Pet Transport from Bulgaria to New Zealand
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
Moving to New Zealand from Bulgaria with a dog or cat means starting the paperwork months before your flight.
This route is one of the most demanding international pet transport routes. Start preparations at least 26 weeks before your travel date – some steps have fixed waiting periods that cannot be shortened. New Zealand requires mandatory quarantine (10 (minimum) at MPI Levin facility days) for all arriving pets. This is the part of the process most owners find hardest to plan around. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a mandatory waiting period after your pet’s vaccination. You cannot speed this up.
Getting the timing right is critical. Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer.
The Bulgaria to New Zealand process
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
Responsible: Official veterinarian
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
Responsible: New Zealand quarantine authority
New Zealand: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on same day as first rabies vaccination |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 28-day wait after vaccination before travel. Vaccination schedule must be complete before titre test blood draw. |
| Rabies titre test | Required for: All pets from all countries (no exemptions). Not required for: None. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day wait from test date before entry |
| Quarantine | Mandatory quarantine. 10 (minimum) at MPI Levin facility days. Facility: MPI Levin Quarantine Facility, Levin, Manawatu (the only approved facility). Mandatory 10-day quarantine for all arriving cats and dogs. Pre-booking required well in advance as capacity is limited. Book before flights. |
| Import permit | Required. Issued by: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Biosecurity New Zealand. Apply for import permit before booking flights. Permit specifies all conditions. Non-compliance results in re-export or destruction. |
| Health certificate | Required. Government veterinary health certificate. Issued by: Government (official) veterinarian in country of export. Valid for 14 days from issue. Must use MPI-specified format for the exact country of export. No standard format accepted. Download the correct template from the MPI website. |
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | {'required': False} |
| Health certificate | {'required': True} |
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire) |
| 3 | Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate |
| 4 | Rabies titre test laboratory fee |
| 5 | Import permit application fee (New Zealand) |
| 6 | Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination) |
| 7 | Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes) |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
Understanding New Zealand's pet import rules
This is one of the more demanding international pet transport corridors. New Zealand runs a strict biosecurity programme and there are no shortcuts through it.
All pets must complete quarantine on arrival in New Zealand (at MPI Levin Quarantine Facility, Levin, Manawatu (the only approved facility)) for 10 (minimum) at MPI Levin facility days. This is non-negotiable and is entirely separate from the pre-travel preparation.
New Zealand is rabies-free with one of the world’s strictest pet import systems. All dogs and cats must complete mandatory quarantine at the government-approved facility (Levin MAF Quarantine Station, now MPI). Import permit required in advance. Only cats and dogs permitted from most countries; birds require separate approval. Authority: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Biosecurity New Zealand.
Things to sort before you book
Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.
Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.
Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.
If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.
Common questions
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