Pet Transport from UAE to New Zealand: MPI 180-Day Wait and Levin Quarantine
Getting a pet from United Arab Emirates 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 32-44 weeks and treat the …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates to New Zealand import process
01
Before any other steps. The MPI permit is required before travel can be planned.
Apply for MPI import permit.
Responsible: Owner or specialist agent
02
Before first rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip in UAE.
Responsible: Vet in UAE
03
After microchip. At least 30 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination.
Responsible: Vet in UAE
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
Within 14 days of departure from UAE.
Obtain MPI-format health certificate, endorsed by municipal authority and MOCCAE.
Responsible: Accredited vet, municipal authority, MOCCAE
07
After 180-day wait has elapsed.
Fly to Auckland AKL or Christchurch CHC via Australian hub. 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. Must be administered and recorded before the 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 rabies vaccination. Mandatory 180-day wait from the blood draw date before New Zealand entry. Source: MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries), 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 municipal authority and MOCCAE. Presented on arrival at Auckland (AKL) or Christchurch (CHC).
Leaving United Arab Emirates
Export requirements
Export permit
MOCCAE endorsement is the formal export authorisation. Allow 48 hours for MOCCAE endorsement. Health certificate issued within 14 days of departure from UAE.
Health certificate
Official health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian, endorsed by the relevant municipal authority (ADAFSA, Dubai Municipality, or Sharjah Municipality), then endorsed by MOCCAE. Must be in MPI NZ-specified format. Source: MOCCAE.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Microchip, vaccination, and titre test in UAE: approximately AED 800-2,500
MOCCAE health certificate endorsement: approximately AED 200-500
MPI import permit fee
Cargo fees UAE to New Zealand via hub: approximately AED 3,000-9,000 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: AED 1,500-4,000 if used
Realistic total: AED 8,000-20,000 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 for all pets from the UAE. This is not waivable for compliant documentation.
The MPI import permit must be obtained before any other step. Apply for it as early as possible.
No direct flights operate from the UAE to New Zealand. All routings require an Australian gateway connection (Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane). Allow extra time for cargo coordination across multiple legs.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates operates connections from Dubai (DXB) to Auckland (AKL) or Christchurch (CHC) via Australian gateways (Sydney, Melbourne). DXB does not operate direct to NZ; connections through Australia are standard.
Cargo Only
Air New Zealand Cargo
Air New Zealand Cargo handles live animal imports at Auckland and Christchurch. Connects from Dubai via partner carrier or via Australian gateways. Advance MPI permit required before Air NZ can accept the shipment.
Cargo Only
Qantas Freight
Via Sydney (SYD) or Melbourne (MEL) to Auckland AKL or Christchurch CHC. A practical connecting routing from Dubai for UAE-to-NZ cargo.
Cargo Only
Etihad Cargo
From Abu Dhabi (AUH) to New Zealand via Australian connections. An option for Abu Dhabi-based owners.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into New Zealand
New Zealand runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.
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
Yes. MPI requires an FAVN titre test at a WOAH-approved laboratory, with a mandatory 180-day wait from the blood draw date. Source: MPI, mpi.govt.nz.
10 days. All pets arriving from the UAE serve a mandatory 10-day quarantine at the MPI Quarantine Facility in Levin on arrival in New Zealand. Cost is paid by the owner.
No. All routings require an Australian gateway connection (Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane) before connecting to Auckland or Christchurch. Emirates, Qantas, and Air New Zealand provide the standard cargo connections.
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, UAE export endorsements, and cargo coordination.
UAE-to-New Zealand: titre test, 180-day pre-travel wait, 10-day Levin quarantine on arrival, total 32-44 weeks. UAE-to-South Korea: titre test, 5-10 day quarantine at Incheon on arrival, no pre-travel 180-day wait, total 12-20 weeks. South Korea is substantially faster.
Airline guides
Emirates SkyCargo
Air New Zealand Cargo
Qantas Freight
Etihad Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.