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An Import Agreement sets out the legal terms between a New Zealand buyer and an overseas supplier for bringing goods into the country. It covers essential details like product specifications, pricing, delivery schedules, and payment terms while ensuring compliance with NZ Customs requirements and import regulations.

These agreements protect both parties by clearly stating who handles customs clearance, import duties, and freight costs. They also address important safety standards under the Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees Act, especially for regulated products like food, electronics, or machinery. Most Kiwi businesses use these agreements to establish long-term supply relationships and manage their import risks.

Use an Import Agreement when starting a new supplier relationship overseas or expanding your existing import operations into New Zealand. This becomes essential once you're planning regular shipments, dealing with high-value goods, or importing regulated products like food, electronics, or pharmaceuticals.

The agreement becomes particularly important when coordinating complex logistics, managing currency fluctuations, or requiring specific quality standards. Many Kiwi businesses implement these agreements before their first major order, during supplier negotiations, or when scaling up import volumes. It's crucial for protecting your interests under NZ customs regulations and establishing clear responsibilities for duties, compliance, and dispute resolution.

• Standard Commercial Import Agreements focus on regular product shipments, covering basic pricing, delivery, and quality terms
• Distributor Import Agreements grant exclusive rights to import and distribute specific products across New Zealand
• Industry-Specific Agreements contain additional requirements for regulated sectors like food, pharmaceuticals, or dangerous goods
• Short-Term Agreements suit one-off or seasonal imports with simplified terms and limited duration
• Master Import Agreements establish long-term frameworks with multiple sub-agreements for different product lines or suppliers

• NZ Importing Companies: Businesses ranging from retailers to manufacturers who need overseas products for their operations
• International Suppliers: Foreign manufacturers, producers, or trading companies sending goods to New Zealand
• Customs Brokers: Licensed professionals who handle clearance procedures and ensure compliance with import regulations
• Commercial Lawyers: Draft and review agreements to protect clients' interests and ensure compliance with NZ law
• Freight Forwarders: Coordinate shipping logistics and often help implement agreement terms for transport and delivery

• Supplier Details: Gather complete company information, export licenses, and quality certifications from your overseas supplier
• Product Specifications: Document exact descriptions, quantities, packaging requirements, and quality standards
• Import Requirements: Check NZ Customs regulations, tariff codes, and any special permits needed for your goods
• Delivery Terms: Define Incoterms, shipping methods, insurance requirements, and delivery schedules
• Payment Structure: Outline currency, payment terms, bank details, and any letter of credit requirements
• Risk Management: Consider force majeure clauses, dispute resolution methods, and compliance safeguards

• Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, and registration numbers of both importer and supplier
• Product Details: Precise descriptions, specifications, quantities, and quality standards
• Commercial Terms: Pricing, payment schedules, currency, and delivery conditions using specific Incoterms
• Compliance Clauses: References to relevant NZ customs regulations and import requirements
• Risk Allocation: Insurance requirements, liability limits, and force majeure provisions
• Dispute Resolution: Choice of NZ law, jurisdiction, and agreed resolution procedures
• Termination Rights: Clear conditions for ending the agreement and post-termination obligations

Import Agreements are often confused with Agency Agreements, but they serve distinct purposes in international trade. While both deal with bringing products into New Zealand, their scope and relationships differ significantly.

• Nature of Relationship: Import Agreements establish direct buyer-supplier relationships for specific goods, while Agency Agreements create ongoing representation arrangements where an agent sources products on behalf of the principal
• Legal Control: Import Agreements focus on product delivery and compliance, whereas Agency Agreements govern the agent's authority to negotiate and bind the principal
• Payment Structure: Import Agreements typically involve direct product payments, while Agency Agreements include commission structures and performance incentives
• Duration: Import Agreements often cover specific shipments or periods, but Agency Agreements establish longer-term business relationships with broader responsibilities