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New Zealand

Moving to New Zealand with Your Dog or Cat from the UK

General information, not veterinary advice. Requirements are set by the destination authority and can change: confirm with the official authority, your accredited vet and your airline.

The United Kingdom is a Category 3 country for New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Your pet will need a permit, a rabies titer test, a series of treatments, an export health certificate signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV), and at least 10 days in quarantine. New Zealand is also switching rulebooks, so start there.

Two rulebooks, one deadline

MPI's revised Import Health Standard for cats and dogs was issued on 12 May 2026 and came into force on 1 July 2026, replacing the 2021 standard.

Date What it means for you
1 July 2026 to 1 April 2027 You may follow either the 2021 or the 2026 standard
From 1 October 2026 Official pre-export ID checks begin
From 1 April 2027 Every pet must meet the 2026 standard, with an ID check at least 6 months before export

GOV.UK does not yet say how the ID check will be carried out for UK pets heading to New Zealand. Ask your OV or APHA how it will be handled before you book any blood test.

The 2021 pathway, for arrivals before April 2027

The 2021 standard's key points:

  • At least 6 months of residence in the UK, or since birth.
  • Primary rabies vaccination at 3 months of age or older, given 6 to 12 months before shipment, with a booster within the year before shipment.
  • A titer sample taken 3 to 24 months before shipment, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/mL.
  • Tighter final windows: for example, the second external parasite treatment within 2 days before shipment.

The rest of this guide follows the 2026 standard.

Is your pet eligible?

  • At least 9 months old at shipment.
  • Not more than 42 days pregnant at shipment.
  • Not one of the breeds banned under New Zealand's Dog Control Act: Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario and American Pit Bull Terrier type.
  • Hybrid cats other than Bengals are likely to need separate approval from the Environmental Protection Authority.
  • Microchipped, ideally with an ISO 11784/11785 chip.

Rabies: vaccine, titer and chip order

Under the 2026 standard, your pet must be vaccinated by a vet at 12 weeks of age or older with an approved vaccine type, at least 6 months before shipment, with no gap in validity.

The titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) is taken by a vet 3 to 12 months before shipment and must reach at least 0.5 IU/mL. The microchip must be verified before the sample. If the sample falls 3 to 6 months before shipment, the chip is scanned twice: once at least 6 months before shipment, and again before the sample. The IHS says the exporting authority then notifies MPI directly.

The lab can be one approved by the UK authority, an EU-approved rabies serology lab or a WOAH reference lab.

Treatments and tests in the final month

For cats, the list is short: an external parasite treatment within 16 days before shipment, two internal treatments (the second within 5 days), and a clinical inspection within 2 days.

For dogs, there is more to coordinate:

  • Two external parasite treatments, the first at least 14 days before the Babesia gibsoni sample and the last within 16 days of shipment.
  • Babesia gibsoni, Leishmania and heartworm (dogs 7 months and older) tests within 30 days.
  • Brucella canis: certified desexing, or a negative test within 30 days for entire dogs.
  • Leptospira Canicola: a negative MAT or an approved treatment within 30 days.
  • Heartworm and Angiostrongylus vasorum treatments within 5 days.
  • Two internal parasite treatments, the second within 5 days.

The UK is not on MPI's canine influenza country list, so no vaccination or test is needed; all dogs still need a 21-day declaration.

Certificates from APHA

GOV.UK lists EHC 6026 for dogs and EHC 2593 for cats, both at version 6. You apply through the online EHC service in England, Scotland and Wales, or through DAERA in Northern Ireland. GOV.UK publishes no fee, so ask your OV for a quote.

The APHA guidance notes say the OV signs and stamps in any ink color other than black. Section A is completed within 2 days before export and Section B just before dispatch, so you will need two OVs. MPI's Rabies Certification Form must be signed by your vet, then signed and stamped by an official veterinarian.

The MPI permit and fees

Your permit application needs rabies vaccination records, the titer result, the Rabies Certification Form and a signed quarantine booking form. MPI guidance suggests applying at least 8 weeks before travel. The permit costs NZD 268.24 including GST, and the border inspection for the first cat or dog is NZD 374.05 including GST.

Landing in Auckland or Christchurch

Pets arrive by air only, at Auckland or Christchurch, then stay at least 10 days in the MPI-approved facility named on your permit. Facilities are private, so contact them about prices.

At the time of writing, Singapore Airlines' pet page lists restrictions on checked pets into and out of New Zealand. Check your options directly with the airline before booking.

Plan it with the kit

The UK to New Zealand kit organizes these steps for UK owners in a set of working files. It includes a user guide, a timeline workbook that computes every date from your flight date, a vet visit brief, a document and airline checklist, and letter templates.

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