Pet Transport from New Zealand to the United States
Taking your dog or cat from New Zealand to United States comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Preparation is relatively light here, so plan on about 2-6 weeks to be …
Rabies vaccinationRequired for dogs. Current valid rabies …
Rabies titre testNot required from New Zealand.
QuarantineNo quarantine for compliant pets from …
Import permitNot required for personal pet imports.
Health certificateUSDA-format, MPI-endorsed, issued within …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from New Zealand to United States
typically takes around 2-6 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Before booking flights.
Register with CDC portal and complete Dog Import Form (dogs only)
Responsible: You
2
Within 10 days of US arrival.
Obtain USDA-format health certificate from vet, endorsed by MPI
Responsible: Vet + MPI
3
4-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo flight AKL to US destination
Responsible: You or your cargo agent
4
USDA/CBP inspection at US port of entry.
Travel day: cargo desk at AKL 3-4 hours before departure
Responsible: You + cargo agent
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
Strongly recommended. Required for CDC Dog Import Form.
Rabies vaccination
Required for dogs. Current valid rabies vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Not required from New Zealand.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets from New Zealand.
Import permit
Not required for personal pet imports.
Health certificate
USDA-format, MPI-endorsed, issued within 10 days of US arrival.
Export permit
No formal export permit required for personal pet exports from New Zealand.
Health certificate
USDA-format health certificate issued by a vet in New Zealand and endorsed by MPI (acting as competent authority). Issued within 10 days of US arrival.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your New Zealand to United States move gets missed.
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Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
Air New Zealand
Cargo: Air New Zealand Cargo on AKL-LAX, AKL-SFO, AKL-IAH routes. Live animal facility at Auckland. No cabin pets on transpacific routes.
Cargo Only
United Airlines
Cargo: United PetSafe via AKL-SFO, AKL-LAX connections. Seasonal temperature embargoes. Brachycephalic breeds restricted.
Cargo Only
American Airlines
Cargo: Via partner connections. Seasonal restrictions apply.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
Air NZ or United cargo fee (Auckland to US city)
IATA crate
USDA-format health cert and MPI endorsement fee
Agent fee
Critical points
CDC Dog Import Form is required for all dogs since August 2024. Complete via CDC portal before travel.
No cabin pets on transpacific flights. All pets travel as cargo.
Summer (December-February in the US) temperature embargoes may restrict brachycephalic breeds.
United States entry requirements at a glance
The requirements for United States are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.
Getting the details right
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes. Since August 2024, all dogs entering the United States need a CDC Dog Import Form, regardless of origin. New Zealand is not a high-risk country, so the process is administrative. Complete the form via the CDC portal before travel and present the confirmation at the US port of entry.
No. New Zealand is not a high-risk country under US regulations. Compliant pets from New Zealand face no quarantine on arrival in the USA.
No. Transpacific flights (12+ hours) do not allow cabin pets. All dogs and cats travel as cargo in a temperature-controlled hold in an IATA-compliant crate.
Air New Zealand is the most established option, with direct AKL-LAX and AKL-SFO cargo services and live animal handling at Auckland. United Airlines is an alternative via Pacific connections.
Ready when you are
Move your pet
to United States.
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