Bringing your pet to New Zealand? We’ve handled hundreds of pet exports to NZ — let us help with yours.
Traveling to New Zealand with your pet can be a lengthy process. It can feel even more challenging when you realize some airlines only want to work with pet shippers rather than the pet owners themselves.
We’ve put together a guide to help you navigate the import process, including when you may need to ask the experts to help plan your pet relocation to New Zealand.
Eligible Pets and Country Restrictions
Before booking travel to New Zealand with your pet, you’ll need to ensure that your pet is allowed into the country. New Zealand bans certain dog and cat breeds and hybrids and has strict systems in place to avoid the spread of rabies.
Eligible Pets
New Zealand allows the import of pet cats and dogs for most travelers. Travelers from Great Britain are even allowed to bring chinchillas; Australian travelers may bring rabbits or guinea pigs. From there, certain species and breeds are banned from entry.
Banned dog breeds and types of dogs include:
- Japanese tosa
- American pit bull terrier
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian fila/mastiff)
- Perro de Presa Canario (Presa Canario)
New Zealand prohibits hybrids, or the offspring of dogs or cats crossed with another species, except for Bengal cats. These are hybrids of domestic cats and Asian leopard cats. You’ll need documentation proving 5 generations of domestic ancestry if you’re traveling with a Bengal cat.
Pets should be more than 12 weeks old and not more than 42 days pregnant before travel to New Zealand. Dogs with a history of Brucella canis, a bacteria that causes brucellosis, or Babesia gibsoni, a parasite that causes babesiosis, are not eligible for import.
Approved Countries
Much like Australia, New Zealand groups pet import restrictions into categories based on rabies risk. Category 1 includes Australia and Norfolk Island. Category 2 includes rabies-free countries and territories like Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa.
Category 3 countries are considered “rabies-absent” or well-controlled for rabies. They include the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Pets from these countries must meet additional import, quarantine, and post-arrival inspection requirements. Approved countries are available in a guidance document from New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Pets coming from countries that aren’t on any of the approved lists may move to an approved country for 6 months before applying for import permits.
Microchip and Vaccinations
Traveling cats or dogs should be fitted with ISO-compliant microchips before or at the same time as their initial rabies vaccinations. Carry proof of your pet’s microchip with you in case of any issues reading it upon arrival.
Microchip
All cats and dogs must have an ISO-compliant microchip that can be read upon arrival in New New Zealand. Your pet’s microchip information should match across all import documents and permit applications.
Vaccinations
All pets traveling from Category 3 countries should be doing so with proof of a recent rabies vaccination. You have 2 options, depending on your pet’s vaccination history:
- For pets receiving their first rabies shots (primary rabies vaccination), the vaccine must be given between 6-12 months before travel to New Zealand.
- For pets receiving a booster rabies vaccination, that booster should be given before their previous vaccine expires and no more than 12 months before travel to New Zealand. You’ll need a complete record of your pet’s previous and current vaccines.
If there is any lapse in your pet’s rabies vaccination history, the round of vaccinations after that lapse will be considered a primary vaccination. Timing is important to consider here. Pets with primary vaccinations must wait at least 6 months to travel after receiving the vaccine.
Pets may need additional vaccines to meet quarantine requirements, but this can vary by facility. These are generally recommended vaccinations for any dog exposed to other live animals at a boarding facility or to prepare for a multi-day quarantine. They may include the following:
- Canine distemper
- Infectious canine hepatitis
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine parainfluenza
- Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)
- Canine influenza
For cats, quarantine facilities may require the following:
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline panleukopenia (enteritis)
- Feline rhinotracheitis
OVD
The Official Veterinary Declaration (OVD) certifies important information about your pet, including their microchip information, rabies vaccination history, and RNATT history and results.
Your vet can get the form started once you receive the results of your pet’s titer, but it isn’t complete until it’s signed and endorsed by an official government veterinarian. This document is what kicks off the import permit application process.
The same endorsed vet can complete Model Veterinary Certificate A and Model Veterinary Certificate B, the health certificates required on the day of travel.
Blood Tests and Treatments
Pets from Category 3 countries need to arrange for a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT), an antibody test that checks whether your pet is sufficiently protected against rabies. This blood test is typically scheduled 3-4 weeks after your pet’s primary rabies vaccination.
The RNATT has to happen no less than 3 months and no more than 24 months before your pet’s travel to New Zealand. The MPI website lists these additional requirements for the RNATT:
- Samples should be tested using either a (FAVN) fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test or an (RFFIT) rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test.
- Testing labs must be government-approved.
- Passing results are titers that are 0.5 IU/ml or more. If your pet shows less than this, they’ll need to be revaccinated with titers repeated 3-4 weeks later.
- Avoid any lapses in your pet’s vaccination history as you complete this requirement.
All pets should be treated against both external (fleas and ticks) and internal parasites (nematodes and cestodes). Give your pet their first parasite treatment for both 30 days before their flight. Give them a second dose for external parasites 2 days before their flight; they should get a second treatment for internal parasites 4 days before their flight.
Dogs from Category 3 countries need these additional tests and treatments:
- Canine heartworm: Dogs should have a heartworm test within 30 days before travel. They should be treated for heartworm 4 days before their trip or be up-to-date on regular heartworm treatments.
- Leptospirosis: Your dog should be treated for leptospirosis for at least 14 days in a row before travel or test negative for the bacterial infection in the 30 days before their trip.
- Babesia gibsoni and Brucella canis: All dogs must test negative for both in the 16 days before travel.
Dogs coming to New Zealand from South Africa or with a history of travel to South Africa must also test negative for Babesia canis.
Both cats and dogs will need a physical exam 2 days before travel to rule out parasites and ensure they’re safe to fly. During that exam, the vet will also rule out canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) for traveling dogs.
Import Documents
Pets traveling from both Category 2 and Category 3 countries need import permits issued by the MPI. Apply for these as soon as possible after you’ve received your OVD.
The MPI recently extended permit processing times from 20 to 30 working days. It’s important to note here that extended holidays can push your wait time to several months.
For example, the cutoff for 2024 was Nov. 8, 2024. Applications after that date will not be processed until Feb. 28, 2025.
Permit applications are completed, submitted, and paid for online. You’ll need to upload your OVD form, RNATT lab report, rabies records, and quarantine booking confirmation letter alongside your application.
Airline Options
The airline you choose to transport your pet may have additional requirements before you even book your flight. This may include your import permit. Some airlines only accept pets booked through a professional pet shipper to make sure your pet meets every requirement for travel.
Air New Zealand is the only direct carrier for pets traveling from the west coast of the United States to New Zealand. While less preferred, due to longer flight times and seasonal temperature embargoes, Qantas does fly direct from JFK to New Zealand. Pets fly as cargo, a safe and efficient option for traveling pets. Air New Zealand does not accept direct bookings from the public for international pet travel, though. You’ll need to work with an approved pet shipper for this option. Pets flying on Air New Zealand from Los Angeles enjoy the shortest flight times.
If you need to travel with a snub-nosed breed, you may need to book through another airline. We often work with Qantas Freight to get brachycephalic breeds to their destination country.
While that means additional import requirements — Qantas flights include stops in Australia — it may be the only way to get these pets from your home country to New Zealand.
Planning an international flight for your pet? We can help.
Quarantine
Category 2 and 3 pets are required to complete a minimum 10-day quarantine upon arrival in New Zealand. You will need to book your pet’s stay before applying for your import permits. The quarantine facility coordinates your pet’s pickup with the carrier you choose to fly your pet.
New Zealand’s quarantine facilities are privately run. There are only 3 available options in New Zealand. Two are in Auckland with another in Christchurch, so if you’re traveling on to destinations like Wellington, you’ll need to find additional transport from your quarantine facility. These are safe, spacious facilities with private sleeping areas and exercise spaces. At the facility, your pet is inspected by a vet from the MPI at the start and the end of their stay. If they’re sick or found to have external parasites, that could extend their stay.
How Tailwind Can Help
Whether you need to work with a pet transport company due to airline policies or feel overwhelmed by the logistics of travel to New Zealand, our experts at Tailwind are here to help.
We can make sure that your pet is set to travel with everything they need for a safe, efficient flight. That includes tips for anxious pets who aren’t used to this kind of travel.We’re here for you 24/7 from the start of your planning process to your pet’s first day in their new home.
Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, fill out a quote request.
See What Our Clients Have to Say
“I cannot speak highly enough of Brady and his team at Global Pet. Organizing our dog to be exported from the USA to NZ is extremely complicated, and there were surprises at every turn.
Brady worked closely with our vet and myself to ensure Indy met the stringent import requirements. As a result, Indy is now reunited with us and living his best life in NZ. I would have no hesitation to recommend Brady and the team at Tailwind Global Pet for all your pet’s travel requirements. Thank you, Brady!”
– Kristen Carey
“Tailwind Global Pet helped me to get my service dog into New Zealand. Which is very complex and difficult due to the regulations and minutiae. The country determines which labs/when and how frequent for treatments that include prevention and which brand of medications.
Tailwind Global Pet is a multi-layered company with helpful staff. Brady is the director and helps line up the schedule for your Veterinarian and the USDA Veterinarian at the airport. He is also the communication master to work out last minute problems between the airport, the country, the quarantine location (if needed), and unexpected lab results.
Without Tailwind, I wouldn’t have been able to bring my dog to this country and have him work with me every day. It has been a blessing.”
– J Browne
“Outstanding! I moved my dog from New Zealand to Maryland and Tailwind Global took such great care of her when she arrived at LAX until she was dropped off to me. (She had a 2nd flight and a car ride left before she got to Maryland.) The communication was frequent and clear. I was never left wondering what happened next or what the process was going to be. Highly recommended!”
–Kathleen Corbin