Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Personal Consignments of 
Products for Human 
Consumption and Personal 
Effects  
P-EFFECTS.ALL  
14 December 2021  
  Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 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  10 January 2022   
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, 14 December 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  
Invasive Species  
Animal and Plant Health  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
 
Email: Standards@mpi.govt.nz   
   Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
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 Cons ignments  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 Require ments for Stored Plant Products Types  9 
Part 4:  Personal Consignments of Animal P roducts 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 
 
 
  Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
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 i ts 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 Ze aland . 
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 o rganisms. IHSs include measures that must be applied 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 IH S.  
Why is this important?  
It is the responsibility 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 technical officer (CTO) . 
Consignments that do not comply with the requirements of this IHS may be reshipped or destroyed under the 
Act or tested/treated in  accordance with this IHS prior to release or equivalence determined. Importers are 
liable for all associated expenses. The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of 
personal consignments will be recovered in accordance with the A ct 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 CTO  may consider an application for an equivalent phytosa nitary measure  to be approved, different from 
that provided for in this IHS, to maintain at least the same 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  
14 December 2021  New IHS   Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
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 .  
 
Convention on 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 country of origin and the Convention on the International Trad e in Endangered 
Species (CITES) (http://www.cites.org ). See the Department of Conservation  website  for further details 
(https://www.doc.govt.nz/cites/ ). The importer is adv ised to clarify the status of the species of animal or plant 
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 Departmen t of Conservation. Any 
requirement for CITES or other conservation -related documentation must be met by the exporter/importer.  
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and new organisms  
Importers of new organisms must meet all requirements of the Hazardou s 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.   Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
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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 consignments 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 Personal 
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 that relate to human consumption in the  standard  
Personal  Consignments of Animal Products  are relevant to the goods covered by  this IHS.  
• Products for “human consumption” mean s food or medicinal  products for ingestion by humans , but do 
not cover cosmetics or topical creams.  
• 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 Pla nt 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 import health standards for  specific goods , see MPI’s  Import web page .  
 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  
(1) The following documents are incorporated by reference under section 142M of the Act:  
a) ISPM 5. Glossary of phytosanitar y terms . IPPC, FAO ; Rome . 
b) ISPM 12. Phytosanitary certificates . IPPC, FAO ; Rome .  
c) Official New Zealand Pest Register  (ONZPR ). MPI; Wellington . 
d) Schedule of Regulated (Quarantine) Weed Seeds . MPI ; Wellington . 
e) Plant Biosecurity Index (PBI) . MPI; Wellington.  
f) MPI Standard Approved Biosecurity Treatments  (MPI-ABTRT ). MPI; Wellington . 
(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 lega l effect as part of those  documents . 
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 definitions that apply.   Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
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 multilingual , 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 requirements have been met, MPI may require the importer to obtain a n official  translation 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 certificates (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 address (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 authorising person;  
b) date of issue;  
c) physical address  of the place where treatment occurred ;  
d) product description  (brand/product name and amount );  
e) treatment details ( type, treatment rates, and duration);  and  
f) date the treatment occurred . 
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 bringing in 40  kg of products for human consumption in total, only 2  kg of that 
40 kg may be made up  of a dairy product , which must also compl y with the import health standard  
Personal Consignments of Animal Products .  
• Any personal consignment may be subject to on-arrival activities such as inspection.   Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
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 consumption  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 consi gnment could include a  Pacific  Island  Food 
Programme  package  like a Samoan Quarantine Service or Tongan Food Programme  box of 20  kg, plus 
any other food products they may be carrying or importing,  adding up to  a combined total  40 kg only .  
  Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
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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  
• An MPI-approved system  is 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 risk associated with the se products , under section 
27 of the Act.  
• Please contact Standards@mpi.govt.nz  for more information.  
  Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
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 of 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) not be viable or propagatable material of a regulated  pest species . 
(3) The total wei ght 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-ABTRT ). If treatments are conducted offshore , the 
consignment must be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3). 
(5) Low-risk commercially processed foods (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 applicable to the specific stored pla nt products type in clause 3.2.  
 
Guidance  
• For grains and seed products, p lease check  the Plants Biosecurity Index (PBI)  and the Schedule  of 
Regulated (Quarantine) Weed Seeds .  
• Please che ck 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 the discretion to determine whether  a product is commercial ly processed or homemade.  
3.2 Specific Requirements for Stored Plant Products  Types 
3.2.1 Cooked  
(1) All jackfruit (from Artocarpus heterophyllus ) must b e commercially processed and packaged, in original 
and sealed packaging on arrival  unless it is deep -fried chips that are thin and completely cooked.  
(2) Subject to 3.2.1( 3), all breadfruit (from Artocarpus altilis ) must be commercially processed and 
packaged,  in original and sealed packaging on arrival unless  deep -fried chips that are completely 
cooked.  
(3) Breadfruit from Samoa that is a cooked product other than deep -fried chips  must:   Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 10 of 20 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.  
(4) All salted seaweed must  be commercially processed  and packaged.  
(5) All corn -on-the-cob must be commercially pro cessed  and packaged.  
 
Guidance  
• MPI has approved the 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 spices  
(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-ABTRT ). All offshore treated consignments must be 
accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3).  
 
Guidance  
• Ground coffee beans , instant beverages , and spices  in non -commercial packaging do not need to meet  
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-ABTRT ). All offshore treated consignments must be 
accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3).  
(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 Appro ved Biosecurity Treatments  
(MPI-ABTRT ). All offshore treated consignments must be accompanied by a treatment certificate 
(clause 1.4. 3).  
(7) All items of pure Ganoderma  or containing Ganoderma  (other than soup mixes  or tablets/capsules ) 
must be commercially packaged and labelled as  Ganoderma . 
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  14 December 2021  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 11 of 20 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 unlikely to contain any live pests . 
• Whole truffles should be  import ed under  the Fresh Truffles for Human Consumption  standard,  as these 
are generally not completely dried.  
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-ABTRT ). All offshore treated consignments must be 
accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3).  
(10) All non-commercially produced  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  
• 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 somniferum.  
Dried  legumes  
(13) Subject to clause 3.2.1(14), a ll dried legumes must  be split or ground .   
(14) Dried legumes that are not split or ground  must be heat treated in accordance with MPI Approved 
Biosecurity Treatments  (MPI -ABTRT). All offshore treated consignments must be accompanied by a 
treatment certificate (clause 1.4.3).  
(15) Puy lentils must be in sealed commercial packaging . The packaging must clearly state  that the p uy 
lentils have been produced under Appellation d’origine Prot égée in France.  
(16) Whole tonka beans (Dipteryx odorata ) must  be heat treated in accordance with  MPI Approved 
Biosecurity Treatments  (MPI-ABTRT ). All offshore treated consignments must be accompanied by a 
treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3).  
 
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 ’. 
• Legumes imported for sprouting are covered by the Grains for Consumption, Feed or Processing  
standard . 
Dried nuts with a shell  
(17) 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-
ABTRT ). All offshore treated consignm ents must be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 
1.4.3).   Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 12 of 20 (18) All hazelnut s (Corylus  spp.) and macadamia ( Macadamia integrifolia ) nuts with a shell must be  
fumigated in accordance with  MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments  (MPI-ABTRT ). All offshore treated 
consignments must be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3).   
Dried nuts without a shell  
(19) Ginkgo nut ( Ginkgo  biloba ) must not contain any outer fleshy coating.  
(20) Pine nut ( Pinus  spp.) must be extracted from the cone  and be free of the cone scales (woody 
covering) .  
 
Guidance  
• Check MPI ’s Importing Food web page  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 (17) to ( 20) 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  
(21) Cyanobacteria ( Nostoc commune ) must  be imported as balls of filament and must be  heat treated in 
accordance with  MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments  (MPI-ABTRT ). All offshore treated 
consignments must be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3).  
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 
commercially 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  in accordance with MPI 
Approved Biosecurity  Treatments  (MPI -ABTRT).  All offshore treat ed consignments  must be 
accompanied by  a treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3).  
(4) Avocado ( Persea americana ) must not contain seed (stone  removed).  
(5) Lily bulbs ( Lilium spp.) must be peeled.  
(6) Tamarind ( Tamarindus indic a) must be compressed pulp . 
Frozen fungi  
(7) The only  frozen fungi species that may be imported are Agaricus bisporus , Boletus edulis , 
Cantharellus cibarius , Craterellus cornucopioides , Lentinula edodes , Marasmius oreades , Morchella 
conica and Morchella esculentus.  
(8) Fungi must be an eligible species and be frozen at a temperature of at least minus  10°C  for a 
minimum of 7 days  in accordance with MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments  (MPI -ABTRT).  All 
offshore treated consignments must be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3).  
 
  Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 13 of 20 Frozen grains and seeds  
(9) All whole grain and seeds must : 
a) be listed as “Basic ” in the Plant s Biosecurity Index ; or 
b) be heat treated in accordance with MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments  (MPI-ABTRT ). All 
offshor e treated consignments must be accompanied by a treatment certificate (clause 1.4. 3).  
(10) Frozen unprocessed  grains and seeds are not permitted entry . 
Frozen legumes  
(11) Frozen unprocessed  legumes are not permitted entry . 
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 clause  3.2.2 ( 20)). 
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.  
  Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 14 of 20 Part 4:  Personal Consignment s of Animal P roducts for 
Human Consumption  
(1) All personal consignments of animal products for human consumption must comply with the 
requirements of the import health standard Personal Consignments 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.   
 
 
  Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
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 , dry 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 wi th 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 .  
• Cleaning of personal effects should take place prior to packing luggage, sea co ntainers , etc. and 
includes personal effects on -person.  
• 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,  water,  insects, eggs , etc. so that it is visibly clean afterwards. ” 
• Personal effects covered by this clause may be  subject to on -arrival activities including , but not limited 
to, any or all of the following:  further risk assessment , inspection , and treatment on  arrival.  
• Common examples of personal effects imported under th is standard include:  
− All footwear and clothing  
− Bags or luggage  
− Golf bags and associated equipment  
− Bicycles and associated equipment  
− All other outdoor activity equipment (includes tramping or hiking packs, swags, tents, sleeping 
bags, walking poles, pegs, any protective gear (jackets), climbing equipme nt, all water sports 
equipment  (excluding fish gear) , snow sports equipment, paragliding,  or kiting equipment)  
− All non-commercial gardening and work equipment and accessories (including tarps, sheets, 
covers, lawnmowers, garden,  or construction tools (powe red or unpowered))  
− All outdoor furniture (common examples include seats, tables, sculptures, pots, marquees, BBQs).  
• Personal effects covered by this IHS include items imported through the following ways:  
− Accompanied  or on -person  via air or sea;  
− In air and sea containers; or  
− In the mail (standard mail or courier packages ).  Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 16 of 20 Schedule  1 – Definitions  
Definitions have the same meanin g as defined by FAO , ISPM  5. Glossary of phytosanitary 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 protégée (AOP)  
French protected designation of origin certification.  
Biosecurity  contaminant (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 cleara nce under the Act . Includes contamination  defined by ISPM  5. 
Cleaned  
Recent and reasonable effort 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,  water,  
insects,  or moth eggs , etc. so that it is visibly clean afterwards.  
Commodity  
A type of plant, plant product, or ot her 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.  
Contamination    
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 preparation 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 beverag e 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.  
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/o r have significant economic impacts on the environment.   Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 17 of 20 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 ISPM 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 . 
 
Human consumption  
In relation to products, that the products are intended to be eaten or taken orally.  
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 Industries . 
MPI-approved system  
A system for which the Chief Technical Offi cer (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 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-
imported -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 
individual 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.   
Personal use  Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 18 of 20 Personal use relates to the purpose for which goo ds are imported and excludes imports intended for re -sale, 
scientific and research purposes, 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 equivalent, consistent with the model certificates of the 
IPPC, attesting that a consignment meets phytosanitary import requirements [FAO, 199 0; revised CPM, 
2012] ”. 
Plant s Biosecurity Index (PBI)  
A database that lists plant species that can be imported into New Zealand.  
Preservation  
Treatments used to prevent goods and products [food] from decay, deterioration,  and spoilage (usua lly 
through th e action of microorganisms), including drying, pickling, smoking, fermenting, canning, 
pasteuri sation, freezing, irradiation, salting . Product that has undergone a preservative treatment such as 
blanching, bleaching , crystalli sation, glaz ing, jellied, mari nating , 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, management, 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  Importation and Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables into New 
Zealand , Personal Consignments of Animal Products , and Stored Plant Products for Human Consumption.  
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.  
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, freeze -dried , or preserved form . Stored plant products 
cover  both commercial and home processing (homemade).  
Traditional medicines  
Product s used in a style of traditional medicine . Examples include traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) , 
dried herbal products, leaves, roots , and seeds .  Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
Ministry for Primary Industries ‒ Manatū Ahu Matua   Page 19 of 20 Viable  
Capable of  growth and reproduction . 
Whole seed 
A complete seed, not ground, chipped , or split . 
 
 
   Import Health Standard : Personal Consignments of Products for Human Consumption and Personal Effects   
  14 December 2021  
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 req uired : 
Baking decorations including icing and formed decorations (shapes , etc.) 
Baked goods (cake, biscuits, slices,  and muffins)  
Bread , excluding bread that has animal product topping or filling (for animal product topping s or fillings , refer 
to PERSONAL.ALL ) 
Candies (including lollies, lollipop s) 
Canned plant products  
Cereals (cornflakes, puffed rice , porridge)  
Choco late (including novelty chocolate bars  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 , tomat o) 
Plant -based essences (vanilla, peppermint , etc.) 
Plant -based milk substitutes (almond and coconut milks , etc., and protein powders ) 
Rice  
Tea