Before starting, your dog must meet New Zealand’s basic entry rules.

Dogs must be:

• at least 9 months old

• have lived in the UK for the required period before export

• not be a prohibited breed or hybrid.

Certain health history restrictions also apply, including previous diagnosis of Brucella canis or Babesia gibsoni.

Your dog must have an ISO-compliant microchip before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination and rabies blood test.

New Zealand requires:

• A valid rabies vaccination

• A successful rabies antibody blood test

• Strict timing between the rabies vaccine, blood test and travel date

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This is one of the most important parts of the timeline and should be planned early.

An Official Veterinary Declaration must be completed as part of the New Zealand import permit process. This confirms your dog’s microchip, rabies vaccine and rabies blood test details.
 

You will also need to apply for a New Zealand import permit, which requires supporting documents such as rabies records, blood test results and quarantine booking confirmation.

Dogs entering New Zealand must complete a minimum 10-day stay in an approved quarantine facility on arrival.

You must secure your quarantine booking before applying for the import permit. Once the medical timeline and permit process are clear, flights can then be arranged with an airline or pet transport
company.

Your dog will need up-to-date core vaccinations and may also need kennel cough, canine influenza and leptospirosis requirements depending on the situation.
 

Before export, your dog will also need:

• Internal and external parasite treatments

• Heartworm testing/prevention

• Leptospirosis testing or treatment

• Babesia testing, if applicable

• Brucella canis testing

These checks must be completed within strict pre-travel time windows.

Before travel, we complete the final official health examination and issue the Export Health Certificate EHC 6026 for New Zealand.

At this appointment, we verify your dog’s microchip, check they are fit to travel, confirm all documents and treatments are complete, and sign the required certificate sections.

New Zealand must be notified before your dog arrives, and your dog will then complete their required quarantine stay.

Once released, your dog should be registered with the local council, and if they seem unwell after travel or quarantine, you should arrange a veterinary check.