New Zealand (NZ)

Australia regained freedom from High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) as of 13 June 2025 and information is available on the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) website. 

The department is working closely with industry and trading partners to re-establish trade to affected markets where trade is not already restored. Despite the return of Australia’s HPAI freedom status, export certification for some poultry and ratite meat, meat products, rendered meals, pet food, eggs and egg products may continue be affected for Australian product while trading partners undertake their own risk assessment processes. 

The Department will issue regular Market Access Advices (MAAs) to advise exporters of relevant trade developments and the status of export certification. Exporters are advised to refer to the latest MAAs for the most up-to-date information. MAAs can be viewed on the department’s website here: Egg export industry notices - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au).

The MAAs include an Attachment which shows countries and products affected. The Attachment specifically states which export health certificate templates for egg and egg products have been affected. Exporters should ensure they are reviewing the most up to date MAA and attachment with current market access information.

Markets that are not listed in the Attachment to the MAA should not have certification affected. The department recommends that all exporters of egg and egg products work closely with their importers to ensure any exported product will be accepted at border clearance.

For all enquiries, please email exportstandards@aff.gov.au.

Exporters are reminded that it is an offence to provide false or misleading information to the Australian Government.

1.1 Establishment registration

Establishments are required to be export registered to export egg products from Australia to New Zealand.

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.
Note
However, if New Zealand 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 listed with New Zealand to export eggs from Australia to New Zealand

Initial listing procedure
Export registrationYes
Establishment listing required for New ZealandNo

1.3 General information

Table eggs and raw egg products are ineligible for export to New Zealand. See section 3 for further information on documentation available for egg products eligible for export to New Zealand.

An import permit is required for processed egg products exported from Australian to New Zealand.

The validity of the permit is subject to change as determined by New Zealand.

2.1 Operational requirements additional to Australia’s export legislation

New Zealand has no known additional requirements that differ from those required in the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021. Exporters are encouraged to confirm the requirements for their specific product outlined in New Zealand's Import Health Standard for Egg products.

2.2 Microbial and residue sampling and maximum acceptable limits

New Zealand 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.

New Zealand 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 New Zealand or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between New Zealand and Australia.

Food business operators should note that:

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

There is no agreed certificate for the import of cage, barn and free-range table eggs into New Zealand. Table eggs are ineligible for export to New Zealand.

3.2 Egg products that are not heat treated

Raw egg products are ineligible for export to New Zealand. Refer to section 3.3 for eligible egg products.

3.3 Egg products that are heat treated

Egg products may be exported to New Zealand provided they are not raw egg products, and they meet all the requirements of New Zealand's Import Health Standard (IHS) for Egg Products. The IHS is supported by a Guidance document.

Where required under the IHS consignments of prescribed egg products sourced from an export registered establishment must be accompanied by a Veterinary Declaration which endorses an attached manufacturer's declaration. 

The Veterinary Declaration is available for download here:  New Zealand Egg Export Documentation (Docx 122 KB). The Declaration details the egg products that are eligible for export to New Zealand. 

For more information on the export of egg products toNew Zealand  contact the departmentat ExportStandards@aff.gov.au.

The manufacturer's declaration requires the following information to be provided:

  • Importer (client) details
  • Name and address of manufacturer
  • Identifiers (e.g. container/seal number, invoice number)
  • Full description of the commodity (including heat treatment applied)
Veterinary Declaration

I, the undersigned, a duly qualified veterinarian in the employ of the Australian Government, have no reason to doubt the truth of the attached declaration, and certify that in regard to the egg products in this consignment (described at Attachment 1):

  1. The eggs used in the manufacture of the egg products:
    1. are of Australian origin and
    2. if the egg product is pasteurised liquid egg albumen:
      1. the eggs were situated within a zone that was free of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as described in the OIE Code and has been heat treated at 55°C for at least 9.5 minutes, OR
      2. the eggs were situated in a HPAI zone as described in the OIE Code and the product has been subjected to one the following heat treatments:
        1. 55.6°C for at least 870 seconds (14.5 minutes) or
        2. 56.7°C for at least 232 seconds (3.9 minutes)
    3. if the products are shelf-stable spray-dried egg albumen powder/crystal
      1. the eggs were situated within a zone that was free of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as described in the OIE Code and heat treated at 54.4°C for no less than 7 days, OR
      2. the eggs were situated in a HPAI zone as described by the OIE Code and the product has been subjected to one of the following heat treatments:
        1. 54.4°C for at least 21.38 days or
        2. 60°C for at least 10 days or
        3. 67°C for at least 0.83 days

The eggs used to manufacture the product have originated from flocks in Australia where no clinical cases of Angara disease (caused by FAdV-4) have been confirmed in the last 12 months.

The premises of origin of the egg products are licensed for the processing of foods for human consumption.

Manufacturer's Declaration

I …………… the quality manager, or equivalent, of the manufacturing premises declare that:

  1. The shells of the eggs were thoroughly cleaned to ensure all traces of faecal contamination were removed prior to shell cracking.
  2. The liquid egg products have been subjected to heat treatment consisting of a minimum core temperature of:
    1. 55°C for a minimum of 9.5 minutes for egg albumen products; or
    2. 60°C for a minimum of 3.5 minutes for egg yolk products; or
    3. 64°C for a minimum of 2.5 minutes OR 60°C for a minimum of 3.5 minutes for whole egg products; or
    4. A time temperature treatment in the following table for liquid egg products with added ingredients:
    Liquid egg productsRetention temperature no less thanMinimum holding time
    Fortified whole egg blends (24-38% solids, 2-12% added non-egg ingredients)62.2°C3.5 min
    61.1°C6.2 min
    Salted whole egg (with 2% or more salt added)63.3°C3.5 min
    62.2°C6.2 min
    Sugared whole egg (with 2% or more salt added) OR
    whole egg blends (less than 2% added non-egg ingredients)    		61.1°C3.5 min
    60.0°C6.2 min
    Sugared yolk (2% or more sugar added) OR
    Salted yolk (2-12% salt added)    		63.3°C3.5 min
    62.2°C6.2 min
  3. If the product is liquid egg albumen/ egg whites:
    1. the eggs were situated within a zone that was free of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as described in the OIE Code,
      OR
    2. the eggs were situated in a HPAI zone as described by the OIE Code and the product has been subjected to one the following heat treatments:
      1. 55.6°C for at least 870 seconds (14.5 minutes) or
      2. 56.7°C for at least 232 seconds (3.9 minutes)
  4. If the product is shelf-stable spray-dried whole egg or egg yolk powder/crystal, the product has been subjected to a heat treatment consisting of a minimum core temperature of 60°C for a minimum of 3.5 minutes.
  5. If the product is shelf-stable spray-dried egg albumen powder/crystal:
    1. The eggs were situated within a zone that was free of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as defined by the OIE Code and the product has been subjected to a heat treatment consisting of a minimum core temperature of 54.4°C for a minimum of 7 days,
    2. The eggs were situated in a HPAI zone as defined by the OIE and the product has been subjected to one of the following heat treatments:
      1. 54.4°C for at least 21.38 days OR
      2. 60°C for at least 10 days OR
      3. 67°C for at least 0.83 days
  6. For other products containing from 5% to 100% egg, the product has been subjected to a heat treatment consisting of a minimum core temperature of:
    1. 60°C for a minimum of 3.5 minutes OR
    2. 64°C for a minimum of 2.5 minutes OR
    3. 70°C for a minimum of 2 minutes.
  7. The products comply with Australia's standards for the hygienic processing of egg products. The egg products have been tested and comply with the microbiological standards of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, and no evidence of faecal contamination (in the form of coliform organisms) has been found.
  8. The egg products contain no more than 100mg/kg of eggshell remains, egg membrane and other particles. The eggs did not contain blood.
  9. The egg products were sealed in tamper-proof packaging as part of the manufacturing process and has remained separated from non-processed product not of equivalent health status.
  10. During manufacturing quality control measures were in place to prevent contamination of egg products.

3.4 Manufacturing grade products

There is no agreed certificate for the import of manufacturing grade products into New Zealand.

3.5 Consignments under 10kg and trade samples

There is no agreed certificate for the import of consignments under 10kg and trade samples into New Zealand.

4.1 Import permit

An import permit is required for eggs exported from Australian to New Zealand.

The validity of the permit is subject to change as determined by New Zealand.

4.2. Port of entry inspection and testing

New Zealand has no known additional requirements for port of entry inspection and testing of egg and egg products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.1 Packaging

Under the New Zealand Import Health Standard, Section 1.7 Packaging and transport:

  1. (1) The egg products for export to New Zealand must be packaged and sealed in tamper and leak proof packaging at the time of manufacture and must remain separated from non-processed product that is not of equivalent health status.

  2. (2) The egg products must be stored and transported in a hygienic manner.

  3. (3) Packaging containing the egg products must be clean, secure, and free of any organic contaminants.

  4. (4) Consignments of egg products must be clearly identified, and the identifier must be stated on the manufacturer's declaration, official certificate, or veterinary certificate.

5.2 Labelling

New Zealand has no known specific requirements for labelling in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.3 Shelf life

New Zealand has no known specific requirements for shelf life restrictions in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.4 Use-by date

New Zealand has no known specific requirements for use-by date in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.5 Shipping marks

New Zealand has no known specific requirements for shipping marks in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

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.

23/01/2025 - Updated documentation and packaging requirements (sections 3 and 5).
31/05/2024 - Added High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza certification alert.
20/06/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 2.2).
16/05/2023 - Major review of all content.