Taking Your Dog to New Zealand
New Zealand has strict dog import rules, including an import permit, rabies testing, veterinary certification, parasite treatments, and at least 10 days of quarantine for dogs arriving from the United States.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to New Zealand
ISO Microchip
Your dog must be permanently identified with a microchip. New Zealand requires ISO-standard microchips meeting ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. The microchip must be implanted before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination and rabies titer test used for import.
Before or at the same time as rabies vaccination and rabies titer testingRabies Vaccination
Dogs coming from the mainland United States are treated as arriving from a Category 3 country (rabies absent or well controlled). Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian when at least 12 weeks old, and the vaccination must be current at the time of shipment.
Vaccinate before the rabies titer blood draw; vaccine must remain valid through travelRabies Titer Test
A FAVN or RFFIT rabies neutralising antibody titration test is required, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/mL. For standard imports, the blood sample must be collected not less than 3 months and not more than 24 months before shipment. If the dog was not microchipped at the time of vaccination used for import, different timing rules can apply under updated MPI wording, but U.S. travelers should plan around the standard 3-month minimum wait after sampling.
Blood sample must be collected at least 3 months before shipmentHealth Certificate
New Zealand requires International Health Certificate A completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS, plus International Health Certificate B issued and endorsed by USDA APHIS. Original lab reports or APHIS-endorsed copies must accompany the shipment.
Completed shortly before departure and endorsed by USDA APHIS before travelImport Permit
An MPI import permit is required for dogs entering New Zealand from the United States. MPI advises applying for the permit a minimum of 30 working days before the date you need the permit; USDA APHIS notes applications should be submitted at least 20 business days in advance.
Apply at least 30 working days before travelParasite Treatment
Dogs must receive internal parasite treatment for nematodes and cestodes twice: the first treatment in the 30 days before shipment and at least 2 weeks before the second treatment; the second treatment must be given in the 4 days before shipment. Dogs must also receive external parasite treatment for ticks and fleas twice: the first treatment in the 30 days before shipment and at least 2 weeks before the second treatment, and the second treatment in the 2 days before shipment. Treatments must be given by a veterinarian using MPI-acceptable products.
Internal: first within 30 days and second within 4 days of shipment; External: first within 30 days and second within 2 days of shipmentAdditional Dog Disease Testing
For dogs 6 months of age or older, a negative heartworm antigen ELISA is required within 30 days before shipment. Dogs must also meet New Zealand's disease requirements for Brucella canis and leptospirosis. Brucella canis testing must be completed within 16 days before shipment using an approved test; entire dogs must also not have naturally mated in the 44 days before shipment unless to a dog of equal Brucella canis health status. For leptospirosis, dogs must either complete approved treatment or testing within 30 days before shipment.
Heartworm within 30 days; Brucella canis within 16 days; leptospirosis treatment or testing within 30 days before shipmentQuarantine Period
Dogs arriving in New Zealand from the United States must be held in an MPI-approved quarantine facility for at least 10 days after arrival. You should reserve quarantine space before travel.
Minimum 10 days after arrivalBanned Breeds
The following dog breeds or types are prohibited: Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario, American Pit Bull Terrier (any type), and hybrid species (any type).
Eligibility must be confirmed before starting the import processEstimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $75-200 | Typical U.S. pre-export exam with a USDA-accredited veterinarian; clinic pricing varies. |
| Rabies vaccination | $25-60 | Only needed if your dog's current rabies vaccine will not remain valid through travel. |
| Rabies titer test | $120-250 | Typical U.S. lab pricing for FAVN or RFFIT blood testing; collection and shipping may be extra. |
| Microchip | $25-75 | If your dog does not already have a readable ISO-compatible microchip. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $206-275 | APHIS endorsement fees are based on the number of required lab tests on the certificate; high-requirement destinations like New Zealand usually fall in the 3-6 or 7+ test tiers. |
| New Zealand import permit fee | $161-185 | MPI fee is NZD 268.24 including GST for a cat or dog import permit; converted approximately to USD at recent exchange rates and subject to FX changes. |
| New Zealand border inspection fee | $224-257 | MPI charges NZD 374.05 including GST for the first pet inspection on arrival; converted approximately to USD and subject to FX changes. |
| Quarantine facility | $400-900 | MPI requires at least 10 days in an approved quarantine facility for dogs arriving from the U.S.; facility pricing varies by provider and services. |
| Airline pet fee (cargo) | $1,500-4,500 | Pets traveling internationally to New Zealand generally travel as cargo and airlines such as Air New Zealand require booking through an approved pet transporter; total airfreight cost varies widely by route, crate size, and agent fees. |
| Total | $2,736-6,702 |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
As of 2026, dogs returning to the United States must meet current CDC dog import rules. If your dog has been only in New Zealand or other dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before U.S. entry, the main document required is the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Your dog must also be at least 6 months old, appear healthy on arrival, and have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner. The CDC Dog Import Form receipt is generally valid for 6 months as long as the dog has not been in a high-risk rabies country during that period. If your dog has been in a high-risk country within the previous 6 months, additional CDC rabies documentation is required before return, and U.S.-vaccinated dogs may need a USDA-endorsed Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination completed before departure from the United States. New Zealand is treated by CDC as dog-rabies-free or low-risk for this purpose, so most round-trip travelers coming back directly from New Zealand will use the CDC Dog Import Form plus the age, health, and microchip requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to prepare a dog for New Zealand?
Plan for at least 4 months. The key timing issue is the rabies titer test, which must be drawn at least 3 months before shipment, and MPI recommends applying for the import permit at least 30 working days before you need it.
Do dogs from the United States need quarantine in New Zealand?
Yes. Dogs arriving from the United States must go to an MPI-approved quarantine facility for a minimum of 10 days after arrival.
Is a rabies titer test required for New Zealand?
Yes. Dogs from the mainland United States need a FAVN or RFFIT rabies neutralising antibody titration test showing at least 0.5 IU/mL, with the sample collected at least 3 months before shipment.
Can my dog fly in the cabin to New Zealand?
Usually no for standard pet travel. Airlines serving New Zealand generally require pets to travel as cargo on international routes, while trained assistance dogs may have separate rules.
Does New Zealand require an import permit for dogs?
Yes. Dogs entering New Zealand from the United States need an MPI import permit, and you should apply well in advance.
Are any dog breeds banned from New Zealand?
Yes. Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario, American Pit Bull Terrier types, and hybrid species are prohibited.
What parasite treatments are required before departure?
New Zealand requires both internal and external parasite treatments given by a veterinarian on a strict schedule before shipment, including two internal treatments and two external treatments with the final doses close to departure.
What do I need to bring my dog back to the United States from New Zealand?
For most dogs returning directly from New Zealand, you need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, and the dog must be microchipped, healthy on arrival, and at least 6 months old.