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Pet Travel from the UK to New Zealand: Cat Import Requirements

Cats travelling from the UK to New Zealand must comply with strict Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) import requirements, including ISO microchipping, rabies vaccination, Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre (RNATT) blood testing, import permit approval, and an official Export Health Certificate issued by a UK Official Veterinarian. Careful timing and documentation are essential to meet MPI standards and avoid delays at quarantine on arrival.

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Step-by-Step Guide: Importing Your Cat from the UK to New Zealand

Step 1 — Confirm your cat is eligible

 Before you book anything, your dog must meet these baseline rules at the date of shipment:

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  • At least 9 months old at the time of departure.

  • Not more than 42 days pregnant (if applicable)

  • Resident in the UK for the 6 months immediately before export

  • Hybrid cats (offspring of domestic cats crossed with another species, such as Savannah cats) are not eligible for import. Bengal cats are permitted only if documentation proving at least five generations of domestic ancestry is provided.

 

You’ll provide this as a written owner/exporter declaration (we’ll tell you exactly what to include).

Step 2 — Microchip (do this first)

 Your cat must have an ISO-compatible microchip (ISO 11784/11785).

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Important: The microchip must be implanted before or at the same time as:

  • the rabies vaccination used for export, and

  • the rabies titre test (RNATT) used for export.

 

If your chip is non-ISO, you must supply a compatible scanner at NZ entry.

Image by Jean-Pierre Brungs

Step 3 — Rabies vaccination (strict timing rules)

New Zealand requires rabies vaccination plus a rabies antibody titre test.

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Primary rabies vaccination

  • Cat must be ≥ 3 months old at vaccination

  • Must be given not less than 6 months and not more than 12 months before shipment

 

Booster rabies vaccination

  • The final booster before export must be within 12 months of shipment

  • Rabies must be kept continuously in date from the RNATT blood sample date until shipment (no lapses beyond the manufacturer’s interval)​

Step 4 — Rabies antibody titre test (RNATT: FAVN or RFFIT)

A blood sample is taken after rabies vaccination and tested at an approved lab.

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The RNATT sample must be collected (ideally 3-4 weeks after the rabies vaccination):

  • Not less than 3 months and

  • Not more than 24 months
    before shipment.

 

The result must be:

  • ≥ 0.5 IU/ml, and

  • clearly linked to your cat’s microchip number.

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Step 5 — Official Veterinarian Declaration 

As part of the New Zealand import permit process, an Official Veterinary Declaration (OVD) must be completed and endorsed.

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This declaration forms part of your New Zealand Import Permit application and is completed by us as your Official Veterinarian.

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To prepare and sign the OVD, we must review the original:

  • rabies vaccination certificate

  • rabies antibody blood test (RNATT) laboratory report

 

We verify that all identification details match your permit application and supporting documents.

 

The OVD confirms:

  • your cat’s microchip number

  • the date the microchip was implanted or verified

  • rabies vaccination date(s)

  • the RNATT blood sample date

  • the RNATT test result

 

The declaration must be:

  • signed by the Official Veterinarian

  • signed again in their capacity as a Registered Veterinarian

  • stamped with the official OV stamp

 

Any supporting document copies must also be officially endorsed.

Step 6 — Book the required 10-day quarantine stay

Cats entering New Zealand must complete a minimum 10-day stay in an approved transitional (quarantine) facility on arrival.

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Before you can apply for your New Zealand import permit, you must:

  • choose an approved quarantine facility

  • confirm availability for your intended arrival window

  • secure a booking

  • obtain written booking confirmation

 

This quarantine booking confirmation is a required supporting document for the import permit application. We recommend arranging this as early as possible, as spaces can be limited.

Image by Boon Panthalany

Step 7 — Quarantine entry vaccines (often required)

Cats entering quarantine must be vaccinated against:

  • Feline calicivirus

  • Feline panleukopenia 

  • Feline rhinotracheitis 

Step 8 — Apply for your New Zealand import permit

New Zealand requires an import permit (cats from all countries except Australia).

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To apply, you’ll typically need:

  • a completed permit application 

  • booking confirmation for an approved transitional (quarantine) facility

  • completed and signed OVD form

  • proof of rabies vaccination (and if booster: also the previous rabies vaccination record)

  • the RNATT lab report showing the microchip number

 

Allow at least 30 working days for permit processing once all documents are submitted.

Image by Ethan Johnson

Step 9 — Request the Export Health Certificate (EHC 2593)

Before we can certify your cat for travel to New Zealand, the official Export Health Certificate (EHC 2593) must be requested from DEFRA.

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To start this process:

  • You confirm us as your chosen Official Veterinarian

  • Once you have chosen your Official Veterinarian, you must request the correct Export Health Certificate from DEFRA — for New Zealand this is EHC 2593 (Export cats to New Zealand).

  • The EHC is then issued through DEFRA to us for completion and signing

 

We guide you through this request step to make sure the correct certificate is issued and linked to your export — please do not apply for a certificate without confirming the details with us first.

Step 10 — Book Your Pet’s Flight

Once your destination requirements and timeline are confirmed, you should arrange your pet’s flight with an airline or approved pet transport company.

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When booking:

  • confirm the airline accepts pets for your chosen route

  • check whether your pet must travel as manifest cargo or accompanied baggage

  • ensure the arrival airport is approved for live animal entry where required

  • confirm crate size and airline transport rules

  • share your planned flight date with us so we can schedule all veterinary checks, tests, and certificate timing correctly

 

We recommend booking flights before the final certification appointments, but only after the medical and permit timelines have been reviewed to avoid date conflicts.

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Step 11— Travelling With Medication

If your cat is travelling with any prescribed medication, New Zealand authorities require advance documentation.

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  • You must provide a copy of the veterinary prescription to MPI before or on arrival

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  • If medication is travelling with your pet, a Declaration of Medicines form must also be completed and attached to the paperwork

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  • Approval is usually granted for up to a 3-month supply

 

We can guide you on the correct documents to include so there are no delays at entry.

Step 12 — Pre-export parasite treatments

Internal Parasites (Cestodes & Nematodes)

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Your cat must receive two treatments against cestodes and nematodes using an approved product (such as milbemycin/praziquantel combinations):

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  • First treatment: within the 30 days before shipment

  • Second treatment: within the 4 days before departure

  • The two treatments must be at least 14 days apart

 

External Parasites (Ticks & Fleas)

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Your cat must also receive two treatments for ticks and fleas using a licensed product:

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  • First treatment: within the 30 days before shipment

  • Second treatment: within the 2 days before departure

  • The two treatments must be at least 14 days apart

  • At the final treatment visit, the cat must be examined and confirmed free of external parasites

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Step 13 — Final Pre-Export Health Check + Export Health Certificate Part A

Shortly before travel, we carry out the final official health examination required for New Zealand export certification.

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At this visit we:

  • perform a full clinical check to confirm your dog is fit to travel

  • verify microchip identity

  • confirm all required tests, treatments, and documents are complete

  • complete and sign the final sections of the Export Health Certificate Part A.

  • Part B will need to be completed at the airport by another OV. 

 

This check must be completed within the official pre-departure time window, so the appointment timing is critical and will be scheduled to match your flight.

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After Arrival — Settling In

Once your cat has completed quarantine and been released:

  • If your cat appears unwell, arrange a veterinary check as soon as possible and let the vet know your cat has recently arrived in New Zealand and which country it travelled from

  • You must register your cat with your local New Zealand council, as required under local regulations

 

A short recovery period after travel and quarantine is normal — give your cat time to rest, rehydrate, and adjust to the new environment.

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