Animal Products (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Amendment Regulations 2026
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2026/154
Animal Products (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Amendment Regulations 2026
Cindy Kiro, Governor-General
Order in Council
At Wellington this 2nd day of June 2026
Present:
Her Excellency the Governor-General in Council
These regulations are made under sections 117 and 166 of the Animal Products Act 1999—
(a)
on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council; and
(b)
on the recommendation of the Minister for Food Safety made after being satisfied that the requirements of sections 113 and 115 have been met.
Regulations
1 Title
These regulations are the Animal Products (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Amendment Regulations 2026.
2 Commencement
(1)
These regulations come into force on 1 July 2026.
(2)
However,—
(a)
regulation 5 comes into force on 1 July 2027; and
(b)
regulation 6 comes into force on 1 July 2028.
3 Principal regulations
These regulations amend the Animal Products (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Regulations 2007.
Amendments coming into force on 1 July 2026
4 Schedule 1 amended
(1)
In Schedule 1, Part 1, above the table, insert:
Preliminary provision
In this Part, Ministry’s Trade Certification system means the electronic system established in December 2023 through which the Ministry may provide trade certification services for primary industries.
(2)
In Schedule 1, Part 1, table, after item 16, insert:
| 16A | Issue, reissue, or approval by the Ministry’s Trade Certification system of any of the following:
|
$7.33 per issue, reissue, or approval |
(3)
In Schedule 1, Part 1, table, item 17, replace—
(a)
“Issue of”
with “Application for”
:
(b)
“per official assurance”
with “per application”
.
(4)
In Schedule 1, Part 1, table, item 18, replace—
(a)
“Issue of”
with “Application for”
:
(b)
“per official assurance”
with “per application”
.
(5)
In Schedule 1, Part 1, table, item 19, replace—
(a)
“Reissue of”
with “Application for reissue of”
:
(b)
“per official assurance”
with “per application”
.
(6)
In Schedule 1, Part 1, table, item 20, replace—
(a)
“Reissue of”
with “Application for reissue of”
:
(b)
“per official assurance”
with “per application”
.
(7)
In Schedule 1, Part 1, table, item 49, replace “, dated 20 September 2023,”
with “2025”
.
(8)
In Schedule 1, Part 6, after clause 3, insert:
4
A person who uses the Ministry’s Trade Certification system (as defined in Part 1) is not required to pay a charge in respect of the relevant matter under this Part.
(9)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, clause 2A, replace “Costs”
with “The charges”
.
(10)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 1B(1)(b)(i) and (ii), replace “$45.00”
with “$50.00”
.
(11)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 1B(2)(b)(i) and (ii), replace “$45.00”
with “$50.00”
.
(12)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(a), replace—
(a)
“$206.70”
with “$230.50”
:
(b)
“$250.62”
with “$264.84”
:
(c)
“$294.54”
with “$299.19”
.
(13)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(b), replace—
(a)
“$43.92”
with “$34.34”
:
(b)
“$87.84”
with “$68.69”
:
(c)
“$175.68”
with “$137.37”
.
(14)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(c), replace—
(a)
“$217.68”
with “$264.84”
:
(b)
“$250.62”
with “$299.19”
.
(15)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(d), replace “$184.74 per hour per verifier, plus $527.05”
with “$230.50 per hour per verifier, plus $549.49”
.
Amendments coming into force on 1 July 2027
5 Schedule 1 amended
(1)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(a), replace—
(a)
“$230.50”
with “$232.80”
:
(b)
“$264.84”
with “$267.49”
:
(c)
“$299.19”
with “$302.17”
.
(2)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(b), replace—
(a)
“$34.34”
with “$34.69”
:
(b)
“$68.69”
with “$69.37”
:
(c)
“$137.37”
with “$138.74”
.
(3)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(c), replace—
(a)
“$264.84”
with “$267.49”
:
(b)
“$299.19”
with “$302.17”
.
(4)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(d), replace “$230.50 per hour per verifier, plus $549.49”
with “$232.80 per hour per verifier, plus $554.98”
.
Amendments coming into force on 1 July 2028
6 Schedule 1 amended
(1)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(a), replace—
(a)
“$232.80”
with “$235.10”
:
(b)
“$267.49”
with “$270.13”
:
(c)
“$302.17”
with “$305.16”
.
(2)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(b), replace—
(a)
“$34.69”
with “$35.03”
:
(b)
“$69.37”
with “$70.06”
:
(c)
“$138.74”
with “$140.12”
.
(3)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(c), replace—
(a)
“$267.49”
with “$270.13”
:
(b)
“$302.17”
with “$305.16”
.
(4)
In Schedule 1, Part 7, table, item 2(d), replace “$232.80 per hour per verifier, plus $554.98”
with “$235.10 per hour per verifier, plus $560.46”
.
Schedule Part 8 of Schedule 1 replaced
Part 8 Unit charges, hourly rates, and on-call charges in respect of export of live animals and animal germplasm
Preliminary provisions
1
The charges specified in this Part as payable at an hourly rate must be calculated by—
(a)
adding together the total number of 15-minute units spent by a person employed or engaged by the Ministry on an activity; and
(b)
multiplying the total number of units by 25% of the applicable hourly rate.
2
If more than 1 hourly rate applies to the period of time spent by the person on the activity,—
(a)
the charge must be calculated as specified in clause (1) for the number of 15-minute units spent at each applicable hourly rate; and
(b)
the charges calculated under paragraph (a) must be added together to provide the total amount that is payable for that period of time.
3
However, the charge payable is the minimum charge specified in item 4 of the table if the amount calculated under clause 1 or 2 is less than the minimum charge.
4
In this Part,—
Ministry holiday means a day designated by the Director-General as a Ministry holiday and notified on a publicly accessible internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Ministry
public holiday has the meaning given by section 44 of the Holidays Act 2003
standard working hours means the hours between 8 am and 5 pm on any day except—
(a)
a Saturday or a Sunday; or
(b)
a public holiday or Ministry holiday.
| 1 | Unit charges payable for an official assurance for each relevant unit to be exported | Charge | ||
| Note: If an animal is a zoo animal but also comes within the description of another animal, only the unit charge for the animal as a zoo animal is payable. | ||||
| Birds (excluding budgies, lovebirds, cockatiels, finches, and rosellas) (per bird) | $17.89, with a maximum charge of $536.70 per consignment | |||
| Budgies, lovebirds, cockatiels, finches, and rosellas (per bird) | $0.27 | |||
| Bumble bees (per bee) | $0.32 | |||
| Either per kg of honey bees (including a queen bee, if applicable) or per queen bee (including a small number of attendant bees) | $0.32 | |||
| Cats and dogs (including semen) (per animal or semen consignment) | $66.52 | |||
| Day-old chicks and hatching eggs (only poultry and ducklings) (per chick or egg) | $0.02, with a maximum charge of $600 per consignment | |||
| Equine animals (per animal) | $41.22 | |||
| Equine semen (per straw, vial, or bag) | $3.09 | |||
| Lamoids (per animal) | $257.50 | |||
| Livestock (only bovine, caprine, cervine, ovine, and porcine) (per animal) | $10.83, with a maximum charge of $54,150 per consignment | |||
| Bovine semen (per straw) | $0.08, with a maximum charge of $3,200 per consignment | |||
| Caprine and ovine semen (per straw) | $7.87, with a maximum charge of $314,800 per consignment | |||
| Cervine semen (per straw) | $7.90, with a maximum charge of $316,000 per consignment | |||
| Embryos and ova (only bovine, caprine, cervine, and ovine) (per embryo or ovum) | $22.64, with a maximum charge of $905,600 per consignment | |||
| Porcine semen (per straw) | $0.17, with a maximum charge of $6,800 per consignment | |||
| Zoo animals (per animal) | $572.63 | |||
| Other animals and animal germplasm not otherwise specified (per consignment) | $114.44 |
| 2 | Hourly rates | Rate | |||
| (1) | This item sets out hourly rates for the following persons employed or engaged by the Ministry: | ||||
| (a) | recognised persons undertaking specialist functions and activities necessary for the export of live animals (other than cats or dogs) or germplasm: | ||||
| (b) | recognised persons undertaking specialist functions and activities necessary for the export of live cats and dogs (but not cat or dog germplasm): | ||||
| (c) | persons negotiating with an importing country, on behalf of an exporter, alternative measures for meeting access requirements for overseas markets: | ||||
| (d) | persons negotiating, on behalf of an exporter (except for exporters of cats or dogs), new access requirements for overseas markets | ||||
| Hourly rates for activities described in item 2(1)(a) or (b) | |||||
| (2) | The relevant hourly rates for Monday to Friday (other than public holidays or Ministry holidays) for recognised persons carrying out an activity described in item 2(1)(a) or (b) are— | ||||
| (a) | standard working hours | $216.84 | |||
| (b) | from— (i)6 am to 8 am; and (ii)5 pm to 10 pm |
$257.77 | |||
| (c) | from— (i)12 am to 6 am; and (ii)10 pm to 12 am |
$298.70 | |||
| (3) | The relevant hourly rates for Saturdays (other than public holidays or Ministry holidays) for recognised persons carrying out an activity described in item 2(1)(a) or (b) are— | ||||
| (a) | from 12 am to 6 am | $339.63 | |||
| (b) | from 6 am to 12 pm | $257.77 | |||
| (c) | from 12 pm to 10 pm | $298.70 | |||
| (d) | from 10 pm to 12 am | $339.63 | |||
| (4) | The relevant hourly rates for Sundays (other than public holidays or Ministry holidays) for recognised persons carrying out an activity described in item 2(1)(a) or (b) are— | ||||
| (a) | from 12 am to 6 am | $339.63 | |||
| (b) | from 6 am to 10 pm | $298.70 | |||
| (c) | from 10 pm to 12 am | $339.63 | |||
| (5) | The relevant hourly rates for public holidays and Ministry holidays for recognised persons carrying out an activity described in item 2(1)(a) or (b) are— | ||||
| (a) | from 12 am to 6 am | $257.77 | |||
| (b) | from 6 am to 10 pm | $216.84 | |||
| (c) | from 10 pm to 12 am | $257.77 | |||
| Hourly rate for activities described in item 2(1)(c) or (d) | |||||
| (6) | The relevant hourly rate for persons carrying out an activity described in item 2(1)(c) or (d) | $186.30 | |||
| 3 | Daily charge | ||||
| Daily charge for recognised persons carrying out an activity described in item 2(1)(a) or (b) on a public holiday or Ministry holiday (in addition to the hourly rate or minimum charge) | $654.88 | ||||
| 4 | Minimum charges | Charge | |||
| A | Minimum charges for activities described in item 2(1)(a) or (b) | ||||
| (1) | Minimum charge payable during Monday to Friday between 6 am and 10 pm (except for public holidays and Ministry holidays) for— | ||||
| (a) | activities under item 2(1)(a) | $108.42 | |||
| (b) | activities under item 2(1)(b) | $216.84 for the first cat or dog being inspected, plus a further $54.21 for each additional cat or dog being inspected at the same time | |||
| (2) | Minimum charge payable during all other times— | ||||
| (a) | if same applicable hourly rate applies to all 15-minute units spent | 3 hours at the applicable hourly rate | |||
| (b) | if different rates apply to the 15-minute units spent | An amount calculated using the following formula: 3 × ((AHR1 × U1 ÷ TU) + (AHR2 × U2 ÷ TU)) where—
|
|||
| (3) | Minimum charge payable if activity took place during both times described in items 4A(1) and 4A(2) | An amount calculated using the following method: (a)calculate the total amount of time spent on the activity (the total time): (b)separate from the total the time spent on the activity while— (i)the minimum charge in item 4A(1) applies (the first period): (ii)the minimum charge in item 4A(2) applies (the second period): (c)for the first period, calculate— (i)the proportion of the total time the first period represents: (ii)the amount of the minimum charge that is payable by applying the proportion calculated under paragraph (i) to the minimum charge: (d)for the second period, calculate— (i)the proportion of the total time the second period represents: (ii)the minimum charge that applies to the second period under item 4A(2): (iii)the amount of the charge that is payable by applying the proportion calculated under paragraph (i) to the minimum charge: (e)add together the calculated amounts in paragraphs (c)(ii) and (d)(iii). |
|||
ExampleAn activity under item 2(1)(a) takes place between 9:30 pm and 11 pm on a Monday (that is not a public holiday or Ministry holiday). The total amount of time spent on the activity is 90 minutes. Thirty minutes is spent on the activity during a time in which the minimum charge in item 4A(1)(a) applies. The proportion of the total time spent that 30 minutes represents is one-third. The minimum charge is $108.42. One-third of the applicable minimum charge is $36.14. One hour is spent on the activity during a time in which the minimum charges in item 4A(2) apply. The proportion of the total time spent that 1 hour represents is two-thirds. The same applicable hourly rate in item 4A(2)(a) applies to all 15-minute units in that hour. The applicable hourly rate is $298.70. The minimum charge is 3 hours at the applicable hourly rate, which is $896.10. Two-thirds of this charge is $597.40. The minimum charge is calculated by adding together $36.14 and $597.40, which results in a minimum charge of $633.54. |
|||||
| B | Minimum charges for activities described in item 2(1)(c) or (d) | ||||
| Minimum charge payable for activities described in item 2(1)(c) or (d) | $93.15 | ||||
| 5 | On-call charges | Charge | |||
| On-call charges for persons who are employees of the Ministry (or persons engaged by the Ministry who are not employees) who are on-call outside of standard working hours to perform specialist functions and activities necessary for the export of live animals or germplasm | $45.00 per on-call shift | ||||
| 6 | Other charges | Charge | |||
| Failure to make use of a scheduled booking with a recognised person providing services for the export of live animals and animal germplasm without giving the Ministry prior notice of cancellation of the booking | $54.21 | ||||
Rachel Hayward,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
Explanatory note
This note is not part of the regulations but is intended to indicate their general effect.
These regulations amend the Animal Products (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Regulations 2007 (the principal regulations). They come into force on 1 July 2026, except for regulation 5, which comes into force on 1 July 2027, and regulation 6, which comes into force on 1 July 2028.
The principal regulations set out fees and charges for the performance or exercise of certain functions, powers, and duties undertaken by, or on behalf of, the Ministry for Primary Industries (the Ministry) under the Animal Products Act 1999 and associated secondary legislation (other than the fees and charges payable by dairy processors for dairy processing operations or premises). These regulations—
amend the rates charged for Ministry verification activities in Part 7 of Schedule 1 of the principal regulations (regulations 4(10) to (15), 5, and 6):
amend the rates charged for time spent by recognised persons and other Ministry employees (or people engaged by the Ministry) on work relating to the export of live animals and germplasm in Part 8 of Schedule 1 of the principal regulations (regulation 4(16) and the Schedule):
adjust the formula for calculating the charge for time spent by recognised persons and other Ministry employees (or people engaged by the Ministry) on work relating to the export of live animals and germplasm in Part 8 of Schedule 1 of the principal regulations (regulation 4(16) and the Schedule).
Under the principal regulations, the Ministry charges users for the trade certification services it provides. Currently, the charge is determined by multiplying the charge for each request by a percentage that varies depending on the class of the user. These regulations replace this system with a flat fee of $7.33, which is charged to all users for applications for the issue or approval of documentation applied for through the Ministry’s Trade Certification system established in December 2023.
Regulatory impact statement
The Ministry for Primary Industries produced a regulatory impact statement on 26 March 2026 to help inform the decisions taken by the Government relating to the contents of this instrument.
A copy of this regulatory impact statement can be found at—
Date of notification in Gazette: 3 June 2026.
These regulations are administered by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Versions
Animal Products (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Amendment Regulations 2026
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