What Is a Certificate of Free Sale?
A Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) is an official document that confirms your product is legally manufactured, sold, and distributed in New Zealand in compliance with all relevant regulations.
Foreign governments require this certificate as part of their product registration process for:
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Most Common Use
Skincare, makeup, perfumes, shampoos, lotions, deodorants, and toiletries.
Required by: UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and many others.
Health Supplements & Nutraceuticals
High Demand
Vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, protein powders, and dietary supplements.
Required by: Middle East markets, Southeast Asia, South America, and some EU countries.
Food & Beverages
Processed Foods
Packaged foods, beverages, honey, infant formula, and specialty food products.
Required by: Many countries require CFS in addition to standard health certificates.
Medical Devices & Equipment
Specialised
Non-prescription medical devices, surgical supplies, and healthcare equipment.
Required by: Markets with strict medical device registration (UAE, China, Brazil).
Why Foreign Governments Require a CFS
Many countries will not allow your product to be sold until it’s registered with their health authority. The Certificate of Free Sale is a key document in this registration process because it proves:
✅ What a CFS Verifies
- Legal Sale: Your product is legally manufactured and sold in New Zealand
- Regulatory Compliance: Product meets NZ safety and quality standards
- GMP Standards: Manufactured in facilities following Good Manufacturing Practices
- No Restrictions: Product is not banned or subject to recall in NZ
- Proper Labeling: Packaging complies with NZ consumer protection laws
- Ingredient Safety: All ingredients are approved for use in NZ
💡 Why This Matters
Foreign health authorities don’t have the resources to individually verify every product from every country. A CFS from a recognized authority (like the NZ Chamber of Commerce or MPI) provides trusted third-party verification that your product is safe and compliant.
Without a CFS, your product cannot be registered, and therefore cannot be legally sold in those markets—even if you have all other documentation.
Who Issues Certificates of Free Sale in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, there are two main issuing authorities depending on your product type:
NZ Chamber of Commerce
Most Common Issuer
For:
- •Cosmetics & personal care products
- •Health supplements & nutraceuticals
- •Non-food consumer goods
- •Medical devices (non-prescription)
Verification Required: The Chamber verifies your business is registered in NZ and the product is legally sold here.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Food Products
For:
- •Packaged food products
- •Beverages (including infant formula)
- •Honey and bee products
- •Food ingredients & additives
Verification Required: MPI confirms the product meets NZ food safety standards and is legally exported.
What Information Is Required for a CFS?
To apply for a Certificate of Free Sale, you’ll need to provide:
📋 Required Documentation
1. Company Information
- •NZ business registration number (NZBN)
- •Company name, address, and contact details
- •Proof you’re the manufacturer or authorized distributor
2. Product Details
- •Product name (as it appears on the label)
- •Full ingredient list with percentages (if applicable)
- •Product category (e.g., “Facial Moisturizer” or “Vitamin D Supplement”)
- •Batch/lot number (if specific batch certification required)
3. Proof of Legal Sale in NZ
- •Product label/packaging (showing NZ compliance markings)
- •Invoices or sales records proving product is sold in NZ
- •Medsafe registration (if health supplement)
- •EPA approval (if cosmetic with specific claims)
4. Destination Country Information
- •Country name where the product will be sold
- •Specific format requirements (some countries require specific wording or notarization)
- •Consular legalization (if required by the destination)
⚠️ Important: Product Must Be SOLD in NZ
A Certificate of Free Sale can only be issued if your product is actually being sold in New Zealand. You cannot obtain a CFS for a product that’s manufactured here but exclusively exported (never sold domestically).
Workaround: If your product isn’t currently sold in NZ, you may need to establish a small domestic market presence (e.g., online sales, retail listings) before applying for a CFS.
Common Destination Countries Requiring a CFS
🕌 Middle East
- •UAE: Requires CFS + Consular legalization
- •Saudi Arabia: SFDA registration requires CFS
- •Qatar: CFS mandatory for cosmetics
- •Kuwait: All health products need CFS
- •Oman: Supplements and cosmetics
🌏 Asia-Pacific
- •China: NMPA registration needs CFS
- •Singapore: HSA requires CFS for supplements
- •Malaysia: CFS for health products
- •Philippines: FDA registration
- •Vietnam: Cosmetics and food
🌍 Other Regions
- •Brazil: ANVISA registration (food/cosmetics)
- •Colombia: INVIMA approval
- •Egypt: Import permits for supplements
- •Kenya: KEBS certification
- •Indonesia: BPOM registration
The Process: How We Help
4-Step CFS Process
Product Verification
We review your product, ingredients, and NZ compliance records to confirm eligibility for a CFS.
Application Preparation
We prepare the application with all required documents and submit to the Chamber or MPI.
Certification & Notarization
Certificate issued by Chamber/MPI, then notarized by a Notary Public for international acceptance.
Legalization (If Needed)
We coordinate consular legalization with the destination country’s embassy in NZ (UAE, China, etc.).
⏱️ Timeline: Standard processing takes 5-7 business days from document submission. Consular legalization adds another 3-5 days. Urgent processing available.
Pricing
Certificate of Free Sale Pricing
Pricing depends on the issuing authority and whether consular legalization is required.
Chamber CFS (Basic)
$150
per product
- Chamber of Commerce CFS
- Application preparation
- Notarization NOT included
- 5-7 business days
Notarized CFS
POPULAR$220
per product
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Notary Public certification
- Accepted by most countries
- 6-8 business days
Full Legalization
$400+
per product
- Everything in Notarized, plus:
- MFAT authentication
- Embassy legalization
- Required by UAE, China, Vietnam
- 10-14 business days
💡 MPI Certificates: Food products requiring MPI certification start at $250 due to additional government agency coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Certificate of Free Sale valid?
Most Certificates of Free Sale do not have an expiry date. However, some destination countries may require the certificate to be issued within the last 6-12 months of your product registration application. Check your destination country’s specific requirements.
Can I get a CFS if my product is manufactured overseas but sold in NZ?
Yes, as long as the product is legally sold in New Zealand and you’re the NZ distributor or importer. The CFS will state that the product is “legally sold in New Zealand” (not that it’s manufactured here). Some countries accept this; others specifically require the product to be manufactured in NZ—check with the destination authority.
What if my product formulation changes?
If you change the formulation, ingredients, or product name, you’ll need a new Certificate of Free Sale. The CFS is product-specific, so any material changes require reapplication. Minor packaging updates (e.g., new logo) typically don’t require a new CFS.
Do I need a separate CFS for each destination country?
No. A CFS is issued for a specific product but is not country-specific. One CFS can be used for multiple destinations. However, some countries require consular legalization by their embassy, which is country-specific. For example, a CFS for UAE needs UAE embassy legalization, a CFS for China needs Chinese embassy legalization, etc.
Can you help with product registration in the destination country?
We provide the Certificate of Free Sale, which is a required document for product registration. However, the full product registration with the destination country’s health authority (e.g., UAE’s MOHAP, China’s NMPA) is typically handled by a local agent or regulatory consultant in that country. We can refer you to trusted partners if needed.
What’s the difference between a CFS and a Health Certificate?
A Health Certificate (or Export Health Certificate) is required for each shipment and certifies that the specific batch being exported meets health standards. A Certificate of Free Sale is a one-time document used for product registration in a foreign market—it proves the product is legally sold in NZ, regardless of individual shipments. Many food and supplement exports require both documents.
Ready to Register Your Product Overseas?
Get Your Certificate of Free Sale
We handle the entire process: verification, Chamber/MPI application, notarization, and consular legalization.
Request CFS Service
Or call us at 021 025 15316