New Zealand · Pet Food

Pet Food Registration in New Zealand

Q: What is the first step for Pet Food Registration?

Register the product or facility with the authority. Before sale; registration can take weeks.

A practical guide to Pet Food Registration for pet food sold in New Zealand: who it applies to, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cause rejection.

Who needs it

Pet food products or facilities may need registration before sale or import; Online sellers shipping pet food into New Zealand

Authority

New Zealand national regulator

Legal basis

National pet food requirements in New Zealand

Local representative

A local importer or agent is required

Timeline

Before sale; registration can take weeks

Cost

Registration and testing fees vary by market

If you do not comply

Import refusal, recall, and fines

Who needs this

Pet food products or facilities may need registration before sale or import
Online sellers shipping pet food into New Zealand

Documents you need

Product or facility registration
Ingredient and additive review
Manufacturing facility registration
Labelling and claims review

Compliance checklist

Tick each item as you collect it. Saved in this browser only.

Product or facility registration
Ingredient and additive review
Manufacturing facility registration
Labelling and claims review

How to comply

Register the product or facility with the authority
Check ingredient and additive eligibility
Register the facility or product
Prepare local-language labels

Brief for your lab or agent

Copy this into an email, then edit the product and channel.

Request: Pet Food Registration — New Zealand
Product category: Pet Food
Authority: New Zealand national regulator
Legal basis: National pet food requirements in New Zealand

Documents we already have:
  1. Product or facility registration
  2. Ingredient and additive review
  3. Manufacturing facility registration
  4. Labelling and claims review

Questions:
  1. Does our product fall under Pet Food Registration in New Zealand?
  2. Which test standards or evidence do you accept?
  3. What is the current fee and lead time?
  4. Is a local representative required, and can you act as one?

Cost and timeline

Before sale; registration can take weeks.

Registration and testing fees vary by market.

Common rejection reasons

Facility not registered before import
Ingredient not approved
Label claims unsupported
Facility not registered

Registration, notification, or certification is not the same as approval. Keep the technical file current and make sure the label, listing, and submitted data match.