How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Dog or Cat from the U.S. to Australia or New Zealand?

by | Jul 2025 | Pet Shipping Cost

Introduction: Love, Logistics, and the Price of Going Down Under

Moving your family pet overseas isn’t just emotional—it can be expensive too. When you’re looking at relocating a companion cat or dog from the U.S. to Australia or New Zealand, the costs can range from a few thousand to well over $10,000 depending on your pet’s needs, the required processes, and any unforeseen delays.

Here’s your complete breakdown of the costs you can expect—from pet transport to Australia, cat relocation USA to NZ, quarantine, import permits, to professional door-to-door service. Let’s take this step by step.

1. U.S. Preparatory Expenses (Typically $800–$2,000+)

a. Veterinary Visits & Testing

  • Health certificate, microchip, vaccinations (including rabies boosters): $200–$500
  • Specialist tests like Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) for Australia: $400–$600 per pet

b. Pre-export Care

  • Parasite treatments, general check-ups, lab work: add $200–$400
  • USDA document endorsement: $38–$173 depending on lab tests required

2. Shipping & Crate Costs (Approximately $2,000–$5,000+)

a. Airfare & Cargo Handling

  • Medium dog (cargo): $1,500–$3,500 from SF to Australia
  • International airfare often doubles domestic costs:
    • USD to Australia: $3,000–$7,000+ depending on size and airline

b. Airline-Approved Crate

  • Standard plastic crate: $200–$400
  • Heavy-duty or custom-proofed crate: $800–$1,800

3. Permits & Government Fees

Australia (DAFF)

  • Import permit: AUD 1,265 (~US$840) 
  • Quarantine fees: 10 days in Melbourne facility ≈ AUD 2,000–$3,000 (~US$1,300–$2,000)

New Zealand (MPI)

  • Import permit: NZD 220.74 (~US$140)
  • 10–30 days quarantine: NZD 1,400–2,000 (~US$900–$1,300) 

4. Ground Transportation & Local Handling ($200–$1,000+)

  • U.S. pickup and airport transfers: $200–$600 depending on distance
  • In-country Australia/NZ pickups and customs: AUD 500–$1,000
  • Optional pet taxi or charter services add $200–$500

5. Additional and Contingency Costs

  • Boarding while waiting for flights/quarantine: $30–$70/day
  • Emergency vet costs due to delays or health issues
  • Document retrieval, international courier fees, testing retakes
  • Administrative fees by pet relocation agencies: $1,000–$6,000+

6. Real-World Examples

  1. U.S. → Australia, Medium-Sized Dog
    • RNATT + vet fees: $1,000
    • Crate + cargo airfare: $3,500
    • DAFF permit + quarantine: $2,600
    • Ground transport & incidentals: $600Total estimate: **$7,700+
  2. U.S. → New Zealand, Dog & Cat Pair
    • RNATT + vet fees (2 pets): $2,000
    • Crates + cargo airfare: $4,000
    • MPI permits & quarantine: $4,500
    • Ground & contingency: $600Total estimate: **$11,100+

Reddit accounts confirm these ballpark figures: $9–10K for a medium dog, $4–5K for a cat

7. Timeline: Why Costs Add Up

  • Rabies titer test: 180-day waiting period
  • Import permits may take weeks to months for approval
  • Quarantine booking often opens late—especially near holidays in Australia
  • Airline and crate preparation must align tightly with permit schedules

Delays can lead to additional boarding, health certifications, and rescheduling fees.

8. How to Save on Overseas Pet Relocation

  • Plan 6–9 months ahead to avoid rush charges
  • Use reputable pet relocation specialists
  • Buy a crate once—designed for reuse if multiple pets or future travel
  • Use bundled service packages (shipping + vet + quarantine) to avoid overlap
  • Consolidate pet travel with your own flight schedule to avoid logistics gaps

9. DIY vs. Professional Assistance

  • DIY route saves on agent fees but involves heavy paperwork and coordination
  • Professional pet relocation ensures compliance, accuracy, and lower stress—even though it typically costs $1,000–$6,000+ in fees

10. Total Cost Summary

RouteTypical Total Cost
Medium dog → Australia$6,000–$10,000+
Dog & cat pair → NZ$9,000–$12,000+
Small dog or cat → NZ$4,000–$8,000
Customs mistakes or re-quarantine$1,000–$2,500+ Additional

Final Thoughts: Prepare Wisely—Love Them Always

Relocating your pet to Australia or New Zealand isn’t just a move—it’s a deeply considered, multi-step process involving fees, quarantine, time, and emotion. Yet for many pet owners, the peace of having their companion with them makes it all worthwhile.

Careful planning, early bookings, and experience-backed assistance can dramatically reduce risks and extra costs.

How Transcon Pet Movers Makes It Easy

At Transcon Pet, we specialize in making international pet relocation stress-free and safe.

Our all-inclusive services include:

  • Complete U.S. airport customs clearance and USDA documentation
  • California’s largest pet relocation network, with offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York
  • Import/export permit handling (USDA, CITES, MPI, DAFF)
  • Booking quarantine space in Australia or New Zealand
  • Door-to-door airport transport, crate support, and boarding services
  • Real-time updates, contingency planning, and international compliance
  • Full assistance through U.S. departure and Aussie/Kiwi arrival logistics

Contact us today to get a precise estimate tailored to your pet. Make your overseas journey with peace of mind—because every life matters, from couch snuggles to customs lines.

Recent Posts

Categories