Flying with a Dog from United States to New Zealand — Requirements

Inactivated or recombinant vaccine only. Primary vaccination administered when dog is at least 3 months old. Primary vaccination must be given no less than 6 months and no more than 12 months before travel. Booster must be given before the previous vaccination expires and no more than 12 months before travel.

Apply online through MPI at least 30 working days before travel. Fee: NZD $268.24. Required documents for application: quarantine facility booking confirmation, OVD form, RNATT lab report, and rabies vaccination records.

Completed by your vet and endorsed by an official government veterinarian (USDA-accredited). Model Vet Certificates A and B must be signed, endorsed, and dated by the official vet.

Blood sample collected between 3 months and 24 months before travel. Result must be ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. It is recommended to wait 3–4 weeks after primary vaccination before drawing blood for the RNATT.

Required for dogs 6+ months old. ELISA test within 30 days before shipping. Dog must also receive heartworm prevention product 4 days before flying (or have a sustained-release injection).

IFAT or ELISA test with a negative result within 16 days before flying. Babesia gibsoni required for all dogs. Babesia canis only if the dog has travelled to South Africa.

RSAT, TAT, or CPAg-AGID test with a negative result within 16 days before flying.

Must be implanted before all vaccinations, tests, and treatments. The microchip is scanned before each procedure to confirm identity.

Your dog must complete a minimum 10-day quarantine at an MPI-approved quarantine facility in New Zealand. Book the facility before applying for the import permit.

Therapeutic dose of doxycycline (5–10 mg/kg for at least 14 consecutive days) OR a microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with a negative result within 30 days before flying.

First treatment: within 30 days before flying, at least 14 days before the second treatment. Second treatment: within 2 days before flying. Both must be effective against fleas and ticks.

First treatment: 30 days before flying. Second treatment: within 4 days before flying. Both must be effective against nematodes and cestodes.

A veterinarian must perform a final clinical examination within 2 days before shipment to confirm the dog is fit for travel.