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Pet Travel From the United States to
South Africa
Last Modified:
Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type
Carefully read ALL of the requirements related to your pet on this page.
This page provides the most recent entry requirements and can change without
notice.
It is the responsibility of the veterinarian to make sure the pet has met all
health requirements of the destination country before issuing a health
certificate.
Failure to meet the requirements may result in problems gaining certificate
endorsement or difficulties upon arrival in the destination country.
Health certificates must be legible, accurate, and complete.
Alert
All pet veterinary health certificates to South Africa MUST BE endorsed by USDA-
APHIS, including Service and Emotional Support Animals.
All disease testing, including test type, must comply with the requirements outlined
on the veterinary health certificate. Failure to comply with the requirements in the
veterinary health certificate may result in the pet being returned to the U.S.
oreuthanized.
Cats
A veterinary import permit is required for all cats traveling to S. Africa. Veterinary
import permit applications and further information can be found on the Republic of
South Africa’s website at https://www.gov.za/services/import/import-animals-and-
animal-products. The completed veterinary permit applications can be sent to the
Permit Office at [email protected].
The requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the health certificate.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Cats (99.26 KB)
Dogs
A veterinary import permit is required for all dogs and cats traveling to South
Africa. Veterinary import permit applications and further information can be found
on the Republic of South Africa’s website at
https://www.gov.za/services/import/import-animals-and-animal-products. The
completed veterinary permit applications can be sent to the Permit Office at
If South Africa approves the import application, they will issue an import permit and
provide the required veterinary health certificate which will detail the entry
requirements. Please share the import permit and veterinary health certificate with
your USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you have received it.
U.S. origin dogs entering South Africa are required to be test negative for
Trypanosoma evansi (surra) on both the CATT and Giemsa blood smear tests.All
surra testing must occur at one of the two internationally recognized OIE Reference
Laboratories for surra testing (see below for further instructions on sample
submission procedures).
All other required testsmust be completed at an officially approved laboratory
located in the United States.
The animal's microchip number must be recorded on all laboratory reports.
APHIS endorsement of the health certificate is required after it has been issued by a
USDA Accredited Veterinarian. Health certificate issuance and endorsement must
occur within 10 days of the pet's travel.
Guidance document for Dogs traveling to South Africa (311.15 KB)
Sample Submission to the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium
Note: The Institute of Tropical Medicine highly recommends that U.S.
sample submitters either create their own account DHLInternational
Shipping or use a commercial laboratory (Ex:ANTECH) when sending
samples to Belgium to avoid samples being returned.
***You must forward the shipment tracking number to the Institute of Tropical
Medicine Antwerp dispatching service in advance of the shipment:
Per the ITM Import Permit, the text “Diagnostic samples - Do not open during
transport” must be printed on the parcel, along with a copy of the ITM Import
Permit attached to the exterior.
Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp
Applied Technology and Production Unit
Nationalestraat 155
B-2000 Antwerpen
BELGIUM
Tel: +32 (0)3 247 63 74
Sample Submission to the Institute of Tropical Medicine (646.28 KB)
Sample Submission to the National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, JAPAN
National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases
Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Inada-cho Nishi 2-13
Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555
JAPAN
Tel: +81-155 49.56.47 Fax: +81-155 49.56.43
Sample Submission to the Nat’l Research Ctr for Protozoan Diseases (211.47 KB)
Birds
Birds for export using the below health certificate must:
Have a South African import permit
Have been born and remained in captivity
Have remained in the United States for at least 3 months prior to export to
South Africa
Be identified by means of closed leg rings or microchips
Undergo a 28-day pre-export isolation in a facility (which could be a private
residence) that was approved by an APHIS inspector before the start of
isolation. To schedule an APHIS inspection, pleasecontact your APHIS
Endorsement Office.
Tested for avian influenza and Newcastle disease by means of both
tracheal/oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs, twice at least 14 days apart, the
second test being within 7 days of departure
Be transported to South Africa in a sealed transport that is covered in mosquito
proof netting
Other requirements are explained in the model health certificate below.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Birds (173.03 KB)
Lagomorphs (Rabbits, Hares and Pikas)
A veterinary import permit is required for all lagomorphs (including rabbits, hares
and pikas) traveling to South Africa. Veterinary import permit applications and
further information can be found on the Republic of South Africa’s website at
https://www.gov.za/services/import/import-animals-and-animal-products. The
completed veterinary permit applications can be sent to the Permit Office at
The requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the health certificate.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Lagomorphs (161.14 KB)
Other Pets
For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially informed by the
foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We recommend that
you contact a government official of the country you are traveling to for more
information.
Country of Destination Contact Information
World Organisation for Animal Health: Members
U.S. Department of State: Foreign Embassies and Consulates
Countries Participating in the European Union
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
*
Norway
**
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
**
*
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (UK), but will continue to follow European
Union (EU) requirements even though the UK is no longer part of the EU.
**
Norway and Switzerland are not part of the EU but have adopted EU legislation for import of
most species of live animals.
Important Travel Considerations
Considerations for airline travel and cruises:
Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies and requirements for transporting
pets. Check with your airline or shipping representative to determine what
requirements they may have.
Learn how you can improve the safety of dogs and cats during air travel.
View additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS
endorsement of international health certificates (239.52 KB).
If pets or support animals accompany you on a cruise, you must comply with entry
rules for every country or port where your pet or support animal exits the ship.
Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?
View APHIS Requirements
ALERT: If you're traveling with a dog, be aware that the CDC has additional
requirements for bringing a dog into the United States. You must follow CDC's
requirements, or your dog will not be allowed to enter the United States.
If you are transiting (passing through) the European Union:
If your pet is traveling through (transiting) a country in the European Union (EU) on
the way to a third, non-EU country, you will also need a transit health certificate for
your pet for the EU. The transit health certificate will be the same as if your pet’s
final destination was the EU country. Use the information and steps above under
“Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type” to determine which health certificate
should be used. View a list of EU countries.
See More See Less
Need Help?
Guidance for Pet Owners
Read an overview of the process for taking your pet to another country and related
resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
View frequently asked questions about traveling with your pet.
Still Have Questions?
USDA-Accredited Veterinarians
Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination
country's entry requirements for pets (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or
treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.
Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
USDA Endorsement Offices
Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for
questions about endorsing a health certificate for pets.
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your country is not listed in the menu, visit Pet Travel: Unknown Requirements.
