Bringing a pet to New Zealand

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

New Zealand has one of the strictest pet import regimes in the world, with requirements that vary significantly depending on the rabies-risk category of the country your pet is travelling from. Expect a lengthy preparation process (often 6+ months for higher-risk origins), mandatory microchipping, rabies vaccination and titer testing, and government-issued import permits. While quarantine is not automatic for all pets, many animals from higher-risk countries must serve time at a Ministry for Primary Industries-approved facility upon arrival.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to New Zealand.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

10 days

Government-approved quarantine facility (e.g., MPI's quarantine center in Auckland). Owner pays all costs.

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
Microchip certificate
Health certificate
Quarantine booking confirmation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, quarantine fees ~$1,500-3,000 for 10 days, plus air freight and vet checks — confirm current prices with MPI and your vet.

Dogs from rabies-free countries (e.g., Australia, UK, Japan) still face a mandatory 10-day quarantine. No titer test or import permit needed.

MPI New Zealand

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

10 days

Government-approved quarantine facility (e.g., MPI's quarantine center in Auckland). Owner pays all costs.

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
Microchip certificate
Health certificate
Quarantine booking confirmation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, quarantine fees ~$1,500-3,000 for 10 days, plus air freight and vet checks — confirm current prices with MPI and your vet.

Dogs from low-risk countries (e.g., US, Canada, most of Europe) require a 10-day quarantine. No titer test or import permit needed.

MPI New Zealand

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 30+ days before travel

Quarantine

30 days

Government-approved quarantine facility (e.g., MPI's quarantine center in Auckland). Owner pays all costs.

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
Microchip certificate
Health certificate
FAVN titer test result
Import permit
Quarantine booking confirmation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit ~$50-100, quarantine fees ~$4,500-9,000 for 30 days, plus air freight and vet checks — confirm current prices with MPI and your vet.

Dogs from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa) require a FAVN titer test, an import permit, and a 30-day quarantine. The entire process can take 6-9 months.

MPI New Zealand

Frequently asked questions

For dogs from free or low-risk countries, allow at least 3-4 months from start to finish, including the 10-day quarantine. For high-risk countries, expect 6-9 months due to the FAVN test, import permit, and 30-day quarantine.

Yes, but MPI limits non-commercial imports to a maximum of 2 dogs per person per shipment. If you bring more than 2, commercial import rules apply, which are stricter and more expensive.

No. Dogs from low-risk countries like the US, Canada, UK, and EU member states do not require a FAVN titer test. Only dogs from high-risk countries need it.

Your dog stays at an MPI-approved quarantine facility (usually in Auckland). Staff monitor health, feed, and exercise the dog daily. You cannot visit during quarantine, but the facility provides updates. All costs are your responsibility.

No. New Zealand does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from any import requirements. They must follow the same microchip, vaccination, quarantine, and documentation rules as pet dogs.

Most airlines require dogs to travel as manifest cargo (in the hold) for international flights to New Zealand. Cabin travel is generally not permitted unless the dog is a certified service animal, and even then, airline policies vary. Check with your airline well in advance.

The rabies vaccine must be valid at the time of entry into New Zealand and throughout the quarantine period. If it expires during quarantine, MPI may require a booster and extend the stay. Ensure the vaccine is given at least 21 days before travel and has a validity of at least 12 months from the date of travel.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to New Zealand.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian (e.g., MPI-accredited vet in NZ or equivalent in origin country) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Microchip certificate or proof of ISO chip implantation
Rabies vaccination certificate (showing vaccine date, product, batch, vet signature)
Official health certificate (endorsed by government vet within 10 days of travel)
Veterinary certificate of good health (may be combined with health cert)
Proof of pre-export treatment for external parasites (if required by MPI)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccine ~$20-40, health certificate ~$100-200, MPI inspection fee ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Cats from rabies-free origins (e.g., Australia, UK, Ireland, Japan, Hawaii) do not need a rabies titer test or import permit. No quarantine required. Must meet general health and documentation requirements.

MPI New Zealand

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS-endorsed vet in US, DEFRA-endorsed vet in UK) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Microchip certificate or proof of ISO chip implantation
Rabies vaccination certificate (showing vaccine date, product, batch, vet signature)
Official health certificate (endorsed by government vet within 10 days of travel)
Veterinary certificate of good health (may be combined with health cert)
Proof of pre-export treatment for external parasites (if required by MPI)

Rough budget

Cats from low-risk origins (e.g., US, Canada, most of Europe, Singapore) do not need a rabies titer test or import permit. No quarantine required. Must meet general health and documentation requirements.

MPI New Zealand

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 30+ days before travel

Quarantine

10 days

Mandatory quarantine at an MPI-approved facility (e.g., Auckland quarantine station) for a minimum of 10 days upon arrival. Costs are borne by the owner.

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS-endorsed vet in US, DEFRA-endorsed vet in UK) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Microchip certificate or proof of ISO chip implantation
Rabies vaccination certificate (showing vaccine date, product, batch, vet signature)
FAVN titer test result (from MPI-approved lab, showing ≥0.5 IU/mL)
Import permit (issued by MPI, apply at least 6 weeks before travel)
Official health certificate (endorsed by government vet within 10 days of travel)
Veterinary certificate of good health (may be combined with health cert)
Proof of pre-export treatment for external parasites (if required by MPI)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccine ~$20-40, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$100-200, quarantine fees ~$500-1000 for 10 days, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Cats from high-risk origins (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) require a rabies titer test, import permit, and 10-day quarantine. The FAVN test must be done at an MPI-approved lab. Apply for the import permit at least 6 weeks before travel.

MPI New Zealand

Frequently asked questions

No. Cats from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, India) must undergo a minimum 10-day quarantine at an MPI-approved facility upon arrival. Quarantine cannot be waived. The cost is typically NZD 500-1000 for the stay.

New Zealand allows up to 2 cats per person under the non-commercial pet import scheme. If you bring more than 2, the import is considered commercial and subject to different rules, including a biosecurity clearance and potential additional fees.

No. New Zealand does not exempt emotional support animals or service cats from standard import requirements. All cats must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and quarantine rules (if applicable). There is no special category for service animals for cats.

There is no minimum age set by MPI for cats, but the rabies vaccination must be given at 12 weeks of age or older, and the 21-day waiting period after vaccination applies. For high-risk origins, the FAVN test requires the cat to be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination. In practice, kittens under 12 weeks cannot meet the rabies requirements.

No. The United States is classified as a low-risk rabies country for cats entering New Zealand. A rabies titer test (FAVN) is not required. You only need a microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and a health certificate endorsed by a USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of departure.

Apply for the import permit at least 6 weeks before your planned travel date. MPI processing can take 2-4 weeks, and you must have the permit in hand before the cat departs. The permit fee is approximately NZD 100-200.

The health certificate must be issued and endorsed within 10 days of the cat's departure from the origin country. If the certificate expires before arrival (e.g., due to travel delays), the cat may be refused entry or placed in quarantine until a new certificate is obtained. Always ensure the certificate covers the entire travel period.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to New Zealand.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or MPI-recognised certifying veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Microchip certificate or proof of ISO chip implantation
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine batch, date, and validity
Official health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Veterinary declaration of no clinical signs of disease

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, health certificate ~$100-200 — confirm current prices with a local vet and MPI.

Ferrets from rabies-free origins (e.g. Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City) are treated the same as low-risk origins for NZ — no quarantine, no titer test, no import permit. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country.

MPI New Zealand

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or MPI-recognised certifying veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Microchip certificate or proof of ISO chip implantation
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine batch, date, and validity
Official health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Veterinary declaration of no clinical signs of disease

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, health certificate ~$100-200 — confirm current prices with a local vet and MPI.

Ferrets from low-risk countries (e.g. USA, UK, Australia, Japan, most of Europe) do not require a rabies titer test or import permit. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country. No post-arrival quarantine.

MPI New Zealand

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 30+ days before travel

Quarantine

10 days

Mandatory 10-day post-arrival quarantine at an MPI-approved quarantine facility. Costs borne by the owner.

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or MPI-recognised certifying veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Microchip certificate or proof of ISO chip implantation
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine batch, date, and validity
FAVN titer test certificate from an MPI-approved laboratory
Official health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Import permit issued by MPI
Veterinary declaration of no clinical signs of disease

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit ~$150-250, quarantine fees ~$1,000-2,000 — confirm current prices with a local vet and MPI.

Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) face stricter requirements: mandatory FAVN titer test, import permit, and 10-day post-arrival quarantine. The titer test must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/mL.

MPI New Zealand

Frequently asked questions

Yes, ferrets are allowed as personal pets. For non-commercial import (up to 5 pets per traveller), you do not need a commercial permit. If you bring more than 5 ferrets, commercial import rules apply, which require additional documentation and may involve longer quarantine.

Yes. For ferrets from high-risk rabies countries, a FAVN titer test is mandatory. The test must be performed at an MPI-approved laboratory at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and within 12 months of travel. The result must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/mL.

Ferrets from high-risk countries must undergo a mandatory 10-day post-arrival quarantine at an MPI-approved quarantine facility. The cost is borne by the owner and typically ranges from NZD 1,000 to 2,000. Ferrets from low-risk or rabies-free countries do not require quarantine.

No. New Zealand does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard import requirements. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and quarantine rules regardless of their role.

There is no specific minimum age for ferrets, but the rabies vaccination must be given at or after 12 weeks of age, and the required 21-day waiting period after vaccination must be completed before travel. For high-risk countries, the FAVN titer test adds another 30 days, so the ferret will be at least 18 weeks old by the time of travel.

Most airlines do not allow ferrets in the cabin on international flights to New Zealand. Ferrets must travel as checked cargo in an IATA-compliant crate. Check with your airline for specific policies, as some may allow small ferrets in the cabin on certain routes.

You may bring up to 5 ferrets as a non-commercial traveller without needing a commercial import permit. If you bring more than 5, the shipment is considered commercial and must meet additional requirements, including a different application process and potentially longer quarantine.

Good to know

All dogs, cats, and ferrets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before any rabies vaccination. The import permit application must be submitted and approved before travel; processing times can take several weeks. Pets must also be treated for tapeworm (Echinococcus) and ticks within a specific window before departure, and the treating veterinarian must complete official health certification forms.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to New Zealand, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).