Animals on yachts

No animals are allowed into New Zealand on a yacht other than aquarium fish and, under strict importing requirements, cats and dogs.

The actual requirements around arriving in New Zealand with cats and dogs can be found in the Import Health Standards Importing Dogs and cats on yachts from specified countries and Importing Dogs and cats on yachts from Australia.

If you are sailing into New Zealand with a cat or dog on board, you must go directly to one of the specified first ports of arrival.

MAF will need to be notified of the presence of an animal aboard the yacht, and of any pre-arranged quarantine for the animal.

For cats and dogs on yachts from countries other than Australia:

Pet may be quarantined in a MAF approved transitional facility for a minimum period of 30 days and then be given biosecurity clearance. The animal will undergo various tests and treatments (outlined in the Import Health Standard) while in the transitional facility. To minimize the length of time the animal must be quarantined, it is advisable to get a microchip, rabies vaccine, and rabies test completed at least six months but no more than 12 months before arriving in New Zealand. The other tests can be done in quarantine. Once all of the conditions of the cat and dog yacht Import Health Standard are met, biosecurity clearance will be given. The yacht can move between ports in New Zealand while the animal is in quarantine. Once the animal obtains biosecurity clearance it will be free from all biosecurity restrictions.

(Import permit required (403 KB) as animal will be directed to a quarantine facility.
Quarantine time will vary, depending on if and when microchip, rabies vaccine, and rabies titre test requirements were completed).

OR

Pet may be quarantined in a MAF approved transitional facility for the entire period until the vessel departs New Zealand. No tests will be done but the animal will be treated for endoparasites (worms) and ectoparasites (fleas and ticks). The animal will not obtain biosecurity clearance.

(Import permit required, as animal will be directed to a quarantine facility.
Yacht can move around while dog or cat is in quarantine facility.)

OR

Pet will remain bonded aboard the yacht. The animal must not leave the yacht. No tests will be done but the animal will be treated for ectoparasites (worms) and endoparasites (ticks and fleas). The animal will not obtain biosecurity clearance. The yacht should remain at the port of arrival, unless there is a reason it must be moved.

(No permit required. Subject to weekly inspection and associated charges.)

Bonding animals on yachts - If the importer does not wish to quarantine their uncleared animal in a transitional facility, or reship it, they must agree to bond their animal on their yacht. For this the animal will remain bonded aboard the yacht, and the yacht remain landed at the first port of arrival, for the entire duration of the yacht's visit to New Zealand. During this period, the presence of the yacht at the approved port of landing and the presence of the animal on board the yacht will be verified by weekly visits by an inspector at the expense of the owner, and at no time shall any other animal be allowed aboard the yacht.

The importer may be required, pursuant to section 18 (2) of the Biosecurity Act 1993, to lodge with MAFBNZ a bond of up to NZ$10,000 according to the conditions stated in Importer's Declaration and Appendix 1 The Conditions of Security of an Animal Imported into New Zealand Aboard a Yacht. The bond lodged with MAFBNZ will be forfeited if the conditions of the security are broken.

For planning biosecurity management of your cat or dog make early contact with the Animal Imports Team via email (animalimports@maf.govt.nz)

Note: These requirements will change next season when new Import Health Standards take effect! Please check our website.

Page last updated: 14 July 2009