Destinations
(New Zealand)

Shipping Pets To New Zealand

New Zealand pet transport 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 a minimum 10 days quarantine stay for cats and dogs entering New Zealand from the UK. 

All Cats & Dogs must be vaccinated against Rabies with an approved inactivated virus vaccine or recombinant vaccine expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein.  The primary vaccination is to be given not less than six months and no more than one year prior to date of shipment.  If a booster vaccination - the vaccine was given not more than one year prior to the date of shipment.(NOTE Rabies Vaccination must be kept up-to date from date of sample collection for rabies titre test - to date of shipment).  Rabies Titre Test (at least four weeks after rabies vaccination).  The dog has been subjected to a FAVN or AFFIT rabies neutralising antibody titration test (as prescribed in the OIE Terrestrial Manual) on a sample collected not less than three months and not more than 24 months prior to the date of shipment with a result of at least 0.5IU/ml.   

From the UK the following paperwork is required:

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

Last updated 31/12/2019