Pet travel from New Zealand to the United States
What you need, in order
- Microchip recorded
- At least 6 months old at arrival
- Low-risk travel history (prior 6 months)
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt accepted
Recommended lead time: start about 30 days before travel.
Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-09-05. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.
Covers personal, non-commercial import of a dog into the United States from a CDC low-risk-origin country. This is the CDC federal dog-import layer only (not USDA/APHIS, CBP inspection, airline, or US-state requirements). CBP's documentation check and visual inspection on arrival are decided outside Petra.
Check my trip for this corridorRequirements
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Microchip recorded
-
At least 6 months old at arrival
-
Low-risk travel history (prior 6 months)
-
CDC Dog Import Form receipt accepted
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Still decided outside Petra
- A US Customs and Border Protection officer performs the documentation check and visual inspection when your dog arrives at the US port of entry; Petra cannot pre-clear this step.
Primary sources
- Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries (CDC dog-import rule, 42 CFR 71.51) — US CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (retrieved 2026-09-05)
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Frequently asked questions
How far ahead do I need to start?
Petra's recommended lead time for New Zealand to the United States is 30 days before travel.
What is this based on?
Petra's United States (CDC dog import) ruleset for this corridor, last reviewed 2026-09-05 (see Primary sources below).
Is this verified?
Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-09-05. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.
Planning a trip? See what pet owners need to prepare.