FAQs related to Entering New Zealand
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 
.
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.
The quarantine is 30 days for animals from the USA and other specified countries.
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.
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.
No. This information is held by the veterinary authorities in the exporting country, not by MAFBNZ.
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.
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.
No. Import permits are not required for dogs and cats being imported from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, Hawaii, Norway, Sweden and Australia.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, but you will need to arrange this directly with the quarantine facility.
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. 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 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
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.
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
You will not be able to travel around New Zealand with your cat unless she meets our requirements including post arrival quarantine.
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.
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.
Yes.
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. 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.
No. The blood for the first rabies blood test must be drawn no more than 12 months before the scheduled date of departure.
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.
New Zealand’s border controls are the tightest in the world, including passenger declaration forms, signs, 100% baggage x-raying, the detector dog system and questioning by biosecurity inspectors at the border, and the system for notifying commercial importers of the current import health standards. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand already invests heavily in publicity about the risks of bringing in personal consignments of honey and communicating with commercial importers. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is confident that these systems will continue to manage the risks posed by illegal importation of honey by the general public and by commercial importers.
Commercial importers and the public already attempt to illegally import honey into New Zealand, and the MAFBNZ Clearance Service seizes significant volumes of honey at the border. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand assumes that this will still be the case when Australian honey can be imported into New Zealand.
No, any imported honey would require certification from the Australian government stating that the honey was a product of Australia, from hives inspected by an Australian government official.
If a container is identified as high risk MAFBNZ requires your agent to contact us immediately.
MAFBNZ will then undertake the inspection (generally an external inspection if it is being done on the wharf) as quickly as possible. In certain circumstances, the external inspections may be carried out at your transitional facility under MAFBNZ supervision. Internal inspections of high risk containers also need to be arranged by your agent. Instructions are outlined on the Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate, a copy should be forwarded to you by the agent.
While MAFBNZ will conduct inspections as soon as possible there are occasions when, because of other workloads, it might take us a few days to get to your container.
Yes, you can arrange for a facility to unload the container for you. List of facilities .
Alternatively, if the facility is approved but there is currently no Accredited Person on-site, you may use another Accredited Person. List of Accredited Persons and Expiry Dates.
A levy of $20 per loaded container and $10 per empty container applies to all containers cover the monitoring and verification of shipping containers.
If a container is considered high risk or is non-compliant any additional work undertaken by MAFBNZ will be charged for. MAFBNZ inspections on and off wharf are charged at a rate of $100.00 per hour (1/4 hour minimum) and we also charge for travel to the inspection site.