and packaged in Samoa;   
b) be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate; and  
c) have a Samoan Quarantine Service numbered seal on the packaging.   
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 10 of 20 (4) All salted seaweed must  be commercially processed  and have a minimum of 20% salt . The packaging 
must state the salt content.  
(5) All corn -on-the-cob must be commercially pro cessed  and packaged. Homemade corn-on-the-cob is 
NOT  permitted to be imported .   
 
Guidance  
• MPI has approved Samoa Quarantine Service (SQS) cooked breadfruit pathway treatment specification 
(250°C for a minimum of 90 minutes) as an effective fruit fly treatment for cooked breadfruit from 
Samoa.  
3.2.2 Dried Products  
Dried beverages, herbs, roots,  and s pices  
(1) All unground  beverages  (including tea) , herbs  (rubbed and unrubbed) , roots,  and spices must be 
commercially processed and packaged , in original and sealed packaging on arrival .  
(2) Whole pink peppercorns ( Schinus  terebinthifloius ) must  be heat treated in accordance with MPI 
Approved Biosecurity Treatments , MPI.STD.ABTRT  (all offshore treatment must be accompanied by a  
phytosanitary certificate including  treatment (clause 1.4.2 )).  
 
Guidance  
• Ground coffee beans , instant beverages , and spices  in non -commercial packaging are not covered by 
the requirement of 3.2.2(1) . 
• Traditional medicines such as dried herbs may be subject to verification  upon arrival.  
• Psyllium seeds  or husks  can only  be from the Plantago  species listed in the Plants Biosecurity Index  as 
“Basic” and are subject to those requirements . 
Dried fruit and vegetables  
(3) Monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii / Momordica grosvenorii ) must be h eat treated in accordance  with MPI 
Approved Biosecurity Treatments,  MPI.STD.ABTRT  (all offshore treatment must be accompanied by a 
treatment certificate (clause 1.4.2 ). 
(4) Tamarind ( Tamarindus indica ) must be compressed pulp.  
Dried fungi  
(5) Fungi must be completely dried.  
(6) All woody fungi  must be h eat treated in accordance with  MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments ,  
MPI.STD.ABTRT  (all offshore treatment must be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4.2).  
(7) All items of pure Ganoderma  or containing Ganoderma  (other than sou p mixes  or tablets/capsules ) 
must be commercially packaged and labelled as  Ganoderma . 
 
Guidance  
• All dried fruit and vegetable products (particularly those containing fruit fly host material) and fungi may 
be subject to verification actions (such as inspect ion) on arrival to ensure products are dried  (comply 
with all requirements)  and therefore unlike ly to contain any live pests . 
• All viable Ganoderma  is listed as “Entry Prohibited ” in the Plants Biosecu rity Index . 
• Whole truffles should be  import ed under  the Fresh Truffles for Human Consumption IHS , as these are 
generally not completely dried.   
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 11 of 20 Dried grains and seeds  
(8) All w hole grain and seed s must be  listed  as “Basic ” in the Plants Biosecurity Index ; or 
(9)  If the grain or seeds are not listed as “Basic” , they must be  heat treated in accordance with MPI 
Approved Biosecurity Treatments , MPI.STD.ABTRT  (all offshore treatment must be accompanied by a 
treatment certificate (clause 1.4.2 )). 
(10) All homemade  muesli , bars, or snacks  must be baked.  
(11) Cracked and kibbled grain and seed must be free of whole seed.  
(12) Bread mixes for baking must not contain more than 5% whole grain or seed by weight as part of the 
ingredients.  
 
Guidance  
• Manchurian wild rice ( Zizania latifolia ) is listed as a weed seed in the Schedule of Regulated 
(Quarantine) Weed Seeds  and is not eligible for entry into New Zealand.  
• For pink peppercorns, see the section ‘ Spices ’ (clause 3.2.2 (2)) . 
• To import poppy seeds, MPI requires written approval from the Ministry of Health  to import Papaver 
somniferum or an import declaration stating that the poppy seeds are not  Papaver somniferu m. 
Dried  legumes  
(13) All dried legumes must  be split or ground .   
(14) Puy lentils must be in sealed commercial packaging . The packaging must clearly state  that the puy 
lentils have been produced under Appellation d’origine Prot égée in France.  
(15) Whole tonka beans (Dipteryx odorata ) must  be heat treated in accordance with  MPI Approved 
Biosecurity Treatments , MPI.STD.ABTRT  (all offshore treatment must be accompanied by a treatment 
certificate (clause 1.4.2 )). 
 
Guidance  
• All Senna  and Cassia  spp. beans must be  listed in the Plants Biosecurity Index  as “Basic .” 
• All green cocoa and coffee beans are able to grow  and can only be imported under the SPP.HUMAN  
IHS. 
• Legumes that are split are also described as ‘dahl’, ‘grit’, ‘kibble ’ or ‘seed coating (testa) removed ’. 
• Whole legumes or legumes imported for sprouting are covered by the Grains for Consumption, Feed or 
Processing  IHS. 
Dried nuts with a shell  
(16) All chestnuts ( Castanea sativa ), hickory ( Carya  spp.), pecans ( Carya illinoensis ) or walnuts ( Juglans  
spp.)  with a shell must be  heat treated  in accordance with  MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments , 
MPI.STD.ABTRT  (all offshore treatment mus t be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 
1.4.2 )). 
(17) All hazelnut s (Corylus  spp.) and macadamia ( Macadamia integrifolia ) nuts with a shell must be  
fumigated in accordance with  MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments , MPI.STD.ABTRT  (all off shore 
treatment must be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4.2 )).   
Dried nuts without a shell  
(18) Ginkgo nut ( Ginkgo biloba ) must not contain any outer fleshy coating.  
(19) Pine nut ( Pinus  spp.) must be extracted from the cone  and be free of the cone scales (woody 
covering) .  
  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 12 of 20 Guidance  
• Check MPI ’s Importing Food website  before  importing  nuts, because some nuts may have  food safety 
requirements (e.g. apricot kernels  (Prunus armenica ), betel nut  (Areca catechu )).  
• Non-commercially processed  and packaged dried nuts listed above in clause 3.2.2 (15) to (1 8) may be 
subject to verification  upon arrival and may require treatment.  
• Dried coconut can also be described as ‘desiccated ’, ‘grated ’, or ‘shredded ’. 
Dried seaweed  and algae  
(20) Cyanobacteria ( Nostoc commune ) must  be imported as balls of filament and must be  heat treated in 
accordance with  MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments , MPI.STD.ABTRT  (all offshore treatment must 
be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4.2 )). 
3.2.3 Frozen  Plant Products  
Frozen beverages , herbs, roots,  and spices  
(1) All unground beverages (including tea), herbs (rubbed and unrubbed), roots, and spices must be 
commerc ially processed and packaged, in original and sealed packaging on arrival.  
(2) Frozen unprocessed  citrus peel and l eaves are NOT  permitted entry . 
Frozen fruit and vegetable s 
(3) For fruit fly host material , the product must have been subject to commercial freezing until the core 
temperature has been held at (or below) minus 18°C for a minimum of 7 days . 
(4) Avocado ( Persea americana ) must not contain seed (stone  removed).  
(5) Lily bulbs ( Lilium spp.) must be peeled.  
(6) Tamarind ( Tamarindus indica ) must be compressed pulp . 
Frozen fungi  
(7) Fungi must be an eligible species and be frozen at a temperature of at least minus  10°C  for a 
minimum of 7 days . 
(8) Eligible frozen Fungi species that may be imported are Agaricus bisporus, B oletus edulis, Cantharellus 
cibarius, Craterellus cornucopioides, Lentinula edodes, Marasmius oreades, Morchella conica and 
Morchella esculentus.  
Frozen grains and seeds  
(9)  
a) All w hole grain and seed s must be  listed as “Basic ” in the Plant s Biosecurity Index  or; 
b) If not “Basic”, must be  heat treated in accordance with MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments , 
MPI.STD.ABTRT  (all offshore treatment must be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 
1.4.2)).  
(10) Frozen unprocessed  grains and seeds are NOT  permitted entry . 
Frozen legumes  
(11) Frozen unprocessed  legumes are NOT  permitted entry .  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 13 of 20 Frozen seaweed and algae  
(12) All seaweed and algae must be in a commercial package stating that one of the following processes  
was completed prior to freezing:  
a) boil (minimum of 90 °C for minimum of 60 seconds)  followed by freezing to minus  18°C; 
b) grilling at 300 °C and season ing; or 
c) heating and season ing (must comply with  the DRIED clause  3.2.2 (18) ). 
 
3.2.4 Extracts  of Plant Products  
(1) All extract s must be commercially processed and packaged, shelf -stable and in one of the following 
forms:  
a) capsule ; 
b) liquid ; 
c) paste; 
d) pill; 
e) powder ; 
f) syrup; or 
g) tablet . 
 
Guidance  
• For bee products  or other animal products for therapeutic use , please refer to the IHS for Personal 
Consignments of Animal Products  in Section 3.  
  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 14 of 20 Part 4:  Personal Consignment s of Animal Products for 
Human Consumption     
(1) All personal consignments of animal products for human consumption must comply with the 
requirements of the Import Health Standard Personal Consignmen ts of Animal Products.  
 
Guidance  
• All consignments of animal products for human consumption are subject to clause 1.5 (1) and are 
included in the 40 kg total weight limit of an overall personal consignment under this IHS.   
 
 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 15 of 20 Part 5:  Personal  Effects  
5.1 General Biosecurity Requirements  
(1) All personal effects  must be cleaned  and free from regulated pests and biosecurity contamination . 
(2) Clause 5.1(1) does not apply to personal  effects which are imported under a relevant commodity 
product IHS.  
(3) Personal  effects which are imported under a relevant commodity product IHS must comply with the 
requirements of th at relevant commodity product IHS instead of the requirements of clause 5.1(1).  
 
Guidance  
• Any equipment associated with animals, hunting  (knives) , farming  and agriculture , or fishing comes 
under the IHS for  Used Equipment Associated with Animals or Water.  
• Cleaned is defined as  “a reasonable effort  through shaking, wiping, washing, vacuuming,  or scraping 
the entire item, particularly in the corners or folds , to remove all contamination such as soil, leaves, 
seeds, insects, eggs , etc.” 
• Cleaning  of personal effects should take place prior to packing l uggage, sea containers etc. and 
includes personal effects on -person.  
• Common examples of personal effects imported under th is standard include:  
i) All footwear and clothing  
ii) Bags or luggage  
iii) Golf bags and associated equipment  
iv) Bicycles and associated equipment  
v) All other outdoor activity equipment (includes tramping or hiking packs, swags, tents, sleeping 
bags, walking poles, pegs, any protective gear (jackets), climbing equipment, all water sports 
equipment  (excluding fish gear) , snow sports equipment,  paragliding,  or kiting equipment)  
vi) All non-commercial gardening and work equipment and accessories (including tarps, sheets, 
covers, lawnmowers, garden,  or construction tools (powered or unpowered))  
vii) All outdoor furniture (common examples include seats, tab les, sculptures, pots, marquees, BBQs).  
 
• Personal effects covered by this IHS include items imported through the following ways:  
i) Accompanied  or on -person  via air or sea;  
ii) In air and sea containers; or  
iii) In the mail (standard mail or courier packages ).  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 16 of 20 Schedu le 1 – Definitions  
Definitions have the same meaning as defined by  FAO , ISPM 5.  Glossary of p hytosanitary  terms  or the Act  
unless set out below . Derived forms of terms, e.g.  inspect  from inspection , are considered to have the same 
meaning as the defined term . 
Appellation d’origine Prot égée (AOP)  
French protected designation of origin certification.  
Biosecurity Contamina nt(s) 
Any organic material, thing,  or substance that (because of its nature, origin,  or other relevant factor) may 
contain a regulated pest (or parts thereof). Therefore,  that organic material/thing/substance is not intended for 
biosecurity clearance under the Act . Includes contamination  defined by ISPM  5. 
Cleaned  
Recent and reasonable ef fort through shaking, wiping, washing, vacuuming,  or scraping the entire item, 
particularly in the corners or folds , to remove all possible contamination such as soil, leaves, seeds, insects,  
or moth eggs , etc. 
Commodity  
A type of plant, plant product, or other article being moved for trade or other purpose. [FAO, 1990; ICPM 
Amendments, April 2001]  
Commercially manufactured and packaged (produced food  or product )  
A product that has been manufactured in a commercial environment by a commercial enterprise and is 
packaged and labelled in sealed containers or in tamper -proof packaging and is intended for retail or 
wholesale. This does not include home -made products.  
Competent Authority  
The Veterinary or other Governmental Authority of an OIE Membe r, that has the responsibility and 
competence for ensuring or supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures, 
international veterinary certification and other standards and recommendations in the Code in the whole 
territory.  
Contamina tion 
Definition as per ISPM 5 . Glossary of phytosanitary terms : 
“Presence in a commodity, storage place, conveyance or container, of pests or other regulated articles, not 
constituting an infestation (see infestation) [CEPM, 1997; revised ICPM, 1999 ]”.  
Cooked  
To prepare (products  or goods) by heating (e.g. boiling, roasting, baking ) at a temperature /time combination 
that results in the destruction of contaminants. Examples include baked taro, bread, roasted nuts,  and 
vegetable curries.  
Dried  
A preparatio n method that results in a stored product through  the removal of a significant amount of natural 
moisture . Examples include curing, drying, freeze -drying, heating , and spray -drying.  
Dried beverages  
Dried plant material (e.g. bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, fruit peel, seeds, stems  and roots ) that is later 
reconstituted into a beverage through the addition of liquid (usually water). Examples include instant and 
freeze -dried coffee, tea (bags, loose tea , homemade tea ), fruit infusions,  and dried mixtures of plant material . 
FAO  
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.   
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 17 of 20 Economically important fruit flies   
Those regulated fruit flies which, on entry into New Zealand, would cause a major disruption to market access 
for a wide range of New Zealand commodities  and/or have significant economic impacts on their production 
and/or have significant economic impacts on the environment.  
Fruit fly host material  
Fruit fly host s are defined  as “a ny fruit or vegetable in which under field conditions fruit flies oviposit, the eggs  
hatch into larvae, and the larvae acquire sufficient sustenance to form pupae from which viable adults 
emerge” under RSPM 4: Regional Standards for Phytosanitary Measures . 
Herbs  
Leaves,  roots, flowers,  or stems of plants used for flavourin g or as a garnish . 
Homemade  
Any product that is not commercially produced or packaged . 
Lichen  
A composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living amongst filam ents of multiple fun gi 
species in a mutual istic relationship.  
MPI  
The Ministry for Primary Indus tries. 
MPI-Approved System  
A system for which the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) has approved the processing and packaging and 
transport of specific products on the basis that the CTO is satisfied that the system will appropriately manage 
the biosecurity ri sk associated with these products, under section 27(1)(d)(iii) of the Act.  
National Plant Protection Organisation  (NPPO ) 
Official service established by Government to discharge the functions specified by the IPPC. [FAO, 1990; 
formerly Plant Protection Organisation (National)].  
Nut 
A fruit consisting of hard or tough shell around a (generally edible) kernel which when dried is often referred to 
as the nut itself.  
ONZPR  
Official New Zealand Pest Register.  A MPI database that identifies  the quarantine  status for an organism  as 
either regulated  or non-regulated  for New Zealand.  The ONZPR  is available at:  
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news -and-resources/resources/registers -and-lists/biosecurity -organisms -register -for-
impo rted-commodities/  
 
Personal Consignment  
A consignment imported for personal use, not for resale, scientific and research purposes, commercial 
distribution, or any other commercial purposes. Maximum sizes of personal consignments are specified in the 
indivi dual clauses of this IHS.  
 
A consignment relates to:  
(1) a passenger in the case of international passengers; or   
(2) cargo in the case of cargo containers containing personal effects; or  
(3) a mail or express freight item in the case of international mail or couriered services.  
Personal Effects  
Goods for Personal Use that are not already covered by an existing IHS, including but not  limited to clothing, 
footwear, furniture, and outdoor, sports and gardening equipment.    
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 18 of 20  
Personal Use  
Personal use relates to the purpose for which goods are imported and excludes imports intended for re -sale, 
scientific and research purp oses, commercial distribution, or any other commercial purpose.  
Pest  
Definition as per ISPM 5 . Glossary of phytosanitary terms : 
“Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent injurious to plants or plant products. Note: 
In the IPPC, “plant pest” is sometimes used for the term “pest” [FAO, 1990; revised ISPM 2, 1995; IPPC, 
1997; CPM, 2012] ” 
Phytosanitary certificate  
Definition as per ISPM 5 . Glossary of phytosanitary terms : 
“An official paper document or its official electronic e quivalent, consistent with the model certificates of the 
IPPC, attesting that a consignment meets phytosanitary import requirements [FAO, 1990; revised CPM, 
2012] ”. 
Plant s Biosecurity Index (PBI)  
A database that lists plant species that can be imported int o New Zealand.  
Preservation  
Treatments used to prevent goods and products [food] from decay, deterioration,  and spoilage (usua lly 
through the action of microorganisms), including drying, pickling, smoking, fermenting, canning, 
pasteuri sation, freezing, ir radiation, salting . Product that has undergone a preservative treatment such as 
blanching, bleaching , crystalli sation, glaz ing, jellied, marinating , pickl ing, and salting. Examples include jams, 
pickles, kimchi, sauerkraut , and truffles in oil.  
Regulated Pest(s) 
a) any regulated pest, quarantine pest, regulated non -quarantine pest as those terms are defined in 
the International Plant Protection Convention; and  
b) exotic diseases, infections and infestations as listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health, 
and  
c) any organism that may cause unwanted harm to natural and physical resources or human health in 
New Zealand; or may interfere with diagnosis, mana gement, or treatment, in New Zealand, of pests or 
unwanted organisms.  
 
Relevant Commodity Product IHS  
An Import Health St andard  containing requirements that are specific to the commodity being imported. For 
example, the Import Health Standards for Importa tion and Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables into New 
Zealand , Personal Consignments of Animal Products , and Stored Plant Products for Human Consumption.  
Risk Goods   
Any organism, organic material, or other thing, or substance, that (by reason of its nature, origin, or other 
relevant factors) it is reasonable to suspect constitutes, harbours, or contains an organism that ma y- cause 
unwanted harm to natural and physical resources or human health in New Zealand , or interfere with the 
diagnosis manage ment, or treatment, in New Zealand, of pests or unwanted organisms.  
Season ed 
To improve  the flavour  of savoury  food by adding  salt, herbs , or spices  when  cooking  or preparing  it. 
Spice  
Seeds, fruits, roots, bark , or other plant substance primarily used for flavouring, colouring , or preserving food.   
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 19 of 20 Stored Plant Products  
A product derived from plants, fungi, macroalgae or lichen product s intended for human consumption or 
processing, held in a state that prevents or minimises decay, degradation, deterioration and/or decomposition. 
Includes products held in a  cooked,  dried, frozen, fr eeze -dried , or preserved form . Stored plant products 
cover  both commercial and home processing (homemade).  
Traditional Medicines  
Products used in a style of traditional medicine . Examples include traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) , 
dried herbal products, leaves, roots , and seeds . 
Viable  
Capable of  growth and reproduction . 
Whole Seed 
A complete seed, not ground, chipped , or split . 
 
 
   
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 20 of 20 Schedule 2 – Highly Processed Plant Products  
The following list sets out commercially manufactured or processed food s (from predominantly plant origin ) for 
consumption in commercial packaging where  no further risk management actions  are required : 
Baking decorations including icing and non -citrus formed decorations (shapes , etc.) 
Baked goods (cake, biscuits, slices,  and muffins (not containing citrus))  
Bread (including flatbreads, etc .) 
Candies (including lollies, lollipop s) 
Canned plant products  
Cereals (cornflakes, puffed rice , porridge)  
Chocolate (including novelty chocolate bar s containing nuts, dried fruit ) 
Dried and ground herbs and spices  
Dried pasta  
Flour (wheat, rice, almond, potato)  
Instant noodles  
Jams, preserves, spread s (including nut butters)  
Pastes (including curry, chilli , tomato)  
Plant -based essences (vanilla, peppe rmint , etc.) 
Plant -based milk substitutes (almond and coconut milks , etc., and protein powders ) 
Rice (excluding w ild rice varieties)  
Tea (excluding those containing  citrus)