Pet Travel from the UK to New Zealand: Dog Import Requirements
Dogs 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, mandatory waiting periods, and an official Export Health Certificate. Careful sequencing and precise documentation are essential to avoid delays or extended quarantine on arrival.
Step-by-Step Guide: Importing Your Dog from the UK to New Zealand
Step 1 — Confirm your dog 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.
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Not more than 42 days pregnant (if applicable)
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Resident in the UK for the 6 months immediately before export
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Not a prohibited type/breed for NZ entry (as per the owner declaration list)
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Brazilian Fila
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Dogo Argentino
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Japanese Tosa
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Perro de Presa Canario
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American Pit Bull Terrier
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Not a hybrid (crossed with another species)
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Not been previously diagnosed with Brucella Canis or Babesia Gibsoni.
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 dog 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:
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the rabies vaccination used for export, and
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the rabies titre test (RNATT) used for export.
If your chip is non-ISO, you must supply a compatible scanner at NZ entry.
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
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Dog must be ≥ 3 months old at vaccination
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Must be given not less than 6 months and not more than 12 months before shipment
Booster rabies vaccination
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The final booster before export must be within 12 months of shipment
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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):
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Not less than 3 months and
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Not more than 24 months
before shipment.
The result must be:
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≥ 0.5 IU/ml, and
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clearly linked to your dog’s microchip number.
Step 5 — Official Veterinarian Declaration (OVD)
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:
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rabies vaccination certificate
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rabies antibody blood test (RNATT) laboratory report
We verify that all identification details match your permit application and supporting documents.
The OVD confirms:
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your dog’s microchip number
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the date the microchip was implanted or verified
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rabies vaccination date(s)
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the RNATT blood sample date
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the RNATT test result
The declaration must be:
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signed by the Official Veterinarian
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signed again in their capacity as a Registered Veterinarian
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stamped with the official OV stamp
Any supporting document copies must also be officially endorsed.
Step 6 — Book the required 10-day quarantine stay
Dogs 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:
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choose an approved quarantine facility
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confirm availability for your intended arrival window
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secure a booking
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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.
Step 7 — Quarantine entry vaccines (often required)
Dogs entering quarantine must be vaccinated against:
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distemper
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infectious canine hepatitis
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parvovirus
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parainfluenza
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Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)
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Canine Influenza (this will be a signed statement in the EHC)
Some quarantine facilities may also require leptospirosis vaccination.
Step 8 — Apply for your New Zealand import permit
New Zealand requires an import permit (dogs from all countries except Australia).
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To apply, you’ll typically need:
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booking confirmation for an approved transitional (quarantine) facility
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completed and signed OVD form
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proof of rabies vaccination (and if booster: also the previous rabies vaccination record)
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the RNATT lab report showing the microchip number
Allow at least 30 working days for permit processing once all documents are submitted.
Step 9 — Request the Export Health Certificate (EHC 6026)
Before we can certify your dog for travel to New Zealand, the official Export Health Certificate (EHC 6026) must be requested from DEFRA.
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To start this process:
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You confirm us as your chosen Official Veterinarian
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Once you have chosen your Official Veterinarian, you must request the correct Export Health Certificate from DEFRA — for New Zealand this is EHC 6026 (Export dogs to New Zealand).
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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:
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confirm the airline accepts pets for your chosen route
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check whether your pet must travel as manifest cargo or accompanied baggage
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ensure the arrival airport is approved for live animal entry where required
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confirm crate size and airline transport rules
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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.
Step 11— Travelling With Medication
If your dog 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
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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 dog 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
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Second treatment: within the 4 days before departure
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The two treatments must be at least 14 days apart
External Parasites (Ticks & Fleas)
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Your dog 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
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Second treatment: within the 2 days before departure
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The two treatments must be at least 14 days apart
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At the final treatment visit, the dog must be examined and confirmed free of external parasites
Step 13 - Required Pre-Export Blood Tests
Canine Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) — Test & Treatment Requirement
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For dogs travelling to New Zealand, heartworm controls are required before export.
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Dogs 6 months of age or older (at time of transport) must have a negative heartworm blood test (ELISA) within the 30 days before shipment
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All dogs must receive heartworm prevention treatment:
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either a registered preventive dose given within 4 days before departure, or
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be up to date with a licensed sustained-release heartworm prevention injection
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We will arrange the required testing and confirm the correct preventive treatment timing as part of your export preparation.
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Leptospirosis — Test or Treatment Requirement
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Before export to New Zealand, dogs must meet leptospirosis requirements using one of the following two options:
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Option 1 — Blood test
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A leptospirosis blood test (MAT) with a negative result
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Must be completed within the 30 days before travel
Option 2 — Preventive treatment
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A course of doxycycline given for at least 14 consecutive days
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Must be completed within the 30 days before shipment
If a low positive MAT result is returned, repeat testing or doxycycline treatment may be required — we will advise you on the correct next step based on the result.
We will schedule the appropriate testing or treatment and ensure the dates and records meet New Zealand certification rules.
Babesia Testing — Pre-Export Requirement
New Zealand requires Babesia testing shortly before export.
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Your dog must have a negative Babesia test within 16 days of travel
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Testing can be done using:
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an approved antibody test (IFAT or ELISA), or
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a PCR test performed on two blood samples taken 30–37 days apart, with the second sample collected within 16 days of departure (RECOMMENDED)
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Important notes:
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Testing for Babesia canis is only required if your dog has ever lived in or travelled to South Africa
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Dogs diagnosed with Babesia gibsoni are not eligible for import into New Zealand, regardless of treatment status
We will advise which testing pathway applies and schedule the samples within the correct time windows.
Brucella canis — Testing Requirement
Dogs travelling to New Zealand must have a negative Brucella canis test within 16 days of departure.
Accepted screening tests include RSAT, TAT, or CPAg-AGID, performed through approved laboratories.
If an initial result is positive or inconclusive, confirmatory retesting may be possible using an approved follow-up method within the required time window. We will advise and coordinate the correct retesting pathway if needed.
Important:
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Dogs confirmed positive for Brucella canis are not eligible for import into New Zealand
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For entire (unneutered) dogs, owners must also sign a declaration confirming no mating within the 44 days before shipment (unless to a dog of equal Brucella status)
We will arrange the correct test and timing as part of your export preparation plan.
Step 14 — Notify New Zealand of arrival (at least 72 hours before entry)
New Zealand must be notified ≥ 72 hours before scheduled arrival, including:
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flight number, arrival date/time
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importer/consignee contact details
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breed/species, number of animals
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country of origin
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quarantine facility booking details (if applicable)
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bill of lading (if known)
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whether the importer/agent is on the same flight
You notify the relevant port office:
Auckland - mqsakac@maf.govt.nz (00 64 9 909 8631)
Christchurch - mqschc@maf.govt.nz (00 64 3 943 3803)
Wellington - mqswlg@maf.govt.nz (00 64 4 894 4213)
Step 15 — 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:
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perform a full clinical check to confirm your dog is fit to travel
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for entire (non-neutered) animals, the genitalia must be examined to rule out signs of canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT)
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verify microchip identity
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confirm all required tests, treatments, and documents are complete
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complete and sign the final sections of the Export Health Certificate Part A.
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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.
After Arrival — Settling In
Once your dog has completed quarantine and been released:
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If your dog appears unwell, arrange a veterinary check as soon as possible and let the vet know your dog has recently arrived in New Zealand and which country it travelled from
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You must register your dog with your local New Zealand council, as required under local regulations
A short recovery period after travel and quarantine is normal — give your dog time to rest, rehydrate, and adjust to the new environment.