Pet Transport from United States to New Zealand

Moving to New Zealand from United States with a dog or cat means starting the paperwork months before your flight.

This route is one of the most demanding international pet transport routes. Start preparations at least 26 weeks before your travel date – some steps have fixed waiting periods that cannot be shortened. New Zealand requires mandatory quarantine (10 (minimum) at MPI Levin facility days) for all arriving pets. This is the part of the process most owners find hardest to plan around. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a mandatory waiting period after your pet’s vaccination. You cannot speed this up.

The paperwork is the hard part. Once everything is in order, the journey itself is well-managed.

Step-by-Step Process

New Zealand Import Requirements

What New Zealand requires for pets entering the country.

Exporting from United States

What you need from United States before your pet can leave.

Cost Factors

Costs vary depending on pet size, transport method, and whether you use a transport agent.

• Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
• IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
• Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
• Rabies titre test laboratory fee
• Import permit application fee (New Zealand)
• Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)
• Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Important Warnings

Understanding New Zealand's pet import rules

This is one of the more demanding international pet transport corridors. New Zealand runs a strict biosecurity programme and there are no shortcuts through it.

All pets must complete quarantine on arrival in New Zealand (at MPI Levin Quarantine Facility, Levin, Manawatu (the only approved facility)) for 10 (minimum) at MPI Levin facility days. This is non-negotiable and is entirely separate from the pre-travel preparation.

New Zealand is rabies-free with one of the world’s strictest pet import systems. All dogs and cats must complete mandatory quarantine at the government-approved facility (Levin MAF Quarantine Station, now MPI). Import permit required in advance. Only cats and dogs permitted from most countries; birds require separate approval. Authority: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Biosecurity New Zealand.

Step-by-step: what to do first

Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.

Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.

Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.

If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.