Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fresh Rambutan for 
Consumption  
MPI.IHS.FP.RAMBUTAN  
30 September 2016  
 Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Consumption   
 Draft for Consultation  30 September 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 12 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Consumption  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date]   
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Dated at Wellington this   ... day of  .........  
 
 
Stephen Butcher  
Manager , Import and Export Plants  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Direc tor-General)  
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Regulation & Assurance Branch  
Plant Imports  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: plantimports@mpi.govt.nz   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  2 of 12 
Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  4 
1.1 Application  4 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  4 
1.3 Acronyms and definitions  4 
1.4 General  4 
1.5 Exporting country systems  4 
1.6 Export Plans  5 
1.7 Documentation  5 
1.8 Transport requirements  5 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements  6 
2.1 Commodity description  6 
2.2 Pest list  6 
2.3 Basic Measures  6 
2.4 Targeted Measures  6 
2.5 MPI-Specified Measures  7 
Part 3:  Documentation Requirements  9 
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  9 
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  9 
Appendix 1: Acronyms and definitions  11 
Appendix 2: Amendment Record  12 
 
 
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Introduction  
This introdu ction  is not part of the  import health standard (IHS) , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
This IHS specifies the requirements for the importation of fresh produce  for consumption identified in 
section 1.1 into  New Zealand from all countries . 
Background  
The New Zealand Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basis for excluding, eradicating and  
effectively managing pests and unwanted organisms.  
Each IHS issued under the Act specif ies requirements  to be met for the effective management of risks 
associated with importing goods that may pose a biosecurity threat to New Zealand.  
This IHS include s requirements that must be met in the exporting country, during transit and importation, and 
post clearanc e, if specified, before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
Additional information to the requirements is included in guidance text boxes  and the guidance document: 
Importing Fresh Produce for Consumption [link]. 
Who should read this?  
This IHS applies to importers of fresh produce imported for consumption identified in section 1.1 into  New 
Zealand and the exporting country National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO).  
Why is this important?  
It is the responsibility  of the importer  to ensure the requirements of this IHS are met. Consignments that do 
not comply with the requirements of this IHS may not be cleared  for entry into New Zealand and /or further 
information may be sought from importers.  
If any viable regulated pests are inter cepted on arri val in New Zealand, the consignment will be  treated, 
reshipped or destroyed , and depending on the regulated pest intercepted, the pathway may be suspended.  
Penalties may be applied under the Act if fresh produce imported for consumption are propagated.  
Equivalence  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  may consider a pre -export application for an equivalent phytosanitary 
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 in this IHS.  
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  
Refer to Appendix 2 for the Amendment Record for this IHS.   Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Consumption   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  4 of 12 
Part 1:  General Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This import health standard (IHS) applies the goods described in section 2.1: Commodity description.  
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following document s are incorporated by reference under section 142M of the Act : 
MPI Biosecurity Organisms Register for Imported Commodities (BORIC)  
 International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM)  
 Schedule of Regulated (Quarantine) Weed Seeds  
 ePest Database  
(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 Acronyms and definitions  
(1) Acronyms and definitions are listed in Appendix 1.  
1.4 General  
(1) All consignments of fresh produce imported for consumption i nto New Zealand must:  
a) be free of soil and extraneous material;  
b) be free from viable regulated pests including weed seeds;   
c) be packaged in clean and either new  or refurbished  material ; and  
d) be shipped in a secure mann er to prevent contamination by regulated pests.  
(2) All consignments of fresh produce imported for consumption i nto New Zealand must meet the 
requirements of an IHS before receiving biosecurity clearance.  
(3) Consignments of fresh produce imported for consumption under this IHS must not be used for other 
purposes such as propagation.  
 
Guidance  
 The Schedule of regulated (quarantine) weed seeds  (https://www.mpi.govt.nz/document -
vault/7111  ) can also be found on the MPI website.  
 Further information  can be found in Ministry for Primary Industries ( MPI) Guidance Document: 
Fresh Produce for Consumption  by using this link. 
1.5 Exporting country systems  
(1) Importers may only import from a country where the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) 
has provided evidence , to the satisfaction of a n MPI  Chief Technical Officer (CTO) , of the national 
systems/programmes and standards  used for export assurance  in accordance with ISPM 7: 
Phytosanitary Certification System .  
(2) The national systems/programmes and standards are subject to audit by MPI.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Consumption   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  5 of 12 
 
Guidance  
 Countries with exporting country systems recognised by MPI are listed on the MPI website: 
TBC.  
1.6 Export Plans  
(1) MPI and the exporting country NPPO m ust negotiate  a country -specific Export Plan  that demonstrates 
how Targeted and MPI- Specified Measures  will be achieved  before trade can commence.  
(2) The Export Plan must include detail of the activities that support  the effective application of Targeted 
and MPI- Specified Measures . Supporting activities include product traceability, tr aining, management 
of records,  inspection, certification and phytosanitary security.  
(3) The negotiated and agreed Export Plan  is subject to review and audit  by MPI.  
 
Guidance  
 Commodities approved for export from recognised countries are listed on the MPI website: 
TBC.  
 An Export Plan is only necessary when  Targeted or MPI- Specified  Measures  are required to 
manage the pests associated with the commodity.  
 An Export Plan is not necessary when only Basic M easures  are required to manage the pests 
associated with the commodity.  
1.7 Documentation  
(1) The consignment must be accompanied by the documents outlined in Part 3: Documentation 
Requirements.  
1.8 Transport requirements  
(1) If a c onsignment is either opened, stored, split up or ha s its packaging changed prior to when it arrives 
in New Zealand , a phytosan itary certificate for re -export is required from the transiting country, in 
accordance with ISPM 12: Phytosanitary certificates, and must accompany each consignment . 
 
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Part 2:  Specific Requirements  
2.1 Commodity description  
(1) Fresh rambutan  for consumption is defined as  commercially produced, harvested rambutan 
(Nephelium lappaceum ) fruit with skin. 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 white flesh.   
(2) The commodity may include a short stem but excludes flowers and leaves . 
 
Guidance  
 Frozen, cooked, pickled, pureed  or dried rambutan  may be imported but are covered by MPI 
IHS BNZ.NPP.HUMAN: Importation into New Zealand of stored plant products intended for 
human consumption.  
2.2 Pest list  
(1) A list of pests  associated with fresh rambutan  requiring Basic , Targeted , or MPI-Specified  Measures  is 
reproduced on the MPI website TBC.  
(2) The full list of regulated and non -regulated pests for New Zealand can be found in  BORIC  
http://mpi.govt.nz/news -and-resources/resources/registers -and-lists/biosecurity -organisms -register -for-
imported -commodities/ .  
 
Guidance  
 If, during  an official inspection, the verifying NPPO detects a pest that is not listed on BORIC  
MPI may be contacted to establish the regulatory status of the pest.  
2.3 Basic Measures  
(1) Fresh rambutan  must be sourced from production sites that use standard cultivation methods for 
commercial export -grade product; including pest -control, harvesting, sorting, cleaning, inspection and 
packaging.  
 
Guidance  
 Basic Measures  are required  to manage pests and ot her regulated organisms that present a 
risk to New Zealand on this pathway.    
2.4 Targeted Measures  
(1) Appropriate  measures must be applied for each pest identified in ePest as requiring  Targeted 
Measures . One (or more) of the following Targeted Measures  must be applied prior to export to New 
Zealand.  
a) Country freedom . No additional measures or an Export Plan are required where ‘country 
freedom’ status is recognised for the exporting country.  
 
Guidance  
 Country freedom will be listed on the MPI website  TBC. Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Consumption   
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b) Pest free area . MPI will audit the management of pest free areas for compliance with ISPM 4: 
Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas . 
c) Pest free place of production .  MPI will audit the management of pest free place of production for 
compl iance with ISPM 10: Requirements for the establishment of pest free places of production 
and pest free production sites . 
d) Systems Approach . The components of a systems approach must be documented in the Export 
Plan and in accordance with ISPM 14: The use of  integrated measures in a systems approach for 
pest risk management.  
e) Pest control activities (in -field).  
f) End-point treatment.  
(2) The Targeted Measures must be applied in addition to the Basic Measures  used a s part of commercial 
production.  
(3) An export plan must be negotiated that describes how measures will be applied to manage pests 
identified by MPI as requiring targeted measures.  
 
Guidance  
 Targeted Measures  are required  to manage pests that are not sufficiently managed by Basic 
Measures. Targeted Measures  are subject to negotiation of an Export Plan.  
2.5 MPI-Specified Measures  
(1) The following pests require one (or more) MPI-Specified Measures  to be applied prior to export to New 
Zealand.  
(2) MPI-Specified Measures  are in addition to the Basic Measu res used in commercial production  and any 
Targeted Measures  (if applicable).  
(3) The Export Plan  must record the agreed procedures used for the application of these measures.  
2.5.1 Tephritidae (Fruit Flies)  
(1) Fruit flies of economic importance to New Zealand associate d with fresh rambutan  include:  
 Bactrocera dorsalis   
(2) One of the following specific pre -export phytosanitary measures for fruit flies of economic importance 
associated with fresh rambutan is required.  
2.5.1.1  Country freedom  
(1) Additional measures are  not required where ‘country freedom’ status is recognised by New Zealand for 
the export country . 
 
Guidance  
 Country freedom will be listed on the MPI website TBC. 
2.5.1.2  Pest Free  Area  
(1) Pest free areas must be managed in compliance with ISPM 26: Establishment of pest free areas for 
fruit flies (Tephritidae) . 
(2) The official operating manual for the management of pest free areas must be reviewed by MPI prior to 
the export country receiving approval for the export of fresh rambutan  to New Zealand.  
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2.5.1.3  Irradiation treatment  
(1) Treatment by irradiation at an MPI recognised facility to prevent the emergence of adult fruit flies, as 
specified in the appropriate annex of  ISPM 28: Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pest . 
 
Guidance  
 Any species that are not covered by ISPM 28: Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests  will 
require the irradiation treatment efficacy to be assessed by MPI prior to approval.  
 A generic minimum absorbed irradiation dose of 400Gy is considered to be an effective 
treatment to prevent the introductio n and spread of certain regulated pests.  
 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 
subject to audit by MPI.  
 
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  9 of 12 
Part 3:  Documentation Requirements  
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  
(1) The NPPO of the exporting country must:  
a) sample and visually inspect each consignment , using 10% magnification,  according to official 
procedures  in accordance with ISPM 23: Guidelines for Inspection  for all the regulated pests 
required by New Zealand ; 
b) verify that the Basic Measures , Targeted  Measures and MPI-Specified  Measures  have been 
applied as outlined in Part 2: Specific Requirements  and as per the approved Export Plan;  
c) reconcile the number of packages presented for inspection is consistent with documentation;  
d) verify that traceability labelling is complete; and  
e) verify that phytosanitary security is maintained for the consignment.  
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  
(1) The NPPO must issue and supply a phytosanitary certificate in accordance with ISPM 12: 
Phytosanitary Certificates  to accompany each consignment of fresh rambutan  exported to New 
Zealand.  
(2) The phytosanitary certificate must include the following declaration:  
a) “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 pes ts specified by New Zealand and conform with the current 
phytosanitary requirements of New Zealand, including those for regulated non -quarantine pests.”  
Additional declarations  
(3) The NPPO must include the following additional declaration on the phytosanitary  certificate if 
applicable:  
a) “This consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the agreed Export 
Plan.”  
 
Guidance  
 This additional declaration should be included when an Export Plan has been negotiated 
between MPI and NPPO of the exp orting county and when Targeted  and/or MPI-Specified 
Measures  have been applied.  
(4) The NPPO must include the f ollowing additional declaration  on the phytosanitary certificate if 
applicable:  
a) “The plant products described  herein have been sourced from  a pest free area for specified pests 
as recognised by New Zealand.”  
 
Guidance  
 This additional declaration should be included when a commodity has been sourced from a pest 
free area . 
(5) The NPPO must include  full details of any end point treatments listed in the Export Plan or section 2.5 
of this IHS (if applicable), in the “Disinfestation and/or Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary 
certificate or as an NPPO -endorsed attachment to the phytosanita ry certificate;  
a) all details of the treatment including duration and temperature, chemical (active ingredient) and 
concentration must be recorded.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Consumption   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  10 of 12 
(6) When the consignment is treated in -transit, t he NPPO must include  “Treated in -transit” in the 
“Disinfestation and /or Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary certificate.  
(7) The phytosanitary certificate must contain sufficient detail to enable identification of the consignment 
and its component parts. Information must include country/place of origin and me et all requirements 
listed in Part 2: Specific Requirements  and Part 3: Documentation  Requirements . 
 
Guidance  
 A phytosanitary  certificate should not be issued if viable regulated organism(s) are detected, 
unless the consignment is effectively treated.  
 Coun try/place of origin is defined as a country where the plants, from which the plant products 
are derived, were grown or, place of origin; where the commodity was grown or produced.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Consumption   
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Appendix 1: Acronyms and definitions  
Definitions have the same meaning as defined by the Act  unless set out below:  
BORIC  
Biosecurity Organisms Register for Imported Commodities: MPI database which informs on the quarantine 
status for an organism as either regulated or non -regulated for New Zealand. BORIC is available at 
http://mpi.govt.nz/news -and-resources/resources/registers -and-lists/biosecurity -organisms -register -for-
imported -commodities /. 
Consignment  
One or more lots imported by one importer, on one conveyance at one time, and covered by one 
phytosanitary certificate (ISPM 5 ( Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms )). 
Country / place of origin  
Country/place of origin is defined as country where the plants, from which the plant products are derived, were  
grown or place of origin; where the commodity was grown or produced  (ISPM 5) . 
ePest  
MPI electronic pest database of plant pests searchable by country and commodity . 
Inspection  
Official visual exam ination of plants, plant products or other regulated articles to determine if pests are present 
and/or to determine compliance with phytosanitary regulations (ISPM 5).  
IPPC  
International Plant Protection Convention.  
ISPM  
International Standards for Phytos anitary Measures. The list of ISPMs are available from: 
https://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/standards -setting/ispms/ . 
NPPO  
National Plant Protection Organisation – the official organisation established by a government to discharge 
the functions specifi ed by the IPPC (ISPM 5).  
Non-regulated pest  
Non-regulated organisms are those organisms for which phytosanitary actions would not be undertaken if they 
were intercepted/detected. These may include new organisms which could not establish in New Zealand.  
Pathway  
A series of activities that, when carried out according to documented procedures, form a discrete and 
traceable export system.  
Pest  
Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent injurious to plants or plant products (ISPM 
5). 
Regulated Pest  
A quarantine pest or a regulated non -quarantine pest as set out in BORIC.  
Viable  
Any organism that is capable of development and/or reproduction, including insects, plants, seeds and other 
organisms that have not been through a de -vitalisation  or sterilisation treatment.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Rambutan for Consumption   
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Appendix 2: Amendment Record  
The following table provides a summary of the last amendment to the IHS for Fresh Rambutan  for 
Consumption.  
 
Schedule  Details  Date