Moving your dog or cat from United Kingdom to New Zealand
Short answer: start at least 200 days before your flight. Rules last checked against official sources on 2026-10-30.
This page and the planner are generated automatically from official government sources. Planning tool only — not veterinary, legal or professional advice; no human expert reviews your plan. Always confirm with your vet, the official authority and your airline.
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United Kingdom → New Zealand pet import requirements
| Requirement | Status | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microchip | required verify | Microchip required. | official |
| Rabies vaccine | required verify | Rabies vaccination required for Category 3 countries. | official |
| Rabies titer test (RNATT) | required | RNATT ≥0.5 IU/ml required (United Kingdom is Category 3). Exact timing windows: check the Import Health Standard. | official |
| Health certificate / endorsement | required verify | Veterinary certificate endorsed by the exporting country's government; an Official Veterinarian (OV) issues the export/animal health certificate under APHA rules. | official |
| Import permit / pre-notification | required | MPI import permit required (all approved countries except Australia). | official |
| Quarantine | required | Minimum 10 days in an MPI-approved quarantine facility. | official |
| Other | required verify | Pre-export parasite treatments and tests per the Import Health Standard. | official |
Order of steps
- Microchip your pet — at least 200 days before the flight. Before vaccination and blood test.
- Rabies vaccination — at least 180 days before the flight. Required before the RNATT.
- RNATT blood test at an approved lab — at least 150 days before the flight. Result ≥0.5 IU/ml; check the IHS for exact validity windows.
- Apply for MPI import permit — at least 90 days before the flight. Required before travel.
- Book MPI-approved quarantine (min 10 days) — at least 90 days before the flight. Facilities fill up; book early.
- Pre-export treatments and vet exam — between 30 and 2 days before the flight. Follow the IHS windows exactly.
- Endorsed veterinary certificate — between 10 and 1 days before the flight. An Official Veterinarian (OV) issues the export/animal health certificate under APHA rules.
- Arrive; minimum 10 days quarantine — at least 0 days before the flight.
Items marked “verify” could not be fully confirmed; check the official source and your vet.