DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR CATS AND DOGS
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR BIRDS


DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED
FOR CATS AND DOGS


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To enter South Africa, CATS AND DOGS will require the Original Documents as listed below, irrespective of the country of origin:

* Valid rabies vaccination
* Import permit
* Veterinary health certificate
* Quarantine periods for DOGS arriving from certain countries (click here for list)

The only exceptions are animals entering South Africa from Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Pets entering from these countries must have a valid rabies vaccination, a veterinary health certificate and a movement form. This is valid for 10 days within arrival in South Africa. These must be stamped and signed by the Government Vet in the country of origin.

1. VALID RABIES VACCINATION
All animals entering South Africa require a valid rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccination must be done at least thirty days, but not more than one year prior to entry. The only exceptions to this are for pets coming from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, in which case no rabies vaccinations are required.

2. IMPORT PERMIT
Is required for all pets entering South Africa. These are obtained from the Department of National Agriculture in Pretoria. We can apply for this import permit on your behalf, within 5-6 weeks (for quarantine import permits) and 10 – 14 days (for non-quarantine permits) prior to entry. The import permit is valid for six months, unless the dog has to go into quarantine - the import permit will then only be valid for approximately. 14 days. In transit permits are valid for 3 months.

3. VETERINARY HEALTH CERTIFICATE
South Africa has it's own 4 page Veterinary Health Certificate for dogs and a 2 page Veterinary Health Certificate for cats. This will be attached to your import permit once issued by the Department of Animal Health. The Health Certificate needs to be completed by your Vet in the exporting country.
There are two phases involved in completing the Health Certificate for dogs:
• Blood tests have to be done within 30 days of departure.
• Once fully completed by your Vet the Health Certificate needs to be stamped and signed by the Government Vet in country of Departure within 10 days of travel.

* QUARANTINE FOR CATS AND DOGS

* There is no quarantine required for CATS entering South Africa
* A quarantine period of 14 days are required for DOGS arriving from certain countries (click here for list)
* There are 2 government quarantine stations in South Africa: Johannesburg & Cape Town.
* Quarantine kennel space needs to be reserved, and import permits need to be applied for at least 5-6 weeks in advance.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR BIRDS

To enter South Africa, birds will require the Original Documents as listed below:

* Import permit
* Veterinary health certificate
* C.I.T.E.S. permit (with the exception of budgies, cockatiels and pigeons)

1. IMPORT PERMIT
Is required for ALL BIRDS entering South Africa. We can apply for this import permit on your behalf, within 5-6 weeks prior to entry. The import permit is valid for approximately. 14 days

2. VETERINARY HEALTH CERTIFICATE
South Africa has it's own 2 page Veterinary Health Certificate for birds. This will be attached to your import permit once issued by the Department of Animal Health. The Health Certificate needs to be completed by your Vet in the exporting country.

3. C.I.T.E.S. PERMIT
The owner must apply for a CITES export permit in the country of departure. Once this is issued a copy of the cites export permit needs to be attached to the cites import permit application. This permit normally takes 4 weeks to be issued.

QUARANTINE FOR BIRDS:
* A quarantine period of 30 days is required for ALL BIRDS entering South Africa.
* There are 2 government quarantine stations in South Africa: Johannesburg & Cape Town
* Quarantine kennel space needs to be reserved, and import permits need to be applied for at least 5-6 weeks in advance

PROCEDURE:
* Original Documents MUST be attached to the Airwaybill (Airfreight Ticket), and NOT to travel with the owner.
* Copies MUST be taped to the travel container.
* The Originals MUST be present with the pets, on arrival at the airfreight terminal, as they are required for obtaining the Veterinary Clearance.
* Absence of the Original Documents can result in your pets being placed in Quarantine, or returned to Country of Origin.
* All animals entering South Africa must travel as Manifest Cargo / Airfreight. Animals are NOT allowed to travel in the cabin, or as excess baggage.
* We recommend that pets arrive within normal office hours, to ensure a speedy and smooth clearance.