Introduction to Animal Imports

Live animals

Live animals may not enter New Zealand without meeting specific conditions. These will depend on the type of animal and country of origin. Entry conditions are described in the appropriate Import Health Standard.

A Permit to Import, which can be downloaded or printed from within the appropriate Import Health Standards document, may be required and animals may have to undergo Post Entry Quarantine at a MAF Biosecurity New Zealand approved facility. Some animals may be prohibited due to their protected status (see the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

If your animal does need to be quarantined you must, before applying for a Permit to Import, contact a quarantine facility in New Zealand to reserve a space for your animal(s). When you book a space the quarantine facility will send you a letter of confirmation, and this must be included with your permit application.

Cats and dogs

If you intend to import a cat or dog, check the requirements in the personal travel section. Cats and dogs coming from Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Hawaii and Singapore do not require quarantine, but do require certification and will be inspected for ticks on arrival.

Should your animal be imported from a specified country or territory where Canine rabies is absent or well controlled, such as the United States, consult the following Import Health Standard.  If you are importing from and island country where Canine rabies is absent or well controlled, consult the Import Health Standard for Dogs and Cats from Specified Island Countries

Please note that there are only five Quarantine Facilities in New Zealand for Cats and Dogs

If you are bringing your Dog or Cat on a private vessal such as a Yacht, please consult the Dogs and Cats on Yachts Import Health Standard.

Learn also about exporting your pet.

Reporting obligations for owners' of imported cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and deer or embryos and semen from these animals

Learn more about the obligations for owners of imported cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and deer or call the Imported Animal Freephone on 0800 MAF 555 (0800 623 555).

• Reporting animal deaths
• On-farm verification
• Annual Status Report

Please call the Imported Animal Freephone within seven days if:

• The animal dies of injury or of old age
• You home-kill the animal
• You send the animal to a slaughterhouse
• You sell the animal or otherwise change ownership
• The animal is missing
• A MAF ear tag is lost or becomes illegible
• Your contact details change
• The location of the animal changes

Animal products, including meat, eggs and dairy products.

We encourage travellers not to bring foodstuffs into New Zealand as many of them pose serious quarantine risks.  In general, perishable foodstuffs such as meat are prohibited. In some cases official documentation may be required to allow entry. All animal products - from pet food to heat-and-eat meals to poultry feathermeal products - will require Import Health Standards. Travellers should contact MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Clearance Services before importing these types of food.

For information about private consignments of meat products see the following Import Health Standard for Dairy, Meat and Eggs. An inspection is needed to determine the state of manufacture and country of origin.  This will determine the quarantine status of the product.  Products such as beef jerky, salamis and Chinese sausages are manufactured from dried meat, which have not been through any process to destroy organisms.  New Zealand's greatest threat is Foot and Mouth Disease.  This virus is prevalent in many overseas countries and can survive for long periods in meat products.  An outbreak of the disease would immediately halt our valuable exports of meat and animal products.

Medication

If the animal you are importing requires medication, you may be able to import the medicine, though will need approval from the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Group. Or view the protocol for accompanied animals entering New Zealand that require medication.