Bring a pet dog or cat to New Zealand from the UK: the full official process

Before doing anything else, confirm with your vet which New Zealand rules apply. GOV.UK is explicit that a destination like New Zealand sets its own import conditions, and you must check them 'for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel'. New Zealand lists the UK as a Category 3 country (rabies absent or well controlled), which is what triggers the rabies blood test and quarantine. Cross-check the New Zealand import steps below, and note that MPI is running two versions of its Import Health Standard (2021 and 2026) during a transition period — your vet or pet transporter should confirm which set of requirements you are preparing under.

• GOV.UK: check the destination country's own import rules before travel
• New Zealand classes the UK as a Category 3 country (see the destination steps)
• MPI is transitioning from the 2021 to the 2026 Import Health Standard
• Confirm with your vet or pet transporter which IHS version you are using

For a non-EU country you need an export health certificate (EHC), and in England, Scotland or Wales you also complete an export application form (EXA). You apply through EHC Online after registering for an account, and in the application you nominate an official vet (OV) — someone APHA has authorised to perform statutory certification — or a local authority inspector to inspect and sign. The OV checks your pet has met the correct health and identification requirements before you travel. New Zealand also has its own model veterinary certificate and a Rabies Certification Form (RCF) that the official government veterinarian completes; check with your pet transporter which certificate New Zealand wants for your shipment.

• Non-EU destinations need an EHC; add an EXA in England, Scotland or Wales
• Apply through EHC Online and nominate an APHA-authorised official vet (OV)
• The OV verifies health and identification before travel
• New Zealand also uses its own model veterinary certificate and Rabies Certification Form

Your pet must have a microchip that meets ISO specifications 11784 or Annex A of 11785; numbers starting with 999 are not accepted because they are not guaranteed to be unique. The microchip must be scanned to verify identity before the pre-export identification check, the rabies blood test, and every vaccination, test, treatment or examination, and the number must appear on all documents. Under MPI's 2026 rules, an official veterinarian in a categorised country must do a pre-export identification check by scanning the microchip at least 6 months before your pet comes to New Zealand, and enter the completed form into MPI's online system. If the rabies blood sample is taken between 3 and 6 months before shipment, two scans are needed (the first at least 6 months before shipment).

• ISO 11784 or Annex A of 11785 microchip; numbers starting 999 not accepted
• Microchip scanned before every vaccination, test, treatment and examination
• 2026 rule: official-vet pre-export ID check at least 6 months before shipment
• Two scans if the RNATT sample is taken 3-6 months before shipment

Both cats and dogs need internal parasite treatment effective against nematodes and cestodes (including Echinococcus): the first dose in the 30 days before shipment and at least 14 days before the second dose, which is given in the 5 days before shipment. Cats need one external (flea and tick) treatment in the 16 days before shipment; dogs need two external treatments (the second in the 16 days before shipment). Dogs also need more: an Angiostrongylus vasorum treatment in the 5 days before shipment, heartworm testing (if 7 months or older) and treatment, plus Babesia gibsoni testing and, only if the dog has been to mainland Africa, Babesia rossi testing. Entire dogs need a Brucella canis test (or a desexing certificate). Because the UK is recognised as free of Leishmania infantum and Leptospira canicola, those can usually be met by country-freedom certification; canine influenza is covered by a 21-day owner declaration (UK dogs do not need the extra CIV vaccination that Canada, Korea and USA dogs do).

• Internal parasites (both species): 2 treatments — first within 30 days, second within 5 days of shipment, 14+ days apart
• External parasites: cats treated once (within 16 days); dogs twice (second within 16 days)
• Dogs only: Angiostrongylus (within 5 days), heartworm test/treatment, Babesia gibsoni test
• Entire dogs need a Brucella canis test or a desexing certificate
• UK is recognised free of Leishmania and Leptospira canicola; 21-day canine influenza declaration for all

Once your pet is booked into a quarantine facility, apply for an import permit — required for all Category 3 (UK) pets. Applications are made online only, through MPI's animal and plant import permit system. Apply at least 30 working days before the date you need it, because many airlines require an import permit before they will book your pet on a flight. You upload supporting documents with the application, including the quarantine booking confirmation letter, the RNATT laboratory report, and the rabies vaccination records (with the microchip number on the vaccination page).

• Import permit required for UK (Category 3) pets — apply online only
• Apply 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

A vet must perform a final pre-export clinical examination in the 2 days before shipment; your pet must be healthy, fit to travel, and free of external parasites, dirt, insects and seeds. Cats and dogs from countries other than Australia can arrive by air only at Auckland or Christchurch airports, and on arrival your pet is transported directly to the quarantine facility named on the permit. It is cleared for entry only after it passes a final veterinary inspection following the minimum 10-day quarantine and all documentation is confirmed compliant. If requirements are not met, or fleas or ticks are detected, the pet is held for further tests or treatment (extending quarantine) and, in some circumstances, may be re-shipped or humanely euthanased — all at the importer's cost. Once released, you must register your dog or cat with your local council.

• Final clinical exam in the 2 days before shipment (part of certification)
• Non-Australian pets can fly in only to Auckland or Christchurch
• Cleared only after passing inspection following the minimum 10-day quarantine
• Non-compliance can mean extended quarantine, re-shipment or euthanasia at owner's cost
• Register your pet with your local council after release