To help reduce biosecurity risks, importers of farm animals must follow certain requirements. We've created a step-by-step process so you can see what's involved.
An overview of importing farm animals from start to finish.
Farm animals may transit New Zealand on their way to another country. Animals in transit must remain on the vessel or aircraft that brings them to New Zealand at all times, and can't stay for longer than 24 hours.
Farm animals transiting New Zealand are subject to biosecurity requirements.
Processes for importing animals or products related to farm animals are described elsewhere on the MPI website. Follow the steps to import:
The tasks you need to complete.
You can only import certain species of farm animals from approved countries. These are sheep and goats from Australia.
Import health standards (IHS) have all the information you need to import your animal from an approved country.
You need to read and understand the IHS for the animals you want to bring to New Zealand. Make sure you can meet all the requirements of the IHS before you start.
Search for your farm animal IHS and guidance document
Ensure you apply for the import permit at least 30 working days before you need the permit. The permit is the same for all types of farm animals.
Apply for your import permit through our online permit application system.
Animal and plant import permits (APIPS)
Details on how to use the system are in our live animals online permit application instructions [PDF, 2.5 MB]
All farm animals must be identified to New Zealand requirements. This includes MPI ear tags and may include a National Animal Identification & Tracing (NAIT) ear tag.
Ear tags must:
Pre-export isolation in the exporting country can only start after the MPI ear tags have been applied.
Find out more about ear tagging and NAIT ear tags
Farm animals being imported into New Zealand must:
More information about PEI is in the IHS for the animal you're importing.
MPI and an official veterinarian in New Zealand must be notified of the import 72 hours before the animals' arrival so that an inspection can be completed. You'll need to provide the:
Email your notification and documents to liveanimalsector@mpi.govt.nz.
You must have all the correct documents ready to present to an MPI official when your animals arrive.
Documentation must be in English, but may be bilingual (featuring the language of the exporting country and English). The documents must include:
You need to declare whether any farm animals are receiving any medication and need it while travelling.
Download the declaration of medicines form [DOCX, 296 KB]
You must provide MPI with a copy of the veterinarian's prescription before or when your animals arrive in New Zealand. If the veterinary medicine is travelling with your animals, include this paperwork with your export documents. Generally, clearance will be given for up to 3 months' supply of medicine.
The container requirements for transporting farm animals are provided in the IHS. Check that your carrier complies with design and other specifications.
If your animals are shipped to New Zealand in wooden crates or containers, or wood is used as flooring or walls, you'll also need to comply with the requirements for importing wood packaging.
Follow the steps for importing wood packaging
Containers used for transporting live animals must be new, or cleaned and disinfected with a virucidal disinfectant.
If you have given MPI at least 72 hours advance notification of arrival, your farm animal will be inspected on arrival in Auckland, at the wharf or airport by an MPI-approved veterinarian.
If the animals pass inspection and all supporting documents are in order, the animals will be allowed to enter New Zealand. If an animal fails to meet any of the requirements, it will be:
• held for further inspection, tests, or quarantine
• shipped to another country or sent back to the country of origin
• destroyed.
You will have to pay for any costs involved.
How you know you've met MPI requirements.
Your animals will be inspected at the wharf or airport by an MPI-approved veterinarian. If the animals pass inspection and all supporting documents are in order, the animals will be allowed to enter New Zealand.
If an animal fails to meet any of the requirements, it will be:
You will have to pay for any costs involved.
There are reporting obligations for owners of imported ruminant animals (cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and deer), which must be met for the life of the animal. These reporting requirements do not apply to alpacas and llamas.
If you have any questions about importing farm animals, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz.
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