Pet Transport from France to New Zealand
Moving a dog or cat from France to New Zealand requires around nine to ten months of preparation at a minimum. New Zealand applies the FAVN titre test requirement to pets arriving from all countries without exception, including France. Two separate …
The France to New Zealand import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Veterinarian
Responsible: Veterinarian
Responsible: Veterinarian
Responsible: Owner or agent via nzstap.mpi.govt.nz
Responsible: Veterinarian + MPI-approved laboratory
Responsible: Owner to track
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Vétérinaire officiel endorsed by DDPP
Responsible: Airline cargo
Responsible: MPI quarantine facility
What your pet needs to enter New Zealand
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
The 180-day wait after the titre test blood draw is non-negotiable. There is no way to shorten this period. Starting preparations early is the only option.
Two separate inactivated-virus rabies vaccinations are required, at least 28 days apart. A single vaccination is not sufficient for New Zealand entry from France.
Pets must arrive at Auckland (AKL) or Christchurch (CHC) airports only. No other New Zealand airports accept international pet imports.
New IHS requirements apply from 1 July 2026 (transition period until 1 April 2027). Confirm the current MPI-required health certificate template with your official vet.
The following breeds are banned from import to New Zealand: Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario, American Pit Bull Terrier.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
Why does New Zealand require the 180-day wait, and does it apply to France?
New Zealand applies biosecurity rules uniformly. The FAVN test confirms your pet has adequate rabies antibody protection at 0.5 IU/ml or above. The 180-day wait after the blood draw is the period MPI requires before it accepts that any latent infection risk from a non-rabies-free origin has passed.
France is not exempt. EU membership and France’s established veterinary standards make no difference to this rule. The 180-day wait applies to all origins other than a very small Category 1 group. The clock starts on the date the blood was drawn, not when results arrived. This is the single biggest time driver on the France-to-New Zealand route. Source: MPI, mpi.govt.nz (2026).
Does France require two rabies vaccinations for New Zealand, and does the vaccine type matter?
Yes. MPI requires two inactivated-virus rabies vaccinations for New Zealand entry, given after microchipping, with at least 28 days between them. Both must be completed before the FAVN blood draw. The inactivated-virus specification is important: modified live or recombinant products may not be accepted by MPI. Confirm the specific vaccine product with your French official vet before administering.
If either vaccination is recorded incorrectly, or the interval between them is less than 28 days, MPI will not accept the titre test result. The entire vaccination sequence must then restart. This is a hard rule with no exceptions.
Can the FAVN test be done in France, and is there a local laboratory?
Yes. SCELAB in Nancy holds MPI approval for the FAVN titre test, which is a genuine advantage for French pet owners. Your French vet draws the blood, the sample goes to SCELAB, and the result is accepted by MPI for import purposes. This removes the need to ship samples to a laboratory in another country and reduces processing time.
Verify that SCELAB remains on the current MPI approved laboratory list at mpi.govt.nz before booking the test. MPI updates the list periodically and approval status should always be confirmed directly. Source: MPI, mpi.govt.nz.