Pet Transport from the Netherlands to New Zealand
Moving a dog or cat from the Netherlands to New Zealand is one of the more demanding international pet moves. New Zealand requires a mandatory FAVN titre test from pets arriving from all countries, including the Netherlands, with a 180-day wait after the blood …
The Netherlands 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: Officieel dierenarts endorsed by NVWA
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 the Netherlands.
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 the 180-day wait apply to pets from the Netherlands?
New Zealand biosecurity treats all non-Category-1 origins the same way. The FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation) test confirms your pet has adequate rabies antibody protection at 0.5 IU/ml or above. The 180-day wait that follows is the period MPI applies before it will accept that any potential latent infection risk from a non-rabies-free origin has been eliminated.
The Netherlands is not in MPI’s Category 1 group, so the 180-day wait applies without exception. EU membership and the Dutch veterinary system’s standards make no difference to this rule. The clock starts on the date the blood was drawn, not when the test result arrived. Source: MPI, mpi.govt.nz (2026).
Why are two rabies vaccinations required, and does the vaccine type matter for the Netherlands?
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 requirement is specific: modified live or recombinant products may not meet MPI’s requirements. Confirm the product with your Dutch official vet before the first injection.
If either vaccination is recorded incorrectly, or the interval between them is less than 28 days, the titre test result will not be accepted by MPI. The entire sequence must then restart from the beginning. This happens most often when a vet is not aware of the exact MPI specification, which is why using a vet experienced with New Zealand exports matters.
What does the NZSTAP permit involve, and when should Dutch pet owners apply?
NZSTAP (New Zealand Standard Terms and Procedures) is the formal import approval that MPI issues before your pet can enter New Zealand. Apply via nzstap.mpi.govt.nz. Allow at least six weeks for processing from the date of submission.
The permit specifies the exact protocol your pet must follow: the vaccination and titre test sequence, the health certificate format from the NVWA, the quarantine facility, and the entry airport. If anything in the final health certificate deviates from the permit conditions, your pet may be refused entry or placed in extended quarantine. Apply as early as possible, ideally before starting the vaccination sequence. Source: MPI, mpi.govt.nz.