Pet travel route
Dog or cat from New Zealand to Taiwan: official requirements
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination (over 90 days old) and rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival and 2 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 15 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- Taiwan puts New Zealand in the group “Country on Taiwan’s rabies-free list”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: import permit needed.
- No rabies blood test or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
- Coming back to New Zealand? 3 steps have to happen before your pet leaves.
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)
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival (at least 30 days before importation)
3 weeks
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Import quarantine permit (at least 20 days prior to entering)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- No rabies blood test
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
How early to start (cats)
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival (at least 30 days before importation)
3 weeks
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Import quarantine permit (at least 20 days prior to entering)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- No rabies blood test
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
Which rules apply to you
Taiwan puts New Zealand in the group “Country on Taiwan’s rabies-free list”. See every group
Official name: Listed as free from rabies — no blood test, no post-entry quarantine if the pet has stayed only in rabies-free places for 180 days (or since birth)
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New Zealand → Taiwan
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether New Zealand (leaving) or Taiwan (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Taiwan
Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped. The microchip number must be on the vaccination certificate and the export certificate, and match the chip in your pet.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: A pet without a microchip, or whose chip number is missing from the export certificate or doesn't match, is sent back, destroyed or put in post-entry quarantine (chipped, vaccinated, blood-tested and held 97 days after a passing blood sample).
“Implanted with a microchip; and”
“Implanted with a microchip.”
“will be returned to sender, euthanized and destroyed, or sent to a post-entry quarantine facility if it falls in any of the following circumstances”
VaccinationEntering Taiwan
Rabies vaccination (over 90 days old)
Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine (or one licensed in Taiwan) when it is over 90 days old.
Details and the official words
“Vaccinated with one of the following vaccine against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation, and the dog/cat shall be over 90 days of age at vaccination.”
“The inactivated vaccine.”
VaccinationEntering Taiwan
Rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival
Taiwan needs a rabies vaccination given between 1 year and 30 days before your pet arrives. If your pet's last shot will be more than a year old on arrival, give a booster at least 30 days before arrival. The vet's vaccination certificate (Chinese or English) must show the species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date and the vaccine's name and maker (or say it is inactivated).
Details and the official words
Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.
If this is missed: If the export certificate doesn't show a vaccination that meets these rules, the pet is vaccinated and held in post-entry quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.
“Vaccinated with one of the following vaccines against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation”
“the animal’s species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date, name of the vaccine and manufacturer (or state “the vaccine is inactivated”)”
“the dog/cat shall complete vaccination with vaccine against rabies pursuant to Article 4.2, and be detained in quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.”
PermitEntering Taiwan
Import quarantine permit
Apply online (pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw), or to APHIA's office at your port of entry, for an import quarantine permit at least 20 days before your pet arrives (if your pet is leaving Taiwan to come back, apply before it leaves). Send copies of your ID document (passport for foreigners) and the rabies vaccination certificate. You can change the entry date or port once, at least 10 days before the new date.
Details and the official words
“prior to import, importers or their agents shall apply for the issuance of import quarantine permits from the import/export animal quarantine authority”
“shall submit an application for the import quarantine permit to the import/export animal quarantine authority stationed at the port of entry at least 20 days prior to entering or before exiting the importing country for subsequent re-entry”
“make reservation for a space at post-entry quarantine facility or arrange relevant procedure at least 20 days”
“This submission shall occur at least 10 days prior to the new entry date.”
“Online Application System for Dog/Cat Import Permit： https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/”
“請於犬貓輸入至少20日前，至本署「輸入犬貓檢疫資訊網」（https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/）申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」。”
“請於申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」前，先至「犬貓輸入檢疫資訊網」之「輸入犬貓隔離籠位管理及查詢」查詢隔離籠位最新預約狀況。”
“外籍人士請檢附護照 Passport is required for foreigners”
“Application for such a change can only be requested once.”
In the days before you travel
PaperworkNew Zealand and Taiwan
Export veterinary certificate from the exporting country's quarantine authority
Your pet must travel with an original veterinary certificate (English or Chinese) issued by the animal quarantine authority of the country it leaves, showing its species, number, sex, age and microchip number, the exporting country and the exporter's name, that it shows no clinical signs of rabies, and its rabies vaccination date and vaccine.
Details and the official words
From a rabies-free place, the certificate must also say your pet has been kept there for the 180 days before export, or since birth.
Taiwan's rule sets no validity period for this certificate. Ask APHIA how recent it must be.
APHIA publishes specimen certificates the exporting country can use: Form 001 (rabies-free places) and Form 002 (other places).
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.
If this is missed: Without the original certificate, or if it lacks the required statements, the pet is sent back, destroyed or held in post-entry quarantine.
“shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the veterinarians of the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”
“shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”
“That the animal shows no clinical signs of rabies upon inspection;”
“That the animal has been kept for 180 days prior to export or since birth in the rabies-free country (zone).”
“That the dog/cat has passed the rabies test, the date of blood sampling, and the name of the test laboratory.”
“APHIA Form 002: from rabies-infected countries (zones) to Taiwan”
“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 Taiwan
Quarantine inspection on arrival
When your pet arrives, give APHIA's office at the port a copy of the import permit, the original export certificate and a copy of the air waybill, bill of lading or customs declaration. APHIA issues the import certificate once the documents are in order and your pet shows no signs of notifiable diseases.
Details and the official words
“Photocopy of the import quarantine permit;”
“The original export veterinary certificate, and”
“Photocopy of the bill of lading, airway bill or customs declaration.”
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
- You pay all costs of detention, transport, check-ups and quarantine (feeding, care, tests, microchip, vaccination), and of sending the pet back or destroying it if it doesn't meet the rules.
- Pets enter through Taipei Songshan (TSA), Taoyuan (TPE), Taichung (RMQ) or Kaohsiung (KHH) airports, or Taipei Port; you choose the port on the permit application. Avoid arriving on weekends or public holidays: APHIA can't escort or receive pets then. The Guanyin quarantine station receives animals on working days from 9:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 16:00.
- Taiwan has banned importing Pit Bull Terriers (American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers) since 1 March 2022. A dog of these breeds already kept on or before 28 February 2022 can be imported only after the animal protection authority has confirmed it.
- 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 Taiwan
Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped. The microchip number must be on the vaccination certificate and the export certificate, and match the chip in your pet.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: A pet without a microchip, or whose chip number is missing from the export certificate or doesn't match, is sent back, destroyed or put in post-entry quarantine (chipped, vaccinated, blood-tested and held 97 days after a passing blood sample).
“Implanted with a microchip; and”
“Implanted with a microchip.”
“will be returned to sender, euthanized and destroyed, or sent to a post-entry quarantine facility if it falls in any of the following circumstances”
VaccinationEntering Taiwan
Rabies vaccination (over 90 days old)
Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine (or one licensed in Taiwan) when it is over 90 days old.
Details and the official words
“Vaccinated with one of the following vaccine against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation, and the dog/cat shall be over 90 days of age at vaccination.”
“The inactivated vaccine.”
VaccinationEntering Taiwan
Rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival
Taiwan needs a rabies vaccination given between 1 year and 30 days before your pet arrives. If your pet's last shot will be more than a year old on arrival, give a booster at least 30 days before arrival. The vet's vaccination certificate (Chinese or English) must show the species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date and the vaccine's name and maker (or say it is inactivated).
Details and the official words
Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.
If this is missed: If the export certificate doesn't show a vaccination that meets these rules, the pet is vaccinated and held in post-entry quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.
“Vaccinated with one of the following vaccines against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation”
“the animal’s species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date, name of the vaccine and manufacturer (or state “the vaccine is inactivated”)”
“the dog/cat shall complete vaccination with vaccine against rabies pursuant to Article 4.2, and be detained in quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.”
PermitEntering Taiwan
Import quarantine permit
Apply online (pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw), or to APHIA's office at your port of entry, for an import quarantine permit at least 20 days before your pet arrives (if your pet is leaving Taiwan to come back, apply before it leaves). Send copies of your ID document (passport for foreigners) and the rabies vaccination certificate. You can change the entry date or port once, at least 10 days before the new date.
Details and the official words
“prior to import, importers or their agents shall apply for the issuance of import quarantine permits from the import/export animal quarantine authority”
“shall submit an application for the import quarantine permit to the import/export animal quarantine authority stationed at the port of entry at least 20 days prior to entering or before exiting the importing country for subsequent re-entry”
“make reservation for a space at post-entry quarantine facility or arrange relevant procedure at least 20 days”
“This submission shall occur at least 10 days prior to the new entry date.”
“Online Application System for Dog/Cat Import Permit： https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/”
“請於犬貓輸入至少20日前，至本署「輸入犬貓檢疫資訊網」（https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/）申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」。”
“請於申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」前，先至「犬貓輸入檢疫資訊網」之「輸入犬貓隔離籠位管理及查詢」查詢隔離籠位最新預約狀況。”
“外籍人士請檢附護照 Passport is required for foreigners”
“Application for such a change can only be requested once.”
In the days before you travel
PaperworkNew Zealand and Taiwan
Export veterinary certificate from the exporting country's quarantine authority
Your pet must travel with an original veterinary certificate (English or Chinese) issued by the animal quarantine authority of the country it leaves, showing its species, number, sex, age and microchip number, the exporting country and the exporter's name, that it shows no clinical signs of rabies, and its rabies vaccination date and vaccine.
Details and the official words
From a rabies-free place, the certificate must also say your pet has been kept there for the 180 days before export, or since birth.
Taiwan's rule sets no validity period for this certificate. Ask APHIA how recent it must be.
APHIA publishes specimen certificates the exporting country can use: Form 001 (rabies-free places) and Form 002 (other places).
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.
If this is missed: Without the original certificate, or if it lacks the required statements, the pet is sent back, destroyed or held in post-entry quarantine.
“shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the veterinarians of the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”
“shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”
“That the animal shows no clinical signs of rabies upon inspection;”
“That the animal has been kept for 180 days prior to export or since birth in the rabies-free country (zone).”
“That the dog/cat has passed the rabies test, the date of blood sampling, and the name of the test laboratory.”
“APHIA Form 002: from rabies-infected countries (zones) to Taiwan”
“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 Taiwan
Quarantine inspection on arrival
When your pet arrives, give APHIA's office at the port a copy of the import permit, the original export certificate and a copy of the air waybill, bill of lading or customs declaration. APHIA issues the import certificate once the documents are in order and your pet shows no signs of notifiable diseases.
Details and the official words
“Photocopy of the import quarantine permit;”
“The original export veterinary certificate, and”
“Photocopy of the bill of lading, airway bill or customs declaration.”
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
- You pay all costs of detention, transport, check-ups and quarantine (feeding, care, tests, microchip, vaccination), and of sending the pet back or destroying it if it doesn't meet the rules.
- Pets enter through Taipei Songshan (TSA), Taoyuan (TPE), Taichung (RMQ) or Kaohsiung (KHH) airports, or Taipei Port; you choose the port on the permit application. Avoid arriving on weekends or public holidays: APHIA can't escort or receive pets then. The Guanyin quarantine station receives animals on working days from 9:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 16:00.
- 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 fee applies to every trip; these may, depending on your case
Quarantine station holdingEntering Taiwan · 860 TWD for each extra pet860 TWD
Per pet per day, if your pet is held for quarantine.
“(一) 犬、貓 八百六十元 六百零五元”
動植物檢疫規費收費實施辦法 附表一 動物繫留費收費基準 · as of 2025-11-14
Quarantine testingEntering Taiwan · 605 TWD for each extra pet605 TWD
Per test per pet, if your pet is held for quarantine.
“(一) 犬、貓 八百六十元 六百零五元”
動植物檢疫規費收費實施辦法 附表一 動物繫留費收費基準 · as of 2025-11-14
Quarantine officer’s visitEntering Taiwan500 TWD
Per officer per visit, when an officer is sent to inspect (e.g. isolation at another approved place).
“依下列規定計收臨場費： 一、每人每次五百元。”
動植物檢疫規費收費實施辦法 · as of 2025-11-14
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Microchipyour vet · for: microchip47.30–156.75 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
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination (over 90 days old), rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival250 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
No published prices yet for New Zealand: health certificate (vet’s fee).
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
Do before your pet leaves New Zealand (dogs)
- Pre-export identification check by an official vet
- Rabies vaccination (Category 3 countries)
- Rabies antibody blood test, RNATT (Category 3 countries)
Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.
The trip back asks for 22 steps: permanent microchip, pre-export identification check by an official vet, rabies vaccination (Category 3 countries) and rabies antibody blood test, RNATT (Category 3 countries) and more.
Do before your pet leaves New Zealand (cats)
- Pre-export identification check by an official vet
- Rabies vaccination (Category 3 countries)
- Rabies antibody blood test, RNATT (Category 3 countries)
Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.
The trip back asks for 12 steps: permanent microchip, pre-export identification check by an official vet, rabies vaccination (Category 3 countries) and rabies antibody blood test, RNATT (Category 3 countries) and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Regulations for the Importation of Objects Subject to Animal Quarantine (English, amended 8 Oct 2025)
- Attachment 6: Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Dogs and Cats (English, amended 27 Feb 2024)
- 動物傳染病非疫區及疫區之國家（地區） (countries free from animal infectious diseases, incl. rabies; announcement of 22 Sep 2026)
- Quarantine for Dogs & Cats (APHIA English page; Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-25 copy, captured 9 June 2026)
- 狂犬病疫區輸入 (importing dogs and cats from places not free from rabies, APHIA; Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-21 copy, captured 15 May 2026)
- Application Form for Dog/Cat Import Quarantine Permit (APHIA PDF, update 29 February 2024; Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-30 copy, captured 11 July 2026)
- 輸入檢疫隔離場所 / Quarantine premises for post-entry quarantine (APHIA; Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-25 copy, captured 11 June 2026)
- Arrival time for dogs/cats into the quarantine premise (APHIA PDF, update 1 August 2023; Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2025-43 copy, captured 12 October 2025)
- 2026 shipping fare for dogs, cats, ferrets and rabbits from the port of entry to the quarantine premise (APHIA, updated 1 January 2026; Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-25 copy, captured 14 June 2026)
- Ban on breeding and importing Pit Bull Terriers from 1 March 2022 (APHIA; Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-17 copy, captured 10 April 2026)
- Table 1 Animal Holding Fees Schedule, Regulations Governing Fees for Animal and Plant Quarantine (English, PDF)
- Pet travel from the United States to Taiwan (USDA APHIS, last modified 30 July 2025)
- Veterinary Certificate for the Export of Dog/Cat to Taiwan From the United States (USDA APHIS, version 20250228)
- 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: 2026-10-13.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from New Zealand to Taiwan?
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 Taiwan?
Yes: Apply online (pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw), or to APHIA's office at your port of entry, for an import quarantine permit at least 20 days before your pet arrives (if your pet is leaving Taiwan to come back, apply before it leaves).
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Taiwan?
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 Taiwan?
With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination (over 90 days old) and rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival and 2 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.