Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Animal Products that have 
Undergone Third Country 
Processing  
IHS THIRDCOP.GEN  
[Document Date]  
 Import Health Standard : Animal Products that have Unde rgone Third Country Processing   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 10 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Animal Products that have Undergone Third Country Processing  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date ]  
REVOCATION  
This Import Health Standard revokes and replaces the following:  
a) Import Health Standard for Animal Products that have Undergone Third Country Processing, 
ANIPROIC.ALL, 27 September 2011 . 
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Dated at Wellington , 
 
 
Howard Pharo  
Manager , Import and Export Animals  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under dele gated authority of the Director -General)  
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Regulation & Assurance Branch  
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  
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Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  Requirements  5 
1.1 Application  5 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  5 
1.3 Definitions  5 
1.4 Requirements for clearance  5 
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  6 
1.6 Processing, packaging and transport  6 
1.7 Official Biosecurity Programme (OBP)  7 
1.8 Import permit  7 
1.9 The documentation that must accompany goods  7 
Schedule 1 – Document History  9 
Schedule 2 – Definitions  10 
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Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the  Import Health Standard  (IHS) , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
This IHS specifies the minimum requirements that must be met when importing  animal products that have 
undergone third country processi ng into New Zealand . 
Third country processing is t he processing of animal product  where:  
(1) the animal product  originates in New Zealand or a  country eligib le to export the animal product  to New 
Zealand under an IHS; and  
(2) the animal product  is subsequently processed in a third country that is not otherwise eligible to export 
the animal product to New Zealand.  
Background  
The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basis for excluding, eradicating and effectively managing 
pests a nd unwanted organisms.  
Import health standards issued under the Act set out requirements to be met to effectively manage biosecurity 
risks associated with importing goods. They include requirements that must be met in the exporting country, 
during transit,  and during importation, before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
Guidance boxes are included within this IHS for explanatory purposes. The guidance included in these boxes 
is for information only and has no legal effect.  
A guidance document also accompa nies this IHS providing information on how requirements may be met.  
Who should read this  Import Health Standard ? 
This IHS applies to importers of animal products that have undergone third country processing . 
Why is this important?  
It is the importer’s responsibility 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. Consignments that do not comply with the requirements of this IHS 
may be re -shipped or destroyed under the Act or tested/treated in accordance with this IHS prior to  biosecurity 
clearance . Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
The costs to MPI in performing  functions relating to the importation of animal products that have undergone 
third country processing  will be recovered in accordance with the Act and any regulations made under the Act. 
All costs involved with documentation, transport, storage and obta ining a biosecurity clearance must be 
covered by the importer or agent.  
Equivalence  
The Chief Technical Officer (CTO) may issue a direction under section 27(1 )(d) of the Act that measures 
different from those set out in this IHS  may be applied to effec tively manage risks associated with the 
importation of  these goods.  Import Health Standard : Animal Products that have Unde rgone Third Country Processing   
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If an equivalent measure is approved , an import permit may be issued under section 24D(2) of the Act if the 
Director -General considers it appropriate to do so.  The details of the CTO dir ection on equivalence will be 
included as notes in the special conditions section of the permit to inform the inspector’s assessment of the 
commodity.  
MPI’s preference is that the exporting country’s Competent Authority makes equivalence requests.  
Equivalence requests can be lodged with animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz.  
See guidance document for more information about Equivalence.  
Biosecurity clearance  
A biosecurity clearance, under section 26 of the Act,  may be issued when the animal products that have 
undergone third country processing  meet all the requirements of this IHS, provided the applicable 
requirements of section 27 in the Act are met . 
Inspection  
On arrival, all documentation accompanying the consignment will be verified  by an inspector.  
Document History  
Refer to Schedule 1.  
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 l aws. 
Food Act 2014 and Animal Products Act 1999  
Consignments of food imported for sale into New Zealand for human consumption must comply with relevant 
requirements of the Food Act 2014,  including  the Australia N ew Zealand Food Standards Code , and the 
Anim al Products Act 1999 .  
See guidance document for more information about the Food Act 2014  and Animal Products Act 1999 . 
Import Health Standards  
Other relevant IHSs must also be complied with before biosecurity clearance will be issued. These may 
include bu t are not limited to the following:  
(1) Containers made of timber must meet the requirements of the following : IHS: Wood Packaging 
Material from All Countries . 
 
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Part 1:  Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This Import Health Standard ( IHS) applies to all import s of animal products that have undergone  third 
country  processing .  
(2) If a specific IHS exists for an animal product, the specific IHS or this IHS may apply to that animal 
product.  
See guidance document fo r more information about application.  
1.2 Incorporation by reference  
(1) The following international standards are incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of 
the Act:   
a) The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the Code ), available at the OIE Website: 
http://www.oie.int/international -standard -setting/terrestrial -code/access -online/ . 
(2) Under section 142O(3) of the Act it is declar ed 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 any amend ments  to or 
replacements of the material incorpora ted under clauses 1.2(1)  above has legal effect as part of this 
IHS. 
 
Guidance for incorporation by reference  
 Incorporation by reference means that standards, guidelines or lists are incorporated into the IHS 
and they form part of the requirements.  
 Where the IHS states that section 142O(1) of the Act does not apply, this means that importers 
need to refer to the most recent version of any standards, guidelines or lists that are incorporated 
by reference in the IHS.  
 
1.3 Definitions  
(1) For the purposes of this IHS and the associated guidance , terms used that are defined in the Act have 
the meanings set out there. The Act is available at the following website: 
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/ . 
(2) See Schedule 2 for additional definitions that apply . 
1.4 Requirements for clearance  
(1) In order to obtain biosecurity clearance, animal products that have undergone third country processing 
must:  
a) Be imported from a country that the CTO is satisfied meets the export country systems and 
certific ation requirements of clause 1.5; and  
b) Meet the requirements of clauses 1.6 and 1.7 of Part 1 ; and 
c) Be accompanied by an import permit where required by clause 1.8; and  Import Health Standard : Animal Products that have Unde rgone Third Country Processing   
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d) Be accompanied by a veterinary certificate that meets the requirements of clause 1.9, has been 
agreed b y the CTO, and details the measures in Part 1.6 and 1.7  that the importing country will 
meet.  
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  
(1) Importers may import animal  products that have undergone third country processing  only if a Chief 
Technical Officer (CTO ) is satisfied, on the basis of evidence, that the Competent Authority  of the 
exporting country (the country processing and exporting the third country -processed animal product) is  
capable of ensuring that  the commodity can meet the requirements of thi s IHS.  
(2) The evidence must include details about all of the following, that the CTO considers appli cable to the 
commodity from the  exporting country:  
a) The ability of the exporting country’s Competent Authority to verify the  animal health status of the 
releva nt animal  populations in the exporting country, zone or compartment, with respect to risk 
organisms of concern , when relevant to the animal product . 
b) The adequacy of the  national systems  and/or  programmes  and standards in the exporting  
country for regulat ory oversight of the processing facilities that undertake third country 
processing.    
c) The capabilities of the exporting  country’s Competent Authority to support the issuance  of export 
certificate s under  this IHS . 
(3) Importers may n ot import from a country where the  CTO has determined that the Competent Authority  
of the exporting country is  no longer capable of ensuring that animal products that have undergone 
third country processing imported from that country can meet the requirements of this IHS.  
 
Guidanc e for 1.4.(2)  
 The evidence will be obtained during evaluation of the Competent Authority of the exporting 
country in accordance with section 3 of the Code . 
 Once the CTO is satisfied with the exporting country’s evidence for exporting systems and 
certificat ion, MPI and the Competent Authority may commence negotiation of the country -
specific  and commodity -specific export certificate.  
 In order to be satisfied with the evidence provided , an in -country or desk -top audit may be 
carried out at any time, including  prior to the first shipment of commodity.  
 See guidance document for more information about exporting country systems and certification, 
and for a list of currently approved countries and country -specific  and commodity -specific export 
certificates.  
1.6 Proces sing, packaging and transport  
(1) Animal products that have undergone third country processing  must be commercially prepared and 
packaged in sealed, leak -proof packaging.  
(2) Animal products that have undergone third country processing  must be stored and subsequen tly 
transported in a hygienic manner and be kept free of contaminants.  
(3) Consignments of animal products that have undergone third country processing  must be clearly 
identified and the identifier must be stated on the export certificate.  
(4) Packaging containing  animal products that have undergone third country processing  must be clean, 
secure, and free of any organic contaminants.  
(5) Product for export to New Zealand must be sealed at the time of manufacture in tamper -proof 
packaging.   Import Health Standard : Animal Products that have Unde rgone Third Country Processing   
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1.7 Official Biosecurity  Programme  (OBP)  
(1) Third country processed a nimal products may onl y be imported to New Zealand if processed in a  
country where  an Official Biosecurity Programme (OBP) has been agreed  between the Competent 
Authority of th e exporting  country  and MPI.  
(2) The OBP must describe how the Competent Authority of the exporting  country, or an agency 
recognised by the Competent Authority of the exporting  country, approves and oversees processing 
facilities  under the OBP . 
(3) The OBP must ensure that facilities approved  and overseen under the OBP have systems or 
programmes in place to demonstrate the following : 
a) Quality management systems  [e.g. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis 
and Critical Control Point (HACCP)] for processing, packaging, storage and transport that occur 
in the exporting country  to prevent cross -contamination ; and 
b) Integrity of product separation from all other products not eligible for export to New Zealand ; and  
c) Prevention of product substitution;  and 
d) Product t raceability ; and  
e) If appli cable, the application of processing steps that are disease specific, as specified in an 
existing IHS.  
See guidance document for more information about the Official Biosecurity P rogramme . 
1.8 Import permit  
(1) An import permit under section 24D of the Act is required if a CTO has issued a direction under section 
27(1)(d)  prior to import, for a measure that is different from that set in this IHS that may be applied to 
effectively manage risks.  
(2) An import permit is not required where a CTO has issued a direction under section 27(1)(d) for a 
measure that is different from that set in this IHS during negotiation of a country -specific veterinary 
certificate and the equivalent measure is incorporated into that certificate.  
 
Guidance  for import permit  
 Completed applica tions can be submitted to Animal Imports animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  
 Application forms can be found on the MPI website at: 
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/5101 -permit -to-import -animal -products  
1.9 The documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) The consignment must arrive in New Zealand with the documentation that is specified in , and meets 
the requirements of clauses 1.9.1 to 1.9.2 below.  
(2) All documentation that  is required by this clause 1. 9 to accompany animal products that have 
undergone third country processing  must , unless otherwise stated : 
a) Be original . 
b) Accompany the imported goods.  
c) Be in English or have an English translation that is clear and legible.  
d) Be endorsed on every page by an  Official or Official Veterinarian of the Competent Authority  with 
their original stamp, signature and date or be endorsed in the space allocated and all pages have 
paper based alternati ve security features.  Import Health Standard : Animal Products that have Unde rgone Third Country Processing   
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1.9.1 Import permit  (if required by clause 1.8) 
(1) An import permit issued by MPI (copy acceptable) . The importer must apply to the Director -General for 
an import permit .  
 
Guidance for documentation for import permit  
 Completed applications can be submitted to Animal Imports animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  
 Application forms can be found on the MPI website at: 
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/5101 -permit -to-import -animal -products  
 The importer should complete all information requested on the application form.  
1.9.2 Export certificat e 
(1) An export  certificate from the exporting country’s Official or  Official Veterinarian . The export certificate 
must include the following:  
a) A unique consignment identifier.  
b) The description, source species, and amount of product . 
c) Name and address of the importer (consignee) and exporter (consignor).  
d) Name, signature and contact details of the Official or  Official Veterinarian . 
e) Certification and endorsement by the Official or  Official Veterinarian that the requ irements 
outlined in t his IHS have been met.  
f) Serial  numbers of the certificate (s) for animal product  that was imported into the exporting  
country  from New Zealand, or countries eligible to directly export to New Zealand  under an IHS . 
(2) Copy(ies) of the original health certificate  for animal product s that :  
a) were imported into the exporting  country  (where third country processing occurs)  from countries 
eligible to  directly  export to  New Zealand  under an existing IHS, and 
b) meet  all requirements of that  existing  IHS; or  
(3) If the animal produc t originates from New Zealand,  copy (ies) of the health  certificate from New 
Zealand.  
(4) The Official or  Official Veterinarian of the exporting  country  where third country processing occurs must  
sign and e ndorse the copies as “certified copy of original”.  
 
Guidance for export certificate  
 Where equivalent measures have been negotiated and agreed with MPI, and  a CTO has  issued , 
prior to import, a direction under section 27(1)(d) of the Act that is different from those in this 
standard in the form of a negotiated veterinary certificate, a country -specific veterinary certificate 
must accompany the consignment.  
 See guidance document for more information about equivalence and country -specific  and 
commodity -specific export certificates.  
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Schedule  1 – Document History  
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
27 September 2011  Import Health Standard: Animal Products that 
have Undergone Third Country Processing  ANIPROIC.ALL  
Date of Issued Amendments  Title Shortcode  
TBA Import Health Standard : Animal Products that 
have Undergone Third Country Processing  THIRDCOP.GEN  
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Schedule 2 – Definitions  
Competent Authority  
The Veterinary or other Governmental Authority of an OIE Member, that has the responsibility and 
competence for ensuring or supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures, 
international veterinary certification and other standards and  recommendations in the Code  in the whole 
territory.  
Cross -contamination  
The process by which potential risk organisms are transferred between the animal product intended to be 
exported to New Zealand and other animal products not intended to be exported t o New Zealand . 
Export  Certificate  
A health  certificate  or official declaration , issued in conformity with the provisions of the Code  Chapter for 
certification procedures, describing the requirements which are fulfilled by the exported commodities.  
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)  
A system which identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards which are significant for food safety.  
MPI 
Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand.  
Official or Official Veterinarian  
A person, or veterinarian , authorised by the Competent Authority of the country to perform certain designated 
official tasks associated with animal health and/or public health and inspections of commodities and, when 
appropriate, to certify in conformity with the provisions of the OIE Code  Chapter for certification procedures.  
The Code  
The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (the Code ), available at the OIE Website: 
http://www.oie.int/in ternational -standard -setting/terrestrial -code/access -online/  
Third Country  Processing  
The p rocessing of animal products where:  
a) the animal product originates in New Zealand or a country eligible to export the animal product to 
New Zealand under an IHS; and  
b) the animal product is subsequently processed in a third country that is not otherwise eligible to 
export the animal product to New Zealand.