Don’t Let Biosecurity Rules Hold Up Your Import.

Everything NZ Importers Need to Know About MPI Biosecurity

What Is MPI Biosecurity and Why Does It Matter?

New Zealand's biosecurity system is one of the strictest in the world. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is responsible for protecting New Zealand's unique environment, agriculture, and native ecosystems from pests, diseases, and contaminants that could arrive with imported goods.

For importers, this means that certain goods — particularly those made from organic, natural, or biological materials — must pass biosecurity inspection before they can be released into New Zealand. Get it wrong, and your goods can be held, treated, re-exported, or destroyed at your cost.

The good news: with the right preparation, biosecurity compliance is completely manageable. Epic Sourcing flags requirements at the sourcing stage — before your goods ever leave the factory.

Which Products Have Biosecurity Risk?

Not every product needs biosecurity treatment. Risk is assessed based on material type and country of origin. High-risk categories include:

• Wood and timber — pallets, furniture, flooring, structural materials
• Bamboo — furniture, homewares, accessories
• Natural fibres — cotton, wool, jute, cane, rattan
• Leather and animal products — footwear, bags, accessories
• Down and feathers — bedding, jackets, pillows
• Seeds and plant material — any organic packaging, stuffing, or decorative elements
• Soil contamination risk — any goods with soil contact during production

Electronics, plastics, metals, and synthetic materials generally carry lower biosecurity risk — but packaging and transport materials can still trigger requirements.

What Is an Approved Transitional Facility (ATF)?

An ATF is a facility approved by MPI to receive, store, and manage imported goods while biosecurity inspection and clearance is completed. Goods that pose a biosecurity risk must arrive at an ATF before being released into New Zealand. The ATF list is maintained by MPI and covers facilities across New Zealand — primarily in Auckland, but also at other major ports. Most importers use an existing ATF as part of their freight and customs clearance process.

Epic Sourcing connects you with trusted ATF partners who can handle your clearance quickly and cost-effectively.

What Documentation Do You Need?

The documents required depend on your product type and country of origin:

• Fumigation certificate — required for most wood, timber, and natural fibre products
• Phytosanitary certificate — required for plant-based materials
• Heat treatment certificate — for wooden packaging and pallets (ISPM 15)
• Supplier declaration — confirming materials and treatment status
• Accurate packing list — listing materials used in the product and packaging

Epic Sourcing coordinates this documentation with your Chinese or Vietnamese supplier before goods are loaded — so nothing is missing when your shipment arrives at the NZ border.

How Epic Sourcing Helps

We include biosecurity compliance review as a standard part of our sourcing service. We identify biosecurity risk during the supplier vetting stage, brief your factory on documentation requirements, coordinate fumigation, treatment, and certification before shipment, connect you with ATF partners for efficient port clearance, and flag any changes to MPI requirements that affect your product category.

Our Mandarin and Vietnamese-speaking team communicates directly with factories — so documentation requirements land accurately and on time.

We flag biosecurity requirements at the sourcing stage, not after your container is sitting at the port. That is the difference between a smooth import and a very expensive delay.

Who Needs This?

• Importers of furniture, homewares, or decor items with wood or natural materials
• Clothing and textile importers sourcing natural fibres
• Health and wellness brands importing products with organic components
• Pet product importers (natural materials, animal products)
• Any first-time importer unsure whether their product has biosecurity risk
• Businesses who have had goods held at the border before

Ready to Import Without the Biosecurity Headache?

Get It Right Before It Ships.

Book a free discovery call and tell us what you are importing. We will identify any biosecurity requirements upfront and make sure your shipment arrives compliant and on time. No surprises at the port.