Bringing a dog or cat to New Zealand
From moderate to hard, depending on which of the authority's 4 origin groups your pet starts in.
Requirements
It depends on where you're coming from. Pick your country, or compare the origin groups the authority itself uses below.
Dog from Germany (Category 3): 43 requirements
Open as my dated checklist- 01MicrochipPermanent, unique microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination and titer blood sample (the RCF asks the vet to verify this); verified and recorded at vaccination and at the RNATT sampling. Chips starting with 999 are not accepted (MPI support document). ISO 11784/11785 recommended.
- 02One of the following
- 2aOfficial microchip checkIf the RNATT blood sample is taken 6–12 months before shipment: one microchip scan by an official veterinarian in a categorised country before (or on the day of) the RNATT sample. The competent authority reports it directly to MPI.
- On or before the blood sample — same day allowed
- Only if: the RNATT blood sample is taken 6–12 months before shipment
- 2b · ALL OF
- 2b.1Official microchip checkFirst official-vet microchip scan in a categorised country, at least 6 months before shipment.
- At least 6 months before departure
- Only if: the RNATT blood sample is taken at least 3 and less than 6 months before shipment
- 2b.2Official microchip checkSecond official-vet microchip scan in a categorised country, before (or on the day of) the RNATT sample. The competent authority reports the checks directly to MPI.
- On or before the blood sample — same day allowed
- Only if: the RNATT blood sample is taken at least 3 and less than 6 months before shipment
- 03Rabies vaccinationRabies vaccine (inactivated or recombinant, listed in MPI-STD-SAA) by a veterinarian at 12 weeks of age or older, kept continuously valid until shipment; a primary vaccination (or one after a lapse) at least 6 months before shipment. Must be given in a Category 1, 2 or 3 country or New Zealand.
- At least 6 months before departure — primary vaccination (or the first one after a lapse)
- 04Rabies antibody (titer) testRabies neutralising antibody test (FAVN or RFFIT), result at least 0.5 IU/mL, on a blood sample taken by a veterinarian 3–12 months before shipment, at a lab approved by a Category 1–3 competent authority, an EU-approved rabies lab or a WOAH reference lab in a Category 1–3 country (or NZ's national lab). MPI recommends sampling 3–4 weeks after vaccination.
- At least 3 months and at most 12 months before departure
- 05Minimum ageAbout 9 months old at shipment at the earliest (follows from the vaccine at ≥12 weeks + 6 months; MPI guidance).
- 06Condition of the animalNot more than 42 days pregnant on the date of shipment (or on arrival, if by sea).
- 07Quarantine bookingBook at least 10 days in an MPI-approved quarantine facility (Auckland or Christchurch); the signed booking form goes with the permit application.
- 08Import permitMPI import permit, applied for online with: rabies vaccination records, RNATT result(s), the Category 3 Rabies Certification Form (RCF — signed by your vet and signed and stamped by an official vet) and the signed quarantine booking form. Apply at least 8 weeks ahead; allow 30 working days for processing.
- At least 30 working days before departure
- At least 8 weeks before departure
- 09Parasite treatmentExternal parasites, first of at least two treatments: at least 14 days before the Babesia blood sample(s) (see the Babesia steps), continuous protection from then until shipment; no visible parasites at each treatment.
- 10Parasite treatmentExternal parasites, last treatment in the 16 days before shipment.
- At most 16 days before departure
- 11Tapeworm treatmentInternal parasites (nematodes and cestodes incl. Echinococcus), 1st of 2 treatments — in the 30 days before shipment, ≥14 days before the 2nd.
- At most 30 days before departure
- 12Tapeworm treatmentInternal parasites, 2nd treatment, in the 5 days before shipment.
- At most 5 days before departure
- At least 14 days after step "Int-parasite-1"
- 13Parasite treatmentAngiostrongylus vasorum treatment in the 5 days before shipment.
- At most 5 days before departure
- 14One of the following
- 14aParasite treatmentHeartworm prevention in the 5 days before shipment.
- At most 5 days before departure
- 14bParasite treatmentUp to date with a sustained-release heartworm-prevention injection.
- 15Disease testHeartworm test, negative, sample in the 30 days before shipment — dogs 7 months or older.
- At most 30 days before departure
- Only if: For pets aged 7 months or more
- 16One of the following
- 16aDisease testBabesia gibsoni (dogs ≥6 months) — IFA/ELISA and PCR negative, samples ≥14 days after the 1st external parasite treatment and in the 30 days before shipment.
- At most 30 days before departure
- At least 14 days after step "Ext-parasite-1"
- Only if: For pets aged 6 months or more
- 16bDisease testBabesia gibsoni — 3 PCR tests ≥7 days apart, negative, first sample ≥14 days after the 1st external parasite treatment and in the 44 days before shipment.
- At most 44 days before departure
- At least 14 days after step "Ext-parasite-1"
- 17One of the following
- 17aHealth declarationBabesia rossi — owner declaration that the dog has never lived in or travelled to mainland Africa.
- Only if: the dog has never lived in or travelled to mainland Africa
- 17bParasite treatmentBabesia rossi — imidocarb dipropionate with the last dose in the 16 days before shipment.
- At most 16 days before departure
- 17cDisease testBabesia rossi (dogs ≥6 months) — IFA/ELISA and PCR negative in the 30 days before shipment.
- At most 30 days before departure
- At least 14 days after step "Ext-parasite-1"
- Only if: For pets aged 6 months or more
- 17dDisease testBabesia rossi — 3 PCR tests ≥7 days apart in the 44 days before shipment.
- At most 44 days before departure
- At least 14 days after step "Ext-parasite-1"
- 18One of the following
- 18aHealth certificateBrucella canis — the dog is desexed, shown by a certificate signed by a veterinarian.
- Only if: Only for neutered animals
- 18b · ALL OF
- 18b.1Health declarationBrucella canis — owner's written (breeding) declaration that the entire dog was not mated, naturally or artificially, between 30 days before the test sample and shipment.
- Only if: the dog was not mated (naturally or artificially) between 30 days before the Brucella canis blood sample and shipment
- Only if: Only for entire (not neutered) animals
- 18b.2Disease testBrucella canis — negative test on a sample in the 30 days before shipment.
- At most 30 days before departure
- Only if: the dog was not mated (naturally or artificially) between 30 days before the Brucella canis blood sample and shipment
- Only if: Only for entire (not neutered) animals
- 18c · ALL OF
- 18c.1Disease testBrucella canis — negative test on a sample taken in the 21 days before shipment.
- At most 21 days before departure
- Only if: the dog was mated (naturally or artificially) in the 30 days before the Brucella canis blood sample
- Only if: Only for entire (not neutered) animals
- 18c.2Disease testBrucella canis — negative test of the mate (or the semen donor) on a blood sample taken in the 21 days before the mating/insemination, or a negative test of the semen used.
- Only if: the dog was mated (naturally or artificially) in the 30 days before the Brucella canis blood sample
- Only if: Only for entire (not neutered) animals
- 19Disease testLeishmania infantum — no clinical signs in the 2 days before shipment and a negative test (IFA/ELISA, or PCR if vaccinated) in the 30 days before shipment. Every dog.
- At most 30 days before departure
- 20One of the following
- 20aDisease testLeptospira Canicola — negative MAT in the 30 days before shipment.
- At most 30 days before departure
- 20b · ALL OF
- 20b.1Disease testLeptospira Canicola — MAT 1:100–1:400.
- 20b.2Other vaccinationsLeptospira Canicola — vaccinated in accordance with MPI-STD-SAA, continuously valid until shipment; proof of vaccination travels with the dog.
- 20c · ALL OF
- 20c.1Disease testLeptospira Canicola — MAT 1:100–1:400.
- 20c.2Disease testLeptospira Canicola — second MAT sample at least 14 days after the first, same or lower titre.
- At least 14 days after step "Lepto-mat-1"
- 20dParasite treatmentLeptospira Canicola — doxycycline 5–10 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days in the 30 days before shipment.
- At most 30 days before departure
- 21Health declarationCanine influenza — owner's written declaration covering the 21 days before shipment. Cats and dogs.
- At least 21 days before departure
- 22Breed declarationDog Control Act s 30A: evidence of New Zealand registration, or an exempting statutory declaration made in New Zealand by/for the importer plus a certificate from a veterinarian registered in the exporting country, issued before arrival, that the dog is not a Schedule 4 breed/type.
- 23Health certificateCategory 3 model veterinary certificate signed, stamped and dated on every page by an official veterinarian, in English (or an agreed country-specific certificate); veterinary inspection in the 2 days before shipment. Travels with the import permit, original (or officially endorsed) rabies records and RNATT report, lab reports and declarations.
- At most 2 days before departure
- 24Transport rulesBy air only as manifested cargo under the IATA Live Animals Regulations. No government seal needed on the crate. No straw or hay bedding.
- 25Route restrictionsEn route, transit or tranship only in Category 1, 2 or 3 countries, no contact with other animals, stay on the international side of the airport. (A layover in a non-categorised country, e.g. Thailand, is not allowed.)
- 26Port of entryBy air, only Auckland (AKL) or Christchurch (CHC).
- 27Arrival inspectionStraight to the quarantine facility on the permit; MPI vet inspection within 72 hours and after 10 days; release after the final inspection in business hours.
Dog from Germany: 43 requirements.
In short: Rabies vaccine (primary at least 6 months before shipment), rabies titer test 3–12 months before shipment, official microchip ID check(s), import permit, the full parasite and (dogs) blood-test programme in the last 30–44 days, manifested cargo into Auckland or Christchurch and at least 10 days in quarantine. Pets are about 9 months old at the earliest.
Always confirm with the destination's official authority and your airline before travelling.
Compare by origin group
The groups are the authority's own lists. Pick a cell to see that group's checklist above.
| From | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
Category 1 3 placesAustralia, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island | ||
Category 2 29 placesAmerican Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna | ||
Category 3 73 placesAntigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Caribbean Netherlands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Réunion, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Serbia, Seychelles, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay | ||
Not categorised (every country not listed elsewhere) |
Quarantine
Quarantine: at least 10 days at an approved facility
Official fees
- import permit applicationMinistry for Primary Industries (MPI)
- NZD 233.25 per consignment (excl. tax)
Official fees only. Vet, airline and courier prices are not part of the rules.
Going back to Germany
Returning to Germany from New Zealand: 0 weeks; a rabies antibody test is needed. Timing set by: Rabies antibody (titer) test.
Germany guideApproved entry points
Airports: AKL, CHC
Note on this list
Arrivals by air. Arrivals by sea (import permit for every category) are not covered here.
List as of 24 Sep 2026
Breed bans
- Banned from import · dogs
- Brazilian Fila
- Dogo Argentino
- Japanese Tosa
- Perro de Presa Canario
- American Pit Bull Terrier (type)
Crosses of these breeds included.
Transit through New Zealand
Transit rules for New Zealand have not been researched yet. Ask the authority and your airline before booking a connection with the pet.
Leaving New Zealand with your pet
New Zealand pets going abroad for 30 days or less can come back on the "short-stay" certificate: before leaving, a New Zealand vet gives a tick/flea treatment in the 5 days before export and signs a record of treatment (and, if visiting a Category 3 country, rabies vaccination + RNATT must be done in New Zealand before departure).
For a pet that will visit a Category 3 or non-categorised country, MPI advises rabies vaccination and a satisfactory RNATT before leaving New Zealand.
Dogs imported into New Zealand and later sent to Australia must live in NZ more than 180 days and be re-tested for Leishmania in NZ (MPI note citing Australia's rules).
Rule changes
- COMING · 01 Apr 2027
End of the transition: from 1 April 2027 the 2021 IHS can no longer be used; every import must meet the 2026 IHS, including the official ID check at least 6 months before shipment (Category 2 and 3).
- IN FORCE · 01 Jul 2026
Import is only allowed from countries MPI has categorised (MPI-STD-SAA Schedule 9).
Good to know
Two standards are accepted until 1 April 2027: the 2026 IHS (shown here) or the 2021 IHS. From 1 April 2027 only the 2026 IHS applies, including an official identification check at least 6 months before shipment — so for arrivals from 1 April 2027 that check must be done by about 1 October 2026. MPI asks owners to confirm with the exporting country's authority which standard it will certify.
MPI's own summary of the timeframe.
Under the 2021 IHS (transition option), every animal except from Australia needed 6 months' residency in the exporting country; the rabies titer window was 3–24 months (2026: 3–12 months) and there was no official ID check.
Only domestic cats and dogs are covered; hybrids other than Bengal cats need an EPA new-organism approval first.
MPI's lists disagree — Hawai'i is printed in both the Category 2 list ("Hawai'i (USA)") and the Category 3 list ("Hawaii (Hawai'i)"). We treat it as Category 2 (rabies-free; it was Category 2 in the 2021 lists). Confirm with MPI.
Sources disagree — confirm with the authorityMPI's dog checklist gives the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog as an example of a hybrid needing EPA approval.
MPI's checklists stress that every preparation step, including the rabies vaccination and titer test, must happen in a categorised country.
Non-compliant animals can be re-shipped or destroyed; the importer pays.
Breed ban (Dog Control Act s 30A): it covers any dog that is wholly or predominantly one of the Schedule 4 breeds/types, crosses included; breaching it is an offence (fine up to NZD 3,000).
Not covered here: New Zealand-origin pets returning after 30 days or less abroad (own short-stay certificate), assistance dogs, arrivals by sea/yacht, transit through New Zealand, the 2021-IHS route.
Our note, not a rule.
Checklists to New Zealand
Step-by-step route pages for the origins people move from most, dated timeline and all.
No traveller reports for New Zealand yet. If you have made this trip, tell the next person what was actually checked at the border.
Share your tripEvery official page behind this guide, with the last day its text was confirmed unchanged.
- Bringing cats and dogs to NZ (requirements have changed; implementation timeframe) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Bringing cats and dogs to NZ on vessels (2026 process) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Bringing your cat to New Zealand — cats from category 2 countries (support document and checklist, 2026 IHS) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Bringing your dog to New Zealand — dogs from category 1 (Australia) (support document and checklist, 2026 IHS) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Bringing your dog to New Zealand — dogs from category 3 countries (support document and checklist, 2026 IHS) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
Show all 19 sources
- Cats and dogs in transit (2026 process) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Fees and charges when bringing pets to NZ (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Guidance Document — Cats and Dogs (CATDOG.GEN, 17 October 2022), section 5.3 Approved exporting countries (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Import Health Standard — Cats and Dogs (CATDOG.GEN, 7 April 2021) — previous standard, accepted until 1 April 2027 (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Import Health Standard — Cats and Dogs 2026 (CATSDOGS.GEN) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Model certificate template for Category 2 — Cats and Dogs from Rabies-Free Countries (2026 IHS) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Model certificate template for Category 3 — Cats and Dogs from Rabies Absent or Well-Controlled Countries (2026 IHS) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Model veterinary certificate template for Category 1 — Cats and Dogs from Australia, incl. Norfolk Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2026 IHS) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- MPI Specified Approvals for Animal Import Health Standards (MPI-STD-SAA) — Schedules 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Quarantine facilities for cats and dogs (register of MPI-approved facilities) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Quarantine facilities when importing cats and dogs (2026 process) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Rabies Certification Form (RCF) — 2026 IHS (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Step-by-step guide to bringing cats and dogs to NZ (2026 process) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Dog Control Act 1996 — s 30A (prohibition on import of dogs listed in Schedule 4), s 33C, Schedule 4 (opens official site)New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office (legislation.govt.nz) · checked 26 Sep 2026