Australian Visa Bureau   »   Travel & Migration Services   »   Shipping Companies in Australia   »  Shipping Your Pet

Shipping Your Pet

Taking the family pet with you when you emigrate can be a complicated process, especially if you don't know the process of shipping an animal overseas.

For more information on shipping your pet abroad, Pet Air UK can provide comprehensive assistance.

Taking your pet to Australia

Australia is rabies-free and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services (AQIS) ensure it remains so. The duration of your pet's quarantine period will be dependent on the country of origin as well as the timing of vaccinations and tests to your pet. The minimum stay in quarantine, though, is for 30 days.

Please note that you are advised to book your pet into a quarantine station at least five months before you plan to bring your pet into Australia as many stations run at full capacity throughout the year and places can be limited.

More information is available from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

Emigrating with cats or dogs to New Zealand

Cats and dogs coming from Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Hawaii and Singapore do not require quarantine in New Zealand, but do require certification and will be inspected for ticks on arrival. Other pets may require a permit to import them into the country.

For more specific requirements, see Biosecurity New Zealand.

Importing pets to America

The importation of live animals in the United States is regulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC does not require general certificates of health for pets for entry into the United States and no time spent in quarantine is required. However, health certificates may be required for entry into some states, or may be required by airlines for pets. You should check with officials in your state of destination and with your airline prior to your travel date.

Pets are also subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. If a pet appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense might be required at the port of entry.

Animals that have spent all their lives in the British Isles, or at least six months, may be imported without a requirement for proof of rabies vaccination.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Making the move to Canada with your pets

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency establishes import requirements for all animals and animal products entering Canada-including domestic pets. Canada does not impose quarantine restrictions on domestic cats and dogs arriving from any country, a health certificate may be required though.

Please note: this information is intended as a guide only. You should seek the advice of a registered IPATA member before shipping your pet overseas.