BRINGING A CAT FROMAustralia to New Zealand
Cat · Moving
Bringing a dog instead?No quarantine when the paperwork is in order. Needs route restrictions, microchip, minimum age, condition of the animal, parasite treatment, tapeworm treatment, health declaration, health certificate, transport rules, port of entry, advance notice to the authority and arrival inspection.
Always confirm with the destination's official authority and your airline before travelling.
Entry requirements
No import permit and no quarantine if the pet is compliant and arrives by air during MPI inspection hours; but it must fly as manifested cargo into Auckland or Christchurch, directly from Australia, with an official certificate, parasite treatments and (dogs) Babesia and heartworm tests, plus a Leishmania test unless the dog has lived in Australia since birth (or since import from New Zealand).
Must be imported directly from a Category 1 country (Australia, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island).
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Must be imported directly from a Category 1 country (Australia, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island).
Permanent, unique microchip; the number verified and recorded by a veterinarian at every examination, test, vaccination and treatment, and correctly recorded on all documents. ISO 11784/11785 recommended (MPI may not be able to read other chips).
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Permanent, unique microchip; the number verified and recorded by a veterinarian at every examination, test, vaccination and treatment, and correctly recorded on all documents. ISO 11784/11785 recommended (MPI may not be able to read other chips).
About 8 weeks old at shipment (MPI guidance "approximate minimum age", not a separate legal rule).
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About 8 weeks old at shipment (MPI guidance "approximate minimum age", not a separate legal rule).
Not more than 42 days pregnant on the date of shipment (or on arrival, if by sea).
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Not more than 42 days pregnant on the date of shipment (or on arrival, if by sea).
External parasites (ticks and fleas): one treatment by a veterinarian with a product listed in MPI-STD-SAA in the 16 days before shipment, continuous protection until shipment, no visible parasites at treatment and in the 2 days before shipment.
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External parasites (ticks and fleas): one treatment by a veterinarian with a product listed in MPI-STD-SAA in the 16 days before shipment, continuous protection until shipment, no visible parasites at treatment and in the 2 days before shipment.
Internal parasites, 1st of 2 treatments: product(s) listed in MPI-STD-SAA against nematodes and cestodes (including Echinococcus), in the 30 days before shipment and at least 14 days before the 2nd treatment.
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Internal parasites, 1st of 2 treatments: product(s) listed in MPI-STD-SAA against nematodes and cestodes (including Echinococcus), in the 30 days before shipment and at least 14 days before the 2nd treatment.
Internal parasites, 2nd treatment, in the 5 days before shipment.
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Internal parasites, 2nd treatment, in the 5 days before shipment.
Canine influenza — written owner declaration: for at least 21 days before shipment the pet was not kept where cats or dogs showed signs of infectious respiratory disease, and showed none itself (cats and dogs).
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Canine influenza — written owner declaration: for at least 21 days before shipment the pet was not kept where cats or dogs showed signs of infectious respiratory disease, and showed none itself (cats and dogs).
Category 1 model veterinary certificate (or an agreed country certificate) signed, stamped and dated on every page by an official veterinarian of the exporting country, in English. It certifies, among others, a veterinary inspection in the 2 days before shipment (healthy, fit to travel, no external parasites, dirt, insects or seeds; dogs: no recent bite wounds; entire dogs: genital examination for CTVT).
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Category 1 model veterinary certificate (or an agreed country certificate) signed, stamped and dated on every page by an official veterinarian of the exporting country, in English. It certifies, among others, a veterinary inspection in the 2 days before shipment (healthy, fit to travel, no external parasites, dirt, insects or seeds; dogs: no recent bite wounds; entire dogs: genital examination for CTVT).
By air only as manifested cargo (not in the cabin, not as excess baggage), in transport meeting the IATA Live Animals Regulations. No government seal is needed on the crate when flying directly from Category 1. No straw or hay bedding.
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By air only as manifested cargo (not in the cabin, not as excess baggage), in transport meeting the IATA Live Animals Regulations. No government seal is needed on the crate when flying directly from Category 1. No straw or hay bedding.
By air, only Auckland (AKL) or Christchurch (CHC).
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By air, only Auckland (AKL) or Christchurch (CHC).
Notify MPI at least 5 working days before the scheduled arrival with the "Application for Veterinary Inspection — Cats and Dogs from Australia" form, by e-mail (australia.dogsandcats@mpi.govt.nz per the IHS).
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Notify MPI at least 5 working days before the scheduled arrival with the "Application for Veterinary Inspection — Cats and Dogs from Australia" form, by e-mail (australia.dogsandcats@mpi.govt.nz per the IHS).
Inspected and cleared at the border by an MPI veterinarian if notified, paid for and within inspection hours: Auckland 7am–7.30pm, Christchurch 8am–5pm, Monday–Friday (no weekends, public holidays, or Christmas–New Year). Fleas or ticks found → quarantine facility for treatment (and tests for dogs).
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Inspected and cleared at the border by an MPI veterinarian if notified, paid for and within inspection hours: Auckland 7am–7.30pm, Christchurch 8am–5pm, Monday–Friday (no weekends, public holidays, or Christmas–New Year). Fleas or ticks found → quarantine facility for treatment (and tests for dogs).
- Import permit only if arriving by sea (air arrivals from Category 1 need none). — Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
- The Category 1 certificate certifies that Australia is free from Brucella canis and Leptospira Canicola, so no Brucella or leptospirosis tests appear on it. MPI-STD-SAA Schedule 6 clearly lists Australia for B. canis and Leishmania; the leptospirosis row is ambiguous in the PDF. — Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
- Ticks or fleas found on arrival mean no border clearance — quarantine and further treatment (and tests for dogs) at the owner's cost. — Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
- Preparation time 5 weeks (dogs; cats about 3): 1st external parasite treatment → ≥14 days → Babesia samples, all tests in the last 30 days (3×PCR option: up to 44 days); internal parasites twice in the last 30 days, ≥14 days apart; 5-working-day notice. No rabies vaccine, permit or official ID check needed.
No quarantine when the paperwork is in order
If the pet does not meet the rules: Sent to an approved quarantine facility until inspected on the next working day (or longer if requirements are not met, e.g. fleas or ticks found).
Source:Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) (opens official site: Import Health Standard — Cats and Dogs 2026 (CATSDOGS.GEN))· checked 26 Sep 2026+1 more
Timeline
Working out your dates…
Documents
One paper per requirement above; carry originals. 0 of 7 ready.
Official fees
Fees the authorities publish for this route, in their own currency. Vet and airline charges are not included.
- border inspection, first cat or dogSource:Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) (opens official site: Fees and charges when bringing pets to NZ)· checked 26 Sep 2026
- NZD 325.26 per consignment (excl. tax)
- border inspection, each additional cat or dogSource:Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) (opens official site: Fees and charges when bringing pets to NZ)· checked 26 Sep 2026
- NZD 108.42 per animal (excl. tax)
Entry points
Where a pet may enter New Zealand, per the rules.
- Airports: AKL, CHCList as of 2026-09-24Arrivals by air. Arrivals by sea (import permit for every category) are not covered here.
Airlines
Airline rules are separate from entry rules and change without notice — confirm in writing when you book. Only what the carriers' own pages say, read 25 Sep 2026. All airlines
- Lufthansa LHCabinYesHoldYesSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- Emirates EKCabinNoHoldYesSnub-nosedCargo: only Nov – Apr
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 45 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: not 1 May – 31 Oct
- Qantas QFCabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedNot stated
- CabinYesHoldNoSnub-nosedHold, cargo: no
- KLM KLCabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no
- Air France AFCabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedCargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: restricted
Announced changes
- FROM 01 APR 2027End 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).
Return trip to Australia
Easy for a returning pet (no separate returning-resident rule; standard import rules apply), about 4 weeks of preparation. No quarantine.
- Residence period — 180+ days before departure: Eligible if the pet has only lived in New Zealand since birth, or since it was imported from Australia, or — if it has ever lived elsewhere — only in New Zealand for at least 180 days immediately before export. The 180 days is a residence period, not quarantine.
- Advance notice to the authority — 3+ days before arrival: E-mail the DAFF regional office of the first arrival state at least 3 days before arrival (date/time, flight and air waybill number, description of the pet, phone number, assistance-dog status). By sea, the vessel master notifies.
Full checklist for a cat from New Zealand to Australia
Leaving New Zealand with the 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).
Source:Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) (opens official site: Import Health Standard — Cats and Dogs 2026 (CATSDOGS.GEN))· checked 26 Sep 2026+1 more
What they actually checked at the border
Reports from people who made this trip, read by a person before publishing.
No traveller reports here yet. If you have made this trip, tell the next person what was actually checked at the border.
Share your tripSources
Every requirement above comes from one of these pages. Last researched 26 Sep 2026. Seen a change? Tell us.
- Import Health Standard — Cats and Dogs 2026 (CATSDOGS.GEN) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · used for: route restrictions, microchip, minimum age, condition of the animal, parasite treatment, tapeworm treatment, health declaration, health certificate, transport rules, quarantine, notes, entry points, this route, leaving with the pet · checked 26 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-05-12
- Step-by-step guide to bringing cats and dogs to NZ (2026 process) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · used for: port of entry, advance notice to the authority, arrival inspection, quarantine, notes, this route, leaving with the pet · checked 26 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-07-01
- 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) · used for: which origins the rule covers, this route · checked 26 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-05-13
- Fees and charges when bringing pets to NZ (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · used for: official fees, this route · checked 26 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-08-07
- 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) · used for: notes, this route · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Bringing cats and dogs to NZ (requirements have changed; implementation timeframe) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · used for: announced changes · checked 26 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-08-04
- How to bring your cat or dog to Australia from New Zealand (Group 1 country) (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: return trip · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-06-26
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More routes
Checklists for nearby trips — same rules engine, same official sources.