Pet Transport from Hong Kong to New Zealand: MPI 180-Day Wait and Levin Quarantine
Taking your dog or cat from Hong Kong to New Zealand comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Budget around 32-44 weeks and start early, because the mandatory waits on this route stack up …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Hong Kong to New Zealand
typically takes around 32-44 weeks.
Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Hong Kong to New Zealand import process
01
As the first step. Required before any other preparation can be finalised.
Apply for MPI import permit.
Responsible: Owner or specialist agent
02
Before rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip in Hong Kong.
Responsible: Vet in Hong Kong
03
After microchip. At least 30 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination.
Responsible: Vet in Hong Kong
04
At least 30 days after final vaccination. The 180-day wait starts from this date.
FAVN titre test blood draw at a WOAH-approved laboratory.
Responsible: Vet and WOAH-approved laboratory
05
Approximately 6 calendar months. Cannot be shortened.
180-day wait from the blood draw date.
Responsible: Owner to track
06
2-3 weeks before departure. Can run concurrently with the 180-day wait.
Apply for AFCD live animal export licence.
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
07
Within 10 days of departure from Hong Kong.
Obtain MPI-format health certificate, endorsed by AFCD.
Responsible: Vet and AFCD
08
After 180-day wait has elapsed.
Fly to Auckland AKL or Christchurch CHC. MPI inspection and 10-day Levin quarantine on arrival.
Responsible: Airline, MPI
Requirements
New Zealand entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required, administered and recorded before titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
FAVN titre test required. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml at a WOAH-approved reference laboratory. Blood draw at least 30 days after final vaccination. Mandatory 180-day wait from blood draw date before New Zealand entry. Source: MPI, mpi.govt.nz.
Quarantine
Mandatory 10-day quarantine at the MPI Quarantine Facility in Levin on arrival. Cost paid by owner. Source: MPI, mpi.govt.nz.
Import permit
MPI import permit required. Must be obtained before travel. Source: MPI, mpi.govt.nz.
Health certificate
MPI NZ-format health certificate, endorsed by AFCD. Presented on arrival at Auckland (AKL) or Christchurch (CHC).
Leaving Hong Kong
Export requirements
Export permit
AFCD live animal export licence required. Apply online via AFCD licensing portal. Allow 2-3 weeks. Departure from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) only.
Health certificate
Official health certificate endorsed by AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department), Hong Kong. Issued within 10 days of departure. Source: AFCD, afcd.gov.hk.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Microchip, vaccination, and titre test in Hong Kong: approximately HKD 1,500-5,000
AFCD export licence fee: approximately HKD 200-500
MPI import permit fee
Cargo fees HKG to New Zealand: approximately HKD 5,000-15,000 depending on pet size and routing
Levin quarantine facility fee: approximately NZD 1,200-2,500 for 10 days, paid by owner
Pet transport agent fee: HKD 3,000-8,000 if used
Realistic total: HKD 12,000-35,000 or more
Critical points
The 180-day wait from titre test blood draw date is mandatory and cannot be shortened. Plan at least 8 months before your intended New Zealand arrival date.
The 10-day Levin quarantine on arrival is mandatory. This is MPI policy and applies to all pets from Hong Kong regardless of documentation status.
The MPI import permit must be obtained before any other step. Apply early.
Comparing HK-to-New Zealand with HK-to-UK: the UK process is significantly simpler. HK is a listed country for the UK, meaning no titre test and no quarantine. Total UK preparation: 4-8 weeks. New Zealand requires 32-44 weeks.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Cathay Pacific Cargo
Cathay Pacific connects Hong Kong (HKG) to Auckland (AKL) and Christchurch (CHC). Cathay Pacific Cargo handles live animals. Direct or via Australian gateway connections. Advance MPI permit required.
Cargo Only
Air New Zealand Cargo
Air New Zealand Cargo handles live animal imports at Auckland and Christchurch. Connects from HKG via direct service or via Australian gateways. Advance MPI permit required before acceptance.
Cargo Only
Qantas Freight
Via Sydney (SYD) or Melbourne (MEL) to Auckland AKL or Christchurch CHC. A connecting option from Hong Kong via Australia.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines Cargo
Via Singapore (SIN) to Auckland AKL. An alternative connection from HKG to NZ via Singapore. Confirm live animal acceptance on both legs.
Cargo Only
Meeting New Zealand's entry requirements
Entry to New Zealand is tightly controlled, and officials verify each requirement in turn. Treat it as a sequence where every step gates the next.
Advice worth following
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Yes. MPI requires an FAVN titre test at a WOAH-approved laboratory, with a mandatory 180-day wait from the blood draw date. This applies to pets from virtually all countries including Hong Kong. Source: MPI, mpi.govt.nz.
10 days. All pets from Hong Kong must complete a 10-day quarantine at the MPI Quarantine Facility in Levin on arrival in New Zealand. Cost is paid by the owner.
Allow 32-44 weeks total. The 180-day wait from the titre test blood draw is the main constraint. Add time for the MPI import permit, AFCD export licence (2-3 weeks), and cargo booking.
UK: no titre test required (HK is listed), no quarantine, total preparation 4-8 weeks. New Zealand: titre test required, 180-day wait, 10-day Levin quarantine, total preparation 32-44 weeks. The UK is considerably simpler.
Cathay Pacific operates services from HKG to Auckland (AKL) and Christchurch (CHC), some of which may be direct. Some routings go via an Australian gateway. Confirm the specific routing and live animal acceptance with Cathay Pacific Cargo or Air New Zealand Cargo before booking.
Airline guides
Cathay Pacific Cargo
Air New Zealand Cargo
Qantas Freight
Singapore Airlines Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.