1.1 Establishment registration

Establishments are required to be export registered to export eggs from Australian to the Cook Islands.

Exceptions to establishment list and overseas registration

Preparation of goods at an export registered establishment and an export permit is not required if you are exporting the following, as these goods are not prescribed under the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021;

1. (a) eggs from a species other than Gallus gallus;
   
2. (b) egg products derived from eggs from a species other than Gallus gallus;
3. (c) eggs or egg products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
4. (d) liquid egg products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
5. (e) eggs or egg products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
6. (f) egg products in the form of a tablet or capsule;
   
7. (g) eggs or egg products for export to New Zealand.

Note

However, if the Cook Islands requires a government certificate for the entry of the above goods, a certificate can be issued by the department – provided that the goods have been prepared in an export registered establishment.

1.2 Overseas listing

Establishments are not required to be establishment listed to export eggs from Australia to the Cook Islands.

1.3 General information

An import permit is required for eggs exported from Australia to the Cook Islands.

The validity of the permit is subject to change as determined by the Cook Islands.

2.1 Operational requirements additional to Australia’s export legislation

Cook Islands has no known additional requirements that differ from those required in the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

2.2 Microbial and residue sampling ​and maximum acceptable limits

Cook Islands has no known additional requirements for microbial sampling of egg and egg products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

Cook Islands residue standards

Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in Cook Islands or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between the Cook Islands and Australia.

Food business operators should note that:

• These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the Cook Islands standards and the Australian standards.
• Any detection of a residue above the Cook Islands MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.

Note

Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.

3.1 Cage, barn and free-range table eggs

Health certificate for eggs

For table eggs ​produced for human consumption, use Health Certificate template EX46EG.

EX46EG embedded endorsement

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are:

• In sound condition
• Fit for human consumption
• ​Of Australian origin

Exporters need to ensure, where applicable the necessary additional declaration as specified in the Importation and Clearance of Fresh Eggs into the Cook Islands (PDF 566 KB)​ is included.

Additional Declaration

Pursuant to section 23-32 of the Biosecurity Act 2008 3, this document is hereby issued as an import health standard for the importation and clearance of fresh eggs.

Eggs intended for the market should be visibly clean prior to sorting, grading and packing and are expressed in ounces per dozen:

1. Small – 18 oz
2. Medium – 21 oz
3. Large – 24 oz
4. Extra-large – 27 oz
5. Jumbo – 30 oz.
   

For information on how to lodge a Request for Export (REX) for eggs and eggs products, follow the link​.​

3.2 Egg products that are not heat-treated

There is no agreed certification for export of non heat-treated egg products into the Cook Islands.

3.3 Egg products that are heat-treated

There is no agreed certification for import of heat-treated egg products into the Cook Islands.

3.4 Manufacturing grade products

There is no agreed certification for export of manufacturing grade eggs and egg products into the Cook Islands.

3.5 Consignments under 10 kg and trade samples

The Cook Islands has no known requirements for consignments under 10 Kg and trade samples that differ from those required in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021. Please contact your importer for more information before sending a consignment under or equal to 10 Kg.

4.1 Import permit

An import permit is required for table eggs exported from Australia to Cook Islands.

Import permit(s) may be cancelled or amended at any time after issue and before arrival of the products should the animal health and quarantine status of the country of origin change or reported to have changed in the meantime.

4.2 Port of entry inspection and testing

Cook Island quarantine officials will inspect the consignment and relevant documents upon arrival.

Failure to comply could result in the destruction or re-export of the consignments at the owner’s expense.

All inspections of imported fresh eggs are to be conducted at an approved transitional facility or Biosecurity Holding Area.

Each individual unit within the sample shall be examined by a Biosecurity Officer, along with the package in which they were contained, for the presence of pests, seeds, signs or symptoms of disease, soil or any other non-conformity with this standard.

Testing of the consignment for regulated pests which are not visually detectable is not (generally) required for eggs.

5.1 Packaging

The Cook Islands has no known specific requirements for packaging in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.2 Labelling

Each container or sub-container of eggs shall be marked with a name(s) and physical address, telephone number, fax, email of the person or company by whom or for whom the eggs were graded and packed.

The 'sell by date' which must be one date much be marked on the egg container Day/Month/Year).

One of the following sizes must be clearly marked on the container:

1. Small
2. Medium
3. Large
4. Extra-large
5. Jumbo.

Superlative descriptions or other amplifications of grade or size are not permitted on containers, for example, fancy, select, superior, premium, giant, etc.

The following are prohibited from appearing on labels:

1. Health claims
2. Descriptive terms that related to health, such as, polyunsaturated, higher in iodine, etc. unless it is approved by the Cook Islands Ministry of Health.

The size, grade, name and address markings are not required on containers or sub-containers:

1. If sold at retail from a property marked bulk display and packaged in the presence of the purchaser
2. If packed from shipment or in transit at the airport or wharf
3. If sold to household consumers without advertising by the producer on the premises where produced
4. If being delivered to competent authority for grading.

• Nutritional claims: Not applicable
• Dual Language: Not applicable

5.3 Shelf-life restrictions

Cook Islands has no known specific requirements for shelf-life restrictions other than those provided in the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.4 Use-by date

Eggs will either have a shelf life of 30 days from laying at or under 7°C, or 5 days from laying at ambient temperature.

5.5 Shipping marks (port marks)

If consignments are required to transit through New Zealand, products must meet their import requirements.

6.1 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout

Eggs and egg products must be transported to ensure their condition and integrity is maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Export Control (Eggs and Eggs Products) Rules 2021.

No additional documents required.

Not applicable.