Guidance Document 
for  
Animal Fibres 
 
 
ANFIBRES.ALL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 
P.O Box 2526 
Wellington 6011 
New Zealand 
 
 
Guidance Document for the Import Health Standard                            xx xxxxxxxx 2012                        1 of 15 
Animal Fibres  
Contents  
Part A. In troduction .......................................................................................3  
Forewo rd ......................................................................................................3  
Review and amendment ...............................................................................3  
Contact det ails..............................................................................................3  
Part B. Genera l Guidance..............................................................................4  
Clearanc e.....................................................................................................4  
Permit to import............................................................................................4  
Packaging and tr ansport ..............................................................................4  
Samples of ani mal fibr es ..............................................................................4  
Transhipped c onsignment s ..........................................................................5  
Transiting cons ignments ..............................................................................5  
Part C. Specifi c Guidance .............................................................................6  
Scope ...........................................................................................................6  
Specific commodity  requirements.................................................................6  
Part D. Model Manufactur er’s Declar ation...................................................9  
Part E. Model Fibre Cert ifier’s Decl aration ................................................10  
Part F. Model Veteri nary Certificate ...........................................................11  
Part G. Amendm ent Reco rd ........................................................................15  
Guidance Document for the Import Health Standard                            xx xxxxxxxx 2012                        2 of 15 
Animal Fibres Part A. Introduction 
Foreword 
This guidance document has been iss ued to accompany the MAF Import  Health 
Standard for Animal Fibres- ANFIBRES.ALL  (the “standard”). It is not a legally 
binding document  and, although it can be read independently of the standard, it 
should be read in conjunction with it to ensure that all matters relating to meeting the 
requirements of the standard are fully understood. 
 
 
Review and amendment  
This Guidance Document is subject to review 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, as available on the MAF 
website, is used. An amendment record is provided at the end of this document.  
  
Contact details 
For all matters relating to the standard and this Guidance Document, please contact:  
Animal Imports Team, 
MAF,  
PO Box 2526,  WELLINGTON 6011  Fax: +64 4 894 0733 Email : animalimports@maf.govt.nz
  
 
 
 
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Animal Fibres Part B. General Guidance  
 
Clearance 
 
1. MAF must receive complete and adequate information to assess the risk of 
goods imported into New Zealand. Commercial importers must submit this 
information to MAF as part of a Biosecurity Authorisation Clearance Certificate 
application. Application forms and contact details can be obtained from the MAF  
website   
2. An inspector will inspect the accompany ing documentation to ensure that it meets 
the requirements of the standard i.e. adequately identifies the country of origin, 
describes the nature of the goods, and is original where required. 
3. Before clearance or biosecurity direction is given, an inspector may physically 
inspect all or any part of a consignment to ensure that it meets the standard.   
4. Products that do not meet the requirements of the standard will be authorised for 
treatment, reshipment or destruction. Im porters are therefore advised to comply 
with the standard so as to avoid any delays or extra costs incurred as a result of non-compliance.    
 
Permit to import 
5. Where required under the standard a Permit to Import for animal products must 
accompany the animal fibres. Application forms  can be sent to the contact details 
listed under this document.  
6. The application must specify the transitional facility where the animal fibres will 
be further processed. Transitional facilities  must first be approved by MAF.  
 
Packaging and transport 
7. All consignments of animal fibres must be packaged in clean and secure 
wrapping. This should be detailed in a manufacturer’s declaration accompanying 
the consignment otherwise an inspector may verify this on arrival by a visual inspection. The treatment requirements for used wool packs are detailed in the 
standard.  
 
Samples of animal fibres 
8. It is recognised that there is a need for samples of animal fibres to be imported 
from time to time. As such, samples of animal fibres for research or evaluation 
purposes can be imported either under this standard or under permit into a biological transitional facility under the MAF Import Health Standard for 
Biologicals and Samples . 
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Animal Fibres  
Transhipped consignments 
9. Transhipment is the movement of product from the country of origin to the 
country of final destination via an intermediate country.  The container enclosing 
the product has been customs cleared, opened, the contents removed, and a 
portion of the original product is then shipped from the intermediate country’s warehouse to the final destination in the importing country.   
 
10. Transhipped consignments of animal fibres must have a valid permit to import 
and a Veterinary Certificate
.   
 
Transiting consignments 
11. Transit is the movement of product from the country of origin to the country of 
final destination via an intermediate country where the container enclosing the 
product remains unopened, the seal remains intact, and the container has not left the control of customs officials of the transiting country.  
 
12. Transiting consignments of animal fibres from an exporting country via an 
intermediate country prior to entering New Zealand can be conducted without any 
specific requirements from MAF. 
 
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Animal Fibres Part C. Specific Guidance  
Scope 
13. The following products are included within the scope of the standard: 
 
a. Wool,  b. Hair, fur, and bristles c. Mohair and cashmere 
 
d. Feathers. 
 
14. The following products are not included within the scope of the standard: 
 
e. Hides and skins with attached fibre (see hides and skins
); 
 
f. Rawhide articles, handicrafts with attached fibre (see ornamental products 
of animal origin ); 
 
g. Deer/Elk velvet for human consumption (see velvet from approved 
countries  and Australia ). 
 
Specific commodity requirements  
15. The following table is intended as a concise summary of requirements only. The 
full requirements on arrival are detailed in the import health standard and the 
certification requirements are detailed in the model certificates provided in this document.   
 
Commodity  Requirements 
  Unprocessed (greasy) fibre of sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, and yaks  o Veterinary Certificate
  
 o Permit to Import
  
 
o Processed at a transitional facility in 
accordance with the standard. 
 
 
 Scoured only fibre of sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, and 
yaks  
o Veterinary Certificate
  
 
o Government Endorsed Manufacturer’s / Fibre 
Certifiers Declaration   
 o Permit to Import
 
 
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Animal Fibres o Processed at a transitional facility in 
accordance with the standard. 
 
 
Scoured and dyed/carded fibre 
of sheep, goats, alpacas, 
llamas, and yaks  
o Veterinary Certificate   
 o Government Endorsed Manufacturer’s 
Declaration  OR Fibre Certifiers Declaration   
 
 Private home spun fibre of sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, 
and yaks 
  o Visually inspected for contaminants OR 
treated as per the MAF Approved Biosecurity 
Treatments Standard  
 Private unprocessed fibre of sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, and yaks   o Visually inspected for contaminants AND 
treated as per the MAF Approved Biosecurity 
Treatments Standard  
 
New Zealand/Australian origin 
scoured fibre processed 
offshore 
  
o Government Endorsed Manufacturer’s 
Declaration   
 
 Commercially manufactured items (e.g. dyed and spun yarn, apparel, carpets, fabrics, silk 
tops and other processed silk 
fibres)  o No specific requirements – eligible for 
clearance  
  Unprocessed fibre of kangaroos, wallabies, and possums from Australia, and 
rabbits from all countries  
  
o Veterinary Certificate
  
 o Permit to Import
 
 
o Processed at a transitional facility in 
accordance with the standard.  
 
 Treated fibre of kangaroos, wallabies, and possums from Australia and rabbits from all 
countries  
  
 o Veterinary Certificate
  
 
 
Loose unwashed feathers   
o Veterinary Certificate   
 
 Loose commercially washed feathers  
  
o Manufacturer’s Declaration
  
 Fly-tying material, handicrafts,  o Visually inspected for contaminants. If 
Guidance Document for the Import Health Standard                            xx xxxxxxxx 2012                        7 of 15 
Animal Fibres and articles containing visible 
feathers (dreamcatchers, mats) 
 contaminated treat as per the MAF Approved 
Biosecurity Treatments Standard . 
 
 Commercially manufactured 
items containing feathers –e.g. 
shuttle cocks, feather boas (dyed), feathers in hats or other apparel, fishing flies (commercially or privately tied), 
quilts, duvets, pillows, sleeping 
bags.    
 
 
o No specific requirements– eligible for 
clearance 
 Loose hair and bristles from all species   
o Veterinary Certificate
  
 
 
Animal bristles and hair on commercially manufactured 
items (e.g. paint brushes, 
shaving brushes, hairbrushes, musical instruments [bow strips]) 
  
 o No specific requirements– eligible for 
clearance 
   
 
 
  
Guidance Document for the Import Health Standard                            xx xxxxxxxx 2012                        8 of 15 
Animal Fibres Part D. Model Manufacturer’s Declaration 
 
COMPANY LETTERHEAD 
Importer (client) details:  
  
Full description of commodity (e.g. species derived from, number and type of packages, 
weight):  
Identifiers (e.g. container number and seal, invoice number):  
I         insert nam e          the Quality manager or equivalent of the manufacturing premises 
declare that the fibre in this consignment has been packaged in new, clean, and secure 
packaging and:  
 
For scoured only  fibre  
 
1. has been commercially scoured;  
AND 
2. has been washed in water for at least 1 minute at 75°C or higher; OR  
 
3. dried for at least 2 minutes at 70°C or higher.  
 
For scoured and carded/dyed fibre (in addition to clauses 1-3 above)  
 
4. has been carded and combed; OR 
 
5. has been carded using a high pressure crushing roller; OR 
 
6. has been acid carbonised; OR 
 
7. has been hot water dyed. 
 
For New Zealand/Australian origin scour ed fibre further processed offshore  
 
8. originates entirely from Australia or New Zealand; and 
 
9. has been commercially scoured and carded*; and  
 
10. has not been in contact with unprocessed greasy wool while in the facility.  
 
 
Must be signed and dated 
 
 
 
*Only if the fibre is of Australian origin 
 
Please note that this declaration must be accompanied by  a veterinary certificate st ating that the official 
veterinarian has no reason to doubt the veracity of this declaration. It must al so be able to be clearly 
linked to the zoosanitary certificate.  
 
Guidance Document for the Import Health Standard                            xx xxxxxxxx 2012                        9 of 15 
Animal Fibres Part E. Model Fibre Certifier’s Declaration 
 
COMPANY LETTERHEAD 
Importer (client) details:  
  
Full description of commodity (e.g. species derived from, number and type of packages, 
weight): 
 
Identifiers (e.g. container number and seal, invoice number):  
I               insert nam e             being a person with a mini mum of one years processing 
experience in the wool industry and with an ability to recognise scoured and/or carded fibre 
certify that the fibre in this consignment  has been packaged in new, clean, and secure 
packaging.  
 
 
I have further examined a representative sa mple from each bale of the consignment and 
certify that the fibre has been scoured and/or carded.  
 
  
 
  
 
Must be signed and dated 
  
 
Please note that this declaration must be accompanied by  a veterinary certificate st ating that the official 
veterinarian has no reason to doubt the veracity of  the declaration. It must also be able to be clearly 
linked to the zoosanitary certificate. 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
Guidance Document for the Import Health Standard                            xx xxxxxxxx 2012                        10 of 15 
Animal Fibres Part F. Model Veterinary Certificate  
Veterinary certificates should be produc ed in accordance with the guidelines and 
overarching principles of the OIE Code (Chapter 5).  Exporting competent authorities 
must ensure that each certificate contains adequate information to link it to the consignment being imported.  
  
 
Exporting Competent Authority Letterhead 
 
Exporter Name: 
      Address: Certificate reference number:  
 
Importer Name: 
 
     Address:  
Country of origin: 
  Zone or compartment of origin:  
Country of destination:                                      
Port of departure: Date of departure: 
Species derived from: Means of transport: 
       Aeroplane            Ship             Fibre derived from animals born and 
reared in:   
Description of commodity:  Net weight (kg):  
Total number and type of packages: 
Identification of container/serial number: 
 
   
 
    
 
    
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Animal Fibres  
 
Zoo-sanitary Attestations  Certificate reference number: 
 
I the undersigned Official Veterinarian after due examination have no reason to doubt the veracity of the attached manufacturer’s declaration or fibre certifier’s declaration (if presented) and further certify that the fibre in this consignment:  
 
For unscoured ruminant fibre 
1. originates from a country or zone that is  officially free from FMD in accordance with 
the OIE Code; OR 
 
2. originates  from animals resident in a zone in which no case of FMD has occurred 
within a 10km radius within the last 30 days AND from holdings that have been FMD 
free for the previous 3 months; OR 
 3. will be at least 4 weeks in transit to Ne w Zealand OR has been stored for at least 4 
weeks; 
AND 
4. originates from live healthy animals resident in the country of origin; OR 
 5. originates from animals that have been slaughtered at a facility approved by the 
competent authority of the exporting country to produce meat for human 
consumption; OR 
 
6. originates from animals resident in an anthrax free area(s) where no cases of 
anthrax have occurred in the 6 months prior to the date of the shipment; OR
  
 7. originates from animals resident in an anthrax free area(s) where establishments are 
not subject to restrictions imposed for the control of anthrax at the time of fibre 
collection; 
AND 
8. originates from a country that is free from sheep pox/ goat pox/ lumpy skin disease in 
accordance with the OIE Code. 
 For scoured only ruminant fibre 
9. originates from a country or zone that is  officially free from FMD in accordance with 
the OIE Code; OR 
 10. originates
 from animals resident in a zone in which no case of FMD has occurred 
within a 10km radius within the last 30 days AND from holdings that have been FMD 
free for the previous 3 months; OR 
 
11. will be at least 4 weeks in transit to Ne w Zealand OR has been stored for at least 4 
weeks; 
AND 
12. originates from live healthy animals resident in the country of origin; OR 
 
13. originates from animals that have been slaughtered at a facility approved by the 
competent authority of the exporting country to produce meat for human consumption; OR 
 
14. originates from animals resident in an anthrax free area(s) where no cases of 
anthrax have occurred in the 6 months prior to the date of the shipment; OR
  
 15. originates from animals resident in an an thrax free area(s) where establishments are  
not subject to restrictions imposed for the control of anthrax at the time of fibre 
collection. 
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Animal Fibres  
For scoured and dyed/carded ruminant fibre, un processed kangaroo, wallaby, or possum fibre from 
Australia, and unprocessed rabbit fibre 
16. originates from live healthy animals resident in the country of origin; OR 
 
17. originates from animals that have been slaughtered at a facility approved by the 
competent authority of the exporting country to produce meat for human 
consumption; OR 
 18. originates from animals resident in an anthrax free area(s) where no cases of 
anthrax have occurred in the 6 months prior to the date of the shipment; OR
  
 19. originates from animals resident in an an thrax free area(s) where establishments are  
not subject to restrictions imposed for the control of anthrax at the time of fibre 
collection. 
 
For treated kangaroo, wallaby, or possum fibre from Australia, and unprocessed rabbit fibre 
20. has been immersed in water, heated at a temperature of at least 90°C for a minimum 
of 45 minutes; OR  
21. has been immersed in water, heated at a temperature of at least 95°C for a minimum 
of 25 minutes; OR 
 
22. has been immersed in water, heated at a temperature of at least 100°C for a 
minimum of 15 minutes; OR 
 
23. has been gamma irradiated with a minimum dose of 5 Mrad (50kGy) 
OR 
24. originates from live healthy animals resident in the country of origin; OR 
 
25. originates from animals that have been slaughtered at a facility approved by the 
competent authority of the exporting country to produce meat for human 
consumption; OR 
 26. originates from animals resident in an anthrax free area(s) where no cases of 
anthrax have occurred in the 6 months prior to the date of the shipment; OR
  
 27. originates from animals resident in an an thrax free area(s) where establishments are  
not subject to restrictions imposed for the control of anthrax at the time of fibre 
collection. 
 
AND (only if attesting clauses 24-27) 
 
28. has been immersed in water heated at a tem perature of at least 75°C for at least 5 
minutes, in the presence of a non-ionic detergent at a concentration of at least 1g per litre; OR 
 
29. has been scoured and then dried for at least 2 minutes at 70°C or higher. 
 
For feathers 
30. has been sprayed with 10% formalin in an airtight container and left sealed for 8 
hours; OR 
31. has been irradiated with a mini mum dose of 5 Mrad (50kGy); OR 
32. has been fumigated with 10% formalin for 8 hours 
 
 
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Animal Fibres  For loose hair or bristles from all species 
33. has been immersed in water, heated at a temperature of at least 90°C for a minimum 
of 45 minutes; OR 
 
34. has been immersed in water, heated at a temperature of at least 95°C for a minimum 
of 25 minutes; OR 
 
35. has been immersed in water, heated at a temperature of at least 100°C for a 
minimum of 15 minutes; OR 
 
36. has been gamma irradiated at a dose of 50kGy. 
 
For transhipped consignments 
37. has not been further processed, commingl ed, or cross-contaminated while in the 
transhipping country. 
 
 
This certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of issue (unless revoked) 
 
Official Veterinarian: Name and address (in capital letters):                                Official  Position:  Date:                                                                                    Signature: 
 
 
 
   
 
    
Official stamp/seal 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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Animal Fibres Guidance Document for the Import Health Standard                            xx xxxxxxxx 2012                        15 of 15 
Animal Fibres Part G. Amendment Record 
 
Version No.  Date Changes 
   
 
1.0  30/01/2012  
Amalgamated the following 16 standards and 
reviewed measures as per RMP.  
  
o Import Health Standard for the importation of scoured 
cashmere/mohair/wool into New Zealand from the People's Republic of China – issued 14 January 1998  
o Import Health Standard for the importation into New Zealand of private consignments of animal fibre from all countries - issued 11 November 
2002  
o Import Health Standard for the impor tation into New Zealand of scoured, 
uncarded specified animal fibre from all countries – issued 02 September 
2004 
o  Import Health Standard for the im portation into New Zealand of New 
Zealand/Australian origin wool tops  from Germany – issued 15 May 2001  
o Import Health Standard for the importation into New Zealand of 
unprocessed specified animal fibre from all countries - issued 02 
September 2004 
o Import Health Standard for the impor tation into New Zealand of scoured 
New Zealand/Australian origin animal  fibre from People's Republic of 
China - issued 15 May 2001 
o Import Health Standard for the importation into New Zealand of New Zealand origin animal fibre (returned) from all countries issued 28 
November 2000  
o Import Health Standard for the impor tation into New Zealand of scoured 
and carded specified animal fibre from all countries – issued 02 
September 2004 
o  Import Health Standard for the im portation into New Zealand of mink 
fibre from United Kingdom – issued 15 May 2001 
o Import Health Standard for the importation into New Zealand of possum 
fibre from Australia – issued 15 May 2001  
o Import Health Standard for the importation into New Zealand of 
unprocessed rabbit fibre from all c ountries – issued 26 June 2001  
o Import Health Standard for the impor tation into New Zealand of scoured 
rabbit fibre from all countries – issued 26 June 2001 
o Import Health Standard for the importation into New Zealand of 
macropod hides and fibre from Australia - issued 15 May 2001  
o Import Health Standard for the importa tion into New Zealand of specified 
animal products and biologi cals - issued 08 June 2011 
o Import Health Standard for the importa tion into New Zealand of feathers 
for commercial, fly-tying, and orname ntal purposes from all countries - 
issued 07 October 2004 
O Import Health Standard for the impor tation into New Zealand of wool 
packs (used) from all countries - issued 28 November 2000