What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that address New Caledonia pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter New Caledonia will include proof of a microchip, current rabies vaccinations, rabies titer test results, parasite treatments, import permit, and a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
Animals That Qualify for These Import Regulations
Pets can enter New Caledonia after having lived in the following countries: France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, Australia and New Zealand.
These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs and cats, including assistance and service animals. Wolf hybrids and Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, cannot be imported under these regulations.
Find a Licensed Veterinarian
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.
Quarantine for Pets Entering New Caledonia
There will be 10 days of quarantine imposed on your pet when entering New Caledonia, even if the pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be returned to the origination country or euthanized. The importer will bear all the costs involved.
New Caledonia Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog or cat to New Caledonia must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-7 in the order given.
Step 1: Country Classifications
New Caledonia permits import to resident-pets living in the following countries: France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, Australia and New Zealand. Pets from other countries will not be permitted import to New Caledonia.
Step 2: Pet Microchip
The first step to importing a dog or cat to New Caledonia is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.
A veterinarian licensed by the agency in the country of origin that is responsible for the import and export of live animals should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturers or government database in your country.
The microchip number must be recorded on all required import documents.
Step 3: Vaccinations
Unless your pet is entering New Caledonia from French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, New Zealand or Australia, your pet cat or dog must be vaccinated for rabies not less than 6 months and not more than 12 months prior to entering the country. Puppies and kittens cannot be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age.
The administering veterinarian should be licensed by a government agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
If your dog or cat is currently vaccinated for rabies but not microchipped, it will need to be re-vaccinated according to instructions above after a microchip is implanted.
Other Vaccinations
Your dog must have been vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and kennel cough (parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica) not less than 14 days and not more than 12 months immediately prior to entering New Caledonia. Vaccinations must not expire for at least 30 days after entering New Caledonia.
Cats must be vaccinated against coryza (calicivirus and rhinotracheitis), infectious panleukopenia, and chlamydia t least 14 days but not more than one year prior to entry. Vaccinations must not expire for at least 30 days after entering New Caledonia.
Step 4: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires this test.
Unless your pet is entering New Caledonia from French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Vanutau, Australia or New Zealand, a rabies titer test is required. The test should be administered more than three months and less than 12 months prior to entry. Blood samples must be processed at approved laboratories.
Step 5: Import Permit
Importers must apply for an Import Permit from the Veterinary Inspection Service, Food and Phytosanitary division of the Directorate of Veterinary Affairs. The original document must be available when clearing customs in New Caledonia. An application for quarantine must accompany the import permit as well as the original of the results of the titer test (see step 4), rabies vaccinations, proof of residency in the originating country.
Step 6: Parasite Treatments
Before your cat or dog can enter New Caledonia, it must be treated twice for internal and external
parasites, during specified intervals.
Step 7: Health Certificate
Every country worldwide requires a health certificate in their pet import regulations, and New Caledonia is no exception. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number, species, and physical characteristics.
After the vaccinations and titer test are completed, a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin must then complete the export pet health certificate within 4 days of departure.
Related: Pet Health Certificate for New Caledonia
After issuance, the certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the country of origin responsible for the import and export of live animals.
The health certificate must be in English or French.
Other Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to New Caledonia
Puppies and kittens under the age of 3 months may not enter New Caledonia from any country. If born and raised in French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, Australia or New Zealand, your puppy or kitten can enter New Caledonia if all other conditions are met.
More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned from Import to New Caledonia
The following breeds and their mixes are not permitted to enter New Caledonia – Terrier (Pit Bulls), Mastiff (Boerbulls), Tosa, American Staffordshire Terrier and Rottweiler.
Quarantine in New Caledonia
Pets entering New Caledonia from approved countries (step 1) will be quarantined for 10 days at the government facility at Paita. Pets are not allowed to enter New Caledonia from any other country other than those listed in step 1.
Flying Your Pet to New Caledonia
Flights to New Caledonia should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country if possible*. If your pet transits through a high-rabies country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.
*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.
Entering New Caledonia with a Pet
Pets should enter New Caledonia via La Tontouta International Airport. Pets must enter as cargo and in sealed crates.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to New Caledonia. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.
Importing Other Pet Animals to New Caledonia
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination; however, they may have to meet other requirements and must have an import permit and a health certificate to enter New Caledonia. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and it is even more important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.
Related: Search the CITES database
Related: Learn more about CITES
Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for New Caledonia?
Pet owners can obtain further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for New Caledonia at minimal cost. They all contribute to the New Caledonia pet passport. Unlimited email support is included if either you or your veterinarian have any questions.
Have Questions?
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Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.
Current Information
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to:
- Make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense or
- Return your pet to the country of origin at your expense or
- Euthanize your pet.
We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following New Caledonia pet import requirements.
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