Relocating pets to New Zealand involves more than just booking a flight—it requires careful coordination, compliance with strict import regulations, and plenty of preparation to ensure your pet’s comfort and safety. That’s where Pets in Transit comes in. Our team manages every step of the process, from health certifications and quarantine arrangements to travel crate preparation and flight bookings. Whether you’re moving permanently or for an extended stay, we make international pet relocation simple, stress-free, and fully compliant—so you can focus on your move while we take care of your pet’s journey.
Once you’ve confirmed your booking, our team will review your pet’s vaccination history, microchip details, and health certificates to ensure they meet New Zealand’s strict standards. We’ll highlight any updates or treatments needed before travel so there are no last-minute surprises.
New Zealand’s import process involves detailed veterinary and government paperwork. We’ll coordinate directly with your vet to prepare the necessary export health certificates, secure import permits, and make sure all documentation is perfectly aligned with entry requirements.
After your paperwork is approved, we’ll secure the safest and most direct flight route to New Zealand using trusted, pet-friendly airlines. Our team prioritizes comfort and minimizes stress by arranging appropriate layovers, climate-controlled cargo options, and smooth transitions from check-in to arrival.
You’ll receive a detailed itinerary outlining every stage of your pet’s journey—flight schedules, check-in instructions, and handling contacts. We keep you informed at every step of the process so you know exactly what to expect from departure to arrival.
Whether your pet is starting from your home, a boarding facility, or your veterinarian’s office, we’ll organize a comfortable and secure pick-up. Our professional handlers ensure your pet’s safety and calm demeanor before the flight, giving them the best possible start to their long journey.
Peace of mind is our priority. Throughout the journey, we’ll provide timely updates on your pet’s progress, from check-in through arrival. Our team monitors flights closely, ensuring your pet is safe, comfortable, and cared for every step of the way.
Upon arrival in New Zealand, our partners manage customs clearance, inspections, and any required quarantine arrangements. Once your pet is cleared for release, we’ll coordinate safe delivery to your new home or preferred location.
Relocating your pet to New Zealand involves meeting some of the world’s strictest animal import and biosecurity requirements. New Zealand is classified as rabies-free, meaning all pets entering from the United States must undergo extensive health checks, testing, and a mandatory quarantine period. At Pets in Transit, we help you navigate every step—from permits and paperwork to quarantine coordination—so your pet’s journey is safe, compliant, and worry-free. Here’s what to expect:
Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip before any vaccinations, blood tests, or treatments are performed.
The microchip number must appear on all documents, including vaccination records, health certificates, and lab reports. If your pet’s current chip isn’t ISO-compatible, you’ll need either to have a compliant one implanted or travel with a scanner.
Since the U.S. is considered a “Category 3” country (rabies absent or well-controlled), pets must have a valid rabies vaccination administered after microchipping and complete a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre (RNATT) test.
The blood sample for the RNATT test must be drawn at least 180 days before travel to New Zealand, and your pet cannot enter the country until the waiting period is complete.
All rabies documentation must include the vaccine manufacturer, batch number, and expiration date, along with a matching microchip number. Our team coordinates testing schedules and veterinary appointments to ensure all requirements are met within the correct timeframes.
Pets traveling from the U.S. to New Zealand require two official health certificates: Health Certificate A (completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian) and Health Certificate B (endorsed by USDA APHIS).
These certificates must confirm that your pet’s vaccinations, parasite treatments, and test results are compliant with New Zealand’s import standards.
Electronic veterinarian signatures are accepted, but the USDA must provide an original ink signature and embossed stamp before travel.
Our team manages this process through VEHCS to ensure accuracy and timely USDA endorsement.
An import permit from New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is required before your pet can travel.
Applications must be submitted to MPI’s Animal Imports team at least 20 business days before the planned travel date. However, permit processing times can vary, and advance preparation is highly recommended.
We’ll help you gather the necessary paperwork, complete your permit application, and monitor its approval status directly with MPI.
All cats and dogs entering New Zealand from the U.S. must complete a minimum 10-day quarantine at an MPI-approved quarantine facility upon arrival.
Your pet will undergo a veterinary inspection to confirm microchip identity, review health documents, and verify test results.
We handle all quarantine booking arrangements and ensure your pet’s stay is comfortable, safe, and closely monitored until release.
All pets must travel in an IATA-compliant travel crate that meets strict size, ventilation, and durability standards.
We assist in selecting or custom-building the right crate for your pet’s comfort, ensuring it meets both airline and MPI inspection standards. Pets in Transit partners with trusted, pet-friendly airlines that prioritize animal safety and climate-controlled transport on long-haul routes to New Zealand.
Certain dog breeds and hybrid species are prohibited from entering New Zealand, including Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario, and American Pit Bull Terrier (any type). Cats with hybrid ancestry are also restricted, except for Bengal cats with documentation showing at least five generations of domestic ancestry.
Our relocation experts help confirm eligibility before you begin the process to avoid travel delays or denials.
Before travel, dogs and cats must receive approved internal and external parasite treatments within specific timeframes outlined by MPI.
New Zealand no longer accepts the 2ME-RSAT as a stand-alone test for Brucella canis in dogs; instead, RSAT, TAT, CPAg-AGID, or IFAT are required.
We’ll coordinate with your vet to ensure all treatments and tests meet the latest MPI-approved standards.
Upon arrival, your pet will be met by MPI officials for inspection and transferred directly to the assigned quarantine facility.
You must notify MPI at least 72 hours before travel to schedule this inspection. Once the quarantine period is complete and your pet is cleared, we’ll arrange safe delivery to your new home in New Zealand—healthy, happy, and ready to explore.
Here are the rules for pet travel to New Zealand, according to the USDA website.
Let us handle all of the details and effortlessly manage your pet’s relocation from start to finish!
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