The short answer
To bring a dog or cat into New Zealand you need microchip, health certificate, import permit and tapeworm treatment. Expect a post-arrival quarantine of about 10 days. Plan on at least 210 days before departure.
New Zealand accepts cats and dogs only from approved countries, and every arrival is built around an import permit issued in advance. Preparation covers an ISO microchip, laboratory testing, parasite treatments including tapeworm and a veterinary certificate, followed by around ten days in an approved quarantine facility. Whether rabies vaccination and a titer test apply depends on where the animal is travelling from.
Entry requirements
How far ahead to start
These are the windows the New Zealand requirements create, counted back from your travel date. The first one is the one people underestimate.
- 1
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 microchip
22 days before travel Cannot be rushed
It has to come first: every later certificate references this number, and a rabies shot given before the chip usually does not count.
- 2
Book the flight and reserve the pet slot
30 days before travel
Airlines cap how many animals travel per flight. The pet slot runs out well before the seats do.
- 3
Apply for the import permit
30 days before travel Cannot be rushed
Government approval takes weeks and often fixes the exact dates of every other step, so apply as early as the authority allows.
- 4
Rabies vaccination
21 days before travel Cannot be rushed
Must be given after the microchip and be valid on the day you travel. Most destinations also require a minimum of 21 days between the shot and entry.
- 5
Health certificate and official endorsement
2 days before travel Cannot be rushed
Issued by an accredited vet close to departure, then endorsed by your government authority. This endorsement cannot be done at the airport.
- 6
Tapeworm treatment
1 days before travel Cannot be rushed
Required by a few destinations for dogs, and the window is unforgiving: it must be given between 24 and 120 hours before you arrive, and recorded by the vet.
- 7
Travel day
Travel day
Carry the originals plus copies of everything, arrive early, and keep the crate documents attached to the crate.
Confirm with the official source
Rules change without notice and can differ by the country your pet is travelling from. Before you book anything, check the requirements directly with the authority that issues them.
Frequently asked questions
Does New Zealand require a microchip for pets?
Yes — a microchip is required to bring a dog or cat into New Zealand.
Does New Zealand require a rabies titer (blood) test?
It depends — a rabies titer test may be required for New Zealand depending on where your pet has travelled from. Confirm with the official source.
Is there a quarantine for pets entering New Zealand?
Yes — New Zealand applies a post-arrival quarantine of around 10 days. Follow each step precisely to avoid a longer hold.
How far ahead should I start planning a pet move to New Zealand?
Give yourself at least 210 days before travel to complete every step in the correct order.