Air New Zealand Cargo pet policy
Reviewed separately booked international pet cargo between the US mainland and New Zealand. Confirm the exact operating flight, destination, animal and all connection restrictions through an approved pet transporter.
Last verified 3 primary sourcesSite-wide weekly check due
Pet cargo is booked through approved transporters. Animal acceptance, operating days and flight space must be confirmed.
- Cabin
- Not published
- Hold (checked baggage)
- Not published
- Manifest cargo
- RestrictedUse an approved pet transporter for the separate cargo booking. Obtain confirmation for the animal, crate and exact flight.
- Snub-nosed
- Case by caseThe published list of brachycephalic breeds is refused on flights exceeding five hours. Have the transporter check the breed and exact flight before booking; do not infer acceptance from cargo availability.
Routes Air New Zealand Cargo flies with pets
This is what Air New Zealand Cargo offers on each route. An airline can offer less than the rules allow.
Hold means checked baggage. Manifest cargo is a separate booking, even when the animal travels in the same aircraft hold.
| Route | Cabin | Hold (checked baggage) | Manifest cargo | Fee from | Snub-nosed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand → United States, dog | Not published | Not published | Quoted on request | ||
| New Zealand → United States, cat | Not published | Not published | Quoted on request | ||
| United States → New Zealand, dog | (New Zealand rule) | (New Zealand rule) | Quoted on request | ||
| United States → New Zealand, cat | (New Zealand rule) | (New Zealand rule) | Quoted on request |
Notes
US-origin cargo must go through a TSA-approved freight forwarder that meets the IATA membership and Air New Zealand account requirements. All live animals require an approved pet shipping agency; individual over-the-counter shipments are not accepted.
All routes (dogs and cats)
Confirm health, age, destination breed restrictions, operating days and station acceptance before booking. Unwell animals may be refused. Do not sedate the animal for travel.
All routes (dogs and cats)
Where every rule above came from
- Ministry for Primary Industries (New Zealand)mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/71909-Cats-and-Dogs-2026-Import-Health-StandardUnited States → New Zealand, dog: Cabin
- Air New Zealand Cargoairnewzealandcargo.com/international-cargo-pet-servicesReviewed separately booked international pet cargo between the US mainland and New Zealand; Pet cargo is booked through approved transporters; Route: United States → New Zealand; Route: New Zealand → United States; and 6 more
- Air New Zealand Cargoairnewzealandcargo.com/international-cargo-processRoute: United States → New Zealand; Route: New Zealand → United States; Cabin; Hold (checked baggage); US-origin cargo must go through a TSA-approved freight forwarder that meets the IATA…
Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we date every check, but the official page is the authority.