Pet Transport to New Zealand: The Hardest Move in the World

The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) protects one of the planet's most isolated biosecurity zones. That isolation is the reason your dog can spend two years there without ever encountering rabies, parvo in soil, ehrlichia, or screwworm. It is also why moving a pet there costs more, takes longer, and breaks more often than any other route.

This is the honest guide. The cheerful operators' websites underplay the timeline and the cost. We talked to three pet relocators who handle this route weekly, pulled current MPI standards, and ran the numbers on a real 2026 cat and dog move.

Related reading: Traveling With a Dog in an RV.

The 7-month timeline, working backwards

Most pet transport to other countries can be done in 90 days. New Zealand cannot. The rabies antibody titer (FAVN test) must be drawn at least 180 days before arrival, and the test result must be valid at the time the pet enters NZ. Miss that window and the entire process restarts.

Days before arrival | Action
210 days | Confirm ISO-15 microchip implanted; rabies vaccine current
200 days | Booster rabies if needed; FAVN blood draw at USDA-approved lab (Kansas State KSVDL)
180 days | Earliest acceptable FAVN result date for NZ entry
120 days | Apply for MPI import permit (valid 12 months)
60 days | Book flight on Air NZ cargo or partner carrier (Singapore Airlines, Qantas)
45 days | Reserve quarantine slot at Auckland PEQ Mangere
30 days | Internal and external parasite treatments begin (specific schedule by species)
10 days | USDA-accredited vet health certificate
7 days | USDA APHIS endorsement
2 days | Final parasite treatment (within 4 to 30 hours of departure for dogs)
0 | Arrival Auckland AKL, transfer to PEQ Mangere for 10-day quarantine

The 6-month rabies titer wait is the choke point. There is no shortcut, no rush option, no exception.

Approved countries: the US is on the list

NZ classifies countries into three groups: rabies-free (Group 2: UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, etc.), rabies-controlled (Group 3: US, Canada, EU, Singapore, Australia and others), and not approved (everywhere else). The US is Group 3, which means import is allowed with the full protocol. Pets coming from non-approved countries cannot enter at all, even via a third country, unless they spend 6 months in a Group 2 or 3 country first.

Only cats and dogs are permitted. NZ does not allow ferrets, rabbits, reptiles, birds (with narrow exceptions), or rodents under standard import rules.

Required tests and treatments

For dogs, from the MPI Cats and Dogs Import Health Standard:

Rabies vaccination, current, with the FAVN titer drawn 6+ months before arrival and result ≥0.5 IU/ml

Leptospirosis vaccination (4-strain) within 12 months and at least 14 days before travel

Brucella canis blood test within 30 days of departure (intact dogs only, but recommended for all)

Internal parasite treatment twice in the 30 days before travel, last dose 24 to 30 hours before departure

External parasite treatment with an MPI-approved product twice in the 30 days before

Heartworm test (4DX or equivalent) within 30 days

Babesia gibsoni PCR if the dog has spent time in certain regions

For cats:

Rabies vaccination + FAVN titer same as dogs

FIV antibody test within 30 days

Internal and external parasite treatment same schedule

No leptospirosis or brucella requirements

Skipping or mis-timing any single item triggers a re-do plus a delayed flight. Pet relocators who do this route routinely use a project-management spreadsheet that we recommend you replicate.

Auckland quarantine: PEQ Mangere

There is only one approved import quarantine facility for cats and dogs in New Zealand: PEQ Mangere near Auckland Airport. Minimum stay is 10 days for pets from Group 3 countries (the US). Stays can extend if testing flags issues.

Real 2026 costs at PEQ Mangere:

Single dog 10 days: NZD $2,400 to $2,800 (roughly USD $1,450 to $1,700)

Single cat 10 days: NZD $1,900 to $2,200

Multi-pet shared housing discount: 10 to 15%

You book the quarantine slot before booking the flight. PEQ runs near capacity in NZ summer (Dec-Feb) and you may wait 2 to 3 months for an open slot.

Approved airlines: Air NZ and a short list of partners

Only Air New Zealand cargo and a handful of partner carriers ship pets into AKL. Singapore Airlines (via SIN), Qantas (via SYD with a check-through to AKL), and occasionally Cathay Pacific (via HKG) are the working options. American, United, and Delta do not move pets to NZ.

Lead time on Air NZ cargo bookings is 60 to 90 days. The aircraft must have an active-environment hold (climate, pressure, lighting) and that limits which flights take live animals.

Typical USD cargo cost LAX or SFO to AKL via direct Air NZ: $2,500 to $4,500 depending on crate size. Add $300 to $700 for ground handoff between airport and PEQ Mangere.

Total cost breakdown for a real 2026 move

35-lb dog, LAX to Auckland, mid-tier operator handling end-to-end:

Line item | USD cost
FAVN rabies titer (KSVDL) | $130
Vet visits, vaccines, parasite treatments | $600 to $900
Brucella, heartworm, additional PCR tests | $250 to $400
MPI import permit | NZD $292 ($175)
USDA APHIS endorsement | $173 (rush)
IATA crate (size 400) | $200 to $300
Air NZ cargo LAX to AKL | $3,200 to $4,200
PEQ Mangere 10-day quarantine | $1,550
Pet relocator project fee | $2,500 to $4,000
Ground delivery PEQ to home address | $200 to $500
Total | $8,978 to $12,373

Owners who manage the project themselves and skip the relocator save $2,500 to $4,000, but the failure rate goes up sharply for first-timers. The paperwork stack is dense and MPI does not extend grace for honest mistakes.

For comparison with another tough Oceania route, see pet transport to Australia, which uses similar but slightly less brutal protocols.

Top 3 specialist relocators for NZ

PetRelocation

Highest cost, lowest failure rate. PetRelocation has moved hundreds of pets to AKL and assigns a dedicated coordinator to NZ jobs. Pricing $9,000 to $13,000 all-in for a medium dog. They build the timeline backwards from your move date and project-manage every vet appointment.

Worldcare Pet Transport

Boutique, IPATA-accredited, NZ-specialist. Worldcare is on MPI's informal short list of preferred operators. Quotes run $8,000 to $11,000. Read our full Worldcare Pet Transport review for the breakdown.

Jetpets

Australian operator with deep AKL experience. Useful if you are doing a US-AU-NZ multi-stop move or want someone with offices in Sydney to manage the AU side of any KLM/QF routing. Pricing $7,500 to $10,000.

We do not recommend bargain-quote relocators for this route. The cost of a failed move (returned pet, restart of 6-month titer wait, additional quarantine) far exceeds the savings.

Brachycephalic and senior pets

Air NZ embargoes most brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Persians, Himalayans) on its cargo flights to NZ. Some owners route via Singapore on Singapore Airlines, which has a slightly more permissive snub-breed policy, but the longer journey carries its own risks. Senior pets and those with chronic conditions need a vet fitness-to-travel sign-off; many vets will refuse to certify pets over 12 years old for a journey this long. See our pet transport for senior dogs guide for the deeper consideration.

What can go wrong

Things that have actually wrecked NZ moves we have seen:

Microchip implanted after rabies vaccine. Restart vaccine, restart titer, lose 6+ months.

FAVN titer below 0.5 IU/ml. Re-vaccinate, retest, lose 30 to 90 days.

Health certificate older than 10 days. Pet refused at AKL, returned to origin.

Parasite treatment timing off by more than 6 hours. Treatment redone in NZ at owner cost, quarantine extended.

Quarantine slot lost. Flight booked before slot confirmed, then no PEQ space for 6 weeks.

Build redundancy into every step. A relocator who has done NZ at least 20 times is worth the fee.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to move a pet to New Zealand from the US?

Minimum 7 months if your dog already has a current rabies vaccine and ISO microchip. The 6-month wait between the FAVN rabies titer blood draw and the earliest acceptable arrival date is the choke point and cannot be shortened.

How much does it cost to ship a dog to New Zealand?

$5,000 on the lowest end if you manage the project yourself, more realistically $8,000 to $12,000 with a relocator. Costs include the cargo flight ($3,000 to $4,500), 10-day Auckland quarantine ($1,500 to $1,700), vet workups ($1,000+), and operator fees.

Is rabies vaccination enough or do I need a titer test?

A titer is required. The FAVN test must show antibody levels at or above 0.5 IU/ml and the blood draw must happen at least 180 days before your pet arrives in NZ. The certificate is valid for 24 months as long as the rabies vaccine stays current.

How long is quarantine in New Zealand?

10 days minimum at the PEQ Mangere facility in Auckland, the only approved import quarantine in the country. Stays can extend if any pre-arrival test was missed or a parasite issue is detected on arrival.

Which airlines fly pets to New Zealand?

Air New Zealand cargo handles the bulk of US-to-NZ pet imports, with Singapore Airlines and Qantas as the main partners. American, Delta, and United do not move pets to AKL.

Can I take my pet out of quarantine early?

No. The 10-day minimum is set by MPI biosecurity rules and cannot be shortened. You can visit during posted hours, and PEQ Mangere accommodates short familiarization visits.

Are Bulldogs and French Bulldogs allowed?

Allowed on import but embargoed by Air NZ in cargo for most of the year due to brachycephalic airway risk. Some snub-friendly carriers may accept them but options are limited. Many owners delay travel until cooler months or rehome.

Do I need an import permit before I book the flight?

Yes. Apply for the MPI import permit before booking any flight or quarantine slot. The permit is valid for 12 months and confirms your pet's eligibility under the Import Health Standard.