Bringing a dog or cat from France to South Africa
Under South Africa's rules, pets from France are in the group “Countries without dog quarantine”. A dog from France needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, an import permit and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.
About South Africa: Every dog and cat needs a veterinary import permit issued before travel (apply at least 4 weeks ahead). No rabies titer is needed, but dogs need several negative blood tests within 30 days of arrival, and dogs from non-approved countries face at least 14 days of quarantine.
Countries without dog quarantine Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: First rabies vaccine at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before export. The 30-day wait does not apply to a booster given before the previous one expired.
Step by step
Apply for the veterinary import permit
Email the application and proof of payment to VetPermits@daff.gov.za at least 4 weeks before arrival. The permit comes with the model health certificate to use.
Microchip and vaccinate
ISO microchip before any vaccine or test. Rabies vaccine at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before export.
Dog blood tests within 30 days
Negative tests for Brucella canis, Babesia gibsoni, heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), Leishmania and Trypanosoma evansi as the permit requires, within 30 days of import. The chip number must be on every lab report.
Treat for parasites
Dogs: a heartworm preventive after the negative heartworm result, and a tick/insect repellent within 30 days before departure. Record products and dates on the certificate.
Official certificate within 10 days
Vet exam and government endorsement of South Africa's health certificate within 10 days of travel. Carry the original permit, certificate and vaccine records.
Pets that do not meet permit conditions can be quarantined, sent back or put down at the importer's expense.
Good to know
- Cats
- Cats also need the import permit, a microchip and a rabies vaccine, but not the dog blood tests, and are not normally quarantined. Kittens under 3 months can enter only if the mother was vaccinated 30 days to 12 months before the birth; the kitten is then vaccinated at 3 months in South Africa.
- How many pets
- Not specified; one permit covers one consignment.
- Parasite treatment
- Dogs: tick/insect repellent within 30 days before departure, plus a heartworm preventive after the negative heartworm test. Products must be recorded on the certificate.
- Arrival
- Pets arrive as air cargo (service animals excepted). Dogs needing quarantine: OR Tambo (Johannesburg) or Cape Town International only. Others reportedly also Durban and some land borders.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from France to South Africa?
France counts as "Countries without dog quarantine" for South Africa. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. First rabies vaccine at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before export. The 30-day wait does not apply to a booster given before the previous one expired. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from France to South Africa?
No. Pets from France do not need a titer test for South Africa if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in South Africa?
Not if every rule is met. Pets that do not meet permit conditions can be quarantined, sent back or put down at the importer's expense.
Do I need an import permit?
Yes. South Africa requires an import permit, and you need to apply or notify at least 28 days before arrival.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Cats also need the import permit, a microchip and a rabies vaccine, but not the dog blood tests, and are not normally quarantined. Kittens under 3 months can enter only if the mother was vaccinated 30 days to 12 months before the birth; the kitten is then vaccinated at 3 months in South Africa.
Sources
- Dept of Agriculture - Information document for import of dogs and cats to RSA, 06-2022 (official; not machine-readable during research)
- Dept of Agriculture - Travelling with your pet (official)
- South African Embassy Prague (DIRCO) - Importing pets to South Africa (official)
- USDA APHIS - South Africa dog guidance, Sept 2024 (government, secondary)
- UK APHA - Notes for guidance 6257, cats to South Africa, revised 2 Nov 2023 (government, secondary)
- PetTravel.com - South Africa (non-government, secondary; source of country list)
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: South Africa pet import rules.