Import Health Standard 
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sea Containers from All 
Countries  
SEACO 
[Document Date]  
 Import Health Standard: Sea Containers from All Countries  
 Draft for Consultation [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 1 of 12  
TITLE 
Import Health Standard: Sea Containers from All Countries 
COMMENCEMENT 
This consolidated Import Health Standard comes into force on [Effective Date ].  
This Import Health Standard amends the import health standard:  Sea Containers from All Countries , which 
came into force on 31 August 2020, and consolidates all amendments up to the commencement of this 
standard.   
The amendment history to this Import Health Standard is set out in “Schedule 1: Document History”.  
ISSUING AUTHORITY 
This Import Health Standard is issued under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993 and incorporates 
amendments made in accordance with section 24B(1)(a) of that Act. 
 
Dated at Wellington, [Document Date]  
 
Peter Thomson 
Director, Animal and Plant Health 
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Director-General) 
 
For further information contact: 
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) 
Biosecurity New Zealand 
Environmental Health 
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140 
 
Email: standards@mpi.govt.nz 
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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 General biosecurity requirements 5  
Part 2: Required documentation 6  
2.1 Treatment certificates 6  
2.2 Sea container quarantine declarations 6  
Part 3: Sea containers from Italy 7  
3.1 All Italian sea containers (other than transshipped) 7  
3.2 All sea containers transshipped through Italy 8  
Schedule 1 – Document history 9  
Schedule 2 – Definitions 10  
Schedule 3 – Sensitive goods 11  
Schedule 4 – Sea container quarantine declaration 12  
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Introduction 
This introduction is not part of this Import Health Standard (IHS) but is intended to indicate its general effect. 
Purpose 
This Standard specifies the minimum requirements that must be met when sea containers are imported into 
New Zealand to manage the biosecurity risks associated with them. 
Background 
The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basis for excluding, eradication and effectively managing 
pests and unwanted organisms. 
Import health standards issued under the Act set out requirements to be met to effectively manage biosecurity 
risks associated with importing goods. They include requirements that must be met in the exporting country, 
during transit, and before biosecurity clearance can be given. 
Who should read this Import Health Standard? 
All importers and exporters of sea containers entering New Zealand (from any country) should be familiar with 
this Standard. 
Why is this important? 
It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure the requirements of this Standard are met. Consignments that do 
not comply with the requirements of this IHS may not be cleared for entry into New Zealand, and/or MPI may 
seek further information from importers. Consignments that do not comply with the requirements of this 
Standard may be reshipped or destroyed under the Act or tested/treated in accordance with MPI Standards 
before being released or equivalence determined. Importers are liable for all associated expenses. 
The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of sea containers will be recovered in 
accordance with the Act and any regulations made under the Act. All costs involved with documentation, 
transport, storage and obtaining a biosecurity clearance must be covered by the importer or agent. 
Equivalence 
A chief technical officer (CTO) may issue a direction under section 27(1)(d) of the Act that measures different 
from those set out in this Standard may be applied to effectively manage risks associated with the importation 
of these goods.  
Document history 
Refer to Schedule 1. 
 
 
 
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Other information 
This is not an exhaustive list of compliance requirements, and it is the importer’s responsibility to be familiar 
with and comply with all New Zealand laws. 
Guidance 
Guidance boxes are included in this Standard for explanatory purposes. The guidance included in these 
boxes is for information only and has no legal effect. For more guidance, see the MPI sea containers 
webpage. Contact MPI at standards@mpi.govt.nz  if you are unsure about any part of this Standard before 
you undertake activities relating to the importation of sea containers. 
Cargo 
Cargo within sea containers must be managed in accordance with the Act and any relevant import health 
standards. See MPI’s website for the relevant import health standard https://www.mpi.govt.nz/import/ . 
Wood packaging 
All wood packaging must be managed in accordance with the import health standard  Wood Packaging 
Material from All Countries .  
Non-compliance 
A sea container that does not meet the requirements of this Standard will not be given biosecurity clearance 
under the Act. The sea container will be directed by an inspector under section 122 of the Act for further 
action as considered appropriate to manage the biosecurity risks. MPI may also deny the unloading of sea 
containers from arriving vessels if MPI considers the risk too great to allow discharge. Deliberate non-
compliance with the requirements of this Standard, or negligence leading to non-compliance, will lead to 
increased intervention regimes (e.g., inspection or audit) or prosecution of liable parties under the Act. 
Costs 
Inspections and other functions undertaken by MPI pertaining to importing sea containers will be charged for 
as per the current Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations.  
Movement of sea containers 
(1) In accordance with the Act, sea containers can only be: 
a) discharged from a vessel at the port of first arrival (port of discharge); and 
b) moved to or between transitional facilities or biosecurity control areas when authorised by an 
inspector to do so. 
(2) All sea containers are required to be moved from the port of discharge in New Zealand to and between 
transitional facilities in accordance with: 
a) the authorisation by an inspector; and 
b) any appropriate operational procedures of the receiving approved transitional facility; and 
c) the requirements of any relevant import health standard for the cargo. 
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Part 1: General Requirements 
1.1 Application 
(1) This Import Health Standard applies to all sea containers that are imported into New Zealand from all 
countries. 
1.2 Incorporation by reference 
(1) The following documents are incorporated by reference under section 142M of the Biosecurity Act 
1993: 
a) Approved Biosecurity Treatments ; 
b) International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 23: Guidelines for Inspection  (ISPM 23), 
International Plant Protection Convention. 
(2) Under section 142O(3) of the Biosecurity Act, it is declared that section 142O(1) does not apply, that 
is, a notice under section 142O(2) of the Biosecurity 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 
documents.  
1.3 Definitions 
(1) Terms used in this Standard that are defined in the Act have the meanings set out in the Act unless a 
different meaning is given in Schedule 2. The Act is available at: 
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0095/latest/whole.html . 
(2) Definitions of terms used in this Standard are set out in Schedule 2 of this document. 
1.4 General biosecurity requirements 
(1) All sea containers imported into New Zealand for biosecurity clearance must: 
a) be clean and free of regulated pests and biosecurity contamination on arrival; 
b) meet the documentation requirements in Part 2; 
c) for containers arriving from Italy, meet the requirements in Part 3; 
d) remain sealed until an inspector gives permission for the sea container to be unpacked at a 
transitional facility; and 
e) be inspected and checked at a transitional facility by legally approved persons under the Act (for 
example, MPI inspectors or accredited persons). 
(2) All sea containers that arrive in New Zealand for any period, before being exported to another country 
without requiring biosecurity clearance, must  
a) be clean and free of biosecurity contaminants and regulated pests on arrival in New Zealand; and 
b) for containers arriving from Italy, meet the requirements in Part 3 for transshipping. Import Health Standard: Sea Containers from All Countries  
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Part 2: Required documentation 
(1) Importers must send the following documented information for all sea containers to MPI. MPI must 
receive the information at least 12 hours before the sea container (and cargo) arrives in New Zealand. 
a) sea container number; 
b) sea container type; 
c) country of origin; 
d) port of loading; 
e) port of discharge; 
f) importer details; 
g) exporter details; 
h) intended transitional facility; 
i) sea container quarantine declaration; 
j) complete and accurate description of the cargo or tariff code, including all packaging; 
k) treatment certificate (where applicable); 
l) evidence of sealing (where applicable), where evidence is the seal number and date-stamped 
photographs of the seal. 
2.1 Treatment certificates 
(1) All treatment certificates, if required by Part 3 of this Standard, must include all the following: 
a) treatment provider’s letterhead including name and physical address; 
b) certificate and registration number; 
c) description of the consignment—including quantity of containers and items; 
d) name and address of exporter; 
e) name and address of importer; 
f) date upon which treatment was completed; 
g) signature of the treatment provider; 
h) address where the treatment occurred; 
i) treatment details specified in Approved Biosecurity Treatments , including the type of treatment 
and products (where applicable) used, achieved treatment rate, exposure time period, end point 
readings (where applicable), etc.; 
j) a declaration that the treatment provider has met all the requirements specified in Approved 
Biosecurity Treatments . 
2.2 Sea container quarantine declarations 
(1) All sea containers imported into New Zealand must be accompanied by a sea container quarantine 
declaration. 
(2) All declarations must be made in accordance with Schedule 3 of this Standard. 
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Part 3: Sea containers from Italy 
Guidance 
Any vehicles, machinery and parts exported from Italy in a sea container are captured by the brown 
marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) requirements in the import health standard Vehicles, Machinery and Parts , 
which are equivalent to the BMSB requirements of this standard.  
 
Vehicles, machinery, and parts that have been treated or managed using a system for BMSB under the 
standard Vehicles, Machinery and Parts  and are packed into FAK containers will be considered treated 
cargo under this standard. 
3.1 All Italian sea containers (other than transshipped) 
(1) All sea containers and their cargo that depart from Italy on or after 1 September and arrive in 
New Zealand on or before 30 April of any year must meet the requirements of clause 3.1(2), (3), or (4). 
Treatment  
(2) Sea containers must be treated before arrival in New Zealand for brown marmorated stink bug 
(BMSB): 
a) in accordance with MPI’s Approved Biosecurity Treatments ; and 
b) by an MPI-approved offshore treatment provider ; and 
c) be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 2.1.1). 
(3) Sea containers can only be packed with cargo that has been treated for BMSB in accordance with 
MPI’s Approved Biosecurity Treatments  by an MPI-approved offshore treatment provider  and be 
accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 2.1.1)  
(4) Following treatment or inspection, containers must meet one of the following requirements: 
i) Fully enclosed sea containers must be sealed within 24 hours of treatment and remain 
sealed;  
ii) Non-fully enclosed sea containers must be kept segregated from untreated goods or 
other sources of possible BMSB contamination until export and must be exported from 
Italy within 120 hours of treatment. 
Inspection  
(5) Sea containers may be inspected by an MPI inspector instead of offshore treatment if: 
a) the importer has notified MPI before the sea container arrives in New Zealand that the container 
contains cargo that is sensitive under Schedule 3 and would be damaged by the treatments for 
BMSB specified in Approved Biosecurity Treatments ; and  
b) a chief technical officer has determined that treatment may damage the cargo. 
Sealed sea containers  
(6) Fully enclosed sea containers (six-sided metal sea containers) that are sealed for export before 
1 September of any year must: 
a) be accompanied with evidence of the sealing; and 
b) be exported from Italy before 1 October of the same year. 
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3.2 All sea containers transshipped through Italy 
(1) Fully enclosed sea containers originating from a country other than Italy, and transshipped through an 
Italian port, must remain unopened during the transshipment period in Italy. 
(2) Non-fully enclosed sea containers originating from a country other than Italy, and transshipped through 
an Italian port, must: 
a) be transshipped through an Italian port for no longer than 120 hours; and 
b) remain segregated from untreated cargo or other possible sources of BMSB during this period. 
(3) If requirements (1) or (2) are not met, the container and the non-sensitive goods must be treated 
before arrival in New Zealand in accordance with clause 3.1(2) as above. 
 
Guidance 
Note 1: To prevent live BMSB contaminating a sea container, MPI recommends that all sea containers are 
treated once they are fully packed. If an FAK container contains cargo that is sensitive or would be 
damaged by approved treatments, the container should be packed with the non-sensitive cargo and then 
treated. Within 24 hours of treatment, the sensitive cargo should then be packed, the sea container should 
be sealed, and then it should remain sealed until it is exported from Italy. 
 
Note 2: If the sea container and cargo are treated separately (including FAK), the treated sea container 
should be packed with both treated and sensitive cargo. The container should be sealed within 24 hours of 
treatment of the container and the non-sensitive cargo, and it should remain sealed until it is exported from 
Italy. 
 
Note 3: Non-fully sealed containers can be segregated by closing/covering the open parts or sides of the 
container, physical distance, or physical protection (nets). 
 
Note 4: MPI inspectors might verify the sea container on arrival. 
 
Note 5: If MPI inspectors find biosecurity contamination in sensitive cargo, MPI might require these 
goods to be treated, reshipped, or destroyed. All agreed treatments are at the risk of the importer. 
 
Note 6: It is unlikely that untreated sea containers or treated sea containers with untreated non-sensitive 
cargo from Italy will be permitted to be discharged in New Zealand. 
 
Note 7: Providing the seal number and date-stamped photographs of sealing is enough evidence to meet 
clause 3.1(4)a) i).  
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Schedule 1 – Document history 
Version date Section changed Change description  
28/08/2018  Section 2.2 and addition of 
section 2.3 Removal of CTOD from sec. 2.2 and the addition of 
the urgent amendment for Italian sea containers in 
sec. 2.3 
17/10/2018  Throughout  Revision of grammatical errors and clarification of 
ambiguities  
30/06/2019  Revised section 2.1 2.1k) – Expansion of requir ements for treatment 
certification (removed from Schedule 1 - Definitions)  
Revised section 2.3 Revised to provide more clarity and guidance (in two 
guidance boxes) 
Requirements now specified as two options (A for 
treatment of sea containers and B for sea containers 
holding sensitive risk goods)  
Revised section 3.1 New sec. 2.3.1 – Sea containers transshipped  
through Italy 
Sec. 3.1(1): The second sentence has been removed 
to help clarify the intent of the standard and not 
specify how MPI inspectors must conduct verification 
of MPI requirements . 
31/08/2020  All sections Rewording of all sections  
Removal of Part 3 
Extension of the timeframes from BMSB requirements  
XX/XX/2022  All sections  Layout revised  
Minor updates 
Section 1.4  Transshipping requirements included  
Requirements expanded for clearer communication 
 
Section 2.2  Revised quarantine declaration  
Section 3 Removal of expiration date of BMSB requirements  
Schedule 3  Sensitive goods list included  
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Schedule 2 – Definitions 
Terms used in this Standard that are defined in the Act have the meanings set out there. The following 
specific definitions also apply and are defined for the purposes of this Standard as follows:  
biosecurity contaminant 
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.  
brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) 
Halyomorpha halys  
check 
A visual examination by an accredited person to detect the presence of biosecurity pests and contamination. 
Such a check is to be carried out during the routine handling and movement of sea containers and as per the 
Accredited Persons training. 
freight of all kinds (FAK) 
A sea container which includes individual consignments of different types of goods for multiple importers. A 
less-than-container-load (LCL) consignment is part of the contents of a FAK container 
 
fully enclosed container 
 
Six-sided metal sea containers 
inspection 
An inspection by an MPI Inspector to detect the presence of biosecurity contaminants and regulated pests, in 
accordance with the Act and ISPM 23 
 
non-fully enclosed containers 
 
Includes flat rack, open sided/topped, hard and soft topped sea containers 
regulated pest 
Any organism (of plant or animal origin) that may cause unwanted harm to natural and physical resources or 
human health in New Zealand; or may interfere with the diagnosis, management, or treatment, in 
New Zealand, of pests or unwanted organisms 
sea container quarantine declaration 
An official declaration made in writing by an exporter or packer (as referred to in clause 2.2 of this Standard), 
that provides information to MPI information relating to cleanliness, restricted packing materials and wood 
packaging 
seal 
A sealing device that prevents the container doors from being opened and has a unique identification number 
sealing 
The closing of container doors ensuring that the doors’ rubber seals (if applicable) are intact, and goods are 
protected from the outside environment 
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Schedule 3 – Sensitive goods 
Under section 3.1.5, an MPI inspector may inspect sea containers and cargo instead of (fumigation or heat) 
treatment where: 
 
i) the importer has notified MPI that the sea container contains cargo that is sensitive and 
would be damaged by the treatments for brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) specified in 
Approved Biosecurity Treatments; and  
ii) an MPI chief technical officer has determined that treatment may damage the cargo.  
 
Sensitive risk goods 
Risk goods that are sensitive to treatment are: 
 agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines; 
 food for human consumption (including beverages); 
 food-grade packaging materials (such as thermal plastic film); 
 fresh produce; 
 frozen food products; 
 live animals; 
 leather goods (apparel and furniture) 
 pet food; 
 pharmaceutical products; 
 polyurethane bales and foam products; 
 refrigerated goods; 
 seed for sowing; 
 special category risk goods (chemical, explosive, mineral, radioactive or volatile); 
 tanktainers; and 
 textiles (including yarn). 
 
Guidance 
Sensitive textiles include clothing, fabric, other natural products such as finished furs, finished hides, 
processed leather, rayon, silk, and yarn/wool; and other textiles for making furniture that are sensitive to 
the treatment required for brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB). 'Sensitive’ can also apply to raw 
unfinished products and unfinished furniture. ‘Sensitive’ does not apply to other industrial application 
products that do not meet the description of sensitive textiles. 
 
Note 1: In an importer’s application to MPI for biosecurity clearance, importers must notify MPI in writing 
that the cargo is sensitive to treatment so that an appropriate MPI intervention can be arranged. If the 
importer does not notify MPI that the sea container’s cargo is sensitive, biosecurity clearance could be 
delayed, the sea container may have to be reshipped or the cargo may have to be destroyed. 
 
Note 2: A sea container or risk goods that do not meet the requirements of an import health standard will 
not be given biosecurity clearance under the Act. An MPI inspector will direct non-compliant risk goods for 
further action to manage the biosecurity risks as per section 122 of the Act. 
 
If you plan to import goods that may qualify as sensitive but are not listed here, please contact 
Standards@mpi.govt.nz  for a CTO determination on sensitivity.  
 
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Schedule 4 – Sea container quarantine declaration 
All sea container quarantine declarations must be produced on a company letterhead or stamped with 
company details and have the following box (to download a Word version, click here): 
 
SEA CONTAINER QUARANTINE DECLARATION FOR NEW ZEALAND 
Cleanliness, Restricted Packaging and Wood Packaging Declaration 
Container numbers:       
Vessel name:       
Voyage numbers:       
 
1. Cleanliness: At the time of packing, were the containers inspected internally and externally, 
and shipped clean and free from contamination with animal material, live organisms, plant 
material, soil, and water? Yes or No (delete 
option not applicable) 
   
2. Restricted packaging materials: Has any chaff, hay, moss, soil, peat, straw, used sacking 
material, used tyres, or any packing material contaminated with the above been used in the 
containers listed above? Yes or No  
   
3. Wood packaging : Has any wood packaging been used in the containers, such as cases, 
crates, pallets, or has wood been used to separate, brace, protect, or secure the cargo? (If 
packaging is made with material exempt from ISPM 15 requirements such as plywood or 
medium-density fibreboard, answer no.) Yes or No  
   
3a. If the answer to Question 3 is “ Yes”, has the wood been ISPM 15 treated/marked? 
Note: Certification is not required for ISPM 15 treated/marked wood packaging . Yes, No or Not 
Applicable   
   
3b. If the answer to Question 3a is “ No”, has the wood been treated in another way and 
certified as per the import health standard? If the wood was treated, how was this done? 
      
If a treatment certificate was provided, it must be attached to this form.   Yes, No or Not 
Applicable  
 
4. Date container is sealed (where applicable):  
 
Important guidance information for containers that require treatment 
Containers that require treatment, either for the contents or the container itself, should be packed with sufficient 
space for the appropriate treatment to be effective and compliant, please contact your treatment provider to discuss 
packing requirements for the treatments.  
 
I CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT.  
Signed:  
 
Name and position in company:           
 
Address:       
 
Date:       
 
Note: Failure to supply this information, or supplying erroneous information, may result in biosecurity clearance 
being delayed; is likely to result in increased costs during MPI management processes in New Zealand.