Non-chemical disinfestation procedures are urgently required for those horticultural exports currently fumigated in New Zealand and overseas with methyl bromide, and for South Pacific imports fumigated with ethylene dibromide (EDB). Restrictions on the use of EDB are imminent. Disinfestation research in New Zealand seeks to develop non-chemical procedures as substitutes for these chemical fumigants. Chemical postharvest disinfestation procedures were largely developed empirically by entomologists and plant physiologists, varying the parameters of fumigant dose, fumigation temperature, and treatment duration. In contrast, non-chemical procedures require a less empirical and more multi-disciplinary approach. This is discussed with reference to pre-shipment clearance and pest reclassification procedures, and non-chemical treatments induding high temperature, controlled atmospheres, and modified atmosphere packaging. A recent revision of the New Zealand quarantine regulations for imports results in rejection or further treatment of consignments imported after a disinfestation procedure if the levels of contamination by live or dead critical quarantine pests exceed those permissible. Postharvest disinfestation procedures on commodities imported into New Zealand will also need to consider preharvest factors such as the maturity of the commodity, and the levels of insect infestation before harvest.