Pet Transport from Costa Rica to New Zealand

International pet transport from Costa Rica to New Zealand comes down to documentation timing more than anything else. This route is one of the most demanding international pet transport routes. …

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26-32

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

Days quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Step by step

The Costa Rica to New Zealand import process

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 28-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks

Apply for import permit from New Zealand

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Immediately on arrival (mandatory)

Quarantine on arrival (10 (minimum) at MPI Levin facility days)

Responsible: New Zealand quarantine authority

Requirements

New Zealand entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

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.

Leaving Costa Rica

Export requirements

Export permit

{'required': True, 'issued_by': 'SENASA Costa Rica'}

Health certificate

{'required': True}

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Import permit application fee (New Zealand)

Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Qantas	Cargo: QantasFreighter network for pet transport. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round. Temperature embargoes: seasonal restrictions during Australian summer (Dec-Feb)	Cargo Only
Emirates	Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round	Cabin and Cargo
British Airways	Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.	Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons	Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific	Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met	Cargo Only
Air France	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes	Cabin and Cargo
KLM	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo	Cabin and Cargo

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.

Practical advice for shipping your pet from Costa Rica

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.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

Yes, quarantine is mandatory in New Zealand. Your pet will stay for 10 (minimum) at MPI Levin facility days at MPI Levin Quarantine Facility, Levin, Manawatu (the only approved facility) on arrival. This is non-negotiable and the cost is paid by the owner.

Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter New Zealand. Start this process as early as possible.

Yes, an import permit is required from New Zealand’s authority (Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Biosecurity New Zealand). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Costa Rica. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check New Zealand’s authority for the exact format required.

Airline guides

Breed guides

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