New Caledonia requires an import permit before your dog even boards the plane — and that's the detail that catches most people off guard. Cooper and I learned early that the paperwork chain here is longer than almost anywhere else we've relocated. Get the import permit process started at least three months out. Everything else — the health certificate, the vaccinations, the quarantine slot — slots in after that foundation is in place.
Bringing a pet to New Caledonia requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
How New Caledonia handles your pet
toute importation d'un chien ou d'un chat en Nouvelle-Calédonie est soumise à la délivrance d'un permis d'importation, au respect d'exigences sanitaires précisées dans un certificat spécifique à chaque pays de provenance, et à un isolement de 10 jours dans la quarantaine publique à son arrivée
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
Other rules
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day 0 arrive at customs
The health certificate must be signed by a government-authorised veterinarian — specifically, "un vétérinaire officiel du gouvernement ou vétérinaire autorisé à exercer la médecine vétérinaire en Australie." A certificate from a standard private vet will be rejected at entry. Book your appointment with an officially accredited government vet far before travel. Confirm accreditation status directly with your country's veterinary authority — not the airline, not a travel agent.
New Caledonia mandates 10 days of quarantine for all imported dogs — no exceptions for vaccination history or prior residency. The import permit specifies the quarantine facility; you cannot arrange private boarding as a substitute. Book the quarantine slot before finalising your flight dates. Arrival without a confirmed quarantine placement will result in detention at the port.
Frequently asked
- Does my pet need a microchip for New Caledonia?
- Yes. New Caledonia requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid.
- What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
- If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
- What happens if I forget a document?
- At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
A 10-day quarantine means 10 days of facility fees — budget for kennel costs, any required veterinary checks during the stay, and any daily care surcharges. Fees vary by facility but are non-negotiable once the import permit designates a specific station. Request the full fee schedule from the quarantine facility at the same time you submit the import permit application.
New Caledonia is worth every hoop — but the hoops are real, and there are several of them. The import permit, the quarantine booking, the government-endorsed health certificate: each step has a deadline and a sequence. The best thing you can do right now is build a personalized plan so nothing falls through. Pawgo's plan builder walks you through the exact timeline for your dog's trip — start there.
Glossary
- ISO chip
- ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
- FAVN
- Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
- Brachycephalic
- Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
- AVIH
- Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.