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Can I bring my pets back to New Zealand and what does this involve?

Pets can be brought to New Zealand very easily but the process may take up to six months, so you need to plan ahead.

Dogs and cats from ‘low risk’ countries (Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Hawaii and Singapore) often do not need to be quarantined. However, they do require certification and will be inspected for ticks on arrival. Pets from other countries will need to be quarantined. For more information, visit Biosecurity New Zealand's guide for bringing pets into New Zealand.

If you have an exotic pet that you would like to import, a decision is made on a case-by-case basis. The main concern is the introduction of unwanted pests and diseases that could harm New Zealand’s environment and biodiversity.

All pet owners returning to New Zealand need to be aware of the animal health import standards. Visit Biosecurity New Zealand's section on Import Health Standards to understand the standards that you need to comply with. Check also the requirements in the personal travel section of your declaration form.

If your pet does need to be quarantined, you must contact a quarantine facility in New Zealand to reserve a space for your pet before applying for a Permit to Import. When you book a space, the quarantine facility will send you a letter of confirmation, and this must be included with your permit application.

If your pet requires medication, you may be able to import the medicine. You will need approval to do this from the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Group.

To find out the cost of importing your pet into New Zealand, visit the Biosecurity New Zealand fees outline. Please note that this document contains fees for all importations into New Zealand so some searching within the document is required.

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