🔄 Updated : June 27, 2026📊 Difficulty : Very demanding

New Zealand runs one of the strictest and longest import procedures in the world: an import permit, a rabies titer test, then mandatory quarantine on arrival. Allow 6 to 7 months of preparation, and follow the official MPI guide to the letter.

Entry requirements

Requirement Details
📝 Import permit (MPI) Apply at least 6 weeks in advance. Your country of origin determines the category (France, for example, is category 3).
💉 Microchip + rabies vaccination Identification and up-to-date vaccination.
🧪 Serological rabies titer test (FAVN/RFFIT) ≥ 0.5 IU/ml at an approved laboratory.
🏥 Mandatory quarantine Minimum 10 days at an MPI-approved facility.
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Warning. A long (6-7 months) and expensive process: MPI permit, rabies titer test, then mandatory quarantine. Any timing mistake can derail the whole trip — follow the official MPI guide step by step.

🧰 Our tools to plan your trip

Dog flight checker Can my dog fly? 62 airlines compared, by departure airport, destination and your dog's weight. Open the checker → IATA crate calculator IATA crate calculator The airline-approved crate size for your dog, using the official IATA formula. Calculate the size → Entry requirements by country Entry requirements checker Country-by-country entry rules: paperwork, vaccines, lead times and official sources. Check the rules →

Compare with other destinations using our dog entry requirements checker by country.

On the ground: protected wilderness

New Zealand fiercely protects its native wildlife: many natural areas are off-limits to dogs, and local regulations are strict. Look into which areas allow dogs once the entry process is squared away.

How to get there with your dog

The trip is a long-haul flight (often with a layover): compare airlines with our flight checker.

➡️ Next step : your journey

  1. Put together your dog’s health paperwork
  2. Choose an airline
  3. Prepare your dog for the flight

✈️ Which airlines fly to New Zealand? Air Canada, Air Tahiti Nui, American Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Korean Air, LATAM, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines — compare them in our dog flight checker.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to bring a dog to New Zealand?
About 6 to 7 months: import permit, rabies titer test, then a quarantine of at least 10 days on arrival.
Is quarantine mandatory?
Yes, a minimum of 10 days at an MPI-approved facility. It is an unavoidable step.

Sources

Ministry for Primary Industries — MPI (New Zealand), accessed June 2026. Strict procedure: follow the official MPI guide and double-check every step.