What Is Organic Export Documentation?
If you’re exporting certified organic products from New Zealand, standard export documentation isn’t enough. Your shipments require additional certification proving that your products meet organic standards recognized by the destination country.
This involves:
OOAP Compliance
Official Organic Assurance Programme
New Zealand’s official system for certifying organic products, managed by MPI. All organic exports must comply with OOAP.
Required by: All organic exports from NZ to ensure international market access.
Organic Export Certificates
Market-Specific Documents
Official certificates issued by MPI or recognized certifying bodies proving your product meets the organic standards of the destination country.
Examples: EU Organic Certificate, USDA NOP Certificate, JAS Certificate (Japan).
Which Products Require Organic Export Documentation?
New Zealand exports a wide range of certified organic products, each with specific documentation requirements:
Organic Wine
Wines produced from certified organic grapes with no synthetic additives.
Key Markets: EU (largest), USA, UK, Japan, China
Requires vineyard OMP + winemaking process documentation
Organic Kiwifruit
Fresh kiwifruit grown under certified organic orchard management.
Key Markets: EU, Japan, USA, Australia
Requires orchard OMP + packhouse certification
Organic Dairy
Milk, cheese, butter, and milk powder from certified organic farms.
Key Markets: China, USA, EU, Middle East
Requires farm OMP + processing facility certification
Organic Meat & Seafood
Beef, lamb, chicken, and seafood from certified organic operations.
Key Markets: EU, USA, Japan, South Korea
Requires farm OMP + OMAR compliance + organic cert
Fresh Produce
Vegetables, fruits, herbs, and salad greens grown organically.
Key Markets: Australia, Japan, USA, Singapore
Requires grower OMP + packhouse documentation
Processed Organic Foods
Honey, jams, sauces, oils, snacks, and beverages with organic ingredients.
Key Markets: Global (varies by product)
Requires ingredient sourcing + processing OMP
Understanding Your Organic Management Plan (OMP)
Before you can export organic products, you must have an Organic Management Plan (OMP) approved by a recognized certifying body in New Zealand.
What Is an OMP?
Your OMP is a documented system that outlines how you maintain organic integrity throughout production, processing, and packaging. It’s approved by organizations like:
✅ Recognised Certifiers in NZ:
- •AsureQuality (largest certifier)
- •BioGro New Zealand
- •Organic Farm New Zealand (OFNZ)
- •Demeter New Zealand (biodynamic)
📋 OMP Must Include:
- •Property/facility description
- •Input materials and suppliers
- •Production/processing methods
- •Contamination prevention measures
- •Record-keeping systems
- •Traceability procedures
⚠️ Critical: Your export documentation must align with your OMP. Any discrepancies (e.g., undeclared inputs, processing steps not in your OMP) will be flagged by destination customs and can result in shipment rejection.
Market-Specific Organic Requirements
Different countries have different organic standards. Here’s what you need for key markets:
European Union (EU Organic Regulation)
The EU has the strictest organic standards globally. NZ has equivalency recognition, making exports easier.
Required Documents:
- ✓EU Organic Export Certificate (issued by your NZ certifier)
- ✓Certificate of Inspection (COI) for each shipment
- ✓TRACES system entry (for animal products)
Key Requirement: Your NZ certifier must be recognized by the EU (AsureQuality and BioGro are). Certification number must appear on all docs.
USA (USDA National Organic Program - NOP)
The USDA NOP is the U.S. organic standard. NZ and USA have mutual equivalency recognition.
Required Documents:
- ✓USDA NOP Organic Certificate (from your NZ certifier)
- ✓Transaction Certificate for each shipment
- ✓Organic System Plan (OSP) documentation
Label Requirement: Products can display the USDA Organic seal if 95%+ organic ingredients. Transaction certs must reference the USDA NOP certificate number.
Japan (JAS Organic Standard)
Japan’s organic standard (JAS) is recognized for NZ exports under equivalency agreements.
Required Documents:
- ✓JAS Organic Certificate (if your certifier is JAS-accredited)
- ✓Organic Transaction Certificate per shipment
- ✓Phytosanitary certificate (for fresh produce)
Note: Japan accepts NZ organic certification as equivalent to JAS for most products. Certification number must be on the invoice.
China (CNCA Organic)
China has its own organic standard managed by CNCA. NZ has limited equivalency.
Required Documents:
- ✓CNCA-recognized organic certificate (may require Chinese certifier)
- ✓Certificate of Origin (Chamber certified)
- ✓GACC registration for food products
Complex Market: China’s organic import rules are strict and change frequently. We recommend consulting with a China-based import agent before shipping.
Full Traceability: The Chain of Custody
Organic certification isn’t just about the product—it’s about proving unbroken organic integrity from farm to destination.
🔗 Chain of Custody Requirements
Every step in the supply chain must be documented to prove no contamination or mixing with non-organic products:
Farm/Producer
Your operation must be certified organic with a valid OMP. Certifier conducts annual audits.
Processing/Packing
If processed, the facility must also be certified. Batch records must show segregation from non-organic products.
Transportation/Storage
Containers and warehouses must be cleaned or dedicated organic. Fumigation logs must show organic-approved methods.
Export Documentation
Transaction certificates or Certificates of Inspection link the shipment to the certified operation and OMP.
Destination Clearance
Importing country customs verifies documents against their organic database and releases for sale under their organic label.
💡 Why This Matters: If any link in the chain is broken (e.g., undocumented storage, missing batch records), the shipment loses organic status and must be sold as conventional (at a lower price) or rejected.
How We Support Your Organic Exports
We coordinate with your certifying body, MPI, and destination authorities to ensure seamless organic certification for your exports.
📋 Our Organic Documentation Services
- OMP Alignment Verification: Ensure your export docs match your Organic Management Plan
- Transaction Certificates: Coordinate with your certifier to issue per-shipment certificates
- Market-Specific Formatting: Prepare docs to meet EU, USDA, JAS, or other standards
- Certification Number Cross-Referencing: Ensure all docs reference correct organic cert numbers
- Batch Traceability Records: Maintain full chain of custody documentation
- MPI Coordination: Liaise with MPI for OOAP compliance verification
- Chamber Certification: Certificate of Origin for organic products (where required)
- Audit-Ready Archiving: 7-year record retention for compliance audits
Process
Organic Export Documentation Process
Verify Certification
Confirm your organic certification status, OMP approval, and certifier recognition in the destination market.
Prepare Documents
Align commercial invoices, packing lists, and batch records with your OMP. Coordinate with certifier for transaction certificates.
Certify & Export
Obtain official organic export certificates, complete chain of custody documentation, and ship with full traceability.
Pricing
Organic Export Documentation Pricing
Pricing varies by product type, destination market, and certification complexity.
Simple Organic Docs
$200
per shipment
- Single product organic exports
- OMP alignment verification
- Transaction certificate coordination
- Chain of custody documentation
Multi-Product Organic
$350
per shipment
- Everything in Simple, plus:
- Multiple organic products in one shipment
- Multiple certifiers/OMPs cross-referencing
- Batch segregation verification
Complex Markets
$500+
per shipment
- China (CNCA) organic exports
- Non-equivalency markets requiring extra certification
- Processed foods with complex ingredient sourcing
- Multi-country re-export documentation
💡 Note: Certifier fees (AsureQuality, BioGro, etc.) for transaction certificates are additional and billed separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need organic certification to export organic products?
Yes, absolutely. You cannot legally export products labeled as “organic” without certification from a recognized certifying body (AsureQuality, BioGro, OFNZ, or Demeter). The destination country will reject shipments without proper organic certificates.
How long does it take to get organic certification?
Initial organic certification typically takes 3-12 months depending on your operation. For land-based agriculture, there’s often a 3-year transition period where the land must be managed organically before full certification. Once certified, transaction certificates for individual shipments are issued within 2-5 business days.
Can I export to multiple countries with one organic certificate?
Usually, yes—if your NZ certifier is recognized by multiple markets. For example, AsureQuality is recognized by the EU, USA (USDA NOP), and Japan (JAS). However, each shipment needs a market-specific transaction certificate or Certificate of Inspection referencing the appropriate standard.
What happens if my organic certification expires during shipping?
The transaction certificate must be issued before your certification expires. As long as the certificate is valid when the shipment departs NZ, the goods maintain organic status even if your certification expires in transit. However, you cannot ship further organic goods until you renew certification.
Do organic products still need standard export documents?
Yes. Organic certification is in addition to standard export requirements. You still need commercial invoices, packing lists, Certificates of Origin (if applicable), health certificates (for food), and all other standard export documentation. The organic certificate is an additional layer verifying organic status.
Can you help me get organic certification?
We don’t provide certification itself (that must come from AsureQuality, BioGro, etc.), but we can assist with export documentation once you’re certified. We also work with consultants who can help you develop your OMP and prepare for certification audits—contact us for referrals.
Ready to Export Your Organic Products?
OOAP-Compliant Organic Export Documentation
We ensure your organic exports meet EU, USDA, JAS, and other market standards with full traceability and OMP alignment.
Get Organic Documentation
Or call us at 021 025 15316