Gateway Cargo Systems (SI) Ltd was fined $3000 for falsely declaring a contaminated combine harvester header as brand new.

A Christchurch company has been fined after declaring to Customs a contaminated combine harvester imported from the United Kingdom was brand new.

More than 700 litres of soil and farm waste was removed from the header unit of the harvester imported by Gateway Cargo Systems (SI) Ltd, a customs broking firm, in December 2016.

Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) spokesman Steve Ham said the waste could have caused "incalculable" damage to New Zealand's environment.

MPI More than 700 litres of soil and farm waste was removed from the "brand new" combine harvester header imported from the UK.

MPI quarantine officers inspected the harvester and header unit in December and found the offending matter, Ham said.

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"When the container was opened, it became very clear the header was used and, when it was further inspected, it was found to be heavily contaminated," Ham said.

"It was decided the header needed to be disassembled completely to ensure it was steam cleaned effectively. The subsequent cleaning process took 30 hours and the waste filled three 240 litre containers."

While the company correctly said the combine harvester was used, they falsely declared the header was new.

Ham said the waste found had "potentially serious ramifications".

"The Biosecurity Act aims to protect the natural balance of native New Zealand. If invasive organisms enter our country the impact would be incalculable."

Gateway Cargo Systems (SI) Limited pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District Court last week to one charge of falsely declaring the condition of the header unit. They were convicted and fined $3000.