Pet travel route
Dog or cat from New Zealand to Costa Rica: the rules
Possible. There is no official waiting period for a dog, but you still need: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations and 3 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 6 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: parasite treatment before travel.
- No rabies blood test, import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving New Zealand publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. MPI's own pages and its export requirements for each destination answer automated requests with a bot check, so these steps come from New Zealand Customs' page on moving pets overseas. It says what is needed in general: the exact contents of the export certificate depend on the destination, so ask MPI or a registered pet exporter before you book.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
No official wait
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
No official wait still means appointments: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations and 3 more. Book them early; lab and paperwork times are not counted.
On this route (dogs)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
How early to start (cats)
No official wait
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
No official wait still means appointments: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations and 3 more. Book them early; lab and paperwork times are not counted.
On this route (cats)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
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Rule change for pets travelling from New Zealand to Costa Rica
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New Zealand → Costa Rica
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether New Zealand (leaving) or Costa Rica (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Costa Rica
ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate
SENASA's resolution of January 2025 makes individual identification with an ISO 11784/11785 microchip with 15 digits compulsory for dogs and cats imported into Costa Rica, with the number declared on the health certificate.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
The resolution takes effect six months after its publication in the official gazette La Gaceta, which we couldn't date, and SENASA's 2024 requirement sheet still says 'microchip if available'. We show the microchip to be safe: ask SENASA if your pet has none.
“Se ordena como medida sanitaria implementar un sistema de identificación y rastreabilidad individual obligatorio para la importación, exportación o tránsito por el país para los animales de compañía (perros y gatos)”
“con una codificación de quince dígitos”
“El código de identificación asignado al animal debe declararse en el certificado sanitario correspondiente.”
“Rige seis meses posteriores a su publicación en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta.”
VaccinationEntering Costa Rica
Rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry
Dogs and cats over three months old must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination must be valid on the day they enter Costa Rica. The certificate gives the date, brand, manufacturer, batch and validity.
Details and the official words
“Los perros y gatos mayores de tres meses deben haber sido vacunados contra rabia; esta vacuna debe estar vigente el día del ingreso de la mascota al país.”
VaccinationEntering Costa Rica
Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations
Your dog must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis (according to its age), recorded on the certificate.
Details and the official words
“Los perros fueron vacunados contra distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus y leptospirosis.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Costa Rica
Vet examination within two weeks before travel
A licensed vet examines your pet within two weeks before it travels: it must be healthy, without tumours, fresh or healing wounds, external parasites or signs of a transmissible disease.
Details and the official words
“Este examen debe realizarse en un plazo de dos semanas antes del embarque.”
“Estos deben ser sometidos a un examen clínico por un médico veterinario en el país de origen dentro de las dos semanas previas al viaje.”
TreatmentEntering Costa Rica
Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before travel
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before export, and must be free of ticks. The certificate gives the date, brand, batch and active ingredient.
Details and the official words
“Los animales fueron tratados dentro de los quince (15) días previos a la exportación con medicamentos contra parásitos externos e internos, asegurando que se encuentran libres de garrapatas y otros parásitos externos e internos.”
“Además, los perros y gatos deben ser desparasitados contra parásitos internos y externos dentro de los 15 días previos a su llegada a Costa Rica”
PaperworkNew Zealand and Costa Rica
International veterinary certificate from the official authority
The official veterinary services (or competent authority) of the country of origin issue the international veterinary certificate: numbered, every page signed and stamped, in Spanish or English (or with an official Spanish translation). It records the vaccinations and treatments. Bring the original and a copy to the border post. No notary or Costa Rican consulate stamp is needed.
Details and the official words
Export certificate signed by an MPI Official Veterinarian: 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.
“Debe ser emitido por los Servicios Veterinarios Oficiales o por la Autoridad Sanitaria Competente del país de origen.”
“En el puesto de inspección fronterizo de entrada, el usuario debe presentar el original y copia del certificado sanitario expedido o avalado por la entidad sanitaria oficial del país de origen.”
“El certificado de salud no tiene que ser refrendado por un notario público ni necesita ser sellado por la Oficina Consular de Costa Rica.”
“Los perros y gatos deben venir amparados por un Certificado Veterinario Internacional emitido por un médico veterinario autorizado por el Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA) y refrendado por un médico veterinario de Servicios Veterinarios (SV)”
“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.”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering Costa Rica
Inspection at the border post on arrival
SENASA inspects your pet where it enters Costa Rica. A pet travelling with its owner in the cabin or as checked baggage only needs the health certificate there.
Details and the official words
“Para las mascotas que son transportadas en cabina como equipaje de mano o equipaje chequeado (documentado) y que ingresan acompañadas por su dueño, únicamente se debe presentar, en el puesto de inspección fronterizo, el certificado sanitario emitido por la autoridad veterinaria/competente del país de origen”
Only in some cases
Official stamp · only in some casesLeaving New Zealand
Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC), if needed
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.”
Good to know
- A pet with tumours, fresh or healing wounds or external parasites is refused at the border, and a pet that doesn't meet the requirements is sent back to its country of origin.
- A pet shipped as declared cargo needs, in addition, a prior import permit (Sanitary Requirements Form) arranged by a customs agency in Costa Rica before it arrives.
- If your pet travels with prescription medicines, bring the prescription.
- 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
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Costa Rica
ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate
SENASA's resolution of January 2025 makes individual identification with an ISO 11784/11785 microchip with 15 digits compulsory for dogs and cats imported into Costa Rica, with the number declared on the health certificate.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
The resolution takes effect six months after its publication in the official gazette La Gaceta, which we couldn't date, and SENASA's 2024 requirement sheet still says 'microchip if available'. We show the microchip to be safe: ask SENASA if your pet has none.
“Se ordena como medida sanitaria implementar un sistema de identificación y rastreabilidad individual obligatorio para la importación, exportación o tránsito por el país para los animales de compañía (perros y gatos)”
“con una codificación de quince dígitos”
“El código de identificación asignado al animal debe declararse en el certificado sanitario correspondiente.”
“Rige seis meses posteriores a su publicación en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta.”
VaccinationEntering Costa Rica
Rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry
Dogs and cats over three months old must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination must be valid on the day they enter Costa Rica. The certificate gives the date, brand, manufacturer, batch and validity.
Details and the official words
“Los perros y gatos mayores de tres meses deben haber sido vacunados contra rabia; esta vacuna debe estar vigente el día del ingreso de la mascota al país.”
VaccinationEntering Costa Rica
Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations
Your cat must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia, recorded on the certificate.
Details and the official words
“Los gatos fueron vacunados contra rinotraqueítis, calicivirus y panleucopenia.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Costa Rica
Vet examination within two weeks before travel
A licensed vet examines your pet within two weeks before it travels: it must be healthy, without tumours, fresh or healing wounds, external parasites or signs of a transmissible disease.
Details and the official words
“Este examen debe realizarse en un plazo de dos semanas antes del embarque.”
“Estos deben ser sometidos a un examen clínico por un médico veterinario en el país de origen dentro de las dos semanas previas al viaje.”
TreatmentEntering Costa Rica
Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before travel
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before export, and must be free of ticks. The certificate gives the date, brand, batch and active ingredient.
Details and the official words
“Los animales fueron tratados dentro de los quince (15) días previos a la exportación con medicamentos contra parásitos externos e internos, asegurando que se encuentran libres de garrapatas y otros parásitos externos e internos.”
“Además, los perros y gatos deben ser desparasitados contra parásitos internos y externos dentro de los 15 días previos a su llegada a Costa Rica”
PaperworkNew Zealand and Costa Rica
International veterinary certificate from the official authority
The official veterinary services (or competent authority) of the country of origin issue the international veterinary certificate: numbered, every page signed and stamped, in Spanish or English (or with an official Spanish translation). It records the vaccinations and treatments. Bring the original and a copy to the border post. No notary or Costa Rican consulate stamp is needed.
Details and the official words
Export certificate signed by an MPI Official Veterinarian: 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.
“Debe ser emitido por los Servicios Veterinarios Oficiales o por la Autoridad Sanitaria Competente del país de origen.”
“En el puesto de inspección fronterizo de entrada, el usuario debe presentar el original y copia del certificado sanitario expedido o avalado por la entidad sanitaria oficial del país de origen.”
“El certificado de salud no tiene que ser refrendado por un notario público ni necesita ser sellado por la Oficina Consular de Costa Rica.”
“Los perros y gatos deben venir amparados por un Certificado Veterinario Internacional emitido por un médico veterinario autorizado por el Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA) y refrendado por un médico veterinario de Servicios Veterinarios (SV)”
“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.”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering Costa Rica
Inspection at the border post on arrival
SENASA inspects your pet where it enters Costa Rica. A pet travelling with its owner in the cabin or as checked baggage only needs the health certificate there.
Details and the official words
“Para las mascotas que son transportadas en cabina como equipaje de mano o equipaje chequeado (documentado) y que ingresan acompañadas por su dueño, únicamente se debe presentar, en el puesto de inspección fronterizo, el certificado sanitario emitido por la autoridad veterinaria/competente del país de origen”
Only in some cases
Official stamp · only in some casesLeaving New Zealand
Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC), if needed
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.”
Good to know
- A pet with tumours, fresh or healing wounds or external parasites is refused at the border, and a pet that doesn't meet the requirements is sent back to its country of origin.
- A pet shipped as declared cargo needs, in addition, a prior import permit (Sanitary Requirements Form) arranged by a customs agency in Costa Rica before it arrives.
- If your pet travels with prescription medicines, bring the prescription.
- 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.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in New Zealand publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
No government fee is published on the official pages we use for this trip. That doesn’t always mean it’s free: ask the authority.
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Microchipyour vet · for: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate47.30–156.75 NZD
New Zealand: 3 published prices
- Vetcall (Linwood, Christchurch): Microchipping; New Zealand Companion Animal Registry registration listed separately at $35.70 on the same page47.30 NZD · per animal · read 2026-10-13
- Kamo Veterinary (Kamo, Whangārei): Microchip and NZCAR registration (stated as $65 when done with another procedure)105 NZD · per animal · read 2026-10-13
- Your Mobile Vet Ltd (Greater Auckland): Microchip implant at home, incl. GST, plus mileage; NZCAR registration an extra $20.00156.75 NZD · per microchip · read 2026-10-13
Vet examinationyour vet · for: vet examination within two weeks before travel86–154 NZD
New Zealand: 2 published prices
- Vetcall (Linwood, Christchurch): Consultation86 NZD · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
- Your Mobile Vet Ltd (Greater Auckland): Home-visit GP consultation, base call-out rate (mileage extra; additional animals of the same owner $94.00)154 NZD · per call-out · read 2026-10-13
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry250 NZD
New Zealand: 1 published price
- Mobile Pet Vaccine (Auckland, mobile): Rabies vaccine for export, given at home by a mobile vet service (a call-out fee is charged per visit on top)250 NZD · per vaccine · read 2026-10-13
Other vaccinationsyour vet · for: dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations45–126 NZD
New Zealand: 3 published prices
- Mobile Pet Vaccine (Auckland, mobile): Dog core vaccine (Versican Plus DHPPi), mobile home visit; the page says a health check is included free and a $50 call-out fee is charged per visit45 NZD · per vaccine · read 2026-10-13
- Vetcall (Linwood, Christchurch): Dog/puppy vaccination including a full health check; price depends on which vaccines are needed99.80–126 NZD · per vaccination visit · read 2026-10-13
- Kamo Veterinary (Kamo, Whangārei): Dog parvo vaccination at a first/annual visit, including the mandatory health check (lepto and kennel cough are extra add-ons)109.01 NZD · per vaccination visit · read 2026-10-13
No published prices yet for New Zealand: health certificate (vet’s fee), parasite treatment.
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to New Zealand
New Zealand only accepts cats and dogs from countries MPI has approved (Categories 1, 2 and 3), and this country is not on those lists. Your pet would have to live in an approved country first, or the exporting country's veterinary authority would have to ask MPI to approve it.
New Zealand only accepts cats and dogs from countries MPI has approved (Categories 1, 2 and 3), and this country is not on those lists. Your pet would have to live in an approved country first, or the exporting country's veterinary authority would have to ask MPI to approve it.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Requisitos para la importación de perros y gatos, DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-006 v11 (SENASA)
- Requisitos para la importación de perros y gatos de Estados Unidos de América, DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-007 v09 (SENASA)
- Resolución SENASA-DCA-R0002-2025: uso de microchip para la importación, exportación o tránsito de mascotas (SENASA)
- Conozca los requisitos sanitarios establecidos por SENASA para la importación de perros y gatos (SENASA, 18 December 2025)
- Move your pets overseas (New Zealand Customs Service)
- Additional Exemptions From the Requirements for Animal Welfare Export Certificates Under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, Notice No. 1195 (New Zealand Gazette, 10 May 2001)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from New Zealand to Costa Rica?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Costa Rica?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Costa Rica?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for New Zealand to Costa Rica?
There is no official waiting period for a dog, but you still need: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations and 3 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
Turn this into dates for your pet
Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.