New Zealand
Pet Travel Policy Information
Pet Travel Requirements for New Zealand
Pet Entry Requirements for New Zealand
Country Classifications
Your pet must have resided in a country that New Zealand classifies as Category 1 or Category 2 country for a minimum of 6 months prior to import. If your pet is a puppy or kitten, it must have been born in New Zealand and not left the country prior to export.
Pet Microchip
The first step to importing a dog or cat (or horse) to New Zealand is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can bring your own. A veterinarian licensed by the agency in the country of origin that is responsible for the import and export of live animals should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturers or government database in your country. The microchip number must be recorded on all required import documents.
Vaccinations
Unless your dog or cat is entering New Zealand from a Category 1 Country, your pet must have proof of a current rabies vaccination that was administered after microchip was implanted. Your pet must be at least three months old prior to being vaccinated for rabies. If this is your cat or dog’s first rabies vaccination or its previous vaccination had expired at the time of the booster, it must be administered no less than six months and no more than 12 months prior to travel. If your pet is receiving a booster and the previous rabies vaccination was administered within the previous year and is not expired, then the six-month rule does not apply. Proof of prior vaccinations must be provided.
Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires this test. Unless your pet is entering New Zealand from a Category One Country (see Step 1), your pet will need a rabies titer test administered by a veterinarian licensed or accredited by the government agency responsible for the import and export of live animals. The test should be administered no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories.
Parasite Treatments
All dogs must have two treatments against internal and external parasites within 30 days of entering New Zealand and the second treatment must be at least two weeks after the first treatment and within 4 days of travel for internal parasites and within 48 hours of travel for external parasites.
Health Certificate
Every country worldwide requires a health certificate in their pet import regulations, and New Zealand is no exception. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number, species, and physical characteristics. After the vaccinations and titer test are completed, a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin must then complete the export pet health certificate within ten days of traveling. Another veterinary inspection must occur within two days of departure. Related: After issuance, the certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the country of origin responsible for the import and export of live animals. Another inspection of the pet must occur within 48 hours of travel. For pets entering from Scheduled Countries (Step 1), health certificates must contain a statement that there have been no incidents of rabies among un-quarantined animals in the country of origin for the past 24 months.
Import Permit
Permit to Import applied for at least 6 weeks in advance is required for all countries except Australia. The permit will be valid for 6 months or until the expiration of the rabies vaccination, whichever is sooner. Note that permit applications will not be accepted from November 8, 2024. All applications issued after this date will be processed on February 28, 2025.
Complete all 7 steps to enter New Zealand with your pet
Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.
Is Quarantine Required for Pets in New Zealand?
Not specified
What Additional Information Do I Need for New Zealand?
- Other Information:
Not specified
- What is a Pet Passport?:
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that address New Zealand pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter New Zealand will include proof of a microchip, current rabies vaccinations, rabies titer and other test results, parasite treatments, import permit, and a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.
- Quarantine in New Zealand:
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to New Zealand. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense. Your pet will be subject to quarantine for a minimum of 10 days, even if the regulations of New Zealand Government are followed. No quarantine is required if entering from Australia or Norfolk Island. Keep in mind that it takes four to six months to get all the endorsements necessary, so plan ahead.
- Find a Licensed Veterinarian:
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals. Quarantine for Pets Entering New Zealand There will be 10 days of quarantine imposed on your pet when entering New Zealand, even if the pet import requirements detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be either returned to the origination country or euthanized. The importer will bear all the costs involved.
- Flying Your Pet to New Zealand:
Flights to New Zealand should be direct or transit through alisted third countryor another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through ahigh-rabies country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.
- Entering New Zealand with a Pet:
Not specified
- Exporting Pets from New Zealand:
All dogs and cats leaving New Zealand must depart from Auckland, Wellington or Christ Church Airports, if flying. All pets, except cats and dogs headed for Australia, must be microchipped and have all required documentation for their destination country. Related:Find pet import requirements for over 200 countries. Also, pets on flights over 6 hours in duration must have an animal welfare export certificate from an MPI official veterinarian. An export certificate must also be issued by an MIP Veterinarian. Note that the format of this certificate may not be the same as the health certificate required by the importing country.
- New Zealand Pet Import Requirements:
All steps required to conform to New Zealand pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
- Breeds Banned for Import to New Zealand:
The following breeds are banned from import to New Zealand: Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario and any type of American Pit Bull Terrier.
- Importing Other Pet Animals to New Zealand:
The following animals may not be imported to New Zealand: birds, reptiles, mice, rats and ferrets. Rabbits and guinea pigs may be imported with an Import Permit only from Australia. Chinchillas may be imported from the UK only. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
- Importing Puppies and Kittens to New Zealand:
Unvaccinated puppies and kittens less than three months old may not enter New Zealand. More information ontransporting a puppy.
- Animals Eligible for These Import Regulations:
These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs and cats, including assistance and service animals. Wolf hybrids and Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, cannot be imported under these regulations.
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and it is even more important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:[Read more about CITES](https://cites.org/eng/disc/what.php)
Related Resources
Traveler Tips & Experiences
Emily Parker
February 12, 2025
I visited New Zealand last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.
Michael Chen
January 3, 2025
Air travel to New Zealand was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!