Destination Profile: New Zealand

Last verified: 24 February 2026
Competent health authority: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Official URL: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-cats-and-dogs-to-nz/

Global classification of the destination

Regulatory model

Model A: mandatory routine quarantine. New Zealand applies one of the strictest biosecurity controls in the world, requiring prior import permit and minimum 10-day stay at an authorised quarantine facility for all animals from Category 2 and 3 countries, with the sole exception of Australia (MPI Import Health Standard). For unapproved countries like Peru, direct import is impossible: the animal must first reside in an approved country.

Rabies status of the destination country

Canine rabies-free. New Zealand is a rabies-free country. Protecting this status is the central aim of MPI’s entire category system and justifies mandatory quarantine even for Category 2 countries.
Source: WOAH — https://www.woah.org/en/disease/rabies/

Country-of-origin classification system

Yes. MPI classifies all countries into four levels: Category 1 (Australia, no restrictions), Category 2 (rabies-free, no RNATT), Category 3 (rabies-controlled, RNATT mandatory) and Unapproved countries (direct import impossible). Peru is an unapproved country. All Latin American countries share this status: Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia, Mexico, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. No Latin American country is classified in Categories 1, 2 or 3.
Verification URL: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-cats-and-dogs-to-nz/step-by-step-guide-to-bringing-cats-and-dogs-to-nz/

Requirements for dogs — from a Category 3 country

This section details the requirements for dogs already residing in a Category 3 country (USA, Spain, Canada or another MPI-approved country) applying to New Zealand from there.

Microchip

— Required standard: ISO 11784 or 11785 (MPI IHS).
— Must it be implanted before the vaccine? Yes. The chip must be scanned before any treatment or diagnostic test. It is the first mandatory milestone of the process.
— If treatments were carried out before the chip: they are not valid for official MPI certification. Everything must be restarted from implantation.

Rabies vaccine

— Mandatory: Yes for Category 3 (MPI IHS).
— Minimum age for vaccination: 3 months (90 days).
— Minimum post-vaccine period: at least 6 months before arrival to complete RNATT waiting periods.
— Recognised validity: current at time of arrival. Vaccines of 1 to 3 years accepted according to manufacturer’s registration.
— Accepted vaccine types: inactivated or authorised recombinant.

Rabies serological titre (RNATT)

— Mandatory: Yes for Category 3 (MPI IHS Clause 5.1).
— Minimum threshold: 0.5 IU/mL (https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/1565-cats-and-dogs-import-health-standard).
— Period for sample collection: between 3 and 24 months before export.
— Mandatory waiting period: minimum 90 days from sample collection date before the flight to New Zealand (MPI IHS Clause 5.1).
— The relevant counter: blood sample collection date.
— Accredited laboratories: laboratories approved by the government of the Category 3 country of origin and recognised by MPI. There is no accredited laboratory in Peru. Samples must be processed in the laboratory of the Category 3 country where the animal resides during the intermediate process.
— If the result is below threshold: mandatory re-vaccination and repetition of the full process.

Other vaccines required by New Zealand

MPI requires multiple vaccines current at time of arrival. For dogs: Distemper, Parvovirus, Infectious canine hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola (or negative test for Leptospirosis). Kennel cough vaccine (Bordetella bronchiseptica) is highly recommended before entry to quarantine.

The export authority of the Category 3 country (USDA in USA, APHA in UK, competent authority in Spain or other Category 3 country) issues and endorses the certificate. SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) has the role of certifying the export of the animal from Peru to the Category 3 intermediate country.

Antiparasitic treatments

Mandatory, both external and internal (MPI IHS). This profile has one of the most specific antiparasitic protocols in the collection.

— External treatment against fleas and ticks: two treatments 14 days apart. The second treatment must be applied within 2 days prior to shipment. MPI requires the product to have an active ingredient from the MPI-approved list that kills on contact. A product not on that list results in extended quarantine.
— Internal treatment against nematodes and cestodes: two treatments. The second also within 2 days prior to shipment.
— Verify the list of MPI-approved active ingredients directly at: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-cats-and-dogs-to-nz/

Health certificate

— Official name: Veterinary Certificate (MPI-specific model for Category 3).
— Who may issue it: official veterinarian of the Category 3 country where the animal resides at the time of the process. It cannot be the private practice veterinarian: it must be the official health authority of the approved country of origin.
— Does it require endorsement? Yes, by the national health authority of the Category 3 country (USDA in USA, APHA in UK).

Official entry document

— Exact name: Import Permit issued by MPI.
— Who issues it: MPI New Zealand.
— How to apply: online via the MPI portal.
— Precondition: quarantine reservation at an authorised facility must be confirmed before applying for the Import Permit.
— URL: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-cats-and-dogs-to-nz/step-by-step-guide-to-bringing-cats-and-dogs-to-nz/

Mandatory digital forms

Yes. The Quarantine Booking Confirmation from an authorised facility (Canterbury Quarantine Services, Pethaven Auckland or Qualified Pet Services Auckland) must be obtained before applying for the Import Permit. Without confirmed reservation, MPI does not process the application.

Quarantine

— Mandatory: Yes, 10 days minimum for Category 2 and 3 animals (Model A, MPI).
— Authorised facilities: Canterbury Quarantine Services (Christchurch), Pethaven (Auckland) and Qualified Pet Services (Auckland).
— Cost: at owner’s expense. Approximately 2,000 to 3,500 NZD for the minimum 10-day period.
— What can extend quarantine: positive result on exotic disease tests on arrival, antiparasitic products not approved by MPI, or incomplete documentation.

Breed restrictions

The following breeds and their crosses are prohibited from entering New Zealand: American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa and Perro de Presa Canario. Serval cat hybrids and wolf hybrids are also prohibited. Verify directly with MPI before starting any process with breeds of similar morphology to the prohibited ones.

Minimum age of entry

Approximately 9 months effective, due to the accumulation of mandatory periods: minimum vaccination age (3 months), post-vaccine development period, sample collection for RNATT and 90-day post-collection wait.

Mode of transport

Manifest Cargo only. MPI expressly prohibits the entry of pets in cabin or as excess baggage. The animal must travel in its MPI-compliant carrier as manifest cargo.

Requirements for cats — from a Category 3 country

Microchip

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Rabies vaccine

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Serological titre (RNATT)

Same as dogs — see previous section. Threshold of 0.5 IU/mL and 90-day post-collection wait apply equally to Category 3 cats.

Other vaccines required by New Zealand

For cats: Feline enteritis (Panleucopenia), Feline viral rhinotracheitis and Feline calicivirus (current Feline Triple). SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) requires this same scheme for export from Peru to the intermediate country.

Antiparasitic treatments

Same as dogs — see previous section. Two external and internal treatments, the second within 2 days prior to shipment.

Health certificate

Same as dogs — see previous section. Issued by official veterinarian of the Category 3 country with endorsement of its national health authority.

Official entry document

Same as dogs — MPI Import Permit with prior quarantine reservation.

Mandatory digital forms

Same as dogs — Quarantine Booking Confirmation prior to Import Permit.

Quarantine

Same as dogs — 10 days minimum at authorised facility.

Breed restrictions

Serval cat hybrids are prohibited. Common domestic cats have no breed restrictions.

Minimum age of entry

Same as dogs — approximately 9 months effective.

Mode of transport

Manifest Cargo only — same as dogs.

Variations by country of origin

Differentiated requirements by origin? Yes, with four distinct levels.

Classification system

Category 1 (Australia): no restrictions. Category 2 (rabies-free): Import Permit and quarantine, no RNATT. Category 3 (rabies-controlled): Import Permit, RNATT, 90-day wait and quarantine. Unapproved countries (includes all of Latin America): direct import impossible, intermediate country mandatory.
Verification URL: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-cats-and-dogs-to-nz/step-by-step-guide-to-bringing-cats-and-dogs-to-nz/

Situation of Peru and Latin America

All Latin American countries are unapproved. None can import directly to New Zealand. The mandatory route is: export certified by the country-of-origin authority (SENASA in Peru) → 6 months’ residence in a Category 3 country → full protocol from that country → flight to New Zealand.

What distinguishes New Zealand from Australia in this collection

Australia is also an unapproved country for Peru and requires an intermediate country, but quarantine in Australia is 10 days at Mickleham (Melbourne) and the process from the intermediate country is 180 days due to the 180-day post-sampling RNATT. New Zealand requires 90 days post-RNATT sampling (half that of Australia), but quarantine is also 10 days. The most relevant operational difference is that New Zealand has quarantine facilities in Auckland and Christchurch, with costs between 2,000 and 3,500 NZD, while Australia only has Mickleham in Melbourne.

What distinguishes New Zealand from the rest of the collection

It is one of only two destinations in this collection (along with Australia) where direct import from Peru is legally impossible. It is not a long or complex process: it is a process that does not exist without the intermediate country. The animal must live 6 months in Spain, the USA or another Category 3 country before being able to apply. That turns the transfer of a pet from Lima to Auckland into a 12–13 month relocation project from the start.

The test that can end the process before it starts

New Zealand requires negative blood tests for Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm), Brucella canis, Babesia and Leishmania, among other exotic diseases prevalent in Latin America. If any of these tests is positive, entry denial is absolute with no appeal. This test must be carried out in Peru preventively before committing to the 6 months’ stay in the intermediate country.

Common errors

ERROR 1: Positive test for Dirofilaria immitis, Brucella canis or Babesia

What happens: the owner completes the 6 months in the intermediate country, obtains the RNATT, applies for the Import Permit and on arrival in Auckland the exotic disease test is positive.
Regulatory consequence: absolute denial of entry (MPI). There is no appeal or treatment that reverses the decision. The animal must be re-exported to the country of origin or euthanised.
How to prevent it: carry out Dirofilaria immitis, Brucella canis, Babesia and Leishmania tests in Peru before starting the transfer process to the intermediate country. If any result is positive, stop the process before committing time and resources in the intermediate country.

ERROR 2: Sending the animal without confirmed quarantine reservation

What happens: the owner has the MPI Import Permit but there is no availability at the authorised Auckland facilities for the flight date.
Regulatory consequence: the animal is re-shipped to the country of origin immediately on arrival.
How to prevent it: book the slot at Qualified Pet Services, Pethaven or Canterbury Quarantine Services several months before the projected flight. The reservation must be confirmed before applying for the Import Permit.

ERROR 3: Health certificate without endorsement of the official authority of the Category 3 country

What happens: the owner presents in Auckland the certificate from the private veterinarian of the intermediate country without the stamp and signature of that country’s official health authority.
Regulatory consequence: total invalidation of the file at the border. The animal cannot be released.
How to prevent it: ensure the certificate bears the stamp and signature of the official health authority of the Category 3 country (USDA in USA, APHA in UK, competent authority in the relevant European country).

ERROR 4: Antiparasitic treatment with product not approved by MPI

What happens: the veterinarian applies an antiparasitic product not on the MPI-approved list of active ingredients or that does not kill ticks on contact.
Regulatory consequence: extended quarantine in Auckland until the animal is parasite-free, with additional costs at the owner’s expense.
How to prevent it: consult the official list of MPI-approved active ingredients before selecting the antiparasitic product. Not all products available on the intermediate country market are approved by MPI.

ERROR 5: RNATT carried out before microchip implantation

What happens: the RNATT sample collection date is earlier than the documented microchip implantation date.
Regulatory consequence: the test is completely null for MPI. The entire process must be restarted from chip implantation (MPI IHS).
How to prevent it: respect the strict sequence: chip first, then vaccine, then RNATT. Verify that the dates of each milestone on the certificate follow the correct chronological order.

ERROR 6: Not carrying out exotic disease tests in the correct order

What happens: Brucella, Dirofilaria, Babesia and Leishmania tests are done in the intermediate country at the end of the process, instead of preventively in Peru before starting the transfer.
Regulatory consequence: positive result after 6 months’ stay in the intermediate country and all associated expense, with no possibility of correction.
How to prevent it: carry out these screening tests in Peru before starting the transfer process to the intermediate country. It is the only way to detect problems before committing time and resources.

Minimum timeline from scratch

The process from Peru to New Zealand is one of the two longest in this collection. The first step does not take place in New Zealand or the intermediate country: it takes place in Lima, with SENASA and the exotic disease screening tests.

PHASE 0 — IN PERU (before transfer to the intermediate country)

— Day -30 (before starting): preventive tests for Dirofilaria immitis, Brucella canis, Babesia and Leishmania. If any result is positive, the process stops here. If all are negative, continue.
— Day 0: ISO microchip implantation + rabies vaccine + multiple vaccines required by SENASA (quintuple for dogs, Feline Triple for cats). SENASA issues and endorses the export certificate to the Category 3 intermediate country (https://www.gob.pe/senasa).
— Transfer to the Category 3 intermediate country (Spain, USA, Canada or another MPI-approved country).

PHASE 1 — IN THE CATEGORY 3 INTERMEDIATE COUNTRY

— Day 30 (from arrival in the intermediate country): sample collection for RNATT at an MPI-recognised laboratory in the Category 3 country.
— Day 40–45 (approximate): receipt of positive RNATT result (≥ 0.5 IU/mL).
— Day 120: end of mandatory 90-day post-RNATT sampling wait. Application for Import Permit at MPI (https://www.mpi.govt.nz) and quarantine reservation at an authorised facility in Auckland or Christchurch.
— Day 150: additional blood tests for exotic diseases according to the Import Permit technical annex.
— Day 178: second external and internal antiparasitic treatment (first applied 14 days earlier, second within 2 days prior to flight).
— Day 180: flight to New Zealand as Manifest Cargo. On arrival: transfer to authorised quarantine facility. Start of 10-day quarantine.
— Day 190: end of quarantine and release if all is in order.

Minimum total time: 12–13 months from the start in Peru until the animal’s release in New Zealand (including the 6 months in the intermediate country).

Authorised points of entry

Yes, there is a restriction. Only airports with MPI inspection facilities:

Official URL: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-cats-and-dogs-to-nz/quarantine-facilities-for-cats-and-dogs/

Directory of authorities

Cited current legislation

1. Biosecurity Act 1993 — Main legal framework for New Zealand’s health protection. Establishes the foundations of the quarantine system and MPI’s authority to regulate animal import. URL: https://www.mpi.govt.nz — Verified: 24 February 2026.
2. Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs (MPI IHS) — Official technical document setting out requirements by country-of-origin category, including RNATT, waiting periods, antiparasitic treatments and quarantine conditions. URL: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/1565-cats-and-dogs-import-health-standard — Verified: 24 February 2026.
3. Animal Welfare Act 1999 — Regulates transport conditions and animal welfare during the journey and quarantine. URL: https://www.mpi.govt.nz — Verified: 24 February 2026.

New Zealand and Australia are the only two destinations in this collection where direct import from Peru is legally impossible. But there is a relevant operational difference between them: Australia requires a 180-day post-RNATT wait, New Zealand only 90. That makes the process from the intermediate country roughly 3 months shorter than for Australia. What they share is the exotic disease test: in New Zealand, a positive result for Dirofilaria immitis or Brucella canis is a final sentence with no appeal. This test must be done in Lima before buying the animal’s ticket to the intermediate country, not at the end of the process. Six months in Spain or the United States with all the associated costs can come to nothing if the dog tested positive for heartworm and no one checked before leaving Peru. The second point that distinguishes New Zealand is the antiparasitic: the list of MPI-approved active ingredients is not the same as Australia’s or the EU’s. A product perfectly valid for entering Europe may not be approved by MPI and may extend the 10-day quarantine.

This profile was verified against primary official sources on February 24, 2026. Requirements may change without prior notice. Always verify directly with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) before initiating any export process from Peru.

← Back to The Zoopedia of International Pet Export and Import