Popular Destinations

Canada

  1. All pets must have an ISO 11784/85 compliant Microchip implanted.
    Widely available and compliant brands in South Africa are: Virbac, Identipet, GetMeKnown & FiveStar ID.
  2. Valid and current vaccinations given when a pet is at least 3 months old (90 days of age).
    Dogs are to have the following vaccinations: Rabies, Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Para-influenza and Kennel Cough.
    Cats are to have the following vaccinations: Rabies, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia and Leukaemia.
    Vaccinations must be at least 30 days old but not older than 12 months at time of departure.
  3. A Veterinary Health Certificate must be completed by the private veterinarian and endorsed by the State Veterinarian within 5 days prior to departure date.

USA – Cats Only

  1. All pets must have an ISO 11784/85 compliant Microchip implanted.
    Widely available and compliant brands in South Africa are: Virbac, Identipet, GetMeKnown & FiveStar ID.
  2. Valid and current vaccinations given when a pet is at least 3 months old (90 days of age).
    Vaccinations required are: Rabies, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia and Leukaemia.
    Vaccinations must be at least 30 days old but not older than 12 months at time of departure.
  3. A Veterinary Health Certificate must be completed by the private veterinarian and endorsed by the State Veterinarian within 5 days prior to departure date.

USA – Dogs Only

The CDC updated the regulations for Dogs from High-Risk Countries on the 26th of May 2022. The new regulations effective as from 10 June 2022 are:

The below is relevant to owners relocating 1 or 2 dogs (there are variations to the regulations for 3 OR more dogs)

All dogs as a minimum must:

  1. Be at least 6 months old.
  2. Be identified with an ISO-compatible microchip (in SA these are Backhome, Identipet, GetMeKnown and FiveStar ID).
  3. Have a valid Rabies vaccination (only considered valid if done AFTER the microchip has been implanted).
  4. The CDC does not explicitly state other vaccinations are required however vaccinations for Distemper, Hepatitis  Parvovirus, Para-influenza and Leptospirosis and Kennel Cough should all be in order prior to traveling. These are required for domestic travel within SA, the airline may require these as well as your local council in the USA. 

There are then 3 OPTIONS

OPTION 1: Rabies Titre Test & Import Permit

  1. There are currently 18 approved Airports around the USA for dogs to arrive IF they have an Import Permit.
  2. As per previous regulations – At least 31 days from the date of a valid Rabies vaccination, a blood sample can be drawn and sent to Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute in Pretoria to be tested.
    • The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
    • The original report must be available and travel with your dog.
  3. Once you have received the Rabies Titre Test report AND it is recommended, at least 9 weeks prior to the intended travel date, you (as the owner) are to submit the Import Permit Application to the CDC.
    • The CDC can take up to 30 working days (6 weeks) to respond with a request for further information OR approve & issue the permit.
    • More information regarding the application can be found here.
    • The Import Permit will be valid for a maximum of 30 days from the date you selected as your intended arrival date. 

OPTION 2: Rabies Titre Test but no Import Permit

  1. There are currently only 4 Approved Animal Care Facilities and therefore only 4 Airports of arrival allowed: Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles LAX and New York JFK.
  2. As per previous regulations – At least 31 days from the date of a valid Rabies vaccination, a blood sample can be drawn and sent to Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute in Pretoria to be tested.
    • The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
    • The original report must be available and travel with your dog/s.
  3. Prior to departure, contact must be made with one of the approved Animal Care Facilities for a reservation for examination and revaccination for Rabies on arrival.  
    • The additional expense is for the owner’s account (agents in the USA may be able to assist with these arrangements).

OPTION 3: No Rabies Titre Test and No Import Permit

  1. There are currently only 4 Approved Animal Care Facilities and therefore only 4 Airports of arrival allowed: Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles LAX and New York JFK.
  2. Prior to departure, contact must be made with one of the approved Animal Care Facilities for a reservation for examination and revaccination for Rabies on arrival.  
    • The additional expense is for the owner’s account (agents in the USA may be able to assist with these arrangements).
  3. The dog/s will be quarantined on arrival for 28 Days.
    • The additional expense is for the owner’s account (agents in the USA may be able to assist with these arrangements).

 

Europe

Includes The Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, etc. Please Contact Us to check your destination.

  1. All pets must have an ISO 11784/85 compliant Microchip implanted.
    Widely available and compliant brands in South Africa are: Virbac, Identipet, GetMeKnown & FiveStar ID.
  2. Valid Rabies vaccination
    Only considered valid if done AFTER or at the SAME TIME as the microchip being implanted.
    Other Annual vaccinations for dogs & cats to also be up to date and current at time of departure (not less than 30 days old and not more than 12 months old).
    The vaccinations should be boosted every 11 months to remain valid.
    As long as the Rabies vaccinations do not lapse, the Rabies Titre Test will remain valid.
  3. At least 31 days from the date of a valid Rabies vaccination a blood sample can be drawn.
    Currently the sample can be sent to IDEXX Vet Med Labor in Germany OR Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute in Pretoria to be tested where the result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
  4. Travel to the EU may only occur once a minimum of 3 months has passed from the date the blood sample was drawn.
  5. Veterinary Health Certificate – completed no more than 5 Days prior to planned arrival date and must be endorsed by a State Veterinarian.
    Dogs will be given a deworming treatment at the same time.

Note:
Pets can enter the EU as a non-commercial OR commercial shipment.
To be considered a non-commercial shipment, pets must arrive in the EU within 5 days of their owners and a copy of the passport and e-ticket are to accompany your pet.
Should pets travel outside of 5 days of their owners date, they will be considered a commercial shipment.

United Kingdom

England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

  1. All pets must have an ISO 11784/85 compliant Microchip implanted.
    Widely available and compliant brands in South Africa are: Virbac, Identipet, GetMeKnown & FiveStar ID.
  2. Valid Rabies vaccination
    Only considered valid if done AFTER or at the SAME TIME as the microchip being implanted.
    Other Annual vaccinations for dogs & cats to also be up to date and current at time of departure (not less than 30 days old and not more than 12 months old).
    The vaccinations should be boosted every 11 months to remain valid.
    As long as the Rabies vaccinations do not lapse, the Rabies Titre Test will remain valid.
  3. At least 31 days from the date of a valid Rabies vaccination a blood sample can be drawn.
    Currently the sample can be sent to IDEXX Vet Med Labor in Germany OR Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute in Pretoria to be tested where the result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
  4. Travel to the EU may only occur once a minimum of 3 months has passed from the date the blood sample was drawn.
  5. Veterinary Health Certificate – completed no more than 5 Days prior to planned arrival date and must be endorsed by a State Veterinarian.
    Dogs will be given a deworming treatment at the same time.

Note:
Pets can enter the UK as a non-commercial OR commercial shipment.
To be considered a non-commercial shipment, pets must arrive in the EU within 5 days of their owners and a copy of the passport and e-ticket are to accompany your pet.
Should pets travel outside of 5 days of their owners date, they will be considered a commercial shipment.
Pets can only enter the UK through an approved Border Control Post (London, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports) and with an approved airline.
A Transfer of Residence in required to avoid additional VAT on arrival. This is a customs requirement and also needed if relocating household goods.

Australia

  1. There is no pre-export quarantine in SA before departure, but waiting period can be least 7 months, this time is spent at home with you.
  2. All pets are required to undergo 10 Days quarantine on arrival in Melbourne only and arrival must be into Melbourne directly and not via another Australian city first.
  3. All pets must have an ISO 11784/85 compliant Microchip implanted.
    Widely available and compliant brands in South Africa are: Virbac, Identipet, GetMeKnown & FiveStar ID.
  4. Valid Rabies vaccination (for cats & dogs)
    This vaccination must be at least 6 months prior to departure.
  5. Other Annual vaccinations for dogs & cats to also be up to date and current at time of departure.
    Dogs require the following vaccinations: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Para-influenza & Leptospirosis AND Kennel Cough.
    Cats require the following vaccinations: Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia & Leukaemia.
    The all vaccinations must be done in accordance with manufacturers recommendations.
    For dogs only – If the Lepto vaccinations are done correctly, the blood test is not needed later on.
    For dogs only – If your dogs are neutered/spayed one of the blood tests to be done later on, is not needed.
  6. At least 21 days from date of last Rabies vaccination date, the blood sample for a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test can be taken and sent to Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute in Pretoria for testing.
    The waiting period of 180 days is counted from the date the testing laboratory receives the blood sample.
  7. There are further tests & treatments required to be done within 45 days before departure.
  8. Veterinary Health Certificate is to be completed within 5 days prior to departure date and must be endorsed by a State Veterinarian.
    All pets are to receive an internal parasite treatment at this time.

New Zealand

  1. There is no pre-export quarantine in SA before departure, but waiting period can be least 6 months, this time is spent at home with you.
  2. All pets are required to undergo 10 Days quarantine on arrival in Auckland OR Christchurch.
  3. All pets must have an ISO 11784/85 compliant Microchip implanted.
    Widely available and compliant brands in South Africa are: Virbac, Identipet, GetMeKnown & FiveStar ID
  4. Valid Rabies vaccination (for cats & dogs)
    This vaccination must be at least 6 months prior to departure.
    The is only considered valid if done AFTER or at the SAME TIME as the microchip being implanted.
  5. Other Annual vaccinations for dogs & cats to also be up to date and current at time of departure.
    Dogs require the following vaccinations: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Para-influenza AND Kennel Cough.
    Cats require the following vaccinations: Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia & Leukaemia.
    The all vaccinations must be done in accordance with manufacturers recommendations.
    For dogs only – The Lepto vaccination is not required as the blood test will be done at a later stage.
    The vet is to write in the microchip number and date of implant on the same page as the vaccinations and stamp & sign next to it (this will be needed for the Import Permit application).
  6. At least 31 days from date of last Rabies vaccination date, the blood sample for a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test can be taken and sent to Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute in Pretoria for testing.
    The waiting period of 3 months is counted from the date the testing laboratory receives the blood sample.
  7. There are further tests & treatments required to be done within 30 days before departure.
  8. Veterinary Health Certificate is to be completed within 2 days prior to departure date and must be endorsed
    by a State Veterinarian.
    All pets are to receive an internal parasite treatment at this time.
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