Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fresh Rambutan for Human 
Consumption  
RAMBUTAN -IHS.FP  
29 January 2024  
 
 Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 13 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  29 January 2024 .  
 
REVOCATION  
This Import Health Standard revokes and replaces the Import Health Standard: Fresh Rambutan for Human 
Consumption 9 June 2017.  
The document  history to this Import Health Standard is set out in Appendix 1.  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993  to incorporate 
amendments made pursuant to sections 24B and 166A of that Act . 
 
Dated at Wellington this  29th day of January  2024. 
 
 
Janine Collier  
Manager , Plant Health  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Direc tor-General)  
 
For more  information , contact  
Animal and Plant Health  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)   
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: plantimports@mpi.govt.nz   
 Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  2 of 13 
Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  5 
1.1 Application  5 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  5 
1.3 Definitions  5 
1.4 General  6 
1.5 Permit to import  6 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements  7 
2.1 Basic measures  7 
2.2 Targeted measures  7 
2.3 MPI-specified measures  7 
Part 3:  Inspection, Verification  and Documentation Requirements  9 
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  9 
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  9 
3.3 Additional declarations  11 
Schedule 1: Definitions  12 
Appendix 1: Document history  13 
 
 
 Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  3 of 13 
Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the  Import Health S tandard (IHS)  but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
An import health standard  specifies the requirements for importing risk goods into New Zealand from all 
countries . 
Background  
An import health standard  issued under the  New Zealand Biosecurity  Act 1993  (the Act) specif ies the 
requirements to be met to effective ly manage  biosecurity risks associated with importing goods , including the 
risks from incidentally imported or ganisms. Import health standard s include measures that must be applied in 
the exporting country before the goods are exported. I mport health standard s also include requirements that 
must be met by importers during importation including while the goods are in transit and held in a transitional 
facility, before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
Who should read this?  
Anyone who is involved in the process of importing  risk goods into New Zealand or who has an interest in 
importing risk goods into New Zealand should read and be familiar with the relevant import health standard . 
Why is this important?  
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure th at risk goods comply with the requirements of the relevant 
standard . Risk goods that do not comply with the requirements of an import health standard  may not be 
cleared for entry into New Zealand and may be directed for treatment, reshipment, destruction or further 
action deemed appropriate by a chief technical officer of MPI (CTO). The pathway may be suspended if 
certain types of viable regulated pest s or viable unwanted organisms  are intercepted on the consignment.  
Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
Equivalence  
A chief technical officer  may consider a n application for an equivalent phytosanitary measure  to be approved , 
different fr om that provided for in this S tandard , to maintain at least the same level of protection assured by 
the current measures.  
Equivalence will be considered with reference to the International Standard fo r Phytosanitary Measures 
(ISPM)  24. Guidelines for the determination and recognition of equiva lence of phytosanitary measures . 
Document History  
Please refer to Appendix 1 for Document history.  
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.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  4 of 13 
Guidance for this import health standard is provided in the guidance document Information on Clearance of 
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables for Human Consumption . 
Guidance boxes ar e included within this IHS for explanatory purposes. The guidance included in these boxes 
is for information only and has no legal effect.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  5 of 13 
Part 1:  General Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This Import Health S tandard (IHS) applies  to fresh rambutan imported for human consumption  (‘fresh 
rambutan’ ).  
(2) Fresh rambutan is commercially produced rambutan ( Nephelium lappaceum ) fruit with skin  and with or 
without a short stem . The rambutan (fruit) is a single -seeded, round to oval fruit between 3 –6 cm long, 
with a leathery peel covered with fleshy spines and firm whitish flesh.  
 
Guidance  
• Frozen, cooked, pickled, pureed  or dried rambutan  may be imported but are covered by the 
import health standard  Stored Plant Products for Human Consumption . 
• Import requirements for trade samples for evaluation are covered by the import health standard 
Research samples (excluding animal samples) . 
• To see the import requirements for importing private consignments for fresh fruit s and 
vegetables, go to the import health standard Personal Consignments of Products for Human 
Consu mption and Personal Effects . 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following documents are incorporated by reference under section 142M of the Act:  
• ISPM 4. Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas (FAO); 
• ISPM 5. Glossary of phytosanitary terms  (FAO); 
• ISPM 7. Phytosanitary certification system  (FAO); 
• ISPM 10. Requirements for the establishment of pest free places of production and pest free 
production sites  (FAO); 
• ISPM 12. Phytosanitary certificates  (FAO); 
• ISPM 14. The use of integrated measures in a systems approach for pest risk management  (FAO); 
• ISPM 23. Guidelines for inspection  (FAO); 
• ISPM 26. Establishment of pest free areas for fruit flies (Tephritidae)  (FAO); 
• ISPM 28. Phytosanitary treatments f or regulated pests  (FAO); 
• ISPM 31.  Methodologies for sampling of consignments  (FAO); 
• Official New Zealand Pest Register  (ONZPR) (MPI);  
• Schedule of Regulated (Quarantine) Weed Seeds  (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 documents.  
1.3 Definitions  
(1) Definitions are listed in Schedule  1. Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  6 of 13 
1.4 General  
(1) Importers may only import fresh rambutan  from a country if: 
a) The NPPO has provided evidence to the satisfaction of a chief technical officer (CTO) that the 
exporting country has an exporting country system  that complies with ISPM 7. Phytosanitary 
certification system . The exporting country system ( including programm es and standards) must 
demonstrate the process used to provide export assurance.  
b) A chief technical officer of MPI has approved an  export plan  that details the activities and 
processes established to achieve the targeted  and MPI-specified measures  identifie d in Part 2 of 
this S tandard .  
Guidance  
• Countries that meet the requirements in 1.4 (1) a) and 1.4 (1) b) for rambutan are listed in the 
MPI database Plant Import Export Requirements  (https://piersearch.mpi.govt.nz/ ). 
(2) Importers may not import from a country if a chief technical officer  has:  
a) determined  that the exporting country system no longer meets the requirements of ISPM 7 ; or 
b) has revoked approval of the export plan.  
(3) The scientific name of fresh rambutan ( Nephelium lappaceum ) must be included in documentation 
(specified in Part 3) accompanying the  consignment.  
(4) In order to obtain biosecurity clearance all consignments of fresh rambutan  into New Zealand must:  
a) be free of soil and extraneous material, including flowers and leaves of the plant;  
b) be free from viable regulated pests  and other  viable  unwant ed organisms ; 
c) be packaged in clean and either new or refurbished material;  
d) be shipped in a secure manner to prevent contamination by regulated pests  and other unwanted 
organisms ; 
e) meet the specific requirements in Part 2; and  
f) be accompanied by documentation that meets the requirements of Part 3.  
 
Guidance  
• A list of regulated pests associated with fresh rambutan can be found in  the MPI database  
Plant Import Export Requirements  (https://piersearch.mpi.govt.nz/ ). 
• There is a  full list of regulated and non -regulated pests and other unwanted organisms for 
New Zealand in the Official New Zealand Pest Register  (ONZPR)  (https://onzpr.mpi.govt.nz/ ),. 
The register  tells you  the quarantine status for an organism and whether it is  regulated or non -
regulated in New Zealand . 
• To find out about weed seeds, see t he Schedule of Regulated (Quarantine) Weed Seeds  
(https://www.mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/7111 ). 
• If, during an official  inspection, the NPPO detects a pest that is not listed in PIER  or ONZPR , 
the NPPO should contact MPI to find out  the regulatory status of the pest.  
• For more information, see the g uidance document Importing Fresh Produce for Consumption  
(http://mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/13831 ). 
1.5 Permit to import   
(1) A permit to import is not required unless specified in “Part 3: Inspection, Verification and 
Documentation Requirements ”. Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  7 of 13 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements   
2.1 Basic measures  
(1) Fresh rambutan must be sourced from a production site that uses standard cultivation methods for 
commercial export -quality product , including pest  control, harvesting, sorting, cleaning, inspection and 
packaging.  
2.2 Targeted measures  
(1) The f ollowing  pests require targeted measures : 
• Conogethes punctiferalis  
• Crypto phlebia ombrodelta  
(2) At least one  of the following targeted measures  must be applied in relatio n to each pest listed above in 
Part 2.2(1): 
a) Country freedom : A chief technical officer  is satisfied that a country has country freedom status in 
accordance with ISPM 4. Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas  or ISPM 8. 
Determination of pest status in an area . 
b) Pest-free area: The rambutan  is sourced from a pest -free area established in accordance with 
ISPM 4 . Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas . 
c) Pest-free place of production : The rambutan  is sourced from  a pest -free place of production 
established in accordance with ISPM 10 . Requirements for the establishment of pest free places 
of production and pest free production sites . 
d) Systems approach : Different measures, at least two of which act independently, are  integrated 
and have a cumulative effect that is effective for managing the pest(s) in accordance with 
ISPM  14. The use of integrated measures in a systems approach for pest risk management .  
e) In-field pest controls : Pest control activities in -field are und ertaken that are effective for managing 
the pests, consistent with  good agricultural practice .  
f) Phytosanitary  treatment s: A phytosanitary treatment that is effective for managing a pest is 
applied prior to export or in transit to New Zealand. This includes treatments specified in relevant 
annexes of ISPM 28. Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests .  
(3) The specific measures  employed by a country in relation to each pest and the supporting activities and 
processes that relate to that measure must be outlined in the export plan.  
2.3 MPI-specified measures  
(1) The pest that requires MPI-specified measures  is: 
• Bactrocera dorsalis  
(2) At least one of the following measures must be applied in relation to fresh rambutan  to manage the 
pest listed above in Part 2.3(1):  
a) Country freedom : A chief technical officer  is satisfied that a country has country freedom status 
in accordance with ISPM 4. Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas  or ISPM 8. 
Determination of pest status in an area .  
b) Pest-free area: The rambutan  is sourced from a p est-free area established i n accordance  with 
ISPM 26 . Establishment of pest free areas for fruit flies (Tephritidae) . Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  8 of 13 
c) Irradiation : The rambutan  is treated  by irradiation before being  export ed to New Zealand as 
specified in annex 7 of ISPM 28  at a facility that is competent to carry out irradiation treatment to 
prevent the emergence of adult fruit flies . 
(3) The specific measures used for  each pest and the detailed activities and processes that relate to th e 
measure s must be outlined in the export plan.  
 
Guidance  
• To establish that the commodity is sourced from a pe st-free area, the phytosanitary measures 
and officially approved procedures used for the establishment and maintenance of a pest free 
area should  be documented in accordance with ISPM 26.  MPI will review this information 
before accepting that this measure can be used.   
• Irradiation treatment should be applied in accordance with the requirements of ISPM 18 . 
Guidelines for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary measure.   
• Irradiation treatment facilities are usually approved by the exporting country’s NPPO and are 
often  audit ed by MPI.  
 
 Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  9 of 13 
Part 3:  Inspection, Verification and Documentation 
Requirements  
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  
(1) The NPPO of the exporting country must:  
a) sample  each hom ogeneous lot of fresh rambuta n. The minimum sample size for inspection must 
be based on a 95% confidence level that not more than 0.5% of the units in the lot are infested , 
as set out in ISPM 31 . Methodologies for sampling of consignments , Appendix 2 , Tabl e 1;  
b) visually inspect each sample unit according to official procedures in accordance with ISPM 23. 
Guidelines for inspection  for all pests  and unwanted organisms  regulated by New Zealand  (for 
the purposes of this Standard, a  sample unit is a single rambutan fruit ); 
c) verify that the basic measures, targeted measures and MPI -specified measures have been 
applied as outlined in “Part 2: Specific Requirements ”;  
d) reconcile that the number of packages presented for inspection is cons istent with documentation;  
e) verify that traceability labelling is complete; and  
f) verify that phytosanitary security is maintained for the consignment.  
(2) The NPPO must contact MPI to establish the regulatory status of any pests found during an inspection 
that are not listed in ONZPR . 
 
Guidance  
• Typically, the sample size for the NPPO phytosanitary inspection is 600 units from each 
homogeneous lot.  
• For information on clearance  at the New  Zealand border, see the guidance document Information on 
Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables for Human Consumption . 
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  
(1) Each consignment must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate that has been issued by the 
NPPO in accordance with ISPM 12. Phytosanitary certificates  and that meet s the specified 
requirements set out in this Part.  
(2) The phytosanitary cert ificate must include : 
a) sufficient detail to enable identification of the consignment and its component parts. Information 
must include country/place of origin ;  
b) full details of any end point treatments applied to fresh rambutan  in the “Disinfestation and/or  
Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary certificate or as an NPPO -endorsed attachment 
to the phytosanitary certificate. All details of the treatment including minimum irradiation dose, 
duration and temperature, chemical (active ingredient) and c oncentration must be recorded ;  
c) the following declaration:  
“This is to certify that the plants, plant products or other regulated articles described herein have 
been inspected and/or tested according to appropriate official procedures and are considered to  
be free from the quarantine pests specified by the importing contracting party and to conform with 
the current phytosanitary requirements of the importing contracting party, including those for 
regulated non -quarantine pests.”  
(3) When the consignment is trea ted in -transit, t he certificate must state “Treated in -transit” in the 
“Disinfestation and/or Disinfection Treatment” section  of the phytosanitary certificate.  
(4) If a c onsignment of fresh rambutan  is stored  in another country in transit to New Zealand or opened , 
split up or ha s its packaging changed prior to when it arrives in  New Zealand , a phytosanitary 
certificate for re -export is required from the transiting country, in accordance with ISPM 12 , and must 
accompany each consignment . Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  10 of 13 
 
Guidance  
• NPPOs should not issue a  phytosanitary  certificate  if they find  viable regulated  pests  or viable 
unwanted organisms  unless an appropriate phytosanitary measure has been applied . 
 
  Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  11 of 13 
3.3 Additional declarations  
(1) The phytosanitary certificate must also include the following additional declaration when targeted  or 
MPI-specified measures (Parts 2.2 and 2.3) are required :  
a) “This consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the agreed export 
plan.” 
(2) Unless 2.3(2 )(a) applies, t he following additional declaration  must also be included on the 
phytosanitary certificate for each MPI-specified measure  (Part 2.3) used and the specified pest/s:  
a) “The consignment was [select applicable]  {produced and packed in a pest free area; subjected to 
irradiation} for { name of pest /s}.” 
 
Guidance  
• This additional declaration should be repeated for each measure and pest combination.  
• Recognised pest -free areas are recorded in the export plan . Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  12 of 13 
Schedule  1: Definitions  
Definitions have the same meaning as defined by the  Biosecurity  Act 1993  or ISPM 5 . Glossary of 
phytosanitary terms , unless set out below:  
FAO  
Food and Agriculture Organization of the Uni ted Nations  
ISPM  
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures  
ISPMs are available at: https://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/standards -setting/ispms/  
lot 
As defined per ISPM 5. Glossary of phytosanitary terms  
NPPO  
national plant protection organisation  
pest 
definition as per ISPM 5 . Glossary of phytosanitary terms  
regulated pest 
a pest that is identified as a regulated pest in ONZPR  or the Schedule of Regulated ( Quarantine) Weed Seeds  
viable  
in relation to a pest or unwanted organism, means  capable of reproduction and/or developmen t Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Human Consumption  29 Janua ry 2024  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  13 of 13 
Appendix 1: Document history  
Version date  Section changed  Changes description  
9 June 2017  All New document  
29 January 2024  1.4 General  
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  Amended guidance.  
Changed ‘homogenous grower lot’ to ‘homogenous lot’ to 
align with ISPM 31. Added guidance.