New Zealand Pet Import Requirements: How to bring a pet to New Zealand 2026

• Microchip:
  The animal must be fitted with an ISO standard microchip.
• Vaccinations:
  Vaccinations against rabies and other diseases specific to dogs and cats are mandatory.
• Rabies antibody testing:
  A blood test for rabies antibodies is required after vaccination.
• Deparasite treatment:
  The animal must be treated for external and internal parasites.
• Import permit:
  An import permit from the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is required.
• Documentation:
  Veterinary certificates, test results and other documentation are required.
• Quarantine:
  All dogs and cats, except those arriving from Australia, must be quarantined at an MPI approved facility.

• Rabies vaccination and combination vaccines are required
• Blood test for rabies titers no later than 3 months and no earlier than 24 hours before the date of entry and treatment for certain parasites between 24 and 48 hours before departure.

• Import is only permitted from approved countries where rabies is free or controlled. If your country is not on this list, then it is not possible to bring your cat or dog.
• The cost of quarantine can vary but is usually around NZ$1,000 for 10 days.
• The only option is to transport your pet to one of the countries on this list and keep it there for at least 6 months, and then transport it to New Zealand.
• List of approved countries
• All cats and dogs, except those from Australia, must have a minimum of 10 days quarantine in an MPI approved quarantine facility. A booking confirmation letter must accompany your import permit application.
• Approved quarantine facilities

• Puppies and kittens under 3 months of age and animals that have been pregnant for more than 42 days are not allowed to be transported.

• You do not need to notify MPI if your cat or dog is quarantined on arrival in New Zealand. The quarantine facility will do this for you.
• Cats and dogs from Australia:
• You must notify MPI at least 5 working days before your cat or dog is due to arrive using the MPI Veterinary Inspection Form.
• MPI recommends that you apply for an import permit at least six weeks before travel. We need at least 30 working days to process your permit application. The 30 working days start once all documentation and information provided is correct.
• You can apply for an import permit via the online permit system

Prohibited Breeds:
Fila Brasileiro
Dogo Argentino
Japanese Tosa
Perro de Presa Canario

Prohibited Type:
American Pit Bull Terrier

No hybrids (offspring of dogs or cats crossed with another species) are allowed to be imported, with the exception of Bengal cats. For Bengal cats, documentation must be provided showing 5 generations of domestic pedigree.

You can only import 3 types of animals as pets into New Zealand and they must be from approved countries.
These are:
Chinchillas from the UK
Rabbits from Australia
Guinea pigs from Australia.
They must be identified by a microchip or tattoo
They must have been born and bred in captivity

You cannot import live birds.

Other pets that cannot be imported into New Zealand are:
Ferrets
Guinea pigs (except from Australia)
Mice and rats (except laboratory animals)
Snakes and other reptiles (except some zoo reptiles).

You must apply for an import permit at least 20 working days before you want to receive your permit.

Apply for an import permit via the online permit application system

Cats and dogs can only transit through New Zealand if they are from approved countries.

If your cat or dog is on the same aircraft in New Zealand and will not be staying longer than 6 hours, then a transit permit is not required.

If your cat or dog is changing aircraft or will be in transit for more than 6 hours, they will need:

Transit permit
microchip
Flea and tick preventative
Rabies preventative (unless rabies-free in the governing document)

Dogs also need heartworm preventative

You can apply for a transit permit via the online permit system

In addition, all dogs and cats transiting for 6 hours or more (up to a maximum of 48 hours) must have:
a booking at an MPI-approved quarantine facility.
Internal parasite prevention is effective against tapeworms and hookworms.
Apply for a permit
When transit time exceeds 48 hours

If transit time exceeds 48 hours, your cat or dog will be treated as a rejected consignment if it is not eligible for import into New Zealand.

Official information

1. Microchipping and vaccinations:
Make sure your pet is microchipped and vaccinated against rabies (vaccination is given after microchipping).

2. Veterinary certificate:
Obtain a veterinary certificate issued by a competent veterinarian certifying that the animal is healthy and meets the requirements of the destination country.

3. Blood tests:
Blood tests, such as for certain infections, may be required depending on the requirements of the country.

4. Parasite treatment:
Take treatment for parasites (fleas, ticks, etc.) for a certain period before departure.

5. Destination country import permit:
If the destination country requires an import permit, obtain it in advance.

6. Airline selection and transportation:
Make sure that the airline you choose allows the carriage of animals and provides appropriate facilities.
7. Quarantine (depending on the country):
Many countries require animals to undergo quarantine upon arrival to ensure they are disease-free.

8. Paperwork:
Make sure all necessary paperwork, including veterinary certificate, import permit, and microchip information, is complete and ready to be presented.

For dogs:
Required: Rabies vaccination and deworming.

Recommended:
Vaccination against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, canine hepatitis, kennel cough, and canine leptospirosis.

For cats:
Required: Rabies vaccination and deworming.

Recommended:
Vaccination against feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, and herpesvirus.

Approved laboratories, tests and vaccines

New Zealand does not have an age limit for pets to export. However, in order to export a pet, there are a number of requirements that must be met, including rabies vaccination, microchipping and other veterinary procedures.