This ICR is applicable only to seeds for sowing listed in the Plant Biosecurity Index as "Basic" and for which no specific import conditions are available under Part 2: Specific Requirements of the Import Health Standard: Seeds for Sowing 155.02.05. This ICR does not apply to species listed as "requires assessment" or "prohibited entry" in the MPI Plant Biosecurity Index.

Seeds for sowing exported under "BASIC" must meet all the requirements of Part 1: General Requirements of the Import Health Standard: Seeds for Sowing 155.02.05 (IHS) dated 14 March 2025.

Consignments are to be free from pests, soil, weed seeds and extraneous material.

Seed listed in the Plant Biosecurity Index as "Basic" can be exported with or without a phytosanitary certificate. Providing a phytosanitary certificate can facilitate the border clearance process upon arrival.

On arrival in New Zealand, seeds must be made available for inspection and examination by MPI inspectors at the importer's expense.  

Seed for sowing must be clearly identified with the scientific name (i.e. genus and species). All hybrid species must be clearly identified as hybrid species, and either listed in the MPI Plant Biosecurity Index as hybrid species eligible to be imported or identified by the scientific names (genus and species) of both parents.

All packaging associated with seed for sowing must be clean, free from soil and other contaminants.

All seed for sowing must be free from fleshy fruits (including pods) and must have all traces of flesh removed.

Seed for sowing must be free from regulated pests, soil particles greater than 0.1% by weight, unidentified seed and quarantine weed seed.

If a phytosanitary certificate is to be issued, the seeds must be inspected by an Authorised Officer in accordance with appropriate official procedures and found to be free of any visually detectable pests regulated by New Zealand and conforms to New Zealand's import requirements. 

If seeds are exported without an accompanying phytosanitary certificate, the seeds do not require Authorised Officer inspection and issuance of an export permit, with the exception of lupin (Lupinas angustifolius or Lupinas albus) seeds. Lupins (Lupinas angustifolius or Lupinas albus) when exported in quantities more than 10 kg are a prescribed good and require Authorised Officer inspection and issuance of an export permit even if a phytosanitary certificate is not issued. No export permit or authorised officer's inspection is required when exporting less than 10 kg of lupin (Lupinas angustifolius or Lupinas albus) seeds to New Zealand.