Please review the requirements below to ensure your pet is compliant with the New Zealand pet import regulations. These requirements are for pets traveling from the USA to New Zealand.
The requirements for cats and dogs to enter Australia are as follows:
1. Microchip
Your cat or dog must be implanted with an ISO-compatible microchip BEFORE the rabies vaccination(s). The correct microchip number must be accurately recorded on all of your pet's paperwork.
ISO-compatible microchips have 15 digits and the chip should be scanned at every vet visit by a USDA-Accredited Vet to ensure it is readable & consistent with your pet's records.
2. Rabies Vaccination
AFTER the microchip is implanted/scanned, your pet must be given an inactivated rabies vaccination. It must be administered when your pet is at least 3 months old.
The primary rabies vaccination must be given at least 6 months prior to export but less than 1 year prior to export. If your pet is receiving a booster vaccination, this must be completed within the validity period of the primary vaccine, and less than 1 year prior to travel.
If your pet's rabies vaccination will be more than 1 year old at the time of travel, then a booster vaccination will be required before obtaining the OVD.
The Rabies Vaccination Certificate must contain the following details:
- Date given
- Date due
- Pets details & microchip number
- FULL name of manufacturer (ex. Zoetis, Merial, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck)
- FULL name of vaccine product (ex. Defensor 3, Imrab 3, Rabvac 3, Nobivac-1)
- Serial or lot # of the vaccine
- Lot expiration
- Vet signature
- Vet license #
3. General Vaccinations
Quarantine requires that your pet be vaccinated for the following. These vaccinations must be given at least 14 days but less than 1 year prior to travel. The vaccinations must be administered according to the manufacturer's instructions when boosters are required.
Cats
- FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus & Panleukopenia)
Dogs
- CIV (Canine Influenza Virus) - requires a primary + booster 2-3 weeks later
- Leptospirosis
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
- Bordetella
4. Rabies Titer Test
Pets must complete a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer (RNAT) blood test at least 3-4 weeks after the rabies vaccination and at least 3 months prior to travel. A passing result is >/= 0.5 IU/mL.
The RNAT blood draw must be completed by a government-approved veterinarian (USDA-Accredited) and the blood samples must be sent to an approved laboratory (The Rabies Laboratory at Kansas State University in the USA). The testing laboratory must complete a Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) test or a Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT).
The RNAT test is valid for 24 months from the date of the blood draw.
It can take 3-4 weeks (or more) to receive the results of the rabies titer test back from the lab.
5. Official Veterinary Declaration (OVD)
A USDA-Accredited vet must verify the microchip, rabies vaccination(s), and rabies titer test results and then complete & sign the OVD. This is then sent to the USDA for their official endorsement.
**Starwood will take care of this requirement on your behalf.
It can take several weeks for the USDA to review, endorse and send it back to us.
6. Quarantine Reservation
Once the OVD is received, then we request a quarantine reservation.
All pets must fly directly into Auckland or Christchurch to complete their mandatory 10-day quarantine period. Cats and dogs must be quarantined at one of these approved facilities.
It can take several days to a few weeks to receive the quarantine confirmation letter. We will need a New Zealand address for the quarantine confirmation.
Pets cannot arrive in New Zealand on a holiday. Arrivals over the weekend will be charged additional fees.
7. Import Permit
AFTER we have received the quarantine confirmation letter, then we can apply for the import permit. The permit must be applied for at least 10 New Zealand working days prior to travel.
**Starwood will take care of this requirement on your behalf.
The Import Permit takes a minimum of 10 New Zealand working days to be issued by the Department of Agriculture in New Zealand.
8. Additional Blood Tests & Treatments (dogs only)
Dogs are required to complete additional blood tests and treatments, which must be done by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and submitted to an approved lab. It is NOT recommended that your vet uses an intermediary lab as they are not all approved for export testing and this may cause problems or delays. We strongly recommend that you use Protatek Reference Lab.
The below tests are solely for dogs; cats only require the Rabies Titer Test (FAVN). All of the results for these tests must be negative or your dog cannot travel to New Zealand.
- Heartworm treatment & testing
- Dogs must be treated for heartworm within 4 days prior to export with one of these treatments: Ivermectin at 6 mcg/kg, Milbemycin at 0.5 mg/kg, Moxidectin at 2-4 mcg/kg, or Selamectin at 6 mg/kg
- **Starwood will take care of this on your behalf at the final exam.
- Dogs must complete a heartworm antigen ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test within 30 days prior to export
- Dogs must be treated for heartworm within 4 days prior to export with one of these treatments: Ivermectin at 6 mcg/kg, Milbemycin at 0.5 mg/kg, Moxidectin at 2-4 mcg/kg, or Selamectin at 6 mg/kg
- Babesia gibsoni test - using an IFA (indirect fluorescent antibody) test or ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test within 16 days prior to export
- Brucella canis test - using a RSAT (rapid slide agglutination test) within 16 days prior to export
- Leptospirosis treatment - using a therapeutic dose of doxycycline for 14 consecutive days in the 30 days prior to export
9. External Parasite Treatments
A USDA-Accredited Vet must treat the animal in their office twice with an approved external parasite treatment effective against ticks & fleas.
The first treatment must be completed within 30 days prior to export and at least 2 weeks prior to the second treatment.
The second treatment must be completed 2 days prior to export. **Starwood will take care of this treatment on your behalf.
The vet must examine your pet to make sure they do not have any ticks or fleas on them. If ticks or fleas are found then they must be removed and the treatment must be restarted.
10. Internal Parasite Treatments
A USDA-Accredited Vet must treat the animal twice in their office with an approved internal parasite treatment effective against both nematodes and cestodes.
The first treatment must be done within 30 days prior to export and at least 2 weeks prior to the second treatment.
The second treatment must be given within 4 days prior to export. **Starwood will take care of this treatment on your behalf.
11. Final Exam & Health Certificate
Cats and dogs must be examined by a USDA-Accredited Vet 2 days prior to export. The vet will also need to complete the New Zealand International Health Certificate.
The certificate and supporting documents will then be sent to the USDA for their official endorsement. These endorsed documents must travel with your pet on the day of departure.
Copies of the documents can be used, but they must bear the original signature & stamp of the official government veterinarian (USDA) on every page.
**It is recommended that you also keep a copy of your pet's documents.**Starwood will take care of the final exam, health certificate, and USDA endorsement on your behalf.
12. USDA Crate Sealing
New Zealand requires that pets being imported to the country have a "crate seal" completed by the official government vet. This involves the USDA confirming your pet's microchip number, examining their travel kennel, & placing their "seal" (a tag that goes onto the crate that cannot be broken until your pet's arrival to New Zealand.)
**Starwood will take care of the crate sealing on your behalf prior to your pet's check-in with the airline.
You can also view these requirements on the New Zealand Government's website here.