Bring a pet dog or cat to New Zealand from the USA: the full official process
Taking a pet dog or cat from the United States to New Zealand is a two-government process, and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) firmly controls the timeline. New Zealand sorts every approved country into three categories by rabies risk, and the USA is a Category 3 country — one where rabies is 'absent or well controlled'. That is the single fact that shapes your whole journey: unlike a Category 1 (Australia) or Category 2 (rabies-free) pet, a US pet must be rabies-vaccinated, pass a rabies blood test, and then serve at least 10 days in an MPI-approved quarantine facility after it lands. There is also a US-specific twist for dogs: because canine influenza circulates in the United States, MPI requires dogs from the USA (along with Canada and Korea) to be vaccinated against canine influenza virus (CIV) — a step UK dogs are exempt from. On the US side you work with a USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian who certifies your pet for export, and USDA APHIS Veterinary Services endorses the paperwork. Because the rabies steps have to be completed months ahead and MPI's new 2026 rules add a pre-export identification check at least 6 months before travel, plan on roughly 6 to 9 months from your first vet visit, and confirm every date on the official pages before you book flights.
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 classes the USA as a Category 3 country (rabies absent or well controlled), NOT rabies-free. Your dog or cat must be microchipped, rabies-vaccinated, pass a rabies neutralising antibody titre test (RNATT) of at least 0.5 IU/ml on a sample taken 3 to 12 months before shipment, hold an MPI import permit, and complete a minimum 10-day stay in an MPI-approved quarantine facility on arrival. Dogs from the USA also need a canine influenza (CIV) vaccination that UK dogs do not. The rabies and identification timing means most pets are at least 9 months old before they can fly.
At a glance
The whole journey in order. Every point below is spelled out in full further down.
- The USA is a New Zealand Category 3 country (rabies absent or well controlled) — the full rabies-testing pathway and quarantine apply.
- Your pet needs an ISO 11784 / 11785 microchip (numbers starting 999 are not accepted), scanned before every vaccination, test and treatment.
- Rabies vaccination (given from 12 weeks of age) followed by a rabies neutralising antibody titre test (RNATT) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
- MPI's 2026 rules add a pre-export identification check by an official vet at least 6 months before shipment.
- You must hold an MPI import permit before travel and book a minimum 10-day stay at an MPI-approved quarantine facility first.
- Dogs from the USA need a canine influenza virus (CIV) vaccination, plus parasite treatments and disease tests (heartworm, Babesia, Brucella, Leishmania, Leptospira); cats need fewer.
- On the US side a USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian completes New Zealand's model veterinary certificate and Rabies Certification Form, and USDA APHIS Veterinary Services endorses it.
- Pets fly in only to Auckland or Christchurch; plan on roughly 6 to 9 months end to end because most animals are 9+ months old before they can go.
Leaving the USA — the USDA APHIS accredited-vet and endorsement route
The US export process runs through a USDA-accredited veterinarian and USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. You start by contacting a USDA-accredited vet, who helps you meet New Zealand's requirements and completes the certification, then submits the health certificate for APHIS endorsement on your behalf (through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System, VEHCS). Start early: the rabies vaccination and blood test that New Zealand demands, and — for dogs — the canine influenza vaccination, have to be finished many months before you fly, so the endorsed paperwork is the last step, not the first.
Authority: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
Microchip your pet, then vaccinate against rabies — chip firstDon't get this wrong
Have your pet fitted with an ISO-standard microchip and make sure it is implanted before the rabies vaccination and before any test or treatment, because the microchip number must appear on all of the records. A rabies vaccine must be given by a vet when the animal is at least 12 weeks of age. This is also where New Zealand's clock starts, because MPI counts its rabies timing from these dates. Keep every certificate — you will upload them later for the New Zealand import permit, and your USDA-accredited vet will need them to complete the export paperwork.
- Microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination and before any test or treatment
- Rabies vaccine given by a vet only from 12 weeks of age
- Microchip number must be recorded on the rabies vaccination records
- Keep all certificates for the import permit and export certification
Check New Zealand's rules and confirm the USA is a Category 3 country
Before doing anything else, confirm which New Zealand rules apply. APHIS is explicit that you must verify the destination country's requirements every time you plan to travel with your pet. New Zealand lists the USA as a Category 3 country (rabies absent or well controlled), which is what triggers the rabies blood test and quarantine. For dogs there is a further US-specific rule: because canine influenza circulates in the United States, MPI requires dogs from the USA (with Canada and Korea) to be vaccinated against canine influenza virus (CIV) — so factor this in early. 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.
- APHIS: verify the destination country's requirements every time you travel
- New Zealand classes the USA as a Category 3 country (see the destination steps)
- Dogs from the USA need a canine influenza (CIV) vaccination; UK dogs do not
- MPI is transitioning from the 2021 to the 2026 Import Health Standard
Work with a USDA-accredited veterinarian on New Zealand's paperwork
New Zealand's certification has to be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian — a vet APHIS has authorised to certify animals for international travel. Contact one as soon as you decide to travel; they will help you determine and meet New Zealand's exact entry requirements and complete the documents. New Zealand uses its own model veterinary certificate and a Rabies Certification Form (RCF) that the accredited veterinarian completes, rather than a generic form. The vet scans the microchip to confirm identity, checks that every test, treatment and vaccination has been done in the correct window, and records the results on the certificate. Confirm with your pet transporter which certificate New Zealand wants for your shipment.
- Certification must be done by a USDA-accredited veterinarian
- Contact an accredited vet as soon as you decide to travel
- New Zealand uses its own model veterinary certificate and Rabies Certification Form
- The vet scans the microchip and records all test, treatment and vaccination results
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services endorsement and final checks before you flyDon't get this wrong
Once the accredited veterinarian has completed New Zealand's certificate, it must be endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services before your pet travels — the vet submits the health certificate for APHIS endorsement on your behalf, generally through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). New Zealand also requires a final clinical examination in the 2 days before shipment, so build in enough time for the vet to inspect, sign and submit for endorsement, and never leave certification to the last day. The endorsed original documents (certificate and Rabies Certification Form) must travel with your pet. If you have questions about endorsing an international pet health certificate, APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services can help.
- USDA APHIS Veterinary Services must endorse the certificate before travel
- The accredited vet submits it for endorsement, usually via VEHCS
- New Zealand requires a final clinical exam in the 2 days before shipment
- Endorsed originals (certificate + Rabies Certification Form) travel with the pet
Entering New Zealand — the MPI import side (USA is a Category 3 country)
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. Every approved country sits in one of three categories, and the USA is Category 3 — 'countries or territories where rabies is absent or well controlled'. That means the full pathway applies: rabies vaccination, a rabies blood test, an import permit, and a minimum 10-day stay in an MPI-approved quarantine facility. Dogs from the USA also carry an extra requirement — a canine influenza (CIV) vaccination — that pets from rabies-controlled countries like the UK do not. Note that MPI issued a revised Import Health Standard (CATSDOGS.GEN) on 12 May 2026 with a transition period; all cats and dogs must meet the new 2026 requirements from 1 April 2027, and the new pre-export identification checks apply from 1 October 2026. Confirm every date against the MPI pages and the support document for your pet's category before you commit.
Authority: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), New Zealand
Confirm the USA's Category 3 status 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). The USA is a Category 3 country in Schedule 9 of MPI's Specified Approvals document, so a US pet must complete the full rabies pathway and quarantine — it does not get the lighter Category 2 treatment. Read the Import Health Standard (IHS) for cats and dogs and the support document/checklist for your species. MPI is running two IHS versions during a transition, so establish with your vet or pet transporter whether you are preparing under the 2021 or 2026 rules; from 1 April 2027 only the 2026 rules apply.
- Category 1 = Australia; Category 2 = rabies-free; Category 3 = rabies absent/well controlled
- The USA is a Category 3 country (Schedule 9, Specified Approvals MPI-STD-SAA)
- Category 3 = import permit + rabies testing + minimum 10-day quarantine
- 2021 and 2026 IHS versions both apply during the transition; 2026 only from 1 April 2027
Microchip your pet and complete the pre-export identification check
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
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 of age, and the vaccination must not expire before shipment. If it is the primary (first) rabies vaccination, or a previous one had expired, it must be given not less than 6 months before shipment to New Zealand. A rabies neutralising antibody titration test (RNATT) is then done on a blood sample collected in a categorised country not less than 3 and not more than 12 months before shipment; the lab must use FAVN or RFFIT and the result must be 0.5 IU/ml or more. Your pet must stay continuously vaccinated until shipment. Because of this combined timing, MPI notes dogs and cats will be at least 9 months of age before they can travel.
- Inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine, given from 12 weeks of age
- Primary/lapsed vaccination must be given at least 6 months before shipment
- RNATT sample taken 3-12 months before shipment (FAVN or RFFIT), result >= 0.5 IU/ml
- Pet must stay continuously vaccinated to shipment; most are 9+ months old before they fly
Dogs from the USA: canine influenza (CIV) vaccination — a step UK dogs skipDon't get this wrong
Because canine influenza circulates in the United States, MPI requires dogs coming from the USA to be vaccinated against canine influenza virus (CIV); the same applies to dogs from Canada and Korea. This is a genuine difference from a rabies-controlled country like the UK, where dogs meet the canine influenza condition through an owner declaration and do not need the CIV vaccine at all. Have your veterinarian administer the CIV vaccination in line with MPI's Category 3 dog requirements and record it on the paperwork, and confirm the exact strains, number of doses and timing on MPI's current dog support document before you book, because these details are set out in the checklist and can change between IHS versions. Cats do not need a CIV vaccination.
- MPI requires a canine influenza (CIV) vaccination for dogs from the USA, Canada and Korea
- UK dogs are exempt — they use an owner declaration instead of the CIV vaccine
- Confirm the exact strains, doses and timing on MPI's current dog support document
- Cats do not need a CIV vaccination
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 (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 entire dogs need a Brucella canis test (or a desexing certificate). Unlike the UK, the USA is not recognised by MPI as free of Leishmania infantum or Leptospira, so US dogs cannot use country-freedom certification and instead must complete the actual Leishmania and Leptospira testing/treatment set out in MPI's Category 3 dog checklist. Confirm each test and treatment window on that checklist before booking.
- 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
- USA is NOT recognised free of Leishmania or Leptospira — US dogs need the actual tests/treatment, not UK-style country freedom
Book an MPI-approved quarantine facilityDon't get this wrong
Every cat and dog arriving from a Category 3 country such as the USA must complete a minimum of 10 days quarantine at an MPI-approved quarantine facility, and there are only a limited number of these in New Zealand. Book early: you need the signed quarantine booking confirmation letter to submit with your import permit application, so this step comes before the permit. Your pet is inspected by an MPI veterinarian at the start and end of quarantine. If your pet is unwell, or if fleas or ticks are found, the stay (and cost) can be extended while further treatment or testing is done.
- Minimum 10-day quarantine at an MPI-approved facility for all US pets
- Booking confirmation letter is required for the import permit application
- MPI vet inspects the pet at the start and end of quarantine
- Illness, fleas or ticks can extend quarantine at the importer's cost
Apply for the MPI import permit
Once your pet is booked into a quarantine facility, apply for an import permit — required for all Category 3 (USA) 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 USA (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
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; 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
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.
See options on Amazon → -
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.
See options on Amazon → -
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.
See options on Amazon →
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 — bringing cats and dogs to NZ
- MPI — step-by-step guide to bringing cats and dogs to NZ (2026 process)
- MPI — Cats and Dogs 2026 Import Health Standard (PDF)
- MPI — Specified Approvals for Animal Import Health Standards (Schedule 9 country categories)
- MPI — bringing your dog from a Category 3 country: support document and checklist
- MPI — bringing your cat from a Category 3 country: support document and checklist
- MPI — apply for a cat or dog import permit
- MPI — registered quarantine facilities for cats and dogs
- APHIS — take a pet from the United States to another country (export)
- APHIS — USDA-accredited veterinarians: certifying pets for international travel
Common questions
The questions people ask most about this corridor, answered from the same official sources above.
Does my pet need to go into quarantine when moving from the USA to New Zealand?
Yes. New Zealand classes the USA as a Category 3 country (rabies absent or well controlled), so every cat and dog must complete a minimum 10-day stay in an MPI-approved quarantine facility on arrival. There are only a limited number of these facilities, so you must book a space before you apply for your import permit.
Do dogs from the USA need a canine influenza vaccination for New Zealand?
Yes. Because canine influenza circulates in the United States, MPI requires dogs from the USA (along with Canada and Korea) to be vaccinated against canine influenza virus (CIV). This is a genuine difference from UK dogs, which are exempt. Confirm the exact strains, doses and timing on MPI's current dog support document.
Does a pet from the USA need a rabies blood test for New Zealand?
Yes. Because the USA is a Category 3 country, your dog or cat must be rabies-vaccinated and then pass a rabies neutralising antibody titre test (RNATT) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, on a blood sample taken 3 to 12 months before shipment.
How long does it take to move a pet from the USA to New Zealand?
Plan on roughly 6 to 9 months from your first vet visit. The rabies vaccination and titre test take months, MPI's 2026 rules add a pre-export identification check by an official vet at least 6 months before shipment, and most pets are at least 9 months old before they can fly.
Which airports can my pet fly into in New Zealand?
Pets can only be flown in to Auckland or Christchurch. On the US side, a USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian completes New Zealand's model veterinary certificate and Rabies Certification Form, and USDA APHIS Veterinary Services endorses the paperwork before travel.
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 21 Sep 2026. Verified against USDA APHIS export/endorsement guidance and MPI's 2026 cats & dogs Category 3 pathway (USA = Category 3; US dogs need CIV vaccination). Confirm dates before booking.
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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