What our fees cover
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) calculates fees on a cost-recovery basis.
Activities and services we charge for include:
- import permits
- border clearance inspections.
Not all the fees on this page may apply to you and there could be other charges not listed here – like transport, storage, treatment or laboratory costs.
Import permit fees
Many growing media and fertilisers need a permit before they can be imported into New Zealand. The import health standards (IHS) for your product will tell you if a permit is needed.
| Fee type | Fee (excl GST) | Fee (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| $191.95* | $220.74* |
* If processing your application takes longer than one-and-a-half hours, additional time will be charged at an hourly rate of $102.27 excluding GST or $117.61 including GST. | ||
Border clearance charges
MPI may charge you for costs related to inspecting your growing media and fertilisers when they arrive in New Zealand.
You may also be charged extra fees if MPI's biosecurity inspector has to:
- travel to inspect your goods
- wait before inspection can start
- be called out after hours.
Charges for MPI inspectors, including travel charges
| Fee type | Fee (excl GST) | Fee (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Biosecurity inspector – hourly rate* | $102.27 | $117.61 |
| Travel charges for MPI inspectors | ||
| Travel within zone 1 – up to 4 km from base | $34.86 | $40.09 |
| Travel within zone 2 – over 4 km and up to 10 km from base | $70.75 | $81.36 |
| Travel within zone 3 – over 10 km and up to 25 km from base | $109.24 | $125.63 |
| Travel within zone 4 – over 25 km and up to 50 km from base | $149.19 | $171.57 |
| Travel more than 50 km from base | Hourly rates, plus a mileage charge of $0.67 a kilometre. Other travel-related costs may also apply. | Hourly rates, plus a mileage charge of $0.7705 a kilometre. Other travel-related costs may also apply. |
| *Hourly rate charges also apply to waiting times. | ||
Testing or treatment costs
If your growing media or fertilisers need testing or treating, you'll need to pay any costs associated with these services. You may also have to pay storage charges at a transitional facility.
Charges for these services will vary depending on the provider.
- Download MPI's Plant Health and Environment Laboratory costs
- MPI Plant Health and Environment Laboratory
MPI Plant Health and Environment Laboratory - Transitional facilities and treatment providers
- Download a list of approved providers of pest diagnostic and pre-determined testing
Other charges
Costs for class determination of agricultural compounds
You may need to get an exemption under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act to import some fertiliser products of plant origin.
To get an exemption, you'll need to apply for a class determination of your product. The cost of this is listed on the application form.
Download the form to request a class determination
Find out more
Who to contact
For more information about fees and charges, email info@mpi.govt.nz .