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New Zealand

PetVoyage updated: January 17, 2026 Source last modified: October 20, 2025

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Vaccinations
Description:

Vaccination against rabies is required for dogs traveling to New Zealand.

  • Vaccination must be administered at least 12 months before travel.
  • Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies.
  • Must be administered after microchip implant
  • Primary vaccination given at minimum 3 months of age
  • Primary vaccination must be given at least 6 months prior to export but less than 1 year prior to export
  • Booster vaccination must be completed within validity period of primary vaccine and less than 1 year prior to travel
  • Dogs must show no clinical signs of infectious respiratory disease for at least 21 days prior to shipment
  • Additional vaccinations required: DHPP, Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza (if applicable)
Certifications
Description:

Health Certificate A must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS.

  • Veterinary examination must be completed within 2 days prior to shipment
  • Clinical examination required within 48 hours before departure
  • Certificate must include microchip number
  • Certificate must include microchip number, rabies vaccination details, RNATT results
Microchip

Each dog must have a unique microchip identification that matches the health certificate.

Microchip must be scanned and number recorded before every vaccination, blood test, treatment and examination All documents must include microchip number When it must be implanted: Before rabies vaccination
Origin Requirements
  • Rabies Australia
    Dogs must reside in Australia for at least 6 months or since birth immediately before shipment Post-arrival inspection required Dogs inspected at border by MPI veterinarian Inspection times: Auckland 7am-7pm, Christchurch 1pm-5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) Usually no quarantine required unless dog is unwell or not compliant MPI must be notified at least 5 working days before arrival Dogs must enter through Auckland or Christchurch airports only If ticks or fleas found on arrival, dog cannot be cleared and must go to quarantine facility for treatment, return to country of origin, or be euthanised
  • Rabies Free countries
    Dogs must reside in country of export for at least 6 months or since birth immediately before shipment Rabies antibody titre test (RNATT) required Blood sample taken at least 3 months and within 24 months of entry Test result must be 0.5 IU/ml or higher Test must be performed at EU-approved laboratory Blood sample taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination Dogs tested for canine diseases by government-approved vet Minimum 10 days quarantine required at MPI-approved facility Dogs must enter through Auckland or Christchurch airports only If ticks or fleas found, dog cannot be cleared
  • RABIES ABSENT OR WELL CONTROLLED)
    Dogs must reside in country of export for at least 6 months or since birth immediately before shipment Rabies antibody titre test (RNATT) required Blood sample taken at least 3 months and within 24 months of entry Test result must be 0.5 IU/ml or higher Test must be performed at EU-approved laboratory Blood sample taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination Dogs tested for canine diseases by government-approved vet Minimum 10 days quarantine required at MPI-approved facility Dogs must enter through Auckland or Christchurch airports only If ticks or fleas found, dog cannot be cleared Dogs from United States considered Category 3
More Info
General

Your pet will be quarantined upon arrival in New Zealand for at least 10 days.

There are 3 categories of countries or territories you can import cats and dogs fromAge RequirementsMinimum age: Not specified in official sourcesDogs must not be more than 42 days pregnant on date of shipmentDogs must reside in Australia for at least 6 months or since birth immediately before shipmentPost-arrival inspection requiredDogs inspected at border by MPI veterinarianInspection times: Auckland 7am-7pm, Christchurch 1pm-5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)Usually no quarantine required unless dog is unwell or not compliantMPI must be notified at least 5 working days before arrivalDogs must enter through Auckland or Christchurch airports onlyIf ticks or fleas found on arrival, dog cannot be cleared and must go to quarantine facility for treatment, return to country of origin, or be euthanisedCategory 1: Australia (including Norfolk Island)Category 2: Rabies-freeCategory 3: Rabies-absent or well controlledThe Dog Control Act 1996 prohibits the import into New Zealand of any dog that belongs entirely or predominantly to one or more of these breeds or types of dogs:Prohibited breeds:Brazilian FilaDogo ArgentinoJapanese TosaPerro de Presa Canario.Prohibited type:American Pit Bull Terrier
Official Source(s)
USDA-Accredited Veterinarians: Certifying Pets for International Travel Pet Travel Process Overview Frequently Asked Questions New Zealand's website New Zealand's website-2