Guidance document for live animal imports April 2011 1 
 
 
 
 
General Guidance Document 
Live Animal Imports
 
 
 
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand 
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 
P.O Box 2526 
Wellington 6011 
New Zealand 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Guidance document for live animal imports April 2011 2CONTENTS 
 
Foreword ........................................................................................................3  
How to apply for a permit to import .............................................................3  
Applying for e quivalence ..............................................................................3  
Transit/ Tr anship............................................................................................3  
Importers res ponsibilitie s .............................................................................4  
Identification...................................................................................................4  
Microchipping ............................................................................................................ 4  
Transpor t ........................................................................................................4  
Expectations of documents ..........................................................................4  
OIE links .........................................................................................................4  
Advance notif ication......................................................................................5  
Auckland.................................................................................................................... 5  
Christchurch .............................................................................................................. 5  
Wellingt on.................................................................................................................. 5  
Country approval pro cess ............................................................................5  
Disease monitoring upon arrival  in New Zealand .......................................6  
Definitions ......................................................................................................6  
Review and amendment ................................................................................7  
Contact de tails ...............................................................................................7  
  
Guidance document for live animal imports April 2011 3FOREWORD 
This guidance document has been issued to accompany imports of live animals. It is 
not a legally binding document and, although it can be read independently of MAF 
live animal import health standards, it should be read in conjunction with the specific standard for the animal being imported to ensure that all matters relating to meeting the requirements of the standard are fully understood.  
HOW TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO IMPORT 
Where a permit to import is required applications forms can be obtained from: 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/forms   
Please allow a minimum of 10 working days for permit processing once all required documents have been sent. Copies are acceptable. These documents include:  
 A completed and signed permit application form  
 Booking for an approved transitional (quarantine) facility  
 The date of entry into pre-export isolat ion and the premises of isolation address 
and Veterinary Authority approval 
 The proposed date of export 
Permits will be sent to you electronically.  
Submit applications to: animalimports@maf.govt.nz   
OR 
FAX +64 4 894 0733  
MAF Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
New Zealand  
APPLYING FOR EQUIVALENCE 
MAF acknowledges that there a variety of means by which importers/exporters can 
ensure that the associated biosecurity risk has been managed effectively.  To ensure that any method, system or process used to  achieve equivalent status is validated as 
such, it must be approved by MAF prior to being used.  
The exporting country’s Veterinary Authority may request MAF to approve a method, system or process that can be shown to ac hieve the biosecurity requirements of the 
standard. 
Equivalence requests made from authorities to MAF must be lodged on an 
equivalence request form. This form is available by contacting 
animalimports@maf.govt.nz
TRANSIT/ TRANSHIP 
 Animals transiting NZ destined for a third country must comply with the veterinary 
requirements of the third country and the New Zealand import health standard for 
that animal. 
 Animals transiting a third country destined for NZ please visit the MAF transit 
page at: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/going/animals/transiting-animals   
Guidance document for live animal imports April 2011 4 For information on animals transported by air routes transiting countries where 
health risks associated with insect borne pathogens exist this standard is 
available online at: 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/anitraic.all.htm  
IMPORTERS RESPONSIBILITIES 
 The costs to MAF in performing functions relating to the importation of live 
animals must be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act and any 
regulations made under that Act. All costs involved with documentation, transport, 
storage and obtaining a biosecurity clearance must be covered by the importer or agent 
 It is the importer’s or agent’s responsibility to ensure that they comply with the 
current version of the negotiated zoo-sanitary certificate at the time of importation into New Zealand. Current versions of zoo-sanitary certificates are available online at:  
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ihs/search  
 It is to be noted that an import health standard prescribes measures for risk 
organisms that are deemed to be a hazard in the commodity – those that are 
exotic to New Zealand and those that are present but because of the nature of 
the imports are likely to significantly increase existing hazards associated with them.  It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that imported animals are free of specific organisms that may be of concern to them.  
IDENTIFICATION 
Microchipping 
Where a microchip is required the microchip number must be shown on all 
accompanying certification. The microchip must conform to New Zealand/International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards11784:2001 and 11785:2001 or the importer shall ensure that an electronic reader is available to enable a MAF Inspector to identify the animal. 
TRANSPORT 
1. The containers used for transporting live animals must comply with the design 
and species specifications of the IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR) . 
2. For transportation by sea the transport facilities and arrangements have been 
inspected and meet the requirements of the Australian Marine Orders Part 43, 
Issue 2 (which is equivalent to the New Zealand Marine Rules Part 24C). 
3. All containers made of timber must comply with the Import Health Standard for 
Importing Wood Packaging Material from All Countries . 
4. The containers used for transporting live animals must be new or cleaned and 
disinfected with a virucidal disinfectant.  
EXPECTATIONS OF DOCUMENTS 
MAF will be listing the expectations of documents such as the veterinary certificates 
and manufacturer’s declarations. The link to this document will be located here when available. 
OIE LINKS  
Guidance document for live animal imports April 2011 5 The Terrestrial Animal health Code is available online and can be accessed at 
the following link: Access online: OIE - World Organisation for Animal Health  
 The Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Terrestri al Animals is available online and can 
be accessed at the following link: http://www.oie.int/en/international-standard-
setting/terrestrial-manual/access-online/  
 The Aquatic Animal Health Code is available online and can be accessed at the 
following link: http://www.oie.int/international-standard-setting/aquatic-
code/access-online/  
 The Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals is available online and can 
be accessed at the following link: http://www.oie.int/international-standard-
setting/aquatic-manual/access-online/  
ADVANCE NOTIFICATION 
MAF at the first port of arrival must be notified at least 72 hours before the scheduled 
time of arrival of any animal. Notification must include the flight number/ship number and scheduled arrival time. Additionally, an Official Veterinarian at the first port of arrival must be notified to perform any required post-arrival inspection. 
Auckland  
 Inspector: aklitbops@maf.govt.nz  Ph: +64 9 909 8615  
 Official veterinarian: liveanimalsector@nzfsa.govt.nz   Ph: 09 909 2706 Fax: 09 
909 2707  
Christchurch  
 Inspector: mqschc@maf.govt.nz  Ph: +64 3 943 3803  
 Official veterinarian: liveanimalsector@nzfsa.govt.nz  Ph: 03 358 1777 Fax: 03 
943 1742 
Wellington  
 Inspector: mqswlg@maf.govt.nz  Ph: +64 4 894 4213  
 Official veterinarian: liveanimalsector@nzfsa.govt.nz  Ph: 03 358 1777 Fax: 03 
943 1742 
COUNTRY APPROVAL PROCESS 
MAF and the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country will negotiate the content of the zoosanitary certificate to determine how the level of risk management specified by the commodity’s import health standard will be achieved, taking into account:  
 The verifiable health status of the exporting country/zone/compartment; and  
 The national systems, legislation and standards in the exporting country for 
regulatory oversight of the turkey meat industry; and  
 The capabilities and preferences of the exporting country’s Veterinary Authority.  
Upon conclusion of negotiations, country-specific zoosanitary certificate templates will be included in the guidance document for specific commodity’s import health standard.  
If your country is not on the approved country list, your animal is not eligible for direct import to New Zealand. The options available are:   
Guidance document for live animal imports April 2011 61. Move the animal(s) to an approved country or territory where it must complete the 
residency period and other requirements in the veterinary certificate for that 
country;  
OR  
2. Submit a request for inclusion of a country or territory in a veterinary certificate for 
your animal. Requests will be prioritised quarterly subject to resource availability. Information provided by the government veterinary authority regarding official assurance programs for veterinary certification and diagnostic laboratories, and controls on animal movement will be assessed. Contact 
animalimports@maf.govt.nz  for further information. 
DISEASE MONITORING UPON ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND 
The importer shall be advised of the action to be taken if their animal develops any symptoms of illness or if ticks are found, as follows:  
 The animal should be taken to a veterinarian.  
 The veterinarian should be informed of the animal’s import history.  
 The Investigation & Diagnostic Centre (IDC) must be notified of any suspected 
exotic disease or pest by calling 0800 80 99 66. 
DEFINITIONS 
Import Health 
Standard Term Definition 
Animal Imports/Exports Group Manager The Animal Imports/Exports Group Manager, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 
Biosecurity New Zealand, or any person who for the time being may lawfully exercise and perform the delegated power and functions of the Animal Imports/Exports Group 
Manager 
Approved countries Countries from which New Zealand enables imports of a particular commodity, must be specifically approved by MAF. 
Biosecurity clearance  A clearance under Section 26 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 for the entry of goods into New Zealand. (Explanatory Note: Goods given a biosecurity clearance by an inspector are 
released to the importer without restriction) 
Biosecurity authority Written authority from an inspector, given under Section 25 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, 
to move uncleared goods from a transitional facility or biosecurity control area to another transitional facility, containment facility or biosecurity control area, or to export those 
goods from New Zealand 
Chief Technical Officer A person appointed a chief technical officer under section 101 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 
Commodity Live animals, products of animal origin, ani mal genetic material, biological products and 
pathological material. 
Compartment An animal subpopulation contained in one or more establishments under a common biosecurity management system with a distinct health status with respect to a specific 
disease or specific diseases for which r equired surveillance, control and biosecurity 
measures have been applied for the purpose of international trade.   
Guidance document for live animal imports April 2011 7Competent Authority The Veterinary authority or other Government al Authority of an OIE Member having 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 Terrestrial Code in the whole territory. 
Director-General The chief executive of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. 
Equivalence Acceptance by the Imports Standards Group Manager that the circumstances relating to 
the importation of a consignment are such that the health status of the consignment is 
equivalent to the health status of a consignment that complies with the requirements of 
the import health standard. 
IATA  The International Air Transport Association 
Inspector  A person who is appointed an inspector under Section 103 of the Biosecurity Act 1993. 
(Explanatory Note: An inspector is appointed to undertake administering and enforcing 
the provisions of the Biosecurity Act 1993 and controls imposed under the Hazardous Substances and New Organism Act 1996). 
MAF The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand 
Official Veterinarian A veterinarian authorised by the Veterinary Administration 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 Section 5.2 of the Terr estrial Code pertaining to principles of 
certification 
OIE Code The World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Any reference 
in this standard to the OIE Code is to the most current as found on the OIE website  
Permit to import A permit issued by the Director General of MA F pursuant to section 22 of the Biosecurity 
Act 1993 upon an importer’s demonstration that certain requirements of the import 
health standard have been met in advance of an importation being made, such that a transitional facility is available to accept  the consignment/s and a method and route of 
transport from the port of arrival to the transitional facility has been approved. The 
procedure for application and the information required for a permit to import are detailed 
within the import health standard. 
Prescribed diagnostic test The diagnostic test(s) which can be used fo r international trade when the OIE Code 
recommends a testing procedure for international trade in a commodity. 
Risk organism Any organism capable or potentially capable of causing unwanted harm to any human or 
animal health as determined by an import risk analysis. 
Surveillance The systematic ongoing collection, collation, and analysis of information related to animal health and the timely dissemination of information to those who need to know so that action can be taken. 
REVIEW AND AMENDMENT 
This guidance document is subject to revi ew and amendment at any time to ensure 
that it continues to meet its purpose. All stakeholders are responsible for ensuring 
that the most recent version of the guidance document is used.  
CONTACT DETAILS  
Guidance document for live animal imports April 2011 8For all matters relating to the interpretation, review and amendment of this guidance 
document, please contact:  
Animal Imports Group  
MAF  
PO Box 2526 
Wellington 6011  
Fax: +64 4 894 0733 
PHONE +64 4 894 0100 from overseas  
Or 0800 008 333 in New Zealand  
Email: animalimports@maf.govt.nz