Australia → New Zealand

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).

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).

External parasites (ticks and fleas), first of at least two treatments by a veterinarian with an MPI-listed product: at least 14 days before the blood sample for the Babesia gibsoni (and B. rossi, if applicable) test (see the Babesia steps), with continuous protection from the first treatment to shipment. The dog must be free of visible parasites at each treatment.

External parasites (ticks and fleas), last treatment in the 16 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.

Internal parasites, 2nd treatment, in the 5 days before shipment.

Angiostrongylus vasorum (lungworm) treatment in the 5 days before shipment with an MPI-listed product (spinosad + milbemycin oxime, afoxolaner + milbemycin oxime, moxidectin, or moxidectin + imidacloprid).

Heartworm prevention in the 5 days before shipment (ivermectin, milbemycin, moxidectin or selamectin at the listed doses).

Up to date with a sustained-release heartworm-prevention injection (moxidectin) given by a veterinarian.

Heartworm antigen test (ELISA), negative, sample in the 30 days before shipment — only for dogs 7 months or older at shipment.

Babesia gibsoni (dogs 6 months or older): IFA or ELISA AND a PCR test, negative, on samples taken at least 14 days after the first external parasite treatment and in the 30 days before shipment.

Babesia gibsoni: 3 PCR tests at least 7 days apart, all negative, first sample at least 14 days after the first external parasite treatment and in the 44 days before shipment (the only option for dogs under 6 months).

Babesia rossi — written owner declaration that the dog has never lived in or travelled to mainland Africa.

Babesia rossi — if the dog has been in mainland Africa (or it is unknown): the Category 1 certificate asks for imidocarb treatment or negative tests done for its import into Australia.

Leishmania infantum — no test if the dog has lived in Australia since birth or since it was imported from New Zealand (MPI recognises only Australia as free).

Otherwise: no clinical signs in the 2 days before shipment and a negative Leishmania infantum test (IFA or ELISA; PCR for dogs vaccinated with a serology-interfering vaccine) on a sample taken in the 30 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).

Dog Control Act s 30A: the dog must arrive with evidence of New Zealand registration, or an "exempting statutory declaration" made in New Zealand by or for the importer that it is not a banned breed/type, accompanied by a certificate from a veterinarian registered in the exporting country, issued before arrival, to the same effect.

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.

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).

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).