Group 1: Rabies vaccination is not required under standard DAFF import conditions (requirements are based on the health certificate and eligibility rules).

Group 2: Rabies vaccination is not required (Group 2 countries are rabies-free under DAFF classification).

Group 3: Rabies vaccination is required. The vaccine must be:

• Given when your pet is at least 84 days old (12 weeks)

• Approved for use in cats/dogs by the competent authority in the export country

• Continuously valid from the RNATT blood draw through the date of export (no lapses)

• 3-year rabies vaccines are accepted if administered according to the manufacturer’s instructions

Recommended (not mandatory): DAFF recommends dogs are vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. These vaccines should be current for the full        post-entry quarantine period.

Required for Group 3 dogs (including USA): Dogs must either be vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola or have a negative leptospirosis test (per DAFF conditions).

Required for dogs exported from the USA: Dogs from the United States must be fully vaccinated against Canine Influenza (CIV) (following DAFF timing rules).

• Canada has an alternative option: CIV vaccination or isolation/testing.

Recommended (not mandatory): DAFF recommends cats are vaccinated against feline enteritis (panleukopenia), rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus. These vaccines should be current for the full post-entry quarantine period.

Group 1:

Within 5 days before export, dogs must be treated for:

• External parasites (must target ticks and fleas)

• Internal parasites (must be effective against cestodes and nematodes)

Group 2 & 3: 

External parasite treatment (ticks & fleas):

• Must use an approved/acceptable treatment that kills ticks and fleas on contact

• Must start at least 30 days before export

• Protection must be continuous until export (repeat treatments as required by the product directions)

Internal parasite treatment (cestodes + nematodes):

• Two treatments, at least 14 days apart

• First treatment must be given within 45 days before export

• Second treatment must be given within 5 days before export

Group 1

Within 5 days before export, cats must be treated for:

• External parasites (ticks and fleas) using a compliant product that kills ticks and fleas on contact

• Internal parasites using a product effective against cestodes and nematodes

Group 2 & 3

• Two treatments within 45 days before export, at least 14 days apart

• Use an acceptable product that kills ticks and fleas on contact

• Start at least 21 days before export and repeat as needed to keep protection effective until export

• At each visit after treatments begin, the vet should check for external parasites; if fleas/ticks are found, they must be removed and treatment restarted

Group 1: 

• No Leishmania test is required if your dog has only lived in NZ since birth or only lived in NZ since being imported from Australia.

• If your dog has ever lived outside Australia or New Zealand, it must live in New Zealand for at least 180 days immediately before export (this is a residency period, not quarantine).

• Leishmania infantum test (dogs only): applies only if your dog has lived outside NZ since birth (or since import from Australia). Sample must be collected after 21 days in NZ, using IFAT or ELISA, with a negative result

Group 2: 

• Brucella canis: only if your dog is not desexed; test within 45 days of export (approved tests include RSAT/TAT/IFAT) and must be negative.

• Leishmania infantum: IFAT or ELISA within 45 days of export, negative.

• Leptospira canicola: only if not vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola; MAT test within 45 days of export, negative

Group 3: 

• Rabies + RNATT:

• • Rabies vaccine must be given at 84 days old, and must stay continuously valid from the RNATT date through export (no lapses).

• • Wait 3–4 weeks after rabies vaccination before the RNATT blood draw (unless regularly vaccinated, per vet guidance).

• • Your dog cannot be exported until 180 days after the RNATT sample arrives at the lab, and the RNATT sample must be taken between 12 months and 180 days before export.

• • 3-year rabies vaccines are accepted if given per manufacturer instructions.

• Brucella canis / Leishmania infantum / Leptospira canicola: same rules as Group 2 (Brucella only if not desexed; Leptospira test only if not vaccinated; Leishmania IFAT/ELISA), within the DAFF timelines.

Group 3: 

• A Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) is required. The RNATT blood sample must be taken between 12 months and 180 days before export.

• If this is your cat’s first (primary) rabies vaccination, the RNATT is typically done at least 3–4 weeks after vaccination. Cats that are regularly vaccinated may not need to wait 3–4 weeks—confirm with your vet.

• If your cat received a 3-year rabies vaccine, the RNATT can be performed at any point during that 3-year validity—but the RNATT sample date still must fall within the 12-month to 180-day export window for your planned travel date.