Planning to relocate a dog or a cat to New Zealand? The country has strict biosecurity standards, and the process hinges on the RNATT (Regulation and Notification of Animal Transport and Treatment) framework. Whether your move occurs before or after 1 April 2027, you will need to coordinate blood sampling, microchip verification, and a series of official documents issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Understanding the timing, who may perform each step, and how the paperwork fits together will spare you costly delays at the border.
Importing pets before 1 April 2027
For journeys scheduled earlier than 1 April 2027, the existing RNATT guidance remains in force. After a USDA-accredited veterinarian draws the required blood sample and submits it for RNATT analysis, you will receive a laboratory report. That report must be paired with an Official Veterinary Declaration (OVD) that is both ink-signed and embossed by the USDA. The OVD confirms that the animal meets New Zealand’s health standards and must travel with the pet’s export health certificate. Skipping the OVD or submitting an unsigned copy will result in the shipment being rejected at the border.
Importing pets on or after 1 April 2027
Effective 1 April 2027 the RNATT protocol tightens, introducing two distinct sampling windows. If the blood sample is taken between six and twelve months before departure, the pet must first pass an ID check. Only after the second microchip scan— which can occur on the same day as the blood draw—may the veterinarian collect the sample. For a narrower window of three to six months before travel, the animal must undergo the full ID check twice: the first at least six months prior, and the second immediately before sampling. In both scenarios, a USDA-accredited veterinarian must record the microchip number, the exact sampling date, and complete the laboratory submission form.
Key timing rules
The new schedule ensures that the microchip data are fresh when the RNATT test is performed. A missed second scan or a sample taken too early will invalidate the laboratory report, forcing a repeat of the whole process. Pet owners should therefore align their travel plans with the earliest possible ID check, then schedule the blood draw in the appropriate window to avoid unnecessary repeats.
Final paperwork and travel checklist
Once the RNATT laboratory report is in hand, the next mandatory document is the Rabies Certification Form (RCF). This form must also be ink-signed and embossed by the USDA. The veterinary practice that performed the blood draw should use the Veterinary Electronic Health Certification System (VEHCS) to request the RCF, ensuring a digital trail and faster processing. Keep a photocopy of the endorsed RCF and attach it to the export health certificate that travels with your pet. Failure to present a proper RCF alongside the OVD (for pre-April-2027 shipments) or the updated RNATT documentation (for post-April-2027 shipments) will result in quarantine or denial of entry.
By following the outlined steps and keeping all documents ink-signed and embossed, pet owners can enjoy a smooth transition to their new home down-under.
