Getting a pet from Ethiopia to New Zealand is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. This is one of the more demanding routes, so allow around 26-32 weeks and treat the timeline as …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Ethiopia to New Zealand
typically takes around 26-32 weeks.
Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Ethiopia to New Zealand import process
01
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
02
After microchip. 28-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
03
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
04
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from New Zealand
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
05
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
06
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
07
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
08
Immediately on arrival (mandatory)
Quarantine on arrival (10 (minimum) at MPI Levin facility days)
Responsible: New Zealand quarantine authority
Requirements
New Zealand entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on same day as first rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 28-day wait after vaccination before travel. Vaccination schedule must be complete before titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
Required for: All pets from all countries (no exemptions). Not required for: None. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day wait from test date before entry
Quarantine
Mandatory quarantine. 10 (minimum) at MPI Levin facility days. Facility: MPI Levin Quarantine Facility, Levin, Manawatu (the only approved facility). Mandatory 10-day quarantine for all arriving cats and dogs. Pre-booking required well in advance as capacity is limited. Book before flights.
Import permit
Required. Issued by: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Biosecurity New Zealand. Apply for import permit before booking flights. Permit specifies all conditions. Non-compliance results in re-export or destruction.
Health certificate
Required. Government veterinary health certificate. Issued by: Government (official) veterinarian in country of export. Valid for 14 days from issue. Must use MPI-specified format for the exact country of export. No standard format accepted. Download the correct template from the MPI website.
Leaving Ethiopia
Export requirements
Export permit
Required. Issued by Ministry of Agriculture APHRD.
Health certificate
Required
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
Import permit application fee (New Zealand)
Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.
Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Qantas
Cargo: QantasFreighter network for pet transport. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round. Temperature embargoes: seasonal restrictions during Australian summer (Dec-Feb)
Cargo Only
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
The rules for bringing a pet into New Zealand
New Zealand takes biosecurity seriously, and the requirements reflect that. The paperwork is exacting, so accuracy matters as much as timing.
How to keep this move on track
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
Yes, quarantine is mandatory in New Zealand. Your pet will stay for 10 (minimum) at MPI Levin facility days at MPI Levin Quarantine Facility, Levin, Manawatu (the only approved facility) on arrival. Confirm the facility, duration, and current charges with the destination authority before travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter New Zealand. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from New Zealand’s authority (Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Biosecurity New Zealand). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Ethiopia. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check New Zealand’s authority for the exact format required.
Airline guides
Qantas
Emirates
Lufthansa
British Airways
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air France
KLM
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.