pet travel, Pet air travel, boarding kennel, travelling with pets

Requirements for dogs and cats entering South Africa

Click here for a list of exporting countries from which dogs require 14 days quarantine on entry into South Africa

NOTE – there is NO quarantine for cats entering South Africa

All pet dogs and cats need to be in possession of the following in order to enter South Africa.

1. A VALID RABIES VACCINATION - valid means that the rabies vaccination must have been done not less than 30 days and not more than 1 year before date of travel. The only exceptions to this are for pets coming from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, in which case rabies vaccinations are recommended but not essential.

2. AN IMPORT PERMIT is required for all pets entering South Africa. This we can apply for on your behalf. We will need to know the country and airport of departure, consignee's name, destination airport in South Africa, approximate date of travel and number and species of animals (i.e. 1 dog and 3 cats). The only exceptions are for pets coming to South Africa from neighbouring countries, i.e  Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Malawi and Zimbabwe - from these countries only a Movement Permit which has been stamped and signed by the Government Vet in country of departure, is required.

3. A CURRENT HEALTH CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE. South Africa has it's own 4 page Health Clearance Certificate for dogs and a 2 page Health Clearance Certificate for cats. These need to be completed by the vet in the country of departure and as there are certain blood tests (for dogs) which will need to be done this should be done timeously - blood tests have to be done within 30 days of departure. Once fully completed by your Vet the Health Clearance needs to be stamped and signed by the Government Vet in country of Departure within 10 days of travel. NOTE that the ORIGINAL Health Clearance Certificate with the Government Stamp clearly visible must accompany pets entering South Africa - a photostat copy is NOT acceptable. Global Paws can fax or email these Health Clearance forms to you.

4. Puppies and Kittens under the age of 12 weeks may enter South Africa on their mother's valid rabies vaccination. (Valid in this instance means that the mother must have had a rabies vaccination no less than 30 days before the date of birth of the puppy or kitten and no longer than 1 year before the date of birth of the puppy or kitten). If over the age of 12 weeks it is essential that they have their own rabies vaccination and must then wait 30 days before entry into South Africa.

5. There is NO quarantine on arrival for cats entering South Africa.

6. Dogs from some countries are required to spend 14 days in quarantine on arrival in South Africa - See list of countries requiring quarantine. There are 2 Government Quarantine Stations in South Africa. They are situated in Johannesburg and Cape Town

7. Quarantine Import Permits need to be applied for 5 - 6 weeks in advance. Non Quarantine Import Permits can be obtained within 1 week. We can apply for these Import Permits on your behalf.

8. All pets entering South Africa MUST arrive as booked Manifest Cargo.
NOTE: NO PETS MAY ENTER SOUTH AFRICA AS LUGGAGE OR EXCESS BAGGAGE - IF THEY DO THEY COULD BE RETURNED TO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.

On arrival in South Africa Global Paws offer the service of meeting the flight, liaising with the state Vet, clearing customs, paying airport handling fees and delivering pets to the owner's home. We can also arrange onward shipment to neighbouring or other African countries. For pets needing to go into quarantine we can offer the service of of meeting the flight, liaising with the state Vet, clearing customs, paying airport handling fees and ensuring a speedy transfer of your pets to the Quarantine Station. On completion of quarantine we also offer the service of collecting the pets from the Quarantine Station and delivering to your residence.

Global Paws has it's own world class boarding kennels and can offer boarding for long or short period should this be required.

Requirements for transporting birds entering South Africa.

Birds entering South Africa must be in possession of an Import Permit as well as the South African Health Clearance for Birds which has been filled in by the Vet and must be  stamped and signed by the Government Vet in country of departure within 10 days of travel. Requirements for other countries are generally much the same as those for S.A. but please check with your Global Paws agent in this regard.

NOTE: that all birds entering South Africa must spend 30 days in quarantine on arrival so a Quarantine Import Permit is required which takes approximately 5 - 6 weeks to obtain. All birds will have to be under veterinary surveillance in the exporting country for a minimum of 30 days immediately prior to export to South Africa.

NOTE: Avian blood test may also be required.

With the exception of budgies and cockatiels all birds require a C.I.T.E.S. (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) IMPORT PERMIT (this is in addition to the normal Import Permit). The procedure for this is as follows:
Owner of the bird must apply in country of departure for a C.I.T.E.S. EXPORT PERMIT. Once this is obtained a copy of the C.I.T.E.S. EXPORT PERMIT needs to be attached to the C.I.T.E.S. IMPORT PERMIT application. Global Paws can apply for the C.I.T.E.S. IMPORT PERMIT on your behalf - please note that this permit takes approximately 6 weeks to obtain.

NOTE: Due to sporadic outbreaks of avian flu, the rules relating to bird shipment can change overnight.

Requirements for animals other than dogs, cats and birds entering South Africa.

As each species of animal has it's own requirements please contact Global Paws for detailed information and requirements.