Moving your pet from New Zealand to Saudi Arabia?

The New Zealand–Saudi Arabia route requires quarantine on arrival, so planning well ahead matters. In plain terms, this is a high route, meaning there are several regulatory hurdles to clear, and most owners work with a specialist agent.

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.

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

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 (Saudi Arabia)
• Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Microchip: Required (ISO 11784/11785)

Rabies vaccination: Required. Valid rabies vaccination within the past 12 months.

Titre test: Required for: Varies. Check current MEWA requirementsnge periodically

Health certificate: Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Valid for 14 days from issue. Embassy attestation adds 1-2 weeks. Plan accordingly. Certificate must list microchip, vaccinations, parasite treatments, and declare the animal free of infectious disease.

Import permit: Required. Import permit from MEWA required before travel. Some pet relocation companies can handle this. Permit specifies number and species of animals.

Quarantine: No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Airport veterinary inspection on arrival.

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

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

Yes. Saudi Arabia bans or restricts entry for the following breeds. In plain terms, if your dog is on this list — or a confirmed cross — you need specialist advice before booking anything:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Rottweiler (restricted)

Contact us before making any bookings if your dog is one of these breeds or closely resembles one.

Saudi Arabia has specific requirements that trip people up when they haven’t researched properly. The documentation process is thorough but manageable if you start early.

Large expat community. Dogs are less culturally common than in Western countries, but expats routinely bring dogs and cats. Strict documentation and embassy attestation required.

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.

• Pet Transport Saudi Arabia to New Zealand