Moving your pet from New Zealand to Nigeria?

Q: "How long does it take to prepare a pet for transport from New Zealand to Nigeria?"

"Allow at least 20 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."

Q: "Does my pet need to quarantine when entering Nigeria?"

"No routine quarantine is required in Nigeria for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel."

Q: "Is a rabies titre test required for pets entering Nigeria?"

"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 Nigeria. Start this process as early as possible."

Q: "Do I need an import permit to bring my pet into Nigeria?"

"Yes, an import permit is required from Nigeria's authority (the relevant government body). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance."

Q: "What health certificate does my pet need for this route?"

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

If you’re relocating from New Zealand to Nigeria and taking your pet, the good news is thousands of families do this every year.

This route is moderately involved, with a clear checklist to follow. Start preparations at least 20 weeks before your travel date – some steps have fixed waiting periods that cannot be shortened. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a mandatory waiting period after your pet’s vaccination. You cannot speed this up.

Start early and follow the steps in sequence. Missing a deadline pushes the whole timeline back.

Moderate complexity 20-26 weeks typical

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What does moving a pet on this route actually involve?

The New Zealand–Nigeria route requires quarantine on arrival, so planning well ahead matters. In plain terms, this is a moderate route, meaning the requirements are relatively straightforward compared to many international moves.

Most owners start the process around 20-26 weeks before the flight date. That window is not arbitrary — it accounts for vaccination waiting periods, titre test processing, and document endorsement.

How long does the whole process take?

Here is how the preparation unfolds from start to travel day:

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard) First step - must be done before any vaccinations. Your veterinarian

Rabies vaccination After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps. Your veterinarian

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory) Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result. Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Apply for import permit from Nigeria Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks You (or your pet transport agent)

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space 2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly. You (or your pet transport agent)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement) Official veterinarian

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk 3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin You + airline check-in/cargo desk

What should I expect to pay?

Costs vary considerably depending on your pet's size, the airline, and whether you use a pet relocation agent. The main factors to price up are:

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 (Nigeria)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

What paperwork does Nigeria require for my pet?

Microchip: Required (ISO 11784/11785)

Rabies vaccination: Required. Current vaccination required.

Titre test: Required for: May be required

Health certificate: Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Issued by: Official government vet. Valid for 14 days from issue

Import permit: Required. Permit required from FDVPCS. Apply in advance.

Quarantine: Inspection on arrival by FDVPCS. No routine quarantine for compliant pets.

What do I need to arrange before leaving New Zealand?

Export permit: No formal export permit required. Destination import documentation serves as travel authority.

Which airlines can my pet travel on?

Several airlines serve routes between New Zealand and Nigeria, each with different policies on pets in cabin versus cargo hold:

Qantas _

Cargo: QantasFreighter network for pet transport. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round. Temperature embargoes: seasonal restrictions during Australian summer (Dec-Feb)

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.

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)

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

Singapore Airlines _

Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons

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

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

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

Kenya Airways _

Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: pets in pressurised hold via Kenya Airways Cargo. Connects Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta hub to European and African destinations. IATA-compliant crate required. Advance approval needed.

What are the most common mistakes on this route?

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.

Key requirements for moving your pet to Nigeria

Compared to some international pet transport routes, New Zealand to Nigeria is manageable. That said, every country’s rules are different and the timing requirements are strict.

Pet import possible but requires strict documentation. Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services (FDVPCS) manages imports. Lagos is the main entry point.

Step-by-step: what to do first

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.

Which similar routes might be relevant?

Shipping from New Zealand Importing to Nigeria Qantas pet policy British Airways pet policy

What should I do next?

The best first step is a free consultation. You'll get a clear picture of the timeline, the costs, and exactly which documents apply to your pet's breed, age, and vaccination history.

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