Bringing a dog or cat to 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.
Which rules apply to you
South Africa sorts arriving pets by where they travel from. Find your group, then follow its steps.
| Arriving from | Titer test | Wait after sample | Permit | Quarantine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countries without dog quarantineCountries reported as exempt from dog quarantine when paperwork is correct (secondary source; confirm against the permit). | No | — | Yes | Only if rules not met |
| All other countries (dogs) (dogs)Countries not on the quarantine-exempt list. | No | — | Yes | 14+ days |
| All other countries (cats) (cats)Countries not on the quarantine-exempt list. | No | — | Yes | No |
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.
Apply for the import permit and quarantine space
Apply to VetPermits@daff.gov.za at least 4 weeks ahead, and reserve quarantine space for dogs before booking flights.
Microchip, vaccinate and test
Same microchip, rabies vaccine and dog blood tests as for exempt countries, following the permit conditions exactly.
Fly into Johannesburg or Cape Town
Dogs that need quarantine must arrive at OR Tambo or Cape Town International as air cargo.
Dogs: at least 14 days at a government quarantine station (Kempton Park, Johannesburg, or Cape Town) at the owner's cost. Book space before flying.
Microchip, vaccinate and test
Same microchip, rabies vaccine and dog blood tests as for exempt countries, following the permit conditions exactly.
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.
- Pets from neighbouring SADC countries (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe) reportedly need only rabies proof and a health certificate, with no import permit.
- Pets transiting South Africa also need a veterinary permit.
- Wolf hybrids and early-generation Savannah/Bengal cats are reportedly not allowed.
- Since 2024, dogs may also need an Animal Improvement Act (AIA) import permit from the department.
What we could not confirm
- The official 2022 information document could not be read (blocked to automated access). The quarantine-exempt country list comes from a non-government site and must be checked against the permit.
- Which dog blood tests apply varies by origin country and is set on each permit. The listed tests are from USDA guidance for US dogs.
- Minimum age for puppies (one source says under 8 months only with the mother), the mixed-breed sterilisation rule and the AIA permit requirement for pet dogs are unconfirmed.
- Permit fee reports range from R140 to R210; the current fee is unconfirmed.
- Whether Durban and land borders accept non-quarantine pets is unconfirmed.
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. Rules change: confirm with Department of Agriculture - Directorate Animal Health (Veterinary Import Permit Office) before booking.