Bringing pets to NZ (other than cats and dogs)

Other than cats and dogs, you can only import:

• rabbits from Australia
• chinchillas from Great Britain
• guinea pigs from Australia.

To successfully import your pet into New Zealand you need to:

• comply with the relevant import health standard (IHS)
• check that your rabbit or chinchilla or guinea pig is eligible for import into New Zealand
• use a pet exporter (recommended)
• have your original veterinary certificates and supporting documents from the exporting country signed and stamped
• apply for a permit to import from MPI at least 6 weeks before your animal leaves for New Zealand
• declare any medication for your animal
• pay relevant fees and charges.

Related import processes

Refer to other sections of the website if you're importing:

• aquatic animals
• cats or dogs
• horses
• dog semen from other countries.

Check whether your pet is eligible for entry into New Zealand

Chinchillas

Your chinchilla:

• can be imported only from Great Britain
• must have been born and bred in captivity
• must be identified by a permanent tag or tattoo that can be easily read.

Rabbits and guinea pigs

Your rabbit or guinea pig:

• can be imported only from Australia
• must have been born and bred in captivity
• must be identified by a microchip or tattoo.

Consider using a pet exporter

MPI recommends you contact a professional pet exporter in your pet's country to help arrange treatments, flights, permits to import, shipping crates, and other requirements. Some airlines require a pet exporter to book flights for animals because this adds assurance that all requirements will be completed at the appropriate time before departure.

Comply with import health standard requirements

You need to read and understand the import health standard (IHS) for the animal you want to bring to New Zealand. Make sure you can meet all of the requirements of the IHS, including veterinary documentation.

Download the IHS for rabbits from Australia [PDF, 68 KB]

Download the IHS for chinchillas from Great Britain [PDF, 21 KB]

Download the IHS for guinea pigs from Australia [PDF, 245 KB]

Apply for an import permit

Ensure you apply for the import permit at least 10 working days before you need the permit.

Apply for your import permit through our online permit application system.

Animal and plant import permits (APIPS)

How to use the online permit application system

Details on how to use the system are in our live animals online permit application instructions [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Your pets will be cleared for entry into New Zealand after they've been inspected on arrival, if they're found to be healthy and all the required documentation is in order.