Flying with a dog from the UK to New Zealand: quarantine, documents, and costs 2026
Last updated: June 2026 · 8 min read
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Airlines flying UK to New Zealand with pets
Dogs cannot travel in the cabin on UK to New Zealand routes. All dogs travel in temperature-controlled cargo. Most carriers on this route operate via connecting hubs: Qantas via Sydney or Melbourne, Singapore Airlines via Singapore, Emirates via Dubai, Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong.
Air New Zealand accepts dogs in cargo on the final NZ leg. Maximum combined weight (dog plus crate) is typically 75kg. IATA-approved hard crate required. Cargo fee for the NZ segment: approximately NZD 200 to NZD 500. UK and connecting legs are priced separately by each carrier.
Confirm pet acceptance with every carrier on your itinerary before booking. Some airlines restrict certain breeds or crate sizes on specific aircraft types.
What New Zealand requires
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 15-digit required |
| Rabies vaccine | Required |
| FAVN titre test | Required. Result must be 0.5 IU/mL or above. |
| Internal parasite treatment | Required, specific timing per IHS |
| Flea treatment | Required, approved active ingredients only |
| Tick treatment | Required |
| MPI import permit | Required, apply 3 months or more before travel |
| Health certificate | Official Vet, new IHS template required from July 2026 |
| Quarantine | 10 days mandatory at MPI Auckland facility |
| Entry | Auckland International Airport (primary) |
The new Import Health Standard from July 2026
From 1 July 2026, MPI introduced a revised IHS for dogs from Category B countries, which includes the UK. Two key changes:
Health certificate template: the pre-July 2026 template is no longer accepted for arrivals after 1 July 2026. Your Official Vet must use the updated MPI-approved template. Ask your vet to confirm they have the current version before issuing the certificate.
Flea treatment: the revised IHS specifies approved active ingredients. The list changed from the previous standard. Check the MPI website for the current approved product list before scheduling treatments.
A reviewed plan confirms your documentation uses the correct current templates.
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Timeline from the UK
Confirm microchip is in place. Confirm rabies vaccination is current.
FAVN titre test at an APHA-approved laboratory in the UK.
Confirm titre result is above 0.5 IU/mL.
Apply for MPI import permit online.
Book quarantine space at MPI Auckland. Spaces are limited and fill up months in advance, particularly in summer (December to February NZ time).
Schedule flea, tick, and internal parasite treatments with your vet, using MPI-approved products and timing from the current IHS.
Obtain health certificate from Official Vet using the updated July 2026 IHS template.
Confirm crate meets IATA standards. Confirm all documents are originals, not photocopies.
What it costs
- MPI import permit: NZD 200 to NZD 400
- 10-day quarantine at MPI Auckland: NZD 1,200 to NZD 2,000 or more depending on dog size
- FAVN titre test in the UK: GBP 150 to GBP 300
- Health certificate from Official Vet: GBP 150 to GBP 300
- Flea, tick, and parasite treatments: GBP 100 to GBP 200
- Airline cargo fees, UK to NZ (multi-leg): GBP 500 to GBP 1,500 or more depending on dog size and route
- IATA-approved crate: GBP 80 to GBP 300
Total estimated cost: GBP 2,500 to GBP 5,000 or more for the full journey.
The part most people get wrong
Quarantine spaces at the MPI Auckland facility fill up months in advance, particularly from December through February. Many owners complete all documentation correctly but cannot travel on their planned date because no quarantine space is available. Book the quarantine space at the same time as you apply for the MPI import permit, not afterwards. Treat it like a hotel booking during peak season.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. 10 days of mandatory quarantine at the MPI government facility in Auckland. This applies to all dogs from the UK regardless of vaccination history or documentation quality.
MPI introduced a revised Import Health Standard for Category B countries including the UK. The main changes affect the health certificate template and the list of approved flea treatment products. Certificates using the old template are not accepted for arrivals after 1 July 2026.
Minimum 6 months. The FAVN titre test, MPI import permit processing, and quarantine booking all require significant lead time. Booking late is the most common reason for missed travel dates.
No. Dogs cannot travel in the cabin on long-haul international routes. All dogs travel in temperature-controlled cargo holds on UK to New Zealand flights.
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