Caviar importer cleared

Border officials have cleared a New Zealand importer of wrongdoing after the company unintentionally imported $20,000 worth of caviar illegally.

The Wildlife Enforcement Group, a joint Customs, Agriculture and Forestry Ministry and Conservation Department initiative, seized the 10.72kg of caviar in April under the Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989.

A group spokesman said the Russian Federation export permit that accompanied the caviar was forged.

The spokesman said the New Zealand importer was horrified when he discovered the papers were false.