Pet Transport Colombia to New Zealand: 2026 MPI Guide

Colombia is a non-approved country under Australia’s DAFF biosecurity system, which means pets moving from Colombia to Australia need 180 days of continuous residency in a DAFF-approved country first. That pathway adds a significant staging step and typically extends the total process to 12 to 18 months.

New Zealand does not use the same non-approved classification. MPI applies its standard RNATT pathway to Colombia, which means your pet can travel directly from Colombia to New Zealand (via a connection hub) without any intermediate country staging requirement. The 3-month wait is still there, but there is no additional 180-day staging period on top.

This distinction matters if you are weighing a move to Australia versus New Zealand. Colombia to New Zealand is meaningfully shorter in total process time: 4 to 6 months versus 12 to 18 months for Australia.

The RNATT process starts with your ICA-registered vet in Colombia. Your pet needs a confirmed ISO microchip, then a valid rabies vaccination, then a blood draw at least 28 days after the vaccination. The blood sample goes to an MPI-approved laboratory (KSVDL in the USA or APHA in the UK are the most commonly used) by international courier. The result must show 0.5 IU/ml or above.

From the day the blood is drawn, you must wait at least 3 months before your pet can enter New Zealand. That 3-month date is the fixed point around which everything else is scheduled.

On the Colombian side, ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario) is the authority for certifying pets for export. You need an ICA export permit and a health certificate endorsed by ICA, in MPI’s specified format. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for ICA processing. Keep all original ICA documents: New Zealand MPI does not accept copies.

There are no direct flights from Colombia to New Zealand. The standard routing goes via Los Angeles: Avianca or American Airlines connects Bogota (BOG) or Medellin (MDE) to Los Angeles (LAX), and Air New Zealand operates cargo services from LAX to Auckland (AKL) and Christchurch (CHC). Air New Zealand Cargo handles live animals on this sector, and the LAX-AKL route has well-established cargo procedures.

Confirm live animal acceptance on your specific Avianca or American Airlines Colombia to LAX sector before booking. Some routes and aircraft types have restrictions on live animal cargo. Get written confirmation from both airlines.

An alternative is routing via Miami to connect with other carriers, though this adds complexity. A small number of itineraries go via Singapore, using connections through Madrid or other European hubs, but for most Colombian families the LAX-based routing is the most practical.