Transiting requirements
Farm animals can only transit through New Zealand if there is an import health standard (IHS) for the specific country and type of animal.
Farm animals allowed to transit are:
- sheep, goats, deer, llamas
Apply for an import permit online, if required
The IHS will tell you if an import permit is required. If needed, apply for a permit by completing an application online. Manual application forms are no longer available.
Payment is required when submitting an online application.
Processing time for permit application is 20 working days. Ensure you give us this time to process the application.
Online permit application – Animal and Plant Import Permits
If you have any questions about permits, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
Farm animals transiting New Zealand are subject to biosecurity requirements and must:
- remain at all times in or on the vessel or aircraft that brings them to New Zealand
- comply with the IHS for the animal and country of origin and comply with the requirements of the third (destination) country
- have legible animal identification and test methods and results on all laboratory reports
- be inspected by an official veterinarian in New Zealand who will examine animals for ectoparasites if the transit time exceeds 12 hours
- have a transit permit.
Notification must be sent to MPI at least 72 hours before an animal arrives in New Zealand, together with the veterinary certificates of the destination country. The maximum transit time for farm animals through New Zealand is 24 hours.
Information about animals transiting countries that have health risks from insect-borne pathogens is available in an IHS.
Transit times longer than 24 hours
Should transit time exceed 24 hours your animal consignment will be rejected – unless it is eligible for import into New Zealand because it meets the requirements of the relevant IHS for farm animals.
If rejected, your consignment could be sent to quarantine for further testing, reshipped, or destroyed.
Who to contact
If you have any questions about farm animals in transit, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz.
