Moving a pet to New Zealand from the USA
Rabies-free or near rabies-free nations with multi-month lead times, titer testing and government quarantine.
Quick rules summary
| Governing body | Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) |
|---|---|
| Mandatory lead time | 6 months |
| Rabies titer test (FAVN) | Yes — FAVN ≥ 0.5 IU/mL |
| Import permit | Yes (MPI) |
| Post-arrival quarantine | 10 days at an approved private facility |
| Microchip mandate | ISO 15-digit, before rabies vaccination |
| Primary failure point | Rabies titer timing errors and parasite treatment windows falling outside the permitted range. |
Biosecurity & veterinary protocol
- 1
Implant an ISO-compliant microchip before vaccination.
- 2
Two rabies vaccinations are required before the blood draw.
- 3
FAVN rabies antibody titer test with the mandatory post-sampling waiting period served before departure.
- 4
Secure the official MPI import permit.
- 5
Reserve space in advance at an MPI-approved private quarantine facility for the mandatory 10-day post-arrival isolation.
- 6
Internal and external parasite treatments must be given inside the required pre-export windows.
- 7
USDA APHIS endorsement through VEHCS before departure.
Breed & airline warnings
Prohibited breeds include the Dogo Argentino, Brazilian Fila, Japanese Tosa and American Pit Bull Terrier.
Brachycephalic breeds face carrier cargo embargoes on long-haul routes.
Crates must follow IATA Live Animals Regulations: L = A + ½B, W = 2C, H = D + bedding. Two compatible animals up to 14 kg (30 lbs) each may share a crate; heavier animals travel individually. Check your breed →
Your New Zealand timeline
Plan backwards
Complexity: Extreme
Lead time: 6 months
Governing body: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Quarantine: 10 days at an approved private facility
- T−187d
FAVN rabies titer blood draw
Blood sample sent to an approved laboratory; must return ≥ 0.5 IU/mL.
- T−180d
Microchip + records review
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip and confirm every vaccination record post-dates it.
- T−180d
180-day waiting period starts
Counted from the date the laboratory receives the sample. Served in the United States.
- T−173d
Rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccine administered after the microchip — a vaccine given first is legally invalid.
- T−60d
Apply for the import permit (Ministry for Primary Industries)
Permit requirement: Yes (MPI). Approval must be in hand before departure.
- T−45d
Book flights and IATA-compliant crate
Confirm carrier acceptance, crate sizing and any brachycephalic or breed embargoes on the routing.
- T−10d
USDA-accredited vet exam + health certificate
Category II accredited veterinarian completes the certificate and submits it via VEHCS.
- T−7d
USDA APHIS endorsement
Endorsement within 10 days of arrival for non-commercial moves, or within 48 hours of departure for commercial moves.
- T−3d
Parasite treatments and final checks
Tapeworm or parasite treatments given inside the destination's required window, recorded by the vet.
- Day 0
Departure day
Check-in as cargo, checked baggage or in-cabin per the booked service.