Pet Shipping - Pet Import Requirements in New Zealand

Pet Import Requirements in New Zealand

There are a number of requirements that must be met before pets can be imported to New Zealand. Only domesticated dogs and cats can be imported to the country. If you have a non-traditional animal (such as a bird, rabbit, ferret, guinea pig, hamster, rat or mouse) it is not allowed to bring them to New Zealand.

Pets must be shipped in International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved transit kennels, which allows the pet to stand up without touching the borders of the box, lie down and turn around.

Dogs and cats have to be shipped as manifest cargo and not as excess baggage. There is no quarantine for cats and dogs entering the country, however they must be isolated at the proprietor's home for 1 month.

All pets must come through Auckland International Airport. They must have typically spent min 6 months in the country of origin and will require complete vaccinations and a subcutaneous identity chip.

A number of breeds of dogs, including cross-breeds are prohibited from import to New Zealand. They are: the American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentine, Japanese Tosa and Brazilian Fila.

Vaccinations required for cats: Rabies, Panleukopenia, Rhinotrachetis, Calicivirus; Chlamydia Psittaci (optional).

Cat and dog import requirements:
1. As from the July 1 2005 a pet owner no longer needs to apply for Import permit, however all pets must be identified with a microchip (approved ISO types or permanent tattoo.
2. An Official Export Health Certificate that must be applied for from DEFRA.
3. On two occasions, 14 days apart, being within a month of export, faecal samples have to be taken from the animal and checked for hookworm eggs. These tests must be done by a Government or VI Laboratory.
4. Treatment for internal parasites must be given twice: within 21 days of export and again within 96 hours of export.
5. Treatment with an insecticidal dip for external parasites must be given between 48 and 96 hours of export.
6. If the imported animals are of dogs, blood tests (treatment) for Brucella canis, Dirofilaria, Ehrlichia and Leptospirosis (or special treatment with antibiotics) must be submitted to the relevant authority within 1 month of the travel with negative results (additional tests will need to be done in case of any positive results).
7. Babesia Gibsoni testing is necessary, 2 tests need to be done within 10 days of departure. They are, blood taken from the external area of the ear for smear testing and a PCR test.
8. For dogs, 2 Dirofilaria tests, Antigerm Elisa Test and Microfilaria concentration test need to be taken.
9. The original clearance of notifiable diseases certificate (from DEFRA). The vet at the airport must have this so he (she) will be able to sign the third part of the Health Certificate.
10. The LVI doing the first 2 sections does not require this. A written declaration regarding residency, age and pregnancy as stated in the regulation.