FAQs about Importing Cats and Dogs

Most internationally recognised microchips are acceptable for importation purposes. However, they may not be compatible with the mandatory microchip requirements for all newly registered dogs in New Zealand. Please contact the city or district council for the area in which your dog will live for more information about dog registration and microchip requirements.You can also visit the Department of Internal Affairs website Microchipping Regulations.

Yes, your dog/cat must have a microchip inserted prior to starting any of the vaccination and/or testing requirements for importation (except for dogs/cats from Australia).

All dogs newly registered in New Zealand are required to be microchipped.

No, the scheduled date of departure from the country of export must be at least 6 and no greater than 12 months after the blood was drawn for the initial rabies antibody titration test.

No. The blood for the first rabies blood test must be drawn no more than 12 months before the scheduled date of departure.

Yes. Our import requirements are based on the disease status of the country of export so all dogs and cats coming from that country must comply.

Two, one at least 6 months and no greater than 12 months prior to the scheduled date of departure and another within 30 days of the scheduled date of departure. Please refer to the import health standard for clarification.

Yes.

The quarantine is 30 days for animals from the USA and other specified countries.

No, the quarantine must be completed in one of the MAF approved quarantine facilities. The facilities and their contact details are included in the application for an import permit.

Yes, but you will need to arrange this directly with the quarantine facility.

There is no post arrival quarantine for dogs/cats coming to New Zealand from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, Hawaii, Norway, Sweden and Australia.

The only direct costs to MAFBNZ are the costs of the import permit and clearance fee on arrival. You also need to factor in transportation, veterinary and quarantine costs. All of which are over and above the direct costs to MAFBNZ.

No, not if they are traveling at the same time. If for some reason they are not traveling and arriving in New Zealand together then separate permits will be required.

No. Import permits are not required for dogs and cats being imported from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, Hawaii, Norway, Sweden and Australia.

You need to allow at least 3 weeks for the permit to be processed and returned to you by airmail. Permits will not be issued until all of the necessary documentation has been provided to the Animal Imports team.

Import permits for dogs and cats are valid for one month from the scheduled date of departure. You will need a new permit if you can’t import the animal before the permit’s expiry date.

You will need to request an amended permit in writing. Included in this request must be the original permit number, confirmation that the quarantine facility can accept the dog/cat at the later date, payment details for the NZ$105 amendment fee and confirmation as to which address the new permit should be sent.

No. This information is held by the veterinary authorities in the exporting country, not by MAFBNZ.

An official veterinarian means a veterinarian authorised by the Veterinary Administration in the country of export to perform certain designated official tasks associated with animal health and/or public health and inspections of commodities.

Yes, if your vet is registered within the country of export and able to complete export certification. If she is unsure, she will need to contact the Government Veterinary Authorities in the country of export for clarification.

It is not possible to import pet birds, reptiles or rodents into New Zealand as we do not have import health standards for these companion animals. Rabbits may imported but only from Australia.

We have specific requirements for dogs and cats traveling to New Zealand on yachts:
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/domyacic.spe.htm
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/domyacic.aus.htm

No. Assistance dogs must comply with all of the testing and treatment requirements for dogs and cats from the country of origin but may not have to complete post arrival quarantine:
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/dogbliic.all.htm

The importation of dogs and cats directly from China is not possible. You can import your animal via a third country from which we do allow importation ie, Singapore. The animal would have to reside in that third country for at least 6 months and then comply with the import health standard for that country.

The dog must have been resident in the UK for the 6 months before the scheduled date of departure. France is a rabies controlled country while the UK is rabies free. Importation under the UK requirements is not possible if the animal has spent any time in France during the required 6 month residence period. The dog must follow the requirements in the import health standard for dogs and cats from specified countries:
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/domaniic.spe.htm

No. The Babesia gibsoni testing is mandatory for dogs from all countries unless the country of export can prepare a case that confirms the country is free from the disease. Any such case must be prepared and submitted directly for assessment to the Animal Imports Team, Border Standards Directorate, MAFBNZ by the Government Veterinary Authorities in the country of export.