🇺🇸 → 🇳🇿

Moving a pet from United States to New Zealand

Here is the whole journey for your dog or cat, from the United States to New Zealand: every document, in the order to tackle it, with how early to begin. Plan to start around 7 months before travel.

New Zealand. Similar long-lead profile to Australia.

This is a rabies-controlled route. Some destinations add a blood titer and a waiting period, which is the single biggest driver of how early to start.

The documents, step by step

1. 1

   Microchip

   RequiredStart about 7 months before travel

   New Zealand mirrors Australia: the microchip is the anchor, so begin here, early.

2. 2

   Rabies vaccination

   RequiredStart about 6 months before travel

   A current rabies shot after the microchip is the gateway to the titer.

3. 3

   Rabies blood titer

   RequiredStart about 6 months before travel

   The titer test starts a long but predictable countdown. We keep the dates honest so you never overshoot.

   Titer plus waiting period.

   A 180-day waiting period follows this step before travel is allowed. We count every day for you.

4. 4

   Import permit

   RequiredStart about a month before travel

   The MPI permit books your place in New Zealand. We will prompt you at the right moment.

   MPI import permit.

5. 5

   Parasite treatment

   RequiredStart a few days before travel

   A quick parasite treatment near departure is one of the last, easiest steps.

6. 6

   Health certificate

   RequiredStart a few days before travel

   The closing certificate confirms your pet is ready for the long flight south.