Why can’t the product containing seeds be sent overseas?
What is a Phytosanitary Certificate?
I live in New Zealand, what will happen if I try to send seeded products overseas?

Why can’t the product containing seeds be sent overseas?

There are a number of reasons why the seeded product cannot be sent internationally. First and foremost, many of the countries we send product to have very strict importing rules. It would therefore be highly likely that product sent to these countries would be intercepted at the border and destroyed. Therefore, New Zealand Post isn’t prepared to sell product knowing it’s unlikely to be delivered to the customer.

To eliminate this risk, New Zealand Post opted not to send any products containing seeds outside of New Zealand.

As part of working up the stamp issue, New Zealand Post engaged with the Ministry for Primary Industries who highlighted other potential problems in sending seeds overseas.

1. The supplier of the seed paper is located in the USA and advised that specific processing and/or testing required to meet import clearances in a number of countries was not undertaken.
2. MPI is not able provide a re-export Phytosanitary Certificate as they cannot confirm the traceability of the seeds. Put simply, there isn’t a way to prove the seeds imported from the USA are the same seeds that have been put on the stamps.
3. MPI could only issue a Phytosanitary Certificate if they undertake invasive testing and treatment according to the requirements of individual countries. This treatment would render the seeds useless and damage the stamps.

What is a Phytosanitary Certificate?

A Phytosanitary Certificate certifies that plant and plant products are free from regulated pests, and conforms with other phytosanitary requirements as specified from the importing country. For more information, take a look at MPI’s website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/exporting/overview/export-certification/

In many cases, a Phytosanitary Certificate does not enable automatic entry into some countries. This would depend on the importing countries own regulations.

I live in New Zealand, what will happen if I try to send seeded products overseas?

New Zealand Post strongly recommends against this as many countries will have regulations that prohibit the importing of seeds and plant material.