New Zealand – Export requirements for milk and dairy products

On this page

  1. Eligible/ineligible product
  2. Pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country
  3. Product specifications
  4. Production controls and inspection requirements
  5. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements
  6. Required documents
  7. Other information

1. Eligible/ineligible product

1.1 Eligible

The import health standards of New Zealand define dairy products as all products manufactured from the milk and cream of animals and intended for human consumption.

Examples of dairy products that have already been exported to New Zealand (NZ):

  • ice cream (dairy based edible ice)
  • cheese (cheddar and cheddar types, specialty cheese, processed cheese, fresh cheese)
  • condensed milk
  • butter and other fats and oils derived from milk
  • whey products
  • products consisting of natural milk constituents
  • others (for examples: lactose, milk albumin, and buttermilk products)

1.2 Ineligible

No information is known regarding ineligible products.

2. Pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country

2.1 Country

Canada is authorized to export dairy products.

2.2 Establishments

No information known regarding an approved establishment list.

The manufacturing of dairy products must be under the official oversight of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and be licensed under the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR).

2.3 Products

No information known regarding products registration.

2.4 Import permit

An import permit may be required. Exporter should work with the importer to verify this condition.

3. Product specifications

No information is known regarding product specifications. Microbiological requirements and maximum residue limits in New Zealand may differ from those in Canada. Failure to comply with these standards could result in a shipment being rejected at the border control port.

4. Production controls and inspection requirements

The manufacturer must be aware of the standards and requirements of the importing country. An export control plan must be in place to demonstrate that your products meet the requirements of the importing country.

Manufacturer's declaration

The exporter is responsible for demonstrating that the manufacturer complies with New Zealand's minimum time, temperature requirements. This information must be recorded in the duly completed CFIA manufacturer's declaration.

Note: Inspectors will verify that the manufacturer's declaration is completed appropriately and reserve the right to request any other information that they think is necessary for the final certification of the product.

The manufacturer's declaration template below is required by New Zealand. The statements listed below must be met.

(On manufacturer's letterhead)

Manufacturer's declaration

For the export of dairy products or product containing dairy ingredients for human consumption from Canada to New Zealand

I, ________________________________ being the Manager of the facility where the product identified in this Zoosanitary Certificate has been processed, certify that;

  1. The dairy ingredient used to manufacture the product has been heat treated in conformity with one of the following procedures:
    • Either
      1.1 a minimum temperature of 132°C for at least one second (ultra-high temperature [UHT]);
    • Or
      1.2 If the milk has a pH less than 7.0, a minimum temperature of 72°C for at least 15 seconds (high temperature-short time pasteurisation [HTST]);
    • Or
      1.3 If the milk has pH of 7.0 or over, the HTST process applied twice.
    • (Delete 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 as applicable)
  2. The dairy product or product containing dairy ingredients have been produced in premises that are registered or approved by the Competent Government Authority as having acceptable food safety standards governing the processing of dairy products for export.
  3. The dairy product or product containing dairy ingredients are in sealed packaging.
________________________________
Signature of Manager
____________________
Date

Name of Manager: ________________________________

Title of Manager: ________________________________

Address of Manager: ________________________________

Certification requirements

The health certificate CFIA/ACIA 5946 refers solely to the manufacturer's declaration described above, as required by the New Zealand authorities. These conditions are met based on Canadian regulations.

5. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements

It is the exporter's responsibility to meet all the requirements for labelling, packaging and marking requirements as per the importing country.

The packaging must be impervious and sealed at the point of manufacture. The original packaging must be intact that is, has not been opened.

6. Required documents

Canada has a negotiated certificate with New Zealand. Requests for any additional statements must be confirmed by CFIA's Food Import Export Division (FIED).

Certificate

  • Export health certificate for dairy products or products containing dairy ingredients for human consumption (CFIA/ACIA 5946)
  • Manufacturer's declaration for the export of daiclosery products or product containing dairy ingredients for human consumption from Canada to New Zealand

Note

  • The health certificate is signed by the official CFIA inspector
  • The export health certificate CFIA/ACIA 5946 must be accompanied by the Manufacturer's declaration (in English). See section 4 above. This document will be endorsed by the CFIA
  • It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to develop, complete and provide the Manufacturer's declaration (in English) as per the model described above in section 4
  • Export certificates cannot be issued for products that have left Canada

7. Other information

Samples (personal or commercial) of dairy products may be subject to the same requirements as a regular shipment. It is strongly recommended that the exporter verify these requirements with his importer.

Exported dairy products transiting through a country may require transit documentation. It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the shipment will be accompanied by all the necessary certificates. Work closely with your importer.

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