Your Pets

Cats and Dogs

New Zealand is free from many serious diseases and pests such as rabies, heartworm disease, and many ticks. Biosecurity requirements are in place to manage the risk of introducing unwanted diseases, pests and animals. These requirements (including eligibility, tests and treatments) are listed in the Import Health Standards (IHS) for cats and dogs and the Guidance Document.

All of the requirements in the Import Health Standard (IHS) must be fulfilled before your cat or dog can come to New Zealand. Hence, tests and treatments must be done prior to arrival in New Zealand.

If the country you are intending to export your cat or dog from is not listed as an approved country in the Guidance Document (180 KB) to the IHS for cats and dogs, then your pet is not eligible for direct import.

Should this be the case, you could:

• Move your pet to an approved country or territory where it must complete the six month residency and other requirements in the veterinary certificate for that country.

Getting your cat or dog ready to bring to New Zealand

Print the Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs and the Guidance Document (180 KB) and take this to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help you get started with the microchip, medical tests, treatments and certification required. The Model Veterinary Certificates at the end of the Guidance Document include all of the test and treatment requirements. Please ensure that you are following the appropriate Model Veterinary Certificate for the country where your pet is coming from.

Consider contacting a professional pet exporter, who can assist you with arranging tests, treatments, flights, import permits, shipping crates, etc. Some airlines require a pet exporter to book flights for animals, as this adds assurance that all requirements will be completed at the appropriate time prior to departure.

More information

• Import permit application

  Cats and dogs from all approved countries (except Australia) require a permit to import.

  You will need to complete an import application form for MAF to issue you with a permit to import. The permit cost is NZ$166.62. The permit to import must travel with your pet. Your permit to import will be emailed to you as an attachment.

  The import permit is valid for 10 days from the entry date. This entry date is based on the arrival date listed on the quarantine booking confirmation. This means you have a 10 day window to ship your pet(s) provided that all tests and treatments are valid at the time of export.

  Should your pet(s) be rescheduled to arrive earlier than the entry date or after the expiration date listed on the import permit, then you will need to apply for a new permit. If this is required, please send an email request for MAF to process a new permit. This email should include: a revised booking confirmation, a copy of your existing permit and payment details for $166.62.

  Multiple pets that are travelling and arriving at the same time can go on one import permit.

  Tips for completing your import application

  1. It takes about 10 working days to process a complete import application once all the correct documentation is received. We recommend sending the signed and completed permit application to the address on the form at least 6 weeks prior to departure to allow time for processing.

  2. Original documents are not required to issue the permit. You may send your signed application and documents via email attachments, fax or post. Sending your application by email attachments is the most efficient and preferred method.

  3. When completing the import application:

  • The exporter details must be an international address. This can either be you (the pet owner), the person looking after your pet, or the pet transport company.
  • The importer details can be the same as the exporter details if you do not yet have a New Zealand address.
  • If you are coming from a country where rabies is absent or well controlled, page 3 of the import application must be signed by both the accredited and the official government veterinarians. This page must be endorsed by an official government stamp. If you are coming from the USA, please shade the USDA embossed stamp with a pencil to create visibility.
  • Submit both the rabies primary and booster vaccination records (if applicable) for your pet.

   

• Assistance dogs, such as Guide Dogs

• Dogs and cats arriving on a yacht

• Cost and fees

  The cost of an import permit is $166.62 (GST inclusive).

  Your pet will go through biosecurity clearance upon arrival, or will be sent to a quarantine facility. There is a biosecurity clearance fee, and a Customs fee may also apply.

  You also need to factor in transportation, veterinary and quarantine (if applicable) costs. You will need to contact the airlines, vets and quarantine facilities for their costs.

  CHARGES

  Biosecurity clearance: A fee will apply for the inspection and certification. Any additional costs must also be paid by the importer (e.g. destruction of any bedding/toys/garments, quarantine for non-compliant animals). For further information contact the port of arrival.

  Auckland
  mqsakac@maf.govt.nz
  00 64 9 909 8631

  Christchurch
  mqschc@maf.govt.nz
  00 64 3 943 3803

  Wellington
  mqswlg@maf.govt.nz
  00 64 4 894 4213

  Customs: Animals with commercial value, e.g. breeding, are subject to Customs charges.
  http://www.customs.govt.nz

• Dog short stay (10 days or less) in Australia

  There is a "Short Stay" (10 days or less) certificate for New Zealand dogs travelling to Australia for 10 days or less.

  These dogs may be given dispensation from Babesia gibsoni testing if the following Model Certificate for Dog Short Stay (10 Days or less) in Australia (180 KB) is completed BEFORE leaving New Zealand. Please print-out the IHS to take with you to Australia as all other requirements must be followed.

  When requesting this “Short Stay” certificate by email, please provide your dates of travel, owner's name, New Zealand address, breed and microchip number.

  Ten working days are required for processing the certificate, and it must be signed by your New Zealand veterinarian before you travel to Australia. This Certificate must travel with your pet.

• Quarantine facilities

Additional Pet Information

• Pet (ornamental) fish

  You can import ornamental fish that are listed in Appendix Two of the Import Health Standard (IHS). All biosecurity requirements listed in this IHS must be met before importation is allowed.

  The fish will need to be quarantined on arrival at an approved transitional facility. See section Quarantine in New Zealand of the IHS for quarantine time requirements.

  List of quarantine facilities you can contact to see if they will quarantine your fish.

  Once you have made the quarantine arrangements you will need to apply for an import permit.

  How to become a MAF approved fish transitional facility

  The requirements for setting up a fish quarantine facility are outlined in the standard for Transitional Facilities for Ornamental fish and Marine Invertebrates.

  For more information about becoming a MAF approved facility.

  Alternatively, you may wish to contact an already approved facility to arrange for them to quarantine your fish.

• Rabbits and chinchillas

  To import a pet rabbit or chinchilla you will need to follow the applicable Import Health Standard (IHS). All biosecurity requirements must be met before importation is allowed.

  Pet rabbits can be imported only from Australia.

  Pet chinchillas can be imported only from the United Kingdom.

  An import permit is required to import a rabbit or a chinchilla.

• Pet Medication

  An Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) declaration must be completed by the importer/ agent if you intend to import the animal's medication. The completed declaration with a copy of the veterinarian’s prescription label must be provided to a MAF Inspector before or on arrival in New Zealand.

  Generally up to a three month supply will be given clearance. For further information, contact ACVM.

• Transiting animals through New Zealand

Page last updated: 19 January 2012