Guidance Document  
 
A guidance document issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Guidance Document to the 
CRMS for Vessels  
CRMS Vessels GD  
13 June 2016  
 Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 18 
 
 
 Title 
Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels  
 
About this document  
This guidance document has been issued to accompany the MPI Standard, Craft Risk Management Standard 
for Vessels (the “CRMS ”). It is not a legally binding document and it should be read in conjunction with it to 
ensure that all matters relating to meeting the requirements of the CRMS  are fully understood . 
 
Document  history  
 
Previous  
Version 
Date  Current  
Version Date  Section Changed  Change(s) Description  
    
    
 
Contact Details  
For all matters relating to the review and amendment of this Guidance Document contact:  
Biosecurity  and Environment Group  
Regulation and Assurance Branch   
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
New Zealand  
Fax: 64 4 894 0228  
Email:  standards@mpi.govt.nz  
For matters relating to the operation of this guidance document in respect to meeting the requirements of the 
standard , including inspections, verification of MPI approved systems, audits, treatments and MPI’s offshore 
programme, or o ther related queries please contact the MPI Border Clearance Services through the office 
below:  
Border Clearanc e Services  
Operations: Craft Risk Management Standard  
vessels@mpi.govt.nz  
Fax: +64 4 894 0776  
Inspections, Audits and Treatments Contacts:  
For al l matters relating to inspections, under the standard, please contact your local MPI office or phone 0800 
00 83 33.  
 Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  2 of 18 
 
 
 Disclaimer  
This guidance does not constitute, and should not be regarded as, legal advice . While every effort has been 
made to ensure t he information in this guidance is accurate, the Ministry for Primary Industries does not accept 
any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that may be 
present, however it may have occurred.  
 
Copyright  
Crown copyright ©. This copyright work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand 
licence. In essence, you are free to copy, distribute and adapt the work, as long as you attribute the work to the Ministry f or Primary 
Industries and  abide by the other licence terms. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/nz/ . 
Please note that no governmental emblem, logo or Coat of Arms may be used in any way which infringes any provision of the Flags, 
Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 or would infringe such provision if the relevant use occurred within New Zealand. 
Attribution to the Ministry for Primary Industries should be in written for m and not by reproduction of any such emblem, logo or Coat of 
Arms.  
 
  
Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  3 of 18 
 
 
  
Contents  Page 
1 Purpose  4 
2 Background  4 
3 Definitions  4 
4 Quick guide fo r vessels entering N ew Zealand Territory  and arriving at a New Zealand 
port 5 
5 General Information  6 
5.1 Introduction  6 
5.2 Failure to meet biosecurity requirements - non compliance  6 
5.3 Purpose of the CRMS  6 
6 What you need to know or do before you depart for New Zealand?  7 
6.1 General   7 
6.2 Substantially Clean  7 
6.3 Regulated Pests  8 
6.4 Securing risk goods  9 
7 What will happen when you get to New Zealand?  10 
7.1 What happens on entry into NZT?  10 
7.2 What happens on arrival for all vessels?  11 
8 What happens to Short -Stay Vessels on arrival?  12 
9 What happens to Long Stay Vessel on arrival?  13 
10 Verification of Compliance  14 
10.1  Random compliance inspections  15 
10.2  Craft Risk Management Plans (CRMP)  15 
Appendix 1:  AGM Generic Risk Assessment and Inspection Types  16 
Appendix 2:   An overview of MPI’s standards relating to arriving vessels.  17 
 
 
  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  4 of 18 
 
 
 1 Purpose  
This guidance document provides information to help operators and persons in charge of vessels to 
meet the requirements of the Craft Risk Management Standard for Vessels.  
2 Background  
This document is guidance information only and is not legally binding. It gives fit for purpose  advice on 
effective and efficient ways to meet the CRMS . 
3 Definitions  
For definitions please refer to schedule 1 of the CRMS.  
Acronyms  
Act  Biosecurity Act, 1993.  
AGM   Asian Gypsy Moth  
MPI  Ministry for Primary Industries  
NZT  New Zeal and Territory  
POFA  Place of First Arrival  
 
MPI Officers are persons approved as inspectors under the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  5 of 18 
 
 
 4 Quick guide for vessels entering N ew Zealand territory 
(NZT)  and arriving at a New Zealand port  
The information below is a quick guide for vessel operators or person in charge of vessels  to enable 
the entry of vessels into NZT and subsequent arrival at a port and meet N ew Zealand 's biosecurity 
requirements with  minimal expense  and time .  Further deta ils are found within specific sections of the 
guidance document . 
(1) Check that you have identified the section/s of the CRMS  that relate to your intended stay in NZT.  
(2) Talk to MPI before departing for NZT  – MPI assistance prior to departure  can help minimise d elays  and 
costs on arrival.  
(3) If your vessel has been to China, Far East Russia, Japan or Korea during their spring or summer within  
the past 12 months , the CRMS  requires that you o btain a certificate of freedom of AGM for your vessel 
- this will significant ly reduce arrival delays and costs.  
(4) Ensure that the port you wish to arrive at is an approved  place of first arrival ( POFA ) that can receive 
your type of vessel and any associated cargo or risk goods on -board that you wish to discharge.   
(5) Fill out and subm it the Advance Notice of Arrival and Master's Declaration forms to MPI within 48 hours 
prior to entry into NZT.  
(6) The forms will require you to indicate whether you are staying for more than 20 days in NZT and/ or 
wish to visit places that are not approved a s a POFA.  If this is the case, MPI needs to be satisfied that 
any risk goods are removed from the vessel or treated so that they do not pose a threat to New 
Zealand's biosecurity.  We will process your vessel on arrival and if risk goods have been managed  in 
accordance with the requirements, MPI will issue a compliance certificate before you can continue on 
your journey in NZT.  
(7) Before you enter NZT ensure there is no, or minimal standing water on -deck; all trash or waste is 
removed from on -deck and it is s ecurely stored, and all food or galley produce is also securely stored - 
we don't want biosecurity pests in NZ.  
(8) Report immediately to MPI any evidence of pests being present such as damage, insect eggs, grass or 
webbing.  This can help minimise delays on a rrival.  
(9) Follow any entry or arrival directions given by MPI.  
(10) Travel directly to the first port of arrival that you noted in the "Advance Notice of Arrival" form, unless 
otherwise directed by MPI.  
(11) Do not throw anything over board while travelling in NZT.  
(12) Once at a POFA, you can remove all trash and waste, and other items or risk goods from your vessel 
via the ports approved system.  
 
Go to MPI's website to check all other standards and legislation you need to comply with before entering NZ - 
this will minimis e delays.  
  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  6 of 18 
 
 
 5 General Information  
5.1 Introduction  
This guidance d ocument accompanies the MPI Craft Risk Management Standard  for Vessels - (the “ CRMS ”) 
and also provides other useful information or links to other requirements that may be relevant for the vessels.  
It provides agents, operators and persons in charge  of vessels entering NZT  and other affected stakeholders 
with information  about requirements , options for compliance and outlines MPI's approach to verify compliance  
with the requirements of the CRMS and the Act more generally . 
5.2 Failure to meet biosecurity requirements - non compliance  
Vessels entering into NZT  that do not meet the requirements of the CRMS  are likely to face further action ( for 
example,  detailed inspections, decontaminat ion or removal of risk goods ) as considered appropriate to 
manage the risks associated with the vessel.  
The Act sets out inspec tors’ powers to ensure that risk goods on vessels are managed to that prevent their 
introduction into New Zealand, including directing the management of risk goods and taking enforcement 
action where necessary.  
5.3 Purpose of the CRMS  
The CRMS sets out MPI’s m inimum requirements so that operators and persons in charge of vessels can 
understand in what manner they can prevent the introduction of above waters risk goods and minimise entry 
and arrival delays and costs.  
  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  7 of 18 
 
 
 6 What you need to know or do before you depa rt for New 
Zealand?  
6.1 General  
The CRMS  requires the operator , or person in charge , of any vessel that enters NZT to take all reasonable 
and practicable steps  to make sure that the vessel is " substantially clean , free of regulated pests  and 
biosecurity contam ination ".  
Pre-departure  inspection, decontamination and certification is mandatory for vessels that have visited AGM 
source countries during a risk period to ensure that a vessel is free of AGM when it enters NZT. 
Where the  operator or person in charge of an arriving vessel  may not be able to meet all the requirements, 
they should contact the  MPI office at the port of intended arrival  as soon as possible to discuss options.  
6.1.1 Information required by MPI  
The CRMS  requires the  operator , or person in charge of , any vessel arriving in NZT to inform MPI of details of 
the vessel and its voyage, including : intended place and time of first arrival, whether  a certificate of freedom of 
AGM ha s been obtained prior to entry into NZT, the i ntende d stay in NZT, and if risk goods are to be kept on -
board the vessel.  
This information is to be provided to MPI at least 48 hours prior to entry into NZT and can be provided to MPI 
via a third party such as the agent for an operator or the operator of  the intended place of first arrival (POFA).  
The information is provided to MPI by completing the following forms:  
 Advanced Notice of arrival;  
 Master's Declaration.  
There is other information that the operator, or person in charge, of a vessel is required to submit to MPI and 
there are other requirements relating to vessels and cargo that must be met. Please refer to MPI’s website for 
further information.  Other standards you may need to check include  (but are not limited to) : 
 CRMS Vessel Biofouling;  
 IHS Wo od Packaging Material;  
 IHS Ballast Water;  
 IHS Sea Containers;  
 IHS Vehicles, Machinery, and Tyres;  
 IHS Specific Foods for Human Consumption Containing Animal Products;  
 IHS Importation and Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables into New Zealand; and  
 IHS Cats and Dogs.  
There are also requirements of other government departments that will need  to be met, please refer to their 
websites for their requirements . 
6.2 Substantially Clean 
The CRMS requires operator s, or person s in charge of , any vessel  entering NZT to ensure that the vessel is 
as clean as practicable before the vessel enters NZT.  Keeping vessels as clean and hygienic as possible 
plays a major role in reducing the potential for vessels to harbour regulated pests and biosecurity 
contamin ation.  Examples of the steps that could be taken to keep the vessel clear include:  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  8 of 18 
 
 
 (1) Removing standing water eliminates or reduces the presence of disease carrying mosquitos;  
(2) Removing trash, rubbish or garbage from the deck reduces possible locations for in sects like moths to 
lay eggs or other insects to feed, hide, or build nests;  
(3) Removing dirt or soil reduces the possible location for insects, mites and spiders to hide or lay eggs 
and reduces the presence of weed seeds and regulated microbial organisms; an d 
(4) Conducting an effective on -board pest management programme helps reduce the presence of rodents, 
spiders, ants, termites and other pest -type organisms on the vessel.  
Please note that gravel and road film free of organic contaminants and dead arthropods ( insects, mites and 
spiders) are not considered contaminants.  
 
6.3 Regulated Pests  and Biosecurity Contamination  
MPI acknowledges that minimising the presence of unwanted organisms poses  practical difficulties and 
challenges given the large number of organisms that could be present on a vessel and their different 
behaviours.  F or this reason, MPI has established requirements that recognise the aim to clean vessels before 
arriving in NZT by managing animal material and products, plant material, soil, standing wat er, trash and 
waste as much as possible.  These materials are potential habitats for regulated pests.  
All live pest sightings or evidence of pests (including insect egg masses or insect damaged wood) on-board 
any vessel  on-route to New Zealand are to be r eported to MPI prior to , and on  arrival in New Zealand.  
 
6.3.1 Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM)  
AGM is of particular concern to MPI.  If AGM were to establish in New Zealand this would have a significant 
negative impact on the environment and economy.   These moths are kno wn to lay eggs in masses on vessel 
superstructure s in certain areas and survive for prolonged periods.   Hatching AGM caterpillars can travel long 
distances in order to find food (for example, floating off the vessel on a silk thread to the vegetation 
surro unding the port).   
The CRMS requires that all vessels that enter NZT and arrive at New Zealand ports are free of all life stages 
of AGM.   For vessels that have visited risk areas in their risk period within the last 12 months, MPI requires a 
pre-departure  day time inspection and a valid certificate of freedom from AGM i ssued by a recognised 
inspection body listed on our website .  MPI requires a certificate of freedom to be based on an inspection 
conducted during day light hours on the same day as departure  and showing the time and date of the 
inspection.   
On arrival in New Zealand, MPI will check any certificate of freedom from AGM and verify that a vessel is 
AGM free, which may include an inspection.  Vessels  without certification are considered to pose a greater 
biosecurity risk than certified vessels  because the required AGM risk mitigation measures  have not been 
applied.  Vessels that have visited a risk area during the risk period but do not carry a valid certificate of 
freedom from AGM, are likely to be subject to more intensive inspection and other directions from MPI than 
vessels that carry a valid certificate of freedom.  This is likely to cause  delay s and result in an operator or 
person in charge of a vessel incurring additional costs . 
Where an ins pection cannot be conducted during the day light hours of the day of departure or the vessel 
leaves port at night after a day time inspection, MPI will base its risk assessment of the vessel on other risk 
factors such as crew conducting on -route risk inspe ctions and removal of any AGM found.  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  9 of 18 
 
 
 6.3.2 Other pests:  
Although the CRMS does not specifically require measures for pests other than AGM, the CRMS does require 
all vessels that enter NZT and arrive at a New Zealand port to be free of regulated pests.  
The reason the CRMS does not list any specific measures in relation to other organisms is due to the 
infrequency that they are found in or on vessels.  Organisms that are infrequently or randomly found in, or on 
vessels remain a concern for MPI.  However, there is insufficient evidence or understanding of a direct 
association with vessels that would warrant specific requirements.  For example, Giant African Snails have 
been found on vessels arriving in New Zealand ports.  However, they have been found relat ively infrequently 
and they are mostly found associated with cargo or sea containers on the vessel.  
Regulated pests or evidence thereof (biosecurity contamination) that crew, operators and persons in charge 
should be on the lookout for and report to MPI in clude:  
 Animals; including cats, dogs, birds, fish and rodents (faeces, fur)  
 Ants (ant trails, nests)  
 Bees and wasps (hives, nests and dead pests in traps if present)  
 Geckos  
 Infested /contaminated food stuffs   
 Mosquitoes (larvae in standing water)  
 Moths ; including both European and Asian Gypsy Moths  (egg masses or pupa)  
 Stink Bugs; particularly the Brown Mamorated Stink Bug (BMSB) (odour, aggregations of live BMSB or 
dead individuals)  
 Snails, including the Giant African Snail  (slime trails)  
 Snakes ;  
 Termi tes (sawdust or damaged wood)  
If a regulated pest is reported to MPI or found in, or on a vessel, MPI will direct the operator or, person in 
charge of the vessel to take appropriate action to treat the risk (including where necessary, using an MPI -
approved tre atment provider).  This action will depend on the organisms found, its location and the risk level 
that it presents.  Please refer to Verification of Compliance section below for more information and MPI's 
Treatment Schedule for approved treatments.  
6.4 Securi ng risk goods  
The CRMS  requires that all risk goods are either secured on -board or removed from the vessel  at a port 
approved as a POFA .  This requirement ensures  that no risk goods leave the vessel during its stay within 
NZT, except via an MPI  - approved process  at a POFA.  The approved processes  at a POFA can  contain,  
dispose of , handle or  treat risk goods , minimising the potential for  the introduction of harmful organisms  into 
New Zealand, such as fruit flies and BMSB .  An example of risk management is t he disposal of waste via an 
MPI-approved process  at the POFA.  
Risk goods are items or materials that may harbour hitchhiker species that are considered to pose a 
biosecurity risk to New Zealand.  Examples of risk goods include  (but are not limited to) anim al products, 
containers , food, food waste, objects that contain or have contained food , plant products (including house 
plants in cabins, coconut fibre, peat, straw) and wooden objects (and related materials such as bark).  
6.4.1 Short stay vessels  
Generally, t he biosecurity risk posed by risk goods ( including  food, food related material)  on vessels that are 
in NZT for no more than 20 days and only visit approved ports of first arrival is considered to be low enough 
that it is not necessary to require r emoval or d isposal of risk goods at first port of arrival.  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  10 of 18 
 
 
 The CRMS  requires the operator or person in charge to inform MPI through the Advance Notice of Arrival and 
Master's Declaration if the vessel will stay for 20 days or less and will retain certain risk goods o n-board.  Any 
risk goods that are to remain on -board need to be secured on -board the vessel.  
 
7 What will happen when you get to New Zealand?  
Operators or persons in charge of vessels will interact with MPI when:  
 Providing MPI with pre -arrival information and receiving MPI directions (approval into port etc) prior to, 
or shortly after entering NZT;  
 Being met by MPI Officers  at the port or location (for vessels working off shore) of arrival; and in some 
cases ; and  
 Being met by MPI Officers  off-shore for insp ection or treatment in addition to being meet at port (this 
happens rarely for high risk vessels when the risk cannot be contained in port).  
7.1 What happens on entry into NZT?  
Upon entry or shortly thereafter , MPI will have assessed the information provided t o MPI (Advance Notice of 
Arrival, and Master's Declaration) by the agent , operator or , person in charge of the vessel and determined 
the level of MPI verification required.  
If the information is incomplete MPI will communicate with the agent, operator or , person in charge of any 
vessels to ensure the required information is provided.  
7.1.1 What will MPI do to verify freedom of AGM ? 
If the vessel has visited a port within a AGM risk area during a risk period within the last 12 month preceding 
entry into NZT, the v essel is required to undergo inspection and have all life stages of AGM removed by a 
recognised inspection body and be issued with a valid certificate of freedom prior to entering NZT.  
Upon entry into NZT, MPI will assess the validity of the certificate, a nd provide direction accordingly.  If no 
certificate is provided, MPI will consider the risks posed by the vessel and may give directions for the vessel's 
arrival based on other AGM risk factors (for example which port the vessel should go to).  If MPI con siders 
there is a high risk, MPI may instruct the operator or person in charge to remain 4 nautical miles offshore so 
that MPI Officers  can conduct a specific pest full inspection of the vessel.  
7.1.2 Risk goods  
As mentioned in section 5.5, the CRMS  requires tha t all risk goods on board to be secured during the vessel's 
entire voyage within NZT.  This is especially important when the vessel first arrives in NZT and is travelling 
towards the first port of arrival.  
It is prohibited to discharge waste or goods over -board at any time, except food waste that has been ground 
into particles 200 microns or less and discharged from a moving vessel more than 3  nautical miles  from the 
coast.  
This requirement is intended to ensure that NZT remains free of harmful organisms an d that risk goods are 
only disposed of through an approved process  in a place that is able to contain or handle, treat or dispose of 
the risk goods and prevent the introduction of harmful organisms into New Zealand.  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  11 of 18 
 
 
 7.1.3 Approved  place of first arrival (POFA) – Seaports (ports)  
In order to effectively minimise the introduction of harmful organisms  into New Zealand, the Act requires any 
craft (in this case vessels) arriving in New Zealand  to do so at one of the ports approved to receive vessels 
from other countr ies and risk goods.  These ports  have processes  in place that can manage the presence of 
harmful organisms.  A list of these approved ports can be found on MPI’s website . 
Please note that not all approved ports can receive all types of vessels or risk good s.  Please refer to MPI's 
website to ensure that the port of intended arrival can receive your type of vessel and risk goods.  
In cases of emergency or if it is not safe to arrive at a port approved as a POFA , the operator or person in 
charge is required to  notify MPI  as soon as possible .  Once MPI have been notified, the vessel will receive 
direction  from MPI  and arrangements will be made for MPI  to meet the vessel.  Directions may come via a 
third party such as the operator of a port or another New Zealand  government agency.  For information on 
arrivals at places not approved as a POFA  refer to MPI website.  
7.2 What happens on arrival for all vessels?  
Upon arrival  at the port of first arrival , MPI will have decided on the  level of verification and have  
communic ated to the operator or person in charge of the vessel, or their agent if increased  verification is 
necessary.   Verification ranges from confirming information requirements (for example, AGM certification)  to 
decontamination of the vessel.  
7.2.1 What will MPI do  to verify the accuracy of the information provided to MPI?  
Upon arrival, all information provided to MPI will be verified.  Verification will be through conversations with the 
operator or, person in charge and conducting verification inspections.  This ca n include checking that the 
information provided in the advance notice of arrival, and the Master's Declaration is correct, inspecting risk 
goods on -board, and studying the vessel's voyage history and checking if there has been any evidence or 
sighting of pests on -board during the voyage to New Zealand.  
7.2.2 What will MPI do to verify freedom from AGM?  
The CRMS  requires that all vessels  (including both short - and long-stay vessels ) are free from AGM.  MPI will 
assess the risks associated with the vessel and will  take action to ensure that the vessel is AGM free.  This 
may consist of one or more of the following : 
(1) Low Risk Vessels :  For vessels that carry a valid certificate of freedom of AGM , MPI verification will 
generally be minimal, for example confirming certificate  status  (as valid)  in pre -arrival information . 
(2) Medium Risk Vessels : Where MPI has not been provided with a valid certificate of freedom of AGM for 
a vessel or other risk factors exist such as a low number egg masses are found and acceptable on -
route mitigation measures were conducted by crew, MPI verification may consist of confirming 
certificate is  valid in pre -arrival information  and a general inspection.  In other cases the vessel will be 
subject to an escalated risk inspection.  
(3) High Risk Vessels : For vessels that do not carry a  valid ce rtificate of freedom from AGM and no 
acceptable on -route mitigation measures have been undertaken or many egg masses have been 
found on -route by crew , MPI is likely to conduct a pest specific full inspection.  
This in formation is displayed visually in Appendix 1 - Table of AGM Risk Assessment and Inspection Type.  
Note that this is given as an indication of MPI's response.  MPI will assess the risks posed by a particular 
vessel and take whatever action that it consider s appropriate in the circumstances.  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  12 of 18 
 
 
 Vessels may be subject to a general inspection for bio security reasons other than AGM .  These vessel s may 
also be selected for a random compliance inspection, please refer to section 10 for further details  on 
verificatio n inspection s. 
7.2.3 What will MPI do to verify freedom of other regulated pests or biosecurity 
contamination  
MPI may undertake one of the following methods to verify on-board freedom from regulated pests and 
biosecurity contamination : 
(1) Low Risk Vessels :  For vessels that have been assessed as presenting a low risk based on the 
information received by MPI and any historical compliance history, MPI verification will generally be 
minimal, for example verifying  pre-arrival information  is accurate.  
(2) Medium Ri sk Vessels : For vessels that have been assessed as presenting a medium risk based on the 
information received by MPI and any historical compliance history, MPI verification may consist of 
confirming pre -arrival information  and a general inspection.  In oth er cases the vessel will be subject to 
an escalated risk inspection.  
(3) High Risk Vessels : For vessels that have been assessed as presenting a high risk based on the 
information received by MPI and any historical compliance history, MPI verification generally  involves 
pest specific full inspection.  
Where an operator or person in charge of a vessel has reported evidence or the presence of a regulated pest 
prior to arrival, the level of verification and need for treatment will depend on the pest detected and pos sible 
level of infestation.  
Note that this is given as an indication of MPI's response.  MPI will assess the risks posed by a particular 
vessel and take whatever action that it considers appropriate in the circumstances.   
Vessels may be subject to a gene ral inspection for other biosecurity reasons.  V essel s may also be selected 
for a random compliance inspection, please refer to section 10 for further details  on verification inspections.  
 
8 What happens to Short -Stay Vessels on arrival?  
A large number of ve ssels that arrive in NZT have a short turn -around time before they leave NZT, these are 
referred to as "short stay vessels" and these vessels stay within NZT for less than 20 days and only visit MPI 
POFAs.  
8.1.1 Risk goods  
In order for MPI to be satisfied that the risk goods will not present the potential for regulated  pests to enter 
New Zealand , risk goods are required to  be appropriately secured on board .  For example, cargo on deck or 
in the hold, processed food in packaging (stored on -board in secure cupboar ds, fridges or freezers) and waste 
within sealed bins are  considered to present a lower  biose curity risk if stored in this manner.  As part of the 
ability to retain risk goods on -board , MPI may direct how risk goods are to  be stored on -board . 
If an MPI Off icer has concerns about risk goods on board, the officer  may give directions for the management 
of the risk goods.  
All short stay vessels remain under biosecurity monitoring during their entire stay within NZT.  This means that 
MPI may seek to re -verify th at the risk goods on the vessel continue to be secured appropriately .  In some 
cases this may involve an inspection(s) of the risk goods . Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  13 of 18 
 
 
 8.1.2 Ports that can be visited  
The CRMS restricts the locations that all short stay vessels may visit to POFAs  because the risk goods 
(including food stores,  risk goods (cargo) not destined for New Zealand, trash or waste)  that remain on -board.  
The CRMS  requires all short stay vessels to visit only ports approved as a POFA as these ports have 
approved processes  to manage risk  goods (with facilities to destroy, store or treat them).  
8.1.3 Becoming a long stay vessel  
Where an operator or person in charge of vessel wishes to extend the vessel's stay past 20 days or visit 
places that are not POFAs, they must contact MPI as soon as possi ble and make arrangements to meet the 
requirements of long stay vessels, as outlined in section 9 below.  
 
9 What happens to Long Stay Vessel on arrival?  
Vessels that enter NZT and intend to visit a port or places that are not approved places of first arrival  or stay 
for more than 20 days are required by the CRMS  to obtain a written certificate  of compliance  from MPI.  Once 
the certificate  of compliance  has been obtained, the vessel is considered a “cleared vessel” and is able to  
move freely within NZT.  A certificate  of compliance  will only be issued if all risk goods (including  regulated 
pests and biosecurity contaminants as well as food and waste items) have been removed from the vessel or 
cleared under the Act (which may include treatment) .  Such ports  have  approved  processes  in place to 
manage any biosecurity risks . 
Upon arrival at the POFA, the operator or, person in charge is required to remove all risk goods from the 
vessel, this includes all animal material or products, food products, plant material, tr ash and waste.  
Once the operator or person in charge has removed all risk goods, MPI will inspect the vessel to ensure that it 
is free from risk goods.  Where an operator or person in charge of a vessel opts to have risk goods cleared , 
rather than removed from the vessel, MPI will inspect the goods and where the goods required treatment 
before clearance is issued MPI will require documentation to show that treatment has been carried out 
appropriately and may some cases re -inspect to ensure the actions have been completed.  
Where the MPI Officer  is satisfied that all risk goods have been removed or cleared , the MPI Officer  will 
provide written confirmation of this.  This provides permission for the vessel operator to move their vessel 
freely within NZT.  
If the vessel  leaves NZT and then returns to NZT, the operator or person in charge will need to comply with 
the requirements of the CRMS.  The level of MPI verification for returning vessels  will be determined on a 
case-by-case basis.  Operators or persons in ch arge of vessels that routinely re -enter NZT and wish to travel 
freely within NZT should consider seeking approval for an approved Craft Risk Management Plan (CRMP) to 
reduce arrival delays and costs.  
All operators or, persons in charge of vessels that inte nd to become long stay vessels are required to obtain 
written c ertificate  of compliance  within 20 days of first arriving in New Zealand.  An operator or, person in 
charge who does not obtain written confirmation of compliance from an inspector within 20 da ys of arriving in 
New Zealand may be directed by MPI to leave NZT.  
  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  14 of 18 
 
 
 10 Verification of Compliance  
Based on information that MPI obtains from vessel operators (incl uding Advance Notice of Arrival and  
Master's Declaration) as well as any historical data, MPI w ill complete a vessel risk assessment.  This 
assessment will determine what MPI will do to verify compliance with the CRMS .  Where elevated verification 
is required, MPI will communicate this to  the agent, operator or person in charge and outline  the level  of 
verification prior to , or shortly after entry into NZT  and provide any direction necessary.  
Verification may include:  
 requesting further information ; 
 questioning the operator, person in charge or crew;  
 requesting risk goods to  be secured;  
 determining w hether any acceptable mitigates measures have been conducted on -route by the crew  
(for example on -route  AGM inspection /removal);  
 conducting in -wharf inspections;  or 
 conducting an inspection  4 nautical miles  off the shore . 
The following three inspections are those that can be typically expected for MPI verification:  
(1) General inspections  are for low risk vessels.  MPI Officers  verify general biosecurity compliance (for 
example, general biosecurity concerns such as secured galley products/stored food, or wast e for 
removal via an approved system).  These inspections are routine and generally do not delay the 
unloading of the vessel for biosecurity reasons.  
(2) Escalated risk inspections  are for medium risk vessels. MPI Officers  verify general biosecurity 
requiremen ts and that the vessel is free of identified risk (highlighted in an assessment).  These 
inspections are more detailed than general inspections but not as intensive as a pest specific full 
inspection.  These inspections will take longer than a general insp ection and are conducted in 
approved ports.  
(3) Pest specific full inspections  are generally conducted on vessels that are considered high risk, for 
example, the vessel meets the criteria for pre -departure AGM inspection and certification and these 
requirement s have not be met.  MPI Officers  will verify that vessels are free of specific regulated pests, 
such as AGM , by undertaking a very thorough inspection, causing delays and costs.  These 
inspections are generally conducted in a POFA, but when the risk assess ment indicates that the risk 
cannot be safely contained in -port, they may be conducted 4 nautical miles off the New Zealand coast.  
Where MPI requires one of these inspections, MPI will liaise with the agent, operator or person in 
charge  of the vessel to ensure that any delays are kept to a minimum.  
Disclaimer:  
Where an MPI Officer  on a vessel suspects on reasonable grounds or discovers that the vessel poses a 
higher risk than the risk assessment identified, then MPI Officer  may direct th e vessel operator to take further 
action to ensure that the risk is managed appropriately.  This may involve an escalation of the inspection 
conducted, off -shore pest specific full inspection and biosecurity treatment, removal of the contamination or 
speci fic treatment.  
These inspection types should be seen as a representative of the majority of verification  inspections  MPI 
conducts on vessels, however circumstances may exist where MPI needs to conduct verification that does not 
fall within these typical ty pes. Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  15 of 18 
 
 
 10.1 Random compliance inspections  
MPI Officers  may also undertake random compliance inspections of a small number of low and medium risk 
vessels to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the CRMS.  This is in addition to risk based 
verification inspections.  Compliance inspections can be a pest specific full inspection to ensure that the 
vessel is free of regulated  pests.  For example, this could be verifying that a vessel with a valid certificate of 
freedom of AGM is free of the pest.  Where a v essel has been selected for a compliance inspection, MPI will 
liaise with the agent, operator or person in charge of the vessel to ensure that any delays are kept to a 
minimum.  
10.2 Craft Risk Management Plans (CRMP)  
A CRMP is where the operator or person in ch arge of a vessel proposes to meet the desired effect  of the 
CRMS  with requirements that are equivalent to , but different from , those specified in th e CRMS.  T he operator 
or person in charge can submit a CRMP to MPI for approval .  Please contact MPI directl y for any further 
information.  
 
  Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  16 of 18 
 
 
 Appendix 1:  AGM Generic Risk Assessment and 
Inspection Types  
The table below summarises the generic procedures a vessel operator can anticipate on entering NZT after 
visiting a foreign port within a AGM risk area during p eriods of AGM activity (risk period) - refer the Schedule 1 
of the standard for details on risk area and risk period.  
 
 
  
Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  17 of 18 
 
 
 Appendix 2:   An overview of MPI ’s standards relating to 
arriving vessels  
There are several standards or sections of the Act that dir ectly relate to entry of vessels into New Zealand 
territory (NZT) and subsequent arrival at a New Zealand port.  While the text of this document relates 
specifically to the requirements of the Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) Vessels, this appendix 
provides an overview for operators of the other directly related standards and Act requirements for 
completeness.  In doing so, it shows how all the relevant standards and Act requirements link and manage the 
entire vessel pathway.  
 
This appendix should not be read as an extensive guide on MPI’s arrival requirements of vessels, for 
specific details relating to the information in the overview please refer to the Act and the relevant 
standards. For further guidance, refer to webpages on  MPI’s website.  
Standard and Act requirements  
(1) The entry of vessels into NZT and subsequent arrival at a New Zealand port are managed by the 
following:  
 CRMS Vessels  
 CRMS for Biofouling (voluntary until 2018)  
 Import Health Standard (IHS) Ballast Water  
 The B iosecurity Act 1993 (particularly Part 3 Importation of Risk Goods , Part 6 Administrative 
Provisions , Part 8 Enforcement, Offences and Penalties  and Part 8A Exclusive Economic Zone  
(2) Any goods or persons on -board are managed by the following:  
 IHS Sea Contain ers 
 IHS Wood Packaging Material  
 IHS Specified Foods for Human Consumption Containing Animal Products;  
 IHS Importation and Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables into New Zealand ; 
 IHS Cats and Dogs  
 Any IHS relating to cargo to be discharged: including (but  not limited to):  
– IHS Vehicles, Machinery, and Tyres  
– IHS Inorganic Risk Materials  
 
(3) Where vessels can arrive, discharge cargo and where persons can disembark are managed by the 
following:  
 Standard for Places of First Arrival  
 Transitional Facility Standard s 
 The Biosecurity Act 1993 (particularly Part 3 Importation of Risk Goods , Part 6 Administrative 
Provisions , Part 8 Enforcement, Offences and Penalties  and Part 8A Exclusive Economic Zone . 
 
 
 Guidance Document : Guidance Document to the CRMS for Vessels   
Draft for Consultation  13 June 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  18 of 18 
 
 
 Pre-departure treatment:  
Check the IHS for the goods that are to be discharged in New Zealand, some goods (particularly plant and 
animal products, and used vehicles) have importation requirements that must be undertaken prior to 
departure  for New Zealand . 
While these requirements are generally the responsibility of the importer, there may be some situations where 
they apply to the operator of the vessel (for example the food stores in the vessel’s galley, ISP M 15 
certification of wooden dunnage).  
In addition to the AGM requirements of the CRMS for Vessel outlined in the text of this document, there are 
also pre departure biofouling requirements in the CRMS Biofouling (voluntary until 2018) , which MPI 
encourages vessel operators to consider before departing for New Zealand . 
Pre-arrival information requirements:  
 CRMS Vessel s 
 CRMS for Biofouling (voluntary until 2018)  
 Import Health Standard (IHS) Ballast Water  
 IHS Sea Containers  
 Any IHS relating to cargo to be discharged – including any wooden dunnage, domestic plants or 
pets.  While these requirements are generally the respo nsibility of the importer, there may be some 
situations where they apply to the operator of the vessel (for example the food stores in the 
vessel’s galley or any domestic house plants or pets on a vessel) .