New Zealand
How long you can stay, how long your vehicle can, and what your dog or cat needs to cross. Every rule links to the official source.
- Last checked 11 Oct 2026
Your rules for New Zealand
You · American passport
Up to 3 months per visit, 6 months in any 12
Get the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel.
immigration.govt.nz · Official source · Checked 11 Oct 2026
Your vehicle · United States plates
Up to 365 days per visit
It needs Carnet de Passages en Douane, or Customs Temporary Import Entry (TIE) with cash security before you cross.
customs.govt.nz · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your dog or cat
Start at least 190 days out
Dogs from Category 3 need rabies vaccination 6+ months before shipment, an RNATT 3-12 months before, many blood tests within 30 days and 10 days quarantine. See the steps
mpi.govt.nz · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026
Watch New Zealand.
We'll email you if New Zealand's rules change for your American passport, United States plates or your pet. That's the only email you'll get.
What your pet needs to cross into New Zealand.
Do these in order. Miss one and your pet can be held at the border.
- Before you go
Microchip
Microchip the pet; it must be scanned and verified by an official vet in the pre-export identification check.
- Before you go
MPI import permit
Apply for the MPI permit at least 30 working days before you need it and book an MPI-approved quarantine facility.
- Still valid the day you arrive
Rabies vaccine still valid on arrival
Your pet's rabies vaccine must still be valid on the day you cross. Check the 'valid until' date on the vaccination record and book a booster before it runs out.
- 3 to 12 months before you arrive
Rabies antibody test (RNATT)
Blood sample for RNATT taken 3 to 12 months before shipment; result at least 0.5 IU/mL.
- At least 6 months before you arrive
Pre-export identification check by official vet
An official vet scans the microchip and the competent authority reports the check directly to MPI, at least 6 months before shipment (or before the tests if the pet is under 6 months).
- At least 6 months before you arrive
Residency in the exporting country
Resident in the exporting country since birth or direct import from NZ, or for at least 6 months before shipment.
- At least 6 months before you arrive
Rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccine at 12 weeks of age or older with an MPI-accepted vaccine, kept continuously valid until shipment. A primary vaccination must be at least 6 months before shipment.
- 14 to 44 days before you arrive
External parasite treatment 1 (dogs only)
First external parasite treatment at least 14 days before the second.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Babesia gibsoni tests (IFA/ELISA + PCR) (dogs only)
Dogs 6 months or older: negative IFA or ELISA and PCR on samples taken at least 14 days after the first external parasite treatment and within 30 days before shipment (or 3 PCR tests 7+ days apart).
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Brucella canis (dogs only)
Unless desexed or from a Brucella-free country: owner declaration of no breeding and negative test within 30 days before shipment.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Leishmania infantum (dogs only)
Unless the country is free and the dog has always lived there: clinical exam and negative test within 30 days before shipment.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Leptospira interrogans (dogs only)
Unless the country is free: negative test within 30 days before shipment, or an approved treatment protocol.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Heartworm test and preventive (dogs only)
Dogs 7 months or older: negative heartworm test within 30 days before shipment, plus preventive treatment within 5 days (or valid long-acting injection).
- 14 to 30 days before you arrive
Internal parasite treatment 1
First treatment in the 30 days before shipment, at least 14 days before the second.
- Within 16 days before you arrive
External parasite treatment 2 (dogs only)
Second/last external parasite treatment in the 16 days before shipment.
- Within 5 days before you arrive
Internal parasite treatment 2
Second treatment in the 5 days before shipment.
- Within 2 days before you arrive
Final clinical exam
Pre-export clinical exam in the 2 days before shipment.
- Within 2 days before you arrive
Official vet certification
Model veterinary certificate completed and endorsed by the official vet of the exporting country.
- At the border
Arrive at Auckland or Christchurch
By air, only Auckland or Christchurch airports. By yacht, only approved ports (Opua/Bay of Islands, Westhaven, Viaduct) with pets kept below deck until cleared.
- By the day you arrive
Post-arrival quarantine (10 days minimum)
Minimum 10 days in an MPI-approved quarantine facility.
- Within 16 days before you arrive
External parasite treatment (cats only)
Cats: external parasite treatment in the 16 days before shipment.
mpi.govt.nz · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026. The app works these dates backward from your travel day and reminds you.
Every passport in New Zealand
| Passport | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Visa-free, apply for an ETA first | Up to 3 months per visit, 6 months in any 12 | immigration.govt.nz · Checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Argentina | Visa-free, apply for an ETA first | Up to 3 months per visit, 6 months in any 12 | immigration.govt.nz · Checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Australia | Visa-free | No limit | immigration.govt.nz · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Visa-free, apply for an ETA first | Up to 3 months per visit, 6 months in any 12 | immigration.govt.nz · Checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Belgium | Visa-free, apply for an ETA first | Up to 3 months per visit, 6 months in any 12 | immigration.govt.nz · Checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Brazil | Visa-free, apply for an ETA first | Up to 3 months per visit, 6 months in any 12 | immigration.govt.nz · Checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Visa-free, apply for an ETA first | Up to 3 months per visit, 6 months in any 12 | immigration.govt.nz · Checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Canada | Visa-free, apply for an ETA first | Up to 3 months per visit, 6 months in any 12 | immigration.govt.nz · Checked 11 Oct 2026 |
Every registration in New Zealand
| Registered in | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | Up to 365 days per visit | customs.govt.nz · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | Up to 365 days per visit | customs.govt.nz · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | Up to 365 days per visit | customs.govt.nz · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | Up to 365 days per visit | customs.govt.nz · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | Up to 365 days per visit | customs.govt.nz · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | Up to 365 days per visit | customs.govt.nz · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | Up to 365 days per visit | customs.govt.nz · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | Up to 365 days per visit | customs.govt.nz · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
A plain-language summary of the official rules, checked on the date shown. It isn't legal advice, and the officer at the desk always has the final word.
Planning a New Zealand leg?
We'll count it for you.
BorderRunner turns these rules into your exact exit date, for you, your vehicle and your dog, and reminds you well before it's close. The first week is on us.
