Category 1: No
quarantine in Australia
To bring pets in to
New Zealand you will need to fill the following criteria:
-
Obtain a permit
for importation
-
The pet must be
from one of the eligible countries which have been certified
as rabies-free or rabies-controlled (list given below)
-
All pets must
have identification with microchip or permanent tattoo
-
Quarantine for
minimum of 30 days for all pets
-
Biosecurity
clearance after 30 days provided by a NZ veterinary Officer
Full information is
as below:
1 Import Health
Standard
Pursuant to section
22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, this is the import health standard
for the importation of dogs and cats into New Zealand from
specified countries and territories recognised as countries or
territories in which canine rabies is absent or well controlled.
2 Permit to
Import
2.1 A permit to
import must be obtained before importation. Applications should be
made to:
Director of Animal Biosecurity
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry,
P O Box 2526,
Wellington.
2.2 The importer must supply the following information:
2.2.1 name and address of exporter;
2.2.2 breed, sex, age and microchip transponder/tattoo
identification of the animal;
2.2.3 a laboratory result form, from a laboratory approved by the
government veterinary authorities of the exporting country, which
indicates that the animal to be imported was subjected to a
neutralising antibody titration test for rabies conducted at an
official laboratory in accordance with one of the methods
described in the OIE Manual of Standards for diagnostic tests and
vaccines, and found to have at least 0.5 IU/ml of antibody in its
serum. The laboratory result form must clearly identify the animal
to be imported, using the microchip transponder/tattoo
identification number of the animal;
2.2.4 a letter from the animal's veterinarian stating the date
blood was taken from the animal for the laboratory testing
detailed in 2.2.3 above;
2.2.5 the name of the dog and cat quarantine facility in New
Zealand, registered under MAFRA Standard 154.02.09 Dog and Cat
Quarantine Facilities, where the animal will be quarantined;
2.2.6 a letter from the operator of the above facility confirming
availability of space for the animal(s) at the time of
importation, which shall be not less than six months after the
date of the blood sampling noted in the veterinarian's letter in
2.2.4 above.
2.3 Following receipt of the required information, a single entry
permit to import shall be issued and will be valid for the one
month period starting from the date of availability of quarantine
noted by the registered quarantine operator, provided that this
date is not less than 6 months after the date of the blood
sampling noted in the veterinarian's letter in 2.2.4 above.
3 Review of Import Health Standard
The import health
standard may be reviewed and amended when there is a change in
policy, or as directed by the Chief Veterinary Officer.
4 Documentation
The permit to import
and all the required documentation must accompany the animals to
New Zealand. The required documentation is detailed below:
4.1 Zoo-Sanitary Certificate;
4.2 Veterinary Certificate A;
4.3 Veterinary Certificate B.
5 Equivalence
The import health
standard has been agreed as being suitable for trade between the
exporting and the importing countries. It is expected that the
animal/s will meet the conditions in every respect.
Occasionally it is found that, due to circumstances beyond the
importer's control, the animal/s or products do not comply
completely with the requirements. In such cases an application for
equivalence will be considered and issued at the discretion of the
New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, but only if the
following information is forwarded by the certifying government's
veterinary authorities:
5.1 which clause/s of the import health standard cannot be met and
how this has occurred;
5.2 the reason the animal/s are considered to be of an
"equivalent health status" and/or what proposal is made
to return the animal/s to an equivalent health status as set out
in the health conditions;
5.3 the reasons why it is believed that this proposal should be
acceptable to the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
and the recommendation for its acceptance.
6 Importer
Responsibilities
6.1 All costs of
selection, testing, treatment, transport, quarantine servicing and
veterinary supervision must be borne by the importer or agent as
appropriate.
6.2 The importer or agent much make all arrangements for transport
and obtain necessary transit authorities from any third countries
on the transport route.
7 Eligibility for
Importation
7.1 Eligibility for
importation under this import health standard is confined to
members of the species Canis familiaris (domestic dog) and Felis
catis (domestic cat).
7.2 The specified countries and territories recognised as
countries or territories in which canine rabies is absent or well
controlled and, as such, for which this import health standard is
applicable are as follows:
Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British
Virgin Islands, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Falkland Islands, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel,
Italy, Jamaica, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Mauritius, The
Netherlands, Netherland Antilles and Aruba, Portugal, Republic of
Croatia, Reunion, Sabah, Sarawak, Seychelles, South Korea, Spain,
St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent Grenadin, Switzerland,
Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States
of America, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna,
Yugoslavia.
7.3 The animals must have been resident in the exporting country
for 6 months prior to export, and the animals must not have been
resident in official quarantine premises in the 60 days
immediately prior to export.
7.4 Animals must not be more than 42 days pregnant at the date of
shipment.
7.5 Animals must be more than 9 months old at departure.
7.6 The animal will not become eligible for importation into New
Zealand until at least 6 months after the date of blood sampling
for laboratory testing for serum neutralising antibodies to rabies
which has demonstrated a titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml, as detailed
in a letter from the animal's veterinarian.
7.7 Animals imported directly from New Zealand into the country or
territory of export may be re-exported to New Zealand with less
than 6 months residency under the following additional conditions:
7.7.1 the animal has resided continuously in the country or
territory of export since being imported directly from New
Zealand;
7.7.2 the animal was vaccinated against rabies with an approved
inactivated vaccine at least 1 month and not more than 6 months
prior to leaving New Zealand when the animal was at least 3 months
of age;
7.7.3 the animal was identified by microchip prior to, or at the
time of, rabies vaccination in New Zealand;
7.7.4 the animal was subjected to a serum rabies neutralising
antibody titre test prior to leaving New Zealand, with
satisfactory results (at least 0.5 IU/ml).
Permits to import issued under the above conditions will require
proof to be to provided that these requirements have been
fulfilled. In this case a letter of equivalence may be issued
exempting the animal from the requirements of Veterinary
Certificate A sections 1, 4, 5, and 6 in the exporting country.
8 Identification
Each animal must be
identified with a microchip or permanent tattoo and the
identification details must be shown on the accompanying
certification. It is recommended that microchip brands adopted by
the International Standards Organisation (ISO) are used. The
importer shall ensure that a reader is made available to identify
animals arriving in New Zealand quarantine.
9 Health
Certification
9.1 The required
health tests and treatments are stated in Veterinary Certificate
A.
9.2 All serological tests must be conducted at a Government, or
Government approved laboratory.
9.3 If the Veterinary Authority in the country of origin can show
to the satisfaction of the New Zealand Chief Veterinary Officer
that a disease which has a testing requirement (e.g. canine
heartworm) does not occur in that country, then the Chief
Veterinary Officer, NZ MAF, may consider the negotiation of an
individual country import health standard taking into account the
country specific health factors in the exporting country.
9.4 Recommendations for New Zealand dog owners importing a dog
from countries where canine heartworm is endemic:
9.4.1 the dog should be tested by a veterinarian for heartworm 7
months after importation using the microfilariae concentration
test, and an antigen test.
9.4.2 New Zealanders who take their dogs to countries where canine
heartworm is endemic should ensure that the dogs are given monthly
prophylactic treatment with avermectin drugs effective against the
fourth stage larvae of Dirofilaria immitis which causes canine
heartworm.
10 Transport to
New Zealand
10.1 If transported
by air, the animal must be carried in an approved container which
meets the IATA standards i.e. it is so constructed so that:
- it is strong enough to prevent the animal escaping,
- the whole of one end is open and covered with bars, weld mesh,
or smooth expanded metal securely attached, to provide the main
ventilation opening,
- it has ventilation openings on all sides totalling a minimum of
16% of the surface area of the four sides,
- be nose and paw proof, ie. only have ventilation openings of
such size that it is impossible for the animal to protrude its
nose or paws outside the container,
- it is large enough to permit the animal to stand in a natural
position, turn around and lie down,
- it contains a fixed drinking bowl to which water can be provided
without opening the container.
10.2 If consigned by sea (N.B. does not include transport on
private yachts), the Master of the vessel must certify that the
imported animal was confined on board and has had no contact with
animals not of a tested equivalent health status at each port of
call. Consignment by sea requires prior approval of the transport
method and route by the Chief Veterinary Officer, NZ MAF.
10.3 No animals other than those qualified for entry into
Australia or New Zealand are permitted to be carried on the
aircraft or vessel.
10.4 The use of straw or hay as bedding is not permitted. Only
sterilised peat, soft board or other inert approved product may be
used.
10.5 The door of the transport container must be sealed with a
government-approved seal before the container is loaded into the
aircraft or vessel in the country of origin. The number or mark on
the seal is to be recorded in Veterinary Certificate B. The
construction of the container and the placement of the seal must
be such that the container cannot be readily opened without
breaking the seal. If the container is opened during shipment it
shall be re-sealed and a certificate detailing the circumstances
provided by an Official Veterinarian, Port Authority or Captain of
the aircraft. Instructions to this effect should be attached to
the outside of the transport container.
10.6 The container must not be transhipped (change of aircraft or
vessel) other than in a rabies free country or territory or in a
country or territory listed in 7.1 above. Trans-shipment will
require the specific authorisation of the government veterinary
authority of the country in which transhipment occurs.
10.7 The New Zealand Quarantine Service of the region in which the
port of arrival is situated must be notified at least 72 hours
before the expected time of arrival of any animal, giving the
flight number/ship number and arrival time.
11 Biosecurity
Direction
11.1 On arrival in
New Zealand a Quarantine Service Inspector shall, having verified
that all the required documentation is present and completed
correctly, issue a biosecurity direction which authorises the
movement of the imported dog or cat to the registered dog and cat
quarantine facility named on the permit to import.
11.2 The veterinarian supervising the quarantine facility shall be
notified by the Quarantine Service when the animal arrives in New
Zealand.
11.3 The animal will be transported directly, by the quarantine
operator or agent, using a transport method approved by the
supervising veterinary officer of the quarantine facility, to the
registered dog and cat quarantine facility named on the permit.
12 Quarantine in
New Zealand
12.1 Animals shall
be held for a minimum period of 30 days in a quarantine facility
registered to MAFRA Standard 154.02.09 Dog and Cat Quarantine
Facilities and supervised according to MAFRA 154.02.09.01
Supervision of Dog and Cat Quarantine Facilities.
12.2 If the container is unsealed, the seal is broken, or if the
accompanying documentation is unsatisfactory, the animal may, at
the discretion of the Chief Veterinary Officer and at the expense
of the importer, be exported, destroyed, or required to remain in
quarantine for up to 180 days.
12.3 During quarantine the animal may be retested by a
neutralising antibody titration test for rabies antibody. If there
is insufficient rabies antibody in the animal's serum (the WHO
recommended level of 0.5 IU shall apply as a guideline), the
animal may be re-vaccinated and/or re-tested, exported, destroyed,
or required to remain in quarantine for 180 days.
12.4 During quarantine, each imported dog may be tested for
heartworm due to Dirofilaria immitis, leptospirosis due to
Leptospira interrogans var canicola, canine brucellosis (Brucella
canis) and canine tropical pancytopaenia (Ehrlichia canis). If the
animal is positive to any of these tests it may be treated and
re-tested. If the dog is subsequently considered to be infected it
may be further treated, or exported, destroyed or detained in
quarantine.
12.5 Within the first 3 days of entering quarantine, each imported
dog and cat must be efficaciously treated for ecto and
endoparasites, including tapeworm using praziquantel.
12.6 The Chief Veterinary Officer, NZ MAF, reserves the right to
review the quarantine period or conditions to be completed by any
animal.
13 Biosecurity
Clearance
The animal will be
eligible for biosecurity clearance after 30 days. The quarantine
clearance will be given on the recommendation of the veterinary
officer supervising the quarantine facility by the Chief
Veterinary Officer, NZ MAF, when all conditions as specified in
the MAFRA Standard 154.02.09: Standard for Dog and Cat Quarantine
Facilities, have been met.
Zoo-Sanitary
Certificate:
Species: DOGS AND CATS
To: NEW ZEALAND
Permit to import No.
Exporting Country:
Ministry/Department:
Service:
Region:
I: IDENTIFICATION OF
ANIMALS
1 Microchip/Tattoo (delete one) identification number:
2 Anatomical site of microchip/tattoo (delete one):
3 Name:
4 Breed:
5 Sex:
6 Date of Birth:
7 Total number of animals:
II: ORIGIN OF THE
ANIMALS
1 Name(s) and address(es) of exporter(s):
2 Place(s) of origin of animals:
3 Port of embarkation:
III: DESTINATION OF
ANIMALS
1 Name and address of consignee:
2 Means of transport:
3 Port of arrival:
IV: SANITARY
INFORMATION
Veterinary
Certificate A
I, …………………………………………………a
Government Veterinary Officer, or a veterinarian accredited to
provide export certification on behalf of the Government
Veterinary Service (here-after called the Accredited
Veterinarian), certify with respect to the animal/s identified in
the attached Zoo-Sanitary Certificate:
1 After due enquiry, I am satisfied that the animal has been
continuously resident in the country or territory of origin for
the past 6 months prior to export and has not been in quarantine
or under quarantine restrictions during the preceding 60 days.
2 After due enquiry and physical examination, I am satisfied that
the animal will not be more than 42 days pregnant at the scheduled
time of shipment.
3 After due enquiry and physical examination, I am satisfied that
the animal will be more than 9 months old at the scheduled time of
shipment.
4 The animal was vaccinated against rabies with an approved
inactivated virus vaccine:
EITHER 4.1 in the case of a primary vaccination, not less than 6
months and not more than one year prior to the scheduled date of
shipment, when the animal was at least 3 months old;
Date of vaccination:
OR 4.2 in the case of a booster vaccination, not more than one
year prior to the scheduled date of shipment;
Date of vaccination:
(Delete either 4.1 or 4.2 above whichever is not applicable)
4.3 A copy of the rabies vaccination certificate for the most
recent vaccination, and, in the case where the most recent
vaccination was a booster, a copy of the rabies vaccination
certificate for the previous vaccination, is attached.
5 The animal was identified with an implanted
transponder/microchip or permanent tattoo, at least six months
prior to shipment and before the most recent rabies vaccination.
EITHER 5.1 Microchip number:
Anatomical site implanted:
OR 5.2 Tattoo:
Anatomical site:
(Delete whichever of 5.1 or 5.2 is not applicable)
6 Within 30 days of the scheduled date of shipment the animal was
subjected to a neutralising antibody titration test for rabies
conducted at an official laboratory in accordance with one of the
methods described in the OIE Manual of Standards for diagnostic
tests and vaccines, and found to have at least 0.5 IU/ml of
antibody in its serum; a copy of the laboratory report is
attached.
Date of test:
(N.B. This test within 30 days of export is additional to the
requirement of the test performed prior to permit to import
application.)
7 In the case of a dog, it has been tested and treated for canine
heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) according to the following
schedule:
7.1 within 30 days of departure one to two mls of blood were
collected from the dog and tested negative to the following tests:
7.1.1 a microfilariae concentration test;
Date of test:
7.1.2 and an antigen test (Diromail, Agen; Dirocheck, CSL; or
VetRed, Agen).
Date of test:
7.2 within 24 hours of export to New Zealand the dog was treated
orally with one dose of ivermectin at 50 mcg/kg by the certifying
veterinarian.
Date of treatment:
8 In the case of a dog, within 30 days prior to the scheduled date
of shipment, the dog has been tested for the following diseases:
8.1 Brucella canis
EITHER 8.1.1 using the slide agglutination test (microscopic
agglutination test), with a negative result in each case;
Date of test:
(Note: a rapid slide agglutination test using 2-mercaptoethanol
and a less mucoid (M-) variant of Brucella canis as antigen (as
described by Carmichael and Joubert, Cornell Vet. 1987, 77: 3-12)
is recommended to reduce the incidence of false positive
reactions.)
OR 8.1.2 using the AGID I (cell wall antigen) test. If this test
result is positive, then the dog has been tested with negative
results using the AGID II (cytoplasmic antigen) test, for Brucella
canis.
Date of AGID I test:
Date of AGID II test (if applicable):
(Delete whichever of 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 is not applicable)
8.2 Leptospirosis using the agglutination-lysis test for
leptospirosis serotype Leptospira canicola with;
EITHER 8.2.1 negative results (negative is less than 50%
agglutination at 1:100);
Date of test:
OR 8.2.2 where the first sample shows a positive titre of not more
than 1:400, a second sample collected at an interval of not less
than 14 days must show no increase in the titre above that of the
first test;
Date of test 1:
Date of test 2:
OR 8.2.3 the dog has been treated with doxycycline at a
therapeutic dose rate for 14 consecutive days, or
dihydrostreptomycin at a therapeutic dose rate for 5 days, during
the 30 days prior to the scheduled shipment.
Medication and dose rate:
Dates of treatment:
(Delete whichever of 8.2.1, 8.2.2 or 8.2.3 is not applicable)
8.3 Canine ehrlichosis using the indirect fluorescent antibody
test for Ehrlichia canis with;
EITHER 8.3.1 negative results;
Date of test:
OR 8.3.2 positive results and the dog has been treated with
doxycycline at a dose rate of 10 mg/kg body weight on 14
consecutive days during the 30 days prior to the scheduled
shipment.
Date of test:
Dates of treatment:
(Delete whichever of 8.3.1 or 8.3.2 is not applicable)
9 In the case of a dog and/or cat:
9.1 Within 30 days of the scheduled date of shipment, the animal
was subject to two faecal examinations, at least 14 days apart,
using a sensitive flotation procedure (able to detect 50 eggs per
gram) which was negative for hookworm eggs;
Date of first test;
Date of second test:
9.2 Within 21 days of the scheduled date of shipment the animal
was treated with praziquantel at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg body
weight, (or in the case of a heavy dog, at a rate not exceeding
the manufacturer's recommendations);
(Note: if praziquantel is not available bunamidine hydrochloride
at a dose rate of 50 mg/kg body weight may be substituted.)
Date of treatment:
Active ingredient and dosage used:
9.3 Within 4 days of the scheduled date of shipment, the animal
was treated with an anthelmintic for intestinal parasites using
pyrantel pomoate, dichlorovos, or fenbendazole at recommended dose
rates;
Date of treatment:
Active ingredient and dosage used:
9.4 Within 4 days of the scheduled date of shipment, the animal
was treated with an insecticide dip or spray capable of killing
ticks, lice and fleas;
Date of treatment:
Active ingredient:
10 Within four days of the scheduled date of shipment, I examined
the animal/s for export to New Zealand and found it/them to be
free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases and
free from external parasites.
11 All serological tests were conducted at a Government laboratory
or a laboratory approved by the Government Veterinary Service of
this country.
i) Accredited
Veterinarian or Date of Signature
ii) Government Veterinary Officer
(Delete whichever of i) or ii) is not applicable*)
Name and address of office:
* In the case of i)
being applicable:
I,.........................................................., a
Government Veterinary Officer certify that
............................................................. is
accredited for the purpose of providing
veterinary export certification for dogs and cats.
Government
Veterinary Officer Official stamp and date
Name and address of office:
Veterinary Certificate B
I,
………………………………………………….. the
Government approved Veterinary Officer at the port of export of
the animal for export to New Zealand identified in the attached
Zoo-Sanitary Certificate, certify that:
1 The animal was
inspected and found to be healthy and fit to travel, and free from
the clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease.
2 All the required documents were examined and found to be
correctly completed in accordance with New Zealand import health
standard requirements.
3 The animal was placed in a container that meets IATA standards,
detailed in section 10.1 of the import health standard. The
container was fastened with an official seal bearing the number or
mark:
Government approved Port Veterinary Officer Official stamp and
date
Name and address of office:
DOMANIIC.SPE AI00-09L
Contact for Enquiries
Import Management Section
Animal Biosecurity Group
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 498 9625
Fax: +64 4 474 4132
