Bringing a dog or cat to New Zealand: MPI category rules, permit and quarantine
New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) runs one of the strictest pet-import systems in the world, built around rabies control and biosecurity. Approved countries sit in one of three categories, and Category 3 — where rabies is absent or well controlled — takes the full pathway: a rabies vaccination, a rabies blood test, an import permit and a minimum 10-day stay in an MPI-approved quarantine facility. MPI issued a revised Import Health Standard (CATSDOGS.GEN) on 12 May 2026, with new requirements phasing in from 1 October 2026 and fully from 1 April 2027.
This page tells you where the official rule is and what it says. It is not the rule and it is not legal advice. The official source decides, and the official source is the one that counts if this page and it ever disagree.
New Zealand’s three non-negotiables are a rabies blood test (RNATT), an import permit and a minimum 10-day quarantine at an MPI-approved facility. Confirm every date against the current MPI Import Health Standard — it changed in 2026.
At a glance
The whole journey in order. Every point below is spelled out in full further down.
- Confirm your country’s category and read the import health standard
- Microchip and the pre-export identification check
- Rabies vaccination and the RNATT blood test
- Parasite treatments and disease tests
- Book quarantine, apply for the permit, then fly to Auckland or Christchurch
Entering New Zealand — the MPI import rules
MPI groups approved countries into Category 1 (Australia), Category 2 (rabies-free) and Category 3 (rabies absent or well controlled). A Category 3 pet takes the full pathway: rabies vaccination, a rabies blood test, an import permit and a minimum 10-day quarantine.
Authority: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), New Zealand
Confirm your country’s category and read the import health standardDon't get this wrong
MPI groups approved countries as Category 1 (Australia), Category 2 (rabies-free) and Category 3 (rabies absent or well controlled). A Category 3 country takes the full pathway — import permit, rabies testing and minimum 10-day quarantine. The revised Import Health Standard (CATSDOGS.GEN) of 12 May 2026 has a transition period, with the new requirements fully applying from 1 April 2027.
- Category 1 = Australia; 2 = rabies-free; 3 = rabies absent/well controlled
- Category 3 = import permit + rabies testing + 10-day quarantine
- 2026 IHS transition: new requirements fully from 1 April 2027
Microchip your pet and complete the pre-export identification checkDon't get this wrong
Your pet must have a microchip meeting ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785; numbers starting with 999 are not accepted. The chip is scanned before every vaccination, test, treatment and examination. Under the 2026 rules, an official-vet pre-export ID check is required at least 6 months before shipment.
- ISO 11784 or Annex A of 11785 microchip; 999-series not accepted
- Scanned before every vaccination, test and treatment
- 2026 rule: pre-export ID check at least 6 months before shipment
Vaccinate against rabies, then pass the RNATT blood testDon't get this wrong
Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated or recombinant vaccine, given by a vet when the animal is at least 12 weeks old. A primary or lapsed vaccination must be given at least 6 months before shipment. The RNATT sample is taken 3–12 months before shipment (FAVN or RFFIT) and the result must be 0.5 IU/ml or higher.
- Inactivated or recombinant vaccine from 12 weeks of age
- Primary vaccination at least 6 months before shipment
- RNATT sample 3–12 months before shipment, result 0.5 IU/ml or higher
Complete the parasite treatments and disease tests (dogs need more than cats)
Both cats and dogs need internal parasite treatment effective against nematodes and cestodes: two treatments, the first within 30 days of shipment and the second within 5 days, at least 14 days apart. Dogs also need external-parasite treatment, an Angiostrongylus treatment, a heartworm test or treatment and a Babesia gibsoni test, and un-neutered dogs need a Brucella canis test or desexing certificate.
- Internal parasites (both species): two treatments, 14+ days apart
- Dogs add: external parasites, Angiostrongylus, heartworm, Babesia
- Un-neutered dogs: Brucella canis test or desexing certificate
Book an MPI-approved quarantine facilityDon't get this wrong
Every cat and dog from a Category 3 country must complete a minimum of 10 days quarantine at an MPI-approved facility, and the booking confirmation letter is required for the import permit application. An MPI vet inspects the pet at the start and end of quarantine.
- Minimum 10-day quarantine at an MPI-approved facility
- Booking confirmation letter required for the permit application
- Illness, fleas or ticks can extend quarantine at your cost
Apply for the MPI import permitDon't get this wrong
Once your pet is booked into quarantine, apply for the import permit — required for all Category 3 pets, online only, at least 30 working days before you need it. Many airlines require the permit before they will book the flight. Upload the quarantine booking letter, RNATT report and rabies vaccination records.
- Import permit required — apply online, at least 30 working days ahead
- Many airlines require the permit before booking
- Upload quarantine booking, RNATT report and vaccination records
Final vet exam, arrival at Auckland or Christchurch, and quarantine clearance
A vet must perform a final pre-export clinical examination in the 2 days before shipment. Non-Australian pets can fly in only to Auckland or Christchurch, and the pet is cleared only after passing inspection following the minimum 10-day quarantine. Register your pet with your local council after release.
- Final clinical exam in the 2 days before shipment
- Fly in only to Auckland or Christchurch
- Cleared after passing inspection following quarantine
The kit this move actually needs
Heads up: some links below are affiliate links. Buy through one and Animalsss may earn a small commission — it costs you nothing extra, and it never changes what we list. We put down the kit this particular move actually needs, and nothing we were paid to.
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An IATA-approved travel crate or carrier
Airlines check the container against the IATA live-animal rules before they will load it: hard-sided, well ventilated, and big enough for the animal to stand up and turn around. The wrong crate is the most common reason a booked pet gets bumped at the counter.
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Clip-on food and water cups
The crate has to travel with bowls fixed inside that ground staff can top up without opening the door. Free-standing bowls do not count.
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Absorbent crate lining
A layer that holds an accident through a long leg keeps the animal dry and keeps the crate from being pulled off the ramp for leaking.
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"Live Animal" labels and orientation arrows
Most carriers want the crate marked LIVE ANIMAL with "This Way Up" arrows. A cheap sticker set beats hunting for a marker at check-in.
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An ID tag that reaches you at both ends
A number someone can actually answer on the day — not just your home line — is what reunites a pet with you if the crate and the paperwork get separated in transit.
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Moving a pet abroad? Get free quotes from relocation specialists
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Official sources
Every step above was read off one of these pages. They are the version that counts — check them before you travel or ship.
- MPI — step-by-step guide to bringing cats and dogs to NZ
- MPI — bringing your dog from a Category 3 country
- MPI — apply for a cat or dog import permit
Common questions
The questions people ask most about this corridor, answered from the same official sources above.
How long is quarantine for a dog entering New Zealand?
A minimum of 10 days at an MPI-approved facility for pets from a Category 3 country.
Does New Zealand require a rabies blood test?
Yes, for Category 3 countries. The RNATT sample is taken 3–12 months before shipment and the result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Which airports can my pet fly into in New Zealand?
Non-Australian pets can fly in only to Auckland or Christchurch.
Where to go next
Everything Animalsss holds on these animals — care, prices and listings.
This page tells you where the official rule is and what it says. It is not the rule and it is not legal advice. The official source decides, and the official source is the one that counts if this page and it ever disagree.
Reviewed by the Animalsss Movement Desk. Last reviewed 12 Oct 2026. Written from the MPI step-by-step guides; the RNATT, 10-day quarantine and 2026 IHS transition checked against the MPI support documents.
This page is free to read and always will be. It is written from the official pages linked above; those pages can change, and if one has, the link is the fastest way to see what it says now.
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