About this guidance
This guidance covers requirements set out in an updated import health standard that came into force on 1 July 2026: Cats and Dogs 2026 – Import Health Standard [PDF, 718 KB]
There is a 9-month transition period when you can still import cats and dogs under the requirements of the previous import health standard issued in 2021 [PDF, 300 KB]
To find out what import health standard to use, refer to Bringing cats and dogs to NZ