Taking a dog or cat out of New Zealand: the rules

Leaving New Zealand

The steps

What the authorities in New Zealand ask before your pet leaves, mostly the health certificate and who has to sign or endorse it.

No step applies to every trip: which ones you need depends on where your pet goes. Each step says when it applies.

1. Official stamp

   Export certificate signed by an MPI Official Veterinarian

   Applies when: you do not travel to Australia or the United States

   The destination's export certificate is completed, signed off by an official veterinarian and travels with your pet. If you don't use a registered pet exporter, an MPI Official Veterinarian signs the export certificate before your pet leaves.

   Details and the official words

   “Certificates are forms that need to be completed, signed off by an official veterinarian, and travel with your pet.”

   “If you are not using a pet exporter, you will need an MPI Official Veterinarian to sign the export certificate and AWEC prior to export.”

2. Paperwork

   Export certificate from an MPI-approved vet (Australia)

   Applies when: you travel to Australia

   Dogs and cats from New Zealand don't need an Australian import permit, but they still need an export certificate, which an MPI-approved registered veterinarian can issue.

   Details and the official words

   “Dogs and cats from New Zealand may enter Australia without the need for an import permit. However, an export certificate is still required.”

   “You can get an export certificate from an MPI approved registered veterinarian.”

Only in some cases

1. Official stamp · only in some cases

   Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC), if needed

   Applies when: you do not travel to Australia

   Pets leaving New Zealand may also need an Animal Welfare Export Certificate from MPI, which ensures animals travel and arrive in good health. Without a pet exporter, an MPI Official Veterinarian signs it before export.

   The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

   Details and the official words

   The Customs page doesn't say which trips need an AWEC. Ask MPI or a registered pet exporter for your destination.

   Cats and dogs exported to Australia are exempt (New Zealand Gazette notice No. 1195, 2001), so this step isn't shown for Australia.

   “Pets being taken out of New Zealand may also need an Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC) from MPI.”

   “AWECs ensure that animals travel and arrive in good health.”

   “Cats and dogs exported to Australia.”

2. Paperwork · only in some cases

   Letter from your vet that your pet is fit to travel (for the airline)

   Applies when: you travel to the United States

   No export certificate is needed for dogs and cats going to the USA, but most airlines won't carry an animal without a letter saying it is well and fit to travel. A New Zealand-registered vet writes it on the practice's headed paper, with the vet's name and qualifications.

   Details and the official words

   “While no export certificate is required for dogs and cats being exported to the USA, most airlines will not accept animals for shipment unless they are accompanied by a letter stating the animal is well and fit to travel.”

   “Such letters can be completed by a New Zealand-registered veterinarian and must be written on headed veterinary practice note paper.”

   “Veterinary surgeons providing such letters must ensure that their name and qualifications are included.”

Worked out from the rules

Where you can go from New Zealand, and how long it takes

How each destination we cover treats pets from New Zealand, as its authority names the group, and the least time its official waits allow. Tap a destination for the full route.

Money

What it costs to leave New Zealand

New Zealand’s government fees for a pet leaving, exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in New Zealand publish. The destination’s own fees come on top: they are in the table above and on each route.

Notes

Good to know

• Every pet leaving New Zealand must meet the destination country's requirements. MPI has agreed export requirements and certificates with most countries; the requirements set what the export certificate must say.
• Customs advises contacting a registered pet exporter to organise the export. Some airlines only take animal bookings through a pet exporter, not from the public.
• Cats and dogs from New Zealand can enter the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme without quarantine, but there are export requirements on the New Zealand side. The Customs page doesn't list them: ask MPI or a registered pet exporter.Applies when: you travel to the United Kingdom or Northern Ireland (UK)

Where this comes from

Official sources

Questions owners ask