Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sea Containers from All 
Countries  
SEACO  
31 August 2020  
 Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  1 of 12 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard comes into force on the date of signing . 
REVOCATION  
This import health standard revokes and replaces  the Import He ath Standard for Sea Containers  from All 
Countries , issued 19 July 2019 . 
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  under S ection 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Dated at Wellington , 
 
 
 
 
Peter Thomson  
Director, Plants and Pathways  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Direc tor-General)  
 
Contact for further information  
Minis try for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Biosecurity New Zealand  Branch  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
 
Email: standards@mpi.govt.nz  
 Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  2 of 12 
Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  6 
1.1 Application  6 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  6 
1.3 Definitions  6 
Part 2:  General Biosecurity Requirements  7 
2.1 Information  7 
2.2 Treatment Certificates  7 
2.3 Requirement for freedom from regulated pests and biosecurity contaminants  7 
Part 3:  Specific Requirements  9 
3.1 Sea containers from Ital y 9 
Schedule 1 – Definitions  11 
Schedule 2 – Sea Container Quarantine Declaration  12 
 
 
 Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  3 of 12 
Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the  Import Health S tandard (IHS) , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
The purpose of this IHS is to set out the requirements that must be met when sea containers are imported into 
New Zealand (NZ) to manage the biosecurity risks associated with them . 
Background  
Imported risk goods h ave the potential to introduce pests and unwanted organisms into NZ. Sea containers 
are risk goods because pests and unwanted organisms may be associated with them when they arrive in NZ. 
The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) prescribes requirements for the e xclusion, eradication and effective 
management of pests and unwanted organisms in NZ. These organisms have the potential to cause harm to 
natural and physical resources and human health in NZ. MPI is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the 
Biosecur ity Act 1993.  
Under the Act, an IHS may be issued that sets out the requirements that must be met when importing risk 
goods in order to manage the risks associated with their importation including the risk from incidentally 
imported organisms. This IHS outlines the mini mum requirements that must be met when importing sea 
containers  into NZ to obtain biosecurity clearance.  
Who should read this?  
All importers of sea containers entering NZ (from any country) should be familiar with this IHS . 
Why is this important?  
(1) Importers must take all reasonable steps to ensure that imported  sea containers  comply with this IHS 
(Section 16B of the Act).  
(2) Sea containers  that do not comply with this IHS may be  reshipped to origin or treated (if possible).  
(3) The importer will be liable for all relevant associated expenses.  
Equivalence  
While it is expected that all imported sea containers  meet the requirements of this IHS, MPI will consider 
equivalence requests. A Chief Technical Officer (CTO) may issue guidelines or give direc tions on measures 
different to those in the standard to effectively manage biosecurity risks under S ection 27(1)(d)(iii) of the Act. 
Goods that comply with those guidelines or directions may be provided with biosecurity clearance.  
Document History  
Version Date  Section Changed  Change(s) Description  
28/08/2018  Section 2.2 and addition of 
Section 2.3  Removal of CTOD from S 2.2 and the addition o f the 
urgent amendment for Italian sea containers in S  2.3. 
17/10/2018  Throughout  Revision of grammatical errors and clarification of 
ambiguities.  
30/06/ 2019  Revised Section 2.1  
 2.1 k) – Expansion of requirements for treatment 
certification (removed from Schedule 1 - Definitions) . Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  4 of 12 
Version Date  Section Changed  Change(s) Description  
Revised Section 2.3  
 
 
 
Revised Section 3.1  
 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).   
New S 2.3.1 - Sea Containers trans shipped through Italy.  
S 3.1 (1) The second sentence has been removed in 
order to help clarify the intent of the standard and not 
specify how MPI Inspectors have to conduct verification of 
MPI requirements.  
31/08/2020  All Sections  Rewording of all sections. Removal of Part 3. Extensi on of 
the timeframes for BMSB requirements.  
 
Other information  
Guidance  
The infor mation contained within a “guidance box”  throughout this IHS is for guidance only and is not part of 
the statutory requirements.  These boxes are labelled as “Guidance” , and further guidance can be found on 
the MPI sea containers web page .  It is advised to seek assistance from MPI at standards@mpi.govt.nz  if you 
are unclear on any part of this IHS prior to undertaking any activities relating to the importation of sea 
container . 
Cargo  
Cargo within sea containers must be managed in accordance with the Act, and any relevant IHSs . See MPI’s 
website for the relevant IHS  https://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/  
Sea c ontainers carrying vehicle, machinery and parts  must be managed under this IHS as well as  the IHS – 
Vehicles, Machinery and Parts . 
Wood Packaging  
All wo od packaging must be managed in accordance with the IHS - Wood Packaging Material from All 
Countries . http://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/forest -products/wood -packaging/ . Other contaminated packaging 
must be secured, segregated and managed as per this IHS. Contact MPI if you are un clear about the 
management of such material.  
Non-Compliance  
A sea container that does not meet the requirements of this IHS will not be given biosecurity clearance under 
the Act .  The sea container will be directed by a n 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 where the risk is considered too great to allow discharge.  Deliberate non -compliance 
with the requ irements of this IHS 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 import ing sea containers  will be charged for 
as per the current Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations.  
 Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  5 of 12 
Other requirements of the Act  and relevant standards  
Movement of sea containers  
(1) In accordance with the Act sea containers can only be:  
a) discharged from a vessel at t he port of first arrival (port of discharge) and  
b) moved to or between transitional facility(s) or biosecurity control area (s) 
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 ; 
b) any appropriate operational procedures of the receiving approved Transitional Facility ; and 
c) the requirements of any relevant IHS for the cargo.  
 Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  6 of 12 
Part 1:  General Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This Import Health Standard (IHS) applies to  all sea containers that are imported into New Zealand 
from all countries; and  
(2) Part 3 of this IHS applies to all sea contain ers 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 until 30 April 2022 . 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  
(1) The following documents are incorporated by reference under S ection 142M of the Biosecurity Act 
1993: 
a) MPI Treatment Requirements Standard: Approved Biosecurity Treatments ; and 
b) International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 23: Guidelines for Inspection (ISPM 23) , 
International Plant Protection Convention .  
(2) Under S ection 142O(3) of the Biosecurity Act , it is declared that Section  142O(1) does not apply, that 
is, a notice under S ection 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 Definition s 
(1) Definitions of terms used in this IHS are set out in  Schedule 1  of this document . 
(2) Terms used in this IHS that are defined in the Act have the meanings set out in the Act, unless a 
different meaning is given in Schedule 1. The Act is available at:  
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0095/latest/whole.html  Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  7 of 12 
Part 2:  General Biosecurity Requirements  
2.1 Information  
(1) The following documented information for all sea cont ainers must be sent by importers and received by  
MPI at least 12 hours prior to the arrival of the sea container (and cargo) in New Zealand :  
a) Sea c ontainer n umber ; 
b) Sea c ontainer type ; 
c) Country of origin ; 
d) Port of loading ; 
e) Port of discharge ; 
f) Importer details ; 
g) Exporter details ; 
h) New Zealand specified tra nsitional facility  destination ; 
i) Sea Container Quarantine Declaration : 
i) from 1 February 2021 all Sea Container Quarantine Declarations must be  made  in 
accordance with Schedule 2 of the IHS ; 
j) Complete and accurate description of the cargo or tariff code, including all packaging ;  
k) Treatment certificate (where treated under Part 3  of this IHS ); and  
l) Evidence of sealing (where appropriate ), where evidence is the seal number and dated stamped 
photographs of the seal. 
 
Guidance  
• Before 1 February 2021, MPI still requires that a  Sea Container Quarantine Declaration  is submitted  (for 
an example please see the Sea Containers Guidance Document ).  From  1 February 2021 , the Sea 
Container Quarantine Declaration is required  to be in the format set out in Schedule 2 of this IHS.  
2.2 Treatment Certificates  
(1) All Treatment Certificate s must include all of 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 an d address of importer;  
(f) Date upon which treatment was completed ; 
(g) Signature of the Treatment Provider;  
(h) Addre ss 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; and  
(j) A declaration that the Treat ment Provider has met all of the requirements specified in Approved 
Biosecurity Treatments . 
2.3 Requirement for freedom from regulated pests and biosecurity 
contaminants  
(1) All sea containers imported into New Zealand must :  Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  8 of 12 
a) be clean and free of regulated pests and biosecurity contamination ; 
b) be accompanied by a Sea Container Quarantine Declaration : 
i) from 1 February 2021 all Sea Container Quarantine Declarations must be  made  in 
accordance with Schedule 2 of the IHS ; 
c) remain sealed u ntil an inspector gives permission for the sea container to be  unpacked  at a 
Transitional Facility; and  
d) be inspected  or check ed at a Transitional Facility by legally approved persons under the Act (for 
example, MPI Inspectors or Accredited Persons).   Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  9 of 12 
Part 3:  Speci fic Requirements  
3.1 Sea c ontainers from Italy  
The requirements of this section apply until 30 April 2022.  
 
Guidance  
Note 1: Any vehicles, machinery and parts exported from Italy exported in a sea container are captured by 
the BMSB requirements in the IHS for Vehicles, Machinery and Parts, which are equivalent to the BMSB 
requirements of this IHS and therefore do not require further management for BMSB under this IHS . 
Vehicles, machinery and parts that have been treated  or managed  using a system  for BMSB under the IHS 
for V ehicles, Machinery and Parts , and are packed into FAK containers will be considered to be “treated” 
cargo under this IHS. 
3.1.1 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 requirement s of clause 3.1.1 (2) , (3), or (4) . 
(2) Treatment  
a) Sea container s must be treated before arrival in New Zealand for BMSB : 
i) in accordance with  MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments ; 
ii) by an MPI-Approved Treatment Provider ; and  
iii) must be accompanied by a Treatment Certificate (clause 2.2 ). 
b) Treated sea containers can only be packed with cargo that have been treated for BMSB in 
accordance  with MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments  by an MPI-Approved Treatment Provider  
and be accompanied by a Treatment Certificate (clause 2.2)  or that meet the requirements of 
clause 3.1.1(3); and  
c) Must m eet the following  post treatment requirements:  
i) Treated  Fully enclosed sea container s (six-sided  metal sea c ontainer s) must be 
sealed  within 24 hours of  treatment and  remain sealed ; or 
ii) Treated  Non-fully enclosed sea container s (includes flat rack, open sided/topped 
and soft topped sea con tainers)  must be kept segregated from untreated goods or other 
sources of possible BMSB treatment until export; and must exported from Italy within 120 
hours of treatment.  
 
Guidance  
Note 1: To prevent live BMSB contaminating  a sea container, MPI anticipates  that all sea containers are 
treated  once they are  fully packed.  Where a FAK container contains cargo determined to be sensitive , or 
would be damaged by approved treatments, MPI anticipates  that the container  is packed with the non -
sensitive cargo and then treated, and within 24 hours of treatment the sensitive cargo is packed  and the sea 
container s ealed  and remain sealed  until it is exported from Italy.  
 
Where the sea container and cargo are treated separately  (including FAK), MPI anticipates  that the treated 
sea container is packed with both treated and sensitive cargo and  sealed within 24 hours of treatment of the 
container and non-sensitive cargo  and remain sealed until it is exported from Italy . 
 
Note 2: Segregation for non -fully sealed containers can be achieved through closing/covering of the open 
parts or side(s) of the sea container, physical distance  or physical protection (nets) . 
 
Note 3: The sea container  may be subject to MPI verification activities on arrival.  Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  10 of 12 
(3) Inspection  
a) Sea containers may be inspected  by an MPI Inspector  instead of treat ed where:  
i) The importer has notified  MPI prior to arrival in  New Zealand  that the sea container 
contains cargo that the importer considers is sensitive and would be damaged by the 
treatments for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)  specified in the MPI Approved 
Biosecurity Treatments ; and 
ii) A CTO has determined that  treatment may damage the cargo .  
(4) Sealed Sea Container s 
a) Fully enclosed sea containers (six -sided metal sea containers)  that are  sealed  for export  before 1 
September  of any year must be:  
i) accompanied with evidence of the seal ing; and 
ii) be exported  from Italy before 1 October of the same year.  
 
Guidance  
Note 1: If an importer considers  their cargo to be  sensitive to treatment, they should contact the lo cal MPI 
office or refer to the MPI website at: https://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/importing/border -clearance/containers -
and-cargo/  for examples of goods that an M PI CTO generally considers to be sensitive to treatment . 
 
Note 2: Should MPI inspection of sensitive cargo  reveal biosecurity contamination , MPI may require these 
goods to be treated (if possible), reshipped or destroyed.  All agreed treatment s are at the risk of the 
importer .  
 
Note 3 : MPI is likely to deny all untreated sea containers or treated sea containers with untreated non-
sensitive cargo from Italy from being discharged  in New Zealand . 
 
Note 4: MPI considers  that providing the  seal number and date stamped photographs of  the seal to be 
sufficient evidence for clause 3 .1.1(4) a) i).   
3.1.2 All sea containers trans shipped through Italy  
(1) Fully enclosed sea containers originating from a country other than Italy and trans shipped through an 
Italian port, must remain unopened  during the trans shipment period.  
(2) Non-fully enclosed sea containers originating from a country other than Italy and trans shipped through 
an Italian port, must:  
a) be trans shipped 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 must be treated before arrival in New Zeala nd in 
accordance with clause 3.1.1(2)  as above .  
 Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  11 of 12 
Schedule  1 – Definitions  
Terms used in this IHS that are also defined in the Act have the meanings set out there. The following specific 
definitions also apply  and are defined  for the purposes of this IHS a s follows : 
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 clearance under the Act.   
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) : Halyomorpha halys.  
Check: A visual examination by an Accredited P erson to detect the presence of biosecurity pests and 
contaminat ion. Such a check is to be carried out during the routine handling and movement of sea containers 
and a s per the Accredited P ersons 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.  
Inspection: An inspection  by an MPI Inspector to detect the presence of biosecurity contaminants and 
regulated pests , in accordance with the Act a nd ISPM 23 .  
MPI Approved Treatment Provider : A New Zealand (on -shore) based treatment provider that  is approved by 
MPI or an international (off -shore) treatment provider that  is jointly approved by MPI and the Department of 
Agriculture and Water Resources in Australian, to preform approved BMSB treatments, and is listed as part of 
the Off-shore BMSB Treatment Provider Scheme.  
Regulated pest(s) : Any organism  (of plant or animal origin)  that may cause unwanted harm to natural an d 
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 Section 2.1 (1i) of this Standard), that provides information to MPI regarding container 
compliance regarding cleanliness, restricted packing materials and wood packaging.  
Seal: A seal that prevents the doors from being opened  and has a unique identifying number.  
Sealing: The closing of the sea container doors ensuring that the rubber seals of the door are intact and 
sealed against the container  (thus ensuring that the sea container cannot be contaminated with BMSB) . Import Health Standard : Sea Containers from All Countries    31 August 2020  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  12 of 12 
Schedule  2 – Sea Container Quarantine Declaration  
As of 1 February 2021, a ll Sea Container Quarantine Declarations must be produced on company letterhead  
or stamped with company det ails and have the following box  (the online word version is available here): 
 
SEA CONTAINER QUARANTINE DECLARATION FOR NEW ZEALAND  
Cleanliness, Restricted Packaging and Wood Packaging Declaration  
Container Number(s)       
Vessel Name:       
Voyage Number(s):       
 
1. Cleanliness: At the time of packing, was the container(s) inspected internally and externally, 
and found to be clean and free from contamination with animal material, live organisms, plant 
material, soil and water?  Yes or No (delete 
option not applying)  
   
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 within the 
container/s listed above?  Yes or No (delete 
option not applying)  
   
3. Wood Packaging: Has any wood packaging been used within the container/s such as 
cases, crates, pallets or wood, used to separate, brace, protect or secure the cargo?  Yes or No (delete 
option not applying)  
   
3a. If the answer to Question 3 is “ Yes”, has the wood been ISPM -15 treated/marked or is the 
packaging mad e from material exempt from these requirements (such as Plywood or Medium 
Density Fibreboard)?  
Note:  Certification is not required for ISPM -15 treated/marked wood packaging.  Yes or No (delete 
option not applying)  
   
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 provi ded, it must be attached to this form.   Yes, No or Not 
Applicable  (delete 
option not applying)  
 
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 compl iant, please contact your Treatment Provider to discuss packing 
requirements f or 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 biosecurity clearance 
being delayed; is likely to result in increased costs during MPI management processes in New Zealand.