New Zealand Pet Import Details

New Zealand information and requirements for the importation of cats and dogs.

This is a summary of the main points only.

Animals must be shipped in IATA approved transit kennels that allow the animal to stand up without touching the top of the box, lie down and turn around. It is a requirement that cats and dogs are shipped as manifest cargo and not as excess baggage. There is currently no quarantine for cats and dogs entering New Zealand from the UK.

From the UK the following paperwork is required:

A. All animals must be identified with a microchip (approved ISO types only).

 
B. An Official Export Health Certificate, which must be applied for from DEFRA. The first two sections only are to be completed and certified by your LVI within 4 days of the flight (The last section will be completed by Portal Veterinarian).

-  On two occasions, 14 days apart, being within 30 days of export, faecal samples must be taken from the animal(s) and examined for hookworm eggs. Tests must be done by a Government or VI Laboratory (VLA in Weybridge, Surrey is probably the best one to use).

-  On two occasions, 14 days apart, being within 30 days of export, treatments for nematodes, cestodes and trematodes (antiparasitical treatment) must be given.

-  Between 2 and 10 days from the date of departure tick treatment is required (containing Fipronil).

-  In the case of dogs only, blood tests/treatment for Brucella Canis, Dirofilaria, Ehrlichia and Leptospirosis (or specific treatment with antibiotics) must be submitted to the relevant authority within 30 days of the flight with negative results (more tests will need to be done if any positive results are obtained).

-  In the case of dogs only. Babesia Gibsoni testing is required 2 tests need to be completed within 10 days of departure they are, blood taken from the outer surface of the ear for smear testing and a PCR test.

-  For dogs over 6 months of age only, two times heartworm (Dirofilaria) tests Antigerm Elisa Test and Microfilaria concentration test.

-  In the case of dogs only, treatment for Heartworm is required within 4 days of departure with either with Milbemycin or Mixidectin.

C. The original clearance of notifiable diseases certificate (Form EC618 or 618NDC) from DEFRA. The vet at the airport must have this in order to sign the third section of the Health Certificate. The LVI doing the first two sections does not require this.

 
D. A written declaration regarding residency, age and pregnancy as laid down in the regulations.

The full set of requirements must be obtained from your local Animal Health Divisional Office. Please request from DEFRA a Specimen copy of the relevant Health Certificate as what needs to be done become somewhat clearer than just referring to the notes.

Other information
New Zealand Consulate Tel 0207 930 8422, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, New Zealand Tel 0064 4 4727171 or 0064 4 4989624 Fax 0064 4 4744132.