FAQs related to Veterinary Medicines for use on Accompanied Animals
Cats and dogs being prepared for import into New Zealand must have had a microchip implanted prior or at the same time as the rabies vaccination and rabies blood titre being used for import into New Zealand. The Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs to New Zealand states, “The microchip must be scanned and the number recorded each time a test, treatment, examination or inspection is done, the microchip number must be recorded on all vaccination records, laboratory results and certification.”
If a rabies vaccination was given less than six months prior to shipment, the previous vaccination (as long as the cat/dog has been continuously vaccinated) can be used for entry. Please note that a microchip must have been implanted prior to or at the same time as this previous rabies vaccination unless the rabies titre test has been done at least 6 months prior to the date of entry.
Example:
Rabies Vax # 1: 14 Oct 2010 (pet had no microchip)
Date of microchip implantation: 03 March 2011
Rabies Vax # 2: 15 May 2011
Rabies titre test blood draw date: 15 June 2011
The earliest date your pet can be exported to New Zealand: 15 Nov 2011
Vax # 1 can not be used for import, because the pet did not have a microchip. Please be sure to submit proof of microchip implantation date with your import permit application. This can be in the form of a microchip certificate with implantation date, a vet letter confirming the microchip number and implantation date.
Provided advance notification of arrival has been given at least 72 hours ahead of the scheduled time of arrival, and the time of arrival falls within the following times, biosecurity clearance for compliant animals will be given at the border.
Auckland
0530 to 1830 hours (weekdays only)
Christchurch
1200 to 1800 hours (weekdays only)
Wellington
1330 to 1630 hours (weekdays only)
If a cat or dog arrives outside the above hours, or arrives on a public holiday, or is not compliant with the requirements, or advance notification has not been given, they will be sent to an approved quarantine facility and must remain there until biosecurity clearance is given (within 72 hours).
The test results must either be originals or certified copies.
Yes, post-arrival quarantine for a minimum of 10 days will be required for cats and dogs from all countries except Australia.
All serological tests must be conducted at a Government laboratory or a Government-approved laboratory.
MAF does not keep a list of these overseas government laboratory or government-approved laboratories. Instead, the pet importer should check with the official government vet or the MAF equivalent where the export testing will be done.
The activities entailed in a biosecurity clearance of a cat, dog, rabbit or other small animals are very similar. These animals are very often cleared in ‘out of normal business hours’ and on any of 365 days of the year. The $40 fee covers the activity required for one domestic pet animal to be cleared.
The microchip must conform to the Dog Control (Microchip Transponder) Regulations 2005, conforming to New Zealand/International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards 11784:2001 and 11785:2001.
No, the quarantine must be completed in one of the MAF-approved quarantine facilities. These are private facilities run by MAF-approved operators and supervised by official government veterinarians. Each facility sets its own fees, visiting hours, etc.
There is not an Import Health Standard for dogs and cats from China, so dogs and cats cannot be imported directly from China. 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.
Please refer to Your Pets for import information for dogs and cats or ask us.
It is not possible to import pet birds, reptiles or rodents into New Zealand. Rabbits may be imported from Australia. Chinchillas may be imported from the United Kingdom.
Veterinary Certificate A must be certified by an official government veterinarian or a veterinarian authorised to provide export certification on behalf of the government veterinary service of the exporting country.
An official veterinarian means a veterinarian authorised by the Government Veterinary Authority in your country to perform designated official tasks associated with animal health and/or public health.
The pet importer or pet agent must arrange with an Official Government Veterinarian to sign and stamp the Veterinary Certificate B.
This information is held by the veterinary authority in the exporting country.
Import permits for dogs and cats are valid for 10 days from the scheduled date of import. So, pets can be imported anytime between the entry date and expiration date as listed on the import permit as long as all tests and treatments are valid.
If your pet is arriving earlier than the entry date listed on the import permit, then you will need to apply for a new import permit.
You need to allow a minimum of 10 working days for the permit to be processed and returned to you electronically.
Yes, an import permit is required for dogs and cats imported from all countries except Australia. This includes the following recognised rabies free countries: the UK and the Republic of Ireland, Singapore, Hawaii, Norway and Sweden.
No, not if they are traveling at the same time. If your pets are not traveling and arriving at the same time, then they will require separate permits.
Yes, you will need to arrange this directly with the quarantine facility.
Yes, your dog/cat must be identified with a microchip and the microchip must be shown on all accompanying certification. The identity of you dog/cat must be confirmed by reading the microchip each time a treatment, vaccine or test is performed.
The microchip must conform to the Dog Control (Microchip Transponder) Regulations 2005, conforming to New Zealand/International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards 11784:2001 and 11785:2001.
The UK is recognised as a rabies-free country, and the Import Health Standard for Dogs and Cats requires that the animal has been continuously resident in the UK for the six months before it is sent to New Zealand.
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.
Yes.
There is only one rabies blood test required (the rabies titre must be at least 0.5IU/ml). The blood sample for this must be collected between 3 and 24 months prior to the date of shipment.
Our import requirements are based on the disease status of the country of export and all dogs and cats coming from that country must comply.
No, the date of shipment from the country of export must be at least 3 months and no greater than 24 months after the date of sample collection for the rabies titre test.
In the case of primary vaccination the vaccine must be given not less than six months and not more than one year prior to shipment, when the animal is at least three months old.
For a booster vaccination, the vaccine was given not more than one year prior to shipment. (NOTE: The rabies vaccination must be kept up-to-date from the date of sample collection for the rabies titre test to the date of shipment).
Animals imported directly from New Zealand into the country or territory of export may be given exemption for the residency requirement if they meet the following requirements:
A. The animal has resided continuously in the country or territory of export since being imported directly from New Zealand;
B. The animal was identified by a microchip prior to export from New Zealand;
C. A copy of the New Zealand export certificate is supplied when applying for an import permit, and this certificate must also travel with your pet; and
D. If resident in a country or territory with measures for rabies, the animal was vaccinated against rabies with an approved inactivated vaccine at least one month and not more than six months prior to leaving New Zealand when the animal was at least three months of age, and the animal was subjected to a serum rabies neutralising antibody titre test no greater than 18 months prior to leaving New Zealand, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand must be notified at least 72 hours before the expected time of arrival of any animal, including:
- flight/ship number
- date and time of arrival
- consignee’s name and contact details
- species and breed
- number of animals in consignment
- country of origin
- quarantine facility book (if applicable)
- bill of lading (if known) and
- whether importer/agent is on board same flight.
Please use the following email address or phone number depending on the intended port of arrival of the animal:
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
When two (or more) rabies vaccinations have been given consecutively according to the duration of immunity of the vaccine.
Example
1st vax 24 January 2008 - (Rabdomun - 3 yr duration of immunity)
2nd vax 20 January 2011 - (Rabdomun - 3 yr duration of immunity).
The 2nd vax is considered a booster provided the pet was microchipped prior to or at the same time as the previous vaccination. If the pet was not microchipped on or before 24 January 2008, then the 20 January 2011 vaccination would be considered the primary vaccination. Consequently, you would need to wait at least 6 months after the 20 January 2011 vaccination before you could export your pet to New Zealand.
Note: Booster vaccinations must be given within one year of shipment, and primary vaccinations must be given between 6 months and one year of shipment.