Flying a cat from New Zealand to the United States
Last verified Sources checked 9 primary sourcesSite-wide weekly check due
Scope and research limits
USA: Federal rules for pets entering the US mainland. Each state can add its own entry rules.
This guide covers the journey and pathways stated here. Residence, travel history and connections may change which requirements apply. Confirm these before using the countdown.
Yes
A cat can enter the United States from New Zealand without quarantine when every condition is met.
To meet the entry rules
- a healthy appearance on arrival
If a requirement is missed: An animal refused entry after a flight is returned by the airline to the country it left, on the next available flight and at the importer's expense.
Full answer
A cat can enter the United States from New Zealand without quarantine when every condition is met. It needs a healthy appearance on arrival. If any is missed: An animal refused entry after a flight is returned by the airline to the country it left, on the next available flight and at the importer's expense. Last verified 24 September 2026.
- Rules allow in cabin
- Airline decidesA cat may arrive through any US airport. The federal rules we read set no cabin, hold or cargo limit for cats, so the airline decides.
- Quarantine
- NoneIf a rule is missed: An animal refused entry after a flight is returned by the airline to the country it left, on the next available flight and at the importer's expense.
- Rabies titer
- Not required
- Lead time
- 1 day
Your deadlines, counted back from arrival
None of these steps is a hard deadline. Each step says how long before arrival it falls. Pick an arrival date and your browser works out the calendar dates; it fetches nothing.
Lead time: 1 day
Pick an arrival date to see the calendar date of each step.
Clinical examination
Present the animal and its rigid, IATA-compliant crate for MPI’s welfare examination, with the signed supporting declaration, before the AWEC is issued. Timing: on or before the welfare certificate's issue.
Fails if: The New Zealand export requirement is incomplete.
Animal Welfare Export Certificate issued
Book MPI Verification Services for an Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC). The owner and registered vet complete and sign the supporting declaration. MPI examines the animal, crate and declaration before issuing the AWEC. This welfare document does not replace any airline fitness certificate or US entry paperwork. Timing: on or before departure.
Fails if: The New Zealand export requirement is incomplete.
Arrival day
Requirements without a countdown
These conditions still apply. Choosing an arrival date does not check them.
The cat must appear healthy on arrival and may be inspected at the port of entry.
Fails if: Signs of a disease that can pass to people.
A cat needs no proof of rabies vaccination to enter the United States, but CDC recommends it, and the US destination may ask for more.
CDC does not require a general health certificate, but some states and airlines do.
A cat travelling to the US mainland does not need an MPI official assurance, but still requires its AWEC. Confirm the airline’s private-vet fitness certificate and US state and local entry requirements.
Fails if: The New Zealand export requirement is incomplete.
This plan assumes one air journey, with every step done before you leave. Unless you give a departure date, it assumes you leave the day before arrival or on arrival day. Times are local to the United States (America/New_York).
Which airlines carry cats on this route
The only airline in our sources gives no plain Yes for cats on this route.
This is what airlines offer. 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.
| Airline | Cabin | Hold (checked baggage) | Manifest cargo | Fee from | Snub-nosed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air New Zealand Cargo | Not published | Not published | Quoted on request |
- Air New Zealand Cargo: 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.
- Air New Zealand Cargo: 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.
No rule changes recorded since
We have recorded no change to the rules on this page since , when our log began. See every recorded change.
Where every rule above came from
- eCFR (Office of the Federal Register / GPO)ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-09-22/title-42.xmlA cat may arrive through any US airport; The cat must appear healthy on arrival and may be inspected at the port of entry; An animal refused entry after a flight is returned by the airline to the country it…; The dog is denied admission and returned to the country it left; The airline must refuse to board a dog whose importer has not shown the CDC Dog Import…
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/catsA cat needs no proof of rabies vaccination to enter the United States, but CDC…
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-importFederal rules for pets entering the US mainland
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/index.htmlThe cat must appear healthy on arrival and may be inspected at the port of entry: what fails; The cat must appear healthy on arrival and may be inspected at the port of entry; A cat needs no proof of rabies vaccination to enter the United States, but CDC…; CDC does not require a general health certificate, but some states and airlines do
- Ministry for Primary Industries (New Zealand)mpi.govt.nz/export/animals/live-animals-including-livestock/requirement-documents-for-exporting-live-animals/animal-welfare-export-certificates/awec-process-for-live-animals-other-than-livestockAnimal Welfare Export Certificate issued; Clinical examination
- Ministry for Primary Industries (New Zealand)mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/497-Cats-to-United-States-of-America-GuidanceAnimal Welfare Export Certificate issued; A cat travelling to the US mainland does not need an MPI official assurance, but still…
- Ministry for Primary Industries (New Zealand)mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/64308-Dogs-to-the-United-States-of-America-GuidanceAnimal Welfare Export Certificate issued; Clinical examination; For a dog that has spent the preceding six months only in New Zealand or other low-risk…; For export from New Zealand to the US, the dog must have an ISO-compatible microchip; Import form
- Air New Zealand Cargoairnewzealandcargo.com/international-cargo-pet-servicesAir New Zealand Cargo: route, cabin, hold (checked baggage), manifest cargo, fee from, snub-nosed; Confirm health, age, destination breed restrictions, operating days and station…
- Air New Zealand Cargoairnewzealandcargo.com/international-cargo-processAir New Zealand Cargo: route, 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.
Related pages
See everything that applies in the United States, or what changed across the site.