Moving a pet to New Zealand
Rabies-free or near rabies-free nations with multi-month lead times, titer testing and government quarantine.
Destination requirements apply to every origin. Document steps below reference USDA APHIS/VEHCS because they are the most common departure route; if you are moving from another country, the equivalent filing is handled by your national veterinary authority.
Quick rules summary
| Governing body | Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) |
|---|---|
| Mandatory lead time | 6 months |
| Rabies titer test (FAVN) | Yes ā FAVN ā„ 0.5 IU/mL |
| Import permit | Yes (MPI) |
| Post-arrival quarantine | 10 days at an approved private facility |
| Microchip mandate | ISO 15-digit, before rabies vaccination |
| Primary failure point | Rabies titer timing errors and parasite treatment windows falling outside the permitted range. |
Biosecurity & veterinary protocol
Entry rules depend on both your departure country and your destination. The endorsement steps below are written for the US-departure route (USDA APHIS via VEHCS); from any other origin, the equivalent step is an export health certificate endorsed by your national government veterinary authority.
- 1
Implant an ISO-compliant microchip before vaccination.
- 2
Two rabies vaccinations are required before the blood draw.
- 3
FAVN rabies antibody titer test with the mandatory post-sampling waiting period served before departure.
- 4
Secure the official MPI import permit.
- 5
Reserve space in advance at an MPI-approved private quarantine facility for the mandatory 10-day post-arrival isolation.
- 6
Internal and external parasite treatments must be given inside the required pre-export windows.
- 7
USDA APHIS endorsement through VEHCS before departure.
Breed & airline warnings
Prohibited breeds include the Dogo Argentino, Brazilian Fila, Japanese Tosa and American Pit Bull Terrier.
Brachycephalic breeds face carrier cargo embargoes on long-haul routes.
Crates must follow IATA Live Animals Regulations: L = A + Ā½B, W = 2C, H = D + bedding. Two compatible animals up to 14 kg (30 lbs) each may share a crate; heavier animals travel individually. Check your breed ā
Your New Zealand timeline
Build my pet's relocation plan
Your plan appears here
Tell us where your pet is travelling from and to, and we'll build a route-specific plan: the earliest realistic travel date, the steps that actually determine it, every deadline, and any quarantine on arrival.
- ā¢ Rules resolved per corridor ā never a generic US or EU timeline.
- ā¢ Counts what your pet has already had done.
- ā¢ Tells you plainly when a corridor still needs verification.