Guidance Document 
 
A guidance document issued by the Ministry for Prim ary Industries   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Giant River Prawns 
(Macrobrachium 
rosenbergii)  
RIVPRAWN.SPE 
[Document Date]  
 Guidance Document: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachiu m rosenbergii) 
 Draft [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries Page 1 of 9  
 
 Title 
Guidance Document: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachiu m rosenbergii). 
About this document 
This guidance document contains information about a cceptable ways of ensuring compliance with the 
requirements in the Import Health Standard (IHS): Giant River Prawns (M acrobrachium rosenbergii) . 
Any guidance on how to comply with the applicable r equirements may not be the only way to achieve 
compliance. Stakeholders are encouraged to discuss departures from the approaches outlined in this 
guidance document with the Ministry for Primary Ind ustries (MPI) to avoid expending resources on the 
development of alternative approaches which may lat er be considered unsuitable. 
The term “must” is not typically used in guidance. In this particular document if the term “must” is u sed, it is 
used in the context of quoting or paraphrasing the requirements set out in the related IHS: Giant River Prawns 
(Macrobrachium rosenbergii).  
Related Requirements 
Import Health Standard: Giant River Prawns (Macrobr achium rosenbergii) 
Document history 
Refer to Appendix 1. 
Contact Details  
For further information and questions about this gu idance document, please contact: 
 
Animal Imports 
Biosecurity New Zealand 
Ministry for Primary Industries 
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140 
 
Email: animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  
Disclaimer 
This guidance does not constitute, and should not b e regarded as, legal advice. While every effort has  been 
made to ensure the information in this guidance is accurate, the Ministry for Primary Industries does not accept 
any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that may be 
present, however it may have occurred. 
Copyright 
Crown copyright ©. This copyright work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zeal and 
licence. In essence, you are free to copy, distribu te and adapt the work, as long as you attribute the  work to the Ministry for Primary 
Industries and abide by the other licence terms. To  view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/nz/ . 
Please note that no governmental emblem, logo or Co at of Arms may be used in any way which infringes a ny provision of the Flags, 
Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 or would inf ringe such provision if the relevant use occurred w ithin New Zealand. 
Attribution to the Ministry for Primary Industries should be in written form and not by reproduction o f any such emblem, logo or Coat of 
Arms.  
Guidance Document: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachiu m rosenbergii) 
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 Contents Page  
1 Purpose 3 
2 Background 3 
3 Definitions 3 
4 Importer Responsibilities 3 
5 Guidance 3 
5.1  Equivalence 3 
5.2  Incorporation of material by reference 4 
5.3  Harmonised System (HS) codes 4 
5.4  Exporting country systems and certification 4  
5.5  Diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatment 5 
5.6  Inspection and verification 5 
6 Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms 6  
6.1  Model veterinary certificate 6 
6.2  Model export certificate Error! Bookmark not defined.  
6.3  Model manufacturer’s declaration Error! Bookmark not defined.  
Appendix 1 – Document History 9 
 
  Guidance Document: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachiu m rosenbergii) 
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 1 Purpose 
(1)  This guidance document has been issued to accompany  the IHS: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachium 
rosenbergii) . This guidance document should be read in conjunct ion with that IHS.  
(2)  This document includes: 
a)  Countries with MPI-approved exporting systems to im port giant river prawns into New Zealand. 
b)  A model veterinary certificate. 
c)  Links to negotiated country specific veterinary cer tificates. 
2 Background 
(1)  The IHS: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) , which this guidance document 
accompanies, contains generic import requirements. These are the rules to manage the biosecurity 
risk of importing giant river prawns from Israel an d Thailand that can meet the requirements of the IH S 
and in doing so meet New Zealand’s appropriate leve l of protection. The generic IHS serves as the 
basis for country-to-country (bilateral) negotiatio ns.  
(2)  This guidance document contains a model veterinary certificate and the agreed veterinary certification  
for trade in giant river prawns. This veterinary ce rtificate represents what will be certified prior t o 
exporting consignments of giant river prawns.  
3 Definitions 
(1)  Refer to Schedule 2  of the IHS: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) . 
4 Importer Responsibilities 
(1)  The costs to MPI in performing functions relating t o the importation of giant river prawns will be 
recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 19 93 (the Act) and any regulations made under that 
Act. All costs involved with documentation, transpo rt, storage and obtaining a biosecurity clearance 
must be covered by the importer or agent. 
5 Guidance 
5.1  Equivalence 
(1)  MPI may accept an alternative method, system or pro cess that can be shown to achieve the 
biosecurity requirements of the IHS (i.e. equivalen ce). 
(2)  MPI’s preference is that the exporting country’s Co mpetent Authority makes equivalence requests. 
Equivalence requests can be lodged with animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz . 
(3)  Information may be added to the import permit where  specific equivalence measures are approved by 
MPI. The import permit serves as evidence of equiva lence decisions and will be written as specific 
notes in the special conditions section of the perm it. 
(4)  Apply online for an import permit at the following weblink: https://animalplantimportpermit.mpi.govt.nz/  Guidance Document: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachiu m rosenbergii) 
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 5.2  Incorporation of material by reference 
(1)  Incorporation by reference means that standards, gu idelines or lists are incorporated into the IHS and  
they form part of the requirements. This is done be cause technical documents are too large or 
impractical to include in the IHS. 
(2)  If the IHS states that section 142O(1) of the Act d oes not apply, this means that importers need to re fer 
to the most recent version of any standards, guidel ines or lists that are incorporated by reference in  the 
IHS. 
5.3  Harmonised System (HS) codes 
(1)  The Harmonised System is an international product n umbering classification developed by the World 
Customs Organization (WCO). The New Zealand Harmoni sed System is found here: Harmonized 
System | WCO Trade Tools . 
(2)  Animals imported using the IHS will be under one of  the following HS Codes: 
 
HS Code  Commodity Description  
0306.36.00 
10E  Other shrimps and prawns.  
 
For the purposes of this IHS, only the species Macrobrachium rosenbergii  can be imported 
5.4  Exporting country systems and certification 
5.4.1  Recognition of exporting systems 
(1)  The exporting systems of Israel and Thailand have m et MPI’s general exporting requirements, but 
some specific requirements based on the World Organ isation for Animal Health Aquatic Animal Health 
Code (the Code ), section 3, titled “Quality of Veterinary Service s” may be requested by MPI regarding 
the capabilities and preferences of the exporting c ountry’s Competent Authority.  
5.4.2  Agreed country-specific veterinary certificates 
(1)  A model veterinary certificate is provided in this guidance document and can be used by the 
Competent Authority and exporting aquacultural faci lity as a reference for country-specific veterinary  
certificate negotiation. 
(2)  All country-specific veterinary certificates agreed  between an exporting country’s Competent Authority  
and MPI are included in the table below: 
 
Country  Link to certificate  S27 CTO direction 
#  Date agreed  Date applicable 
for use 
     
(3)  Country-specific veterinary certificates with equiv alent measures will be recorded with a number 
relevant to a chief technical officer (CTO) directi on under section 27(1)d(iii) of the Act, to enable border 
staff to clear the goods and record the number in t he MPI database. 
(4)  Currently there are no country-specific veterinary certificates for giant river prawns imports into 
New Zealand.  Guidance Document: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachiu m rosenbergii) 
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 5.5  Diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatment 
(1)  MPI lists all approved diagnostic tests and vaccine s in the MPI document: Approved Diagnostic Tests, 
Vaccines, Treatments and Post-Arrival Testing Labor atories for Animal Import Health Standards, 
MPI-STD-TVTL. . 
(2)  Where World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) r ecommended diagnostic tests and vaccines are 
listed, details can be found in the WOAH Aquatic Animal Health Code  Aquatic Code Online Access - 
WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health  and WOAH Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic 
Animals  Aquatic Manual Online Access - OIE - World Organisa tion for Animal Health . 
(3)  Prior to agreement of any country-specific veterina ry certificates, there may not be any approved 
diagnostic tests or vaccines listed in MPI-STD-TVTL . These will be agreed during certificate 
negotiation and then added to MPI-STD-TVTL.  
5.6  Inspection and verification 
(1)  On arrival, all documentation accompanying the cons ignment will be verified by an inspector. The 
inspector may also inspect the consignment, or a sa mple of the consignment on arrival. 
(2)  Inspectors are able to inspect and verify due to th eir authorised powers under the Act. 
(3)  These requirements are independent of the IHS requi rements. 
  Guidance Document: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachiu m rosenbergii) 
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 6 Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organism s 
6.1  Model veterinary certificate 
• The following model official certificate is for gia nt river prawns from Israel or Thailand.  
• The model official certificate can be used by the e xporting Competent Authority as a reference for 
country-specific official certificate negotiation, but a certificate must be agreed between the export ing 
Competent Authority and MPI before trade can commen ce. 
 
Exporting Country: Israel or Thailand 
Certificate reference number: Import permit number:  
1.  Importer name: 
Address: 
 
 2.  Exporter name: 
Address:  
3.  Country of destination: New Zealand  4.  Country of origin: Israel or Thailand (delete as 
applicable)  
 
5.  Date of departure: 
 6.  Place of shipment: 
7.  Place of origin 
Name: 
Address: 
 8.  Means of transport: 
☐  Aeroplane 
☐  Ship 
Identification: 
9.  Expected border post 
10.  Identification of commodity: 
Species:  Macrobrachium rosenbergii  
 
Species ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii)  Identification Age Official seal 
    
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
 
 
 
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 Country: Israel or Thailand (delete as 
applicable)  Certificate reference number: 
 
 
I,,………………………………………………………………, an Official employed b y the Competent Authority of Israel or Thailand 
(delete as appropriate), certify after due enquiry,  that the giant river prawns satisfy the following requirements. 
Eligibility  
(1)  The consignment consists of adult giant river prawn s ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) from Israel or Thailand ( delete as 
applicable ). There are no larval or juvenile (post-larval) st ages in the consignment.  
(2)  The giant river prawns are only derived from aquacu lture broodstock and were not caught or sourced fro m the wild. 
(3)  The giant river prawns were resident in Israel or T hailand ( delete as applicable ) since birth, unless otherwise approved by 
MPI.  
(4)  The giant river prawns completed their pre-export i solation in a facility approved and supervised by a n Official of the 
Competent Authority of Israel or Thailand ( delete as applicable ). 
 
Pre-export isolation (PEI) 
(5)  The giant river prawns were: 
(a)  Kept in an approved pre-export isolation facility, as described in clause 1.5 of the MPI import health  standard Giant 
River Prawns .  
(b)  Held in PEI for a minimum period of 30 days prior t o the date of shipment. 
(c)  Isolated from other aquatic animals and invertebrat es not of equivalent health status. Management proc edures to 
keep these prawns in separate biosecure areas were followed.  
(d)  Continuously kept in water that passed through a fi lter capable of removing suspended organic material  and, where 
necessary, other filtration to ensure that the UV t ransmittance of the water is within manufacturer’s specifications 
prior to irradiation; and then was treated using co mmercial UV water treatment units operating in the spectral range 
of 190-290 nm (254 nm recommended) delivering doses  of at least 130 mWs/cm2. 
 
Inspection  
(6)  The giant river prawns were free from clinical sign s of diseases caused by identified risk organisms f or the entirety of PEI 
and the prawns were moved to the port of departure.   
Transport  
(7)  As far as can be determined: 
(a)  If shipped by air, the animals will be shipped in a ccordance with the International Air Transport Asso ciation (IATA) 
Live Animal Regulations; if shipped by sea, the ani mals will be shipped in accordance with the Austral ian Marine 
Orders Part 43, Issue 6. 
(b)  The tanks used for transporting the animals to New Zealand are either new or if previously used were c leaned and 
disinfected. 
(c)  No animals other than those that meet the import re quirements for entry into New Zealand will be trans ported with 
the giant river prawns on the aircraft or ship. 
(8)  The giant river prawns were exported in water that has been treated by methods described in (5)(d). 
(9)  The giant river prawns were placed in a container w ith an official seal and precautions taken so that there will be no water 
exchange during transport. 
Specified requirements for identified risk organism s (delete clauses not applicable to the commodity for  export)  
(10)  Covert mortality nodavirus (CMNV)  
(a)  Giant river prawns must originate from a country, z one, or compartment free from infection with CMNV a s agreed 
by MPI; or 
(b)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be tested with negative resu lts for 
CMNV, prior to export and on arrival in New Zealand , using an MPI-approved RT-PCR test following MPI-a pproved 
subsampling procedures as documented in MPI-STD-TVTL.  
 
(11)  Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1)  
(a)  Giant river prawns must originate from a country, z one, or compartment free from infection with DIV1 a s agreed by 
MPI; or  
(b)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be tested with negative resu lts for 
DIV1, prior to export and on arrival in New Zealand , using an MPI-approved RT-PCR or a nested PCR test  
following MPI-approved subsampling procedures as do cumented in MPI-STD-TVTL ; or 
(c)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be imported according to the  
recommendations in the Code chapter for aquatic animals for aquaculture from a country, zone or compartment not 
declared free from infection with DIV1.   Guidance Document: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachiu m rosenbergii) 
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Ministry for Primary Industries Page 8 of 9  
 
 (12)  Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis v irus (IHHNV)  
(a)  Giant river prawns must originate from a country, z one, or compartment free from infection with IHHNV as agreed 
by MPI; or 
(b)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be tested with negative resu lts for 
IHHNV, prior to export and on arrival in New Zealan d, using an MPI-approved test following MPI-approve d 
subsampling procedures as documented in MPI-STD-TVTL ; or 
(c)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be imported according to the  
recommendations in the Code chapter for aquatic animals for aquaculture from a country, zone or compartment not 
declared free from infection with IHHNV. 
 
(13)  Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV)  
(a)  Giant river prawns must originate from a country, z one, or compartment free from infection with MrNV a s agreed by 
MPI; or 
(b)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be tested with negative resu lts for 
MrNV, prior to export and on arrival in New Zealand , using an MPI-approved test following MPI-approved  
subsampling procedures as documented in MPI-STD-TVTL ; or 
(c)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be mported according to the 
recommendations in the Code chapter for aquatic animals for aquaculture from a country, zone or compartment not 
declared free from infection with MrNV. 
(14)  White spot syndrome virus (WSSV)  
(a)  Giant river prawns must originate from a country, z one, or compartment free from infection with WSSV a s agreed 
by MPI; or  
(b)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be tested with negative resu lts for 
WSSV, prior to export and on arrival in New Zealand , using an MPI-approved test following MPI-approved  
subsampling procedures as documented in MPI-STD-TVTL ; or 
(c)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be imported according to the  
recommendations in the Code chapter for aquatic animals for aquaculture from a country, zone or compartment not 
declared free from infection with WSSV. 
 
(15)  Aphanomyces astaci (water mould)   
(a)  Giant river prawns must originate from a country, z one, or compartment free from infection with A. astaci  as agreed 
by MPI; or 
(b)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be tested with negative resu lts for A. 
astaci, prior to export and on arrival in New Zeala nd, using an MPI-approved test following MPI-approv ed 
subsampling procedures as documented in MPI-STD-TVT L; or 
(c)  Giant river prawns from an MPI-approved country, zo ne or compartment must be imported according to the  
recommendations in the Code chapter for aquatic ani mals for aquaculture from a country, zone or compar tment not 
declared free from infection with A. astaci 
Note : Official stamp, signature, and date must be appli ed to all pages and any documents that form part of  the extended certificate. 
 
Official in charge of the aquatic animals in pre-ex port isolation: 
Name: 
Address: 
Signature: 
Date: 
 
 
 
 
Official signature, Official stamp 
and date Guidance Document: Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachiu m rosenbergii) 
 Draft [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries Page 9 of 9  
 
 Appendix 1 – Document History 
Date First Issued  Title  Shortcode  
14 April 2023 
Internal consultation  Guidance Document: Giant river prawns 
(Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) GD RIVPRAWN.SPE 
10 July 2023 
External consultation  Guidance Document: Giant river prawns 
(Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) GD RIVPRAWN.SPE 
Date of Issued Amendments  Title  Shortcode  
Date  Guidance Document: Giant river prawns 
(Macrobrachium rosenbergii )