Wagport
Route guide

Moving a dog from the UAE to New Zealand

Category 3 (rabies controlled) per secondary sources; category list sits in MPI-STD-SAA Schedule 9. Plan on about 190 days if you're starting from scratch, or 190 if your dog is already microchipped and rabies-vaccinated.

  1. At least 183 days before

    Official vet microchip ID check

    If RNATT sample is 6–12 months before shipment: scan before the sample. If 3–6 months: first scan at least 6 months before shipment, second before the sample. Required for all imports from 1 Apr 2027 (checks from 1 Oct 2026).

  2. At least 183 days before

    Rabies vaccination

    At 12 weeks or older; continuously valid; a primary vaccination must be at least 6 months before shipment.

  3. 91–365 days before

    RNATT blood test

    Sample 3–12 months before shipment, result at least 0.5 IU/mL.

  4. At least 56 days before

    Import permit + quarantine booking

    Apply at least 8 weeks before; allow 30 working days. Include rabies records, RNATT, Rabies Certification Form, signed quarantine booking.

  5. 14–44 days before

    External parasite treatment #1

    At least 14 days before the Babesia gibsoni blood sample; continuous protection to shipment.

  6. 19–30 days before

    Internal parasite treatment #1

    Within 30 days before shipment and at least 14 days before treatment #2.

  7. 3–30 days before

    Blood tests

    Babesia gibsoni (IFA/ELISA + PCR), Leishmania, Leptospira (or treatment), heartworm (if 7+ months), Brucella canis (entire dogs): samples within 30 days before shipment.

  8. 2–16 days before

    External parasite treatment #2

    Within 16 days before shipment.

  9. 1–5 days before

    Internal parasite + heartworm + Angiostrongylus treatment

    Within 5 days before shipment.

  10. 0–2 days before

    Pre-export vet inspection

    Within 2 days before shipment; free of parasites, disease signs, recent bites.

  11. Before travel

    Arrival and quarantine

    Manifested cargo into Auckland or Christchurch only; minimum 10 days in an MPI-approved facility.

  12. 1–5 days before

    MOCCAE export permit + health certificate UAE side · to confirm

    Apply through the MOCCAE portal/app once destination documents are ready. Secondary sources report the permit is issued in 24–48h and the health certificate 24–72h before departure.

Official sources: MPI: Import Health Standard Cats and Dogs 2026 (CATSDOGS.GEN) · MPI: Bringing cats and dogs to NZ. Last checked 2026-10-23.

Check your own dates

Already done

Example values are filled in. Change them to match your dog.

Loading

Working out your deadlines

One moment.