New Zealand: New Import Standards for Cats and Dogs

New Rules Start 1 July – 2026

Source: Ministry of Primary Industries New Zealand

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries(MPI) has issued a new Import Health Standard for bringing cats and dogs into New Zealand, which comes into force from July 1, 2026. However, there will be a transition period of nine months when compliance with both the old (2021) and new (2026) IHS requirements will be acceptable.

Country Categories

Currently MPI lists three categories of country that a cat or dog can travel to or through, prior to arriving in New Zealand on a vessel.

Category 1: Australia (including Norfolk Island)
Category 2: Rabies free
Category 3: Rabies absent or well-controlled

In the revised requirements, a pre-export identification check (microchip scan) by an official veterinarian in the exporting country needs to be done at least six months prior to shipment to New Zealand. However, MPI say they recognise that for cats and dogs that are onboard yachts, it is unlikely that they will remain in the same category 2 country for six months prior to shipment. Therefore, it is likely that MPI will update the requirements or provide an equivalence to allow this pre-export identification check to be done in a categorised country (rather than the exporting country).

It is also important to note that all preparations for import into New Zealand must be done in a categorised country. It will not be acceptable to have vaccinations, treatments and tests done and samples taken, in non-categorised countries.

small white dog in lifevest of a sailing vessel with paperwork — Benji from SV Two Hoots

Below, is the general response MPI say they will be providing to people who enquire about bringing a cat or dog from category 2 (Pacific Island countries) into New Zealand on a yacht during the transition period.

MPI Response to Enquiries from Category 2 Countries

Bringing a cat or dog into New Zealand on a yacht is tricky – but is possible, if the import requirements are closely followed and the advice below is considered.

Please note that the IHS for CATS AND DOGS (CATSDOGS.GEN) was issued on 12 May 2026. Implementation of the new IHS and related model certificates begins on 1 July 2026. There will be a transition period of 9 months when compliance with both the old (2021) and new (2026) IHS requirements will be acceptable.

There is a new model veterinary certificate for Category 2 countries in the 2026 IHS:

Model certificate template for Category 2: Cats and Dogs from Rabies-Free Countries [PDF, 233 KB]

Importers/pet transporters will need to check with the exporting country’s government authority whether the old or new requirements will be certified at the scheduled date of shipment to ensure that pets are prepared accordingly.

From 1 April 2027, all cats and dogs entering New Zealand must meet the requirements of the new IHS, including the identification check at least six months before shipment.

chloe the dog lying down in the cockpit on passage — Chloe from SY Mojito

Ports of Entry for Cats and Dogs

For import into New Zealand on a yacht, Bay of Islands (Opua), Westhaven and Viaduct (Auckland) marinas are currently approved to receive cats and dogs onboard recreational vessels. Cats and dogs from all countries must be picked up by a quarantine facility for the minimum 10-day quarantine period. Please check that the quarantine facility you intend to book will pick up from the port you intend to arrive in.

Other Requirements

There is no ability to ‘bond’ a cat or dog onboard a yacht while in New Zealand or to place your pet in quarantine if it is rabies non-compliant. In this situation, a reship will be necessary. Please book a quarantine facility as soon as you can because space is limited leading up to, and after the summer holiday break. We recommend that you book for your earliest expected arrival date. Permits are valid for six months so entry can be after the original entry date if the quarantine facility is still able to pick up and accommodate your cat or dog.

The import requirements for entry into New Zealand are outlined in the supporting guidance document in the link below. Your cat or dog must have been in an approved country for at least six months prior to arrival in New Zealand. This six-month period is taken from arrival in an approved country e.g. French Polynesia and not departure from the non-approved country e.g. Panama, unless the rabies import requirements have been fully met.

The rabies requirements do not need to be met if your pet remains continuously resident in category 2 countries for at least six months prior to shipment to New Zealand (taken from the date of arrival in the first category 2 country). Evidence of residency in an approved country/rabies-free country must be supplied at the time of import permit application and is usually in the form of a GPS tracking system.

Bringing Your Cat or Dog Into New Zealand on a Vessel

Your cat or dog must be certified for export from the last country you visit prior to sailing to New Zealand. If there is no government authority with an official veterinarian in this country that can certify your cat or dog for export to New Zealand, tests (dogs only), and treatments will need to be done in post-arrival quarantine. Because a couple of the tests are subcontracted by our own laboratory to overseas laboratories, this will extend the quarantine period to 3-4 weeks. Please discuss the expected costs of extended quarantine and testing with the quarantine facility.

If your last port of call is Fiji, and your cat or dog is bonded onboard the yacht and not imported into Fiji, the Fijian authorities will not certify your cat or dog for export. In which case, tests and treatments will need to be done in post-arrival quarantine. MPI will not accept tests or treatments that have been done in Fiji without veterinary certification, even if the tests and treatments are endorsed by Biosecurity Fiji.

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