Import permit for pet travel: what it is and who requires it

Export permit from the veterinary authority

For every pet

The law says exporting animals is prohibited unless the necessary permit was obtained beforehand from the competent veterinary authority. The application states the number and type of animals, the country the animals are going to, the means of transport and the date of shipment.

“shall be prohibited unless the necessary permit has been previously obtained from the competent veterinary authority.”

Import permit and conditions from the destination

For every pet

Attach a copy of the import permit issued by the importing country. It must state the animal health conditions required, and come from the competent authority responsible for livestock in the importing country.

“A copy of the import permit issued by the importing country must be attached, indicating the required animal health conditions.”

MEWA export permit (Naama platform)

For every pet

Request the export permit on the Naama platform at least 15 days before the shipment date. It is valid for 30 days from issue, and your pet must leave through the port named in it.

“The export permit request must be submitted at least 15 days before the shipment date”

AVS export licence (GoBusiness)

For every pet

Every pet leaving Singapore needs an export licence. Apply on the GoBusiness Licensing Portal within 90 days before you leave: it is valid for 90 days from issue. It costs S$50 and is issued two working days after you submit all documents (S$100 for the one-working-day express service).

“This licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.”

Apply for the Australian import permit (BICON)

For every pet

Apply and pay in BICON with the RNATT lab report and declaration. Most permits are issued in 20–40 business days, but it can take up to 123 business days. The permit is valid until the RNATT expires.

“Most permits are issued in 20-40 business days. It can take up to 123 business days in some cases.”

AFCD Special Permit

For every pet

Apply to AFCD in advance (in person, by post or via the Trade Single Window). It's issued 5 working days after a complete application, costs HK$432 for one animal (+HK$102 per extra animal on the same permit), and is valid for 6 months for one trip.

“Dogs and cats should not be brought into Hong Kong (either import or transshipment/transit) unless a Special Permit to do so is obtained in advance from this Department.”

Advance NOC from AQCS

For every pet

Send AQCS the advance copies of your pet's health documents. AQCS issues an Advance NOC, which the airline needs before it lifts your pet: without it the pet is not allowed to board. The processing charge is INR 1,000 per application. AQCS's page says the Advance NOC can be issued within 7 days before arrival.

“Advance NOC can be issued within 7 days before arrival based on the self certified advance copies of all above documents.”

MAQIS import permit (through an import agent)

For every pet

Every pet needs a valid import permit from MAQIS. You appoint a registered import agent, who applies for it in the e-Permit system (with the quarantine booking number if your pet is quarantined). MAQIS approves or rejects it, and the agent prints it once it is paid. Bring the original permit, the veterinary health certificate and an updated vaccination record to the entry point for inspection.

“Pengimportan hendaklah disertakan dengan permit import yang sah yang dikeluarkan oleh Jabatan Perkhidmatan Kuarantin dan Pemeriksaan Malaysia (MAQIS).”

Zoosanitary Import Certificate (CZI) on arrival

For every pet

On arrival, ask SENASICA staff at the airport, port or border for the CZI application form for your dog or cat (you can also download it beforehand).

“you must request the Zoosanitary Import Certificate (CZI) at our offices located at all points of entry into the country (ports, airports, and borders).”

MPI import permit (apply online)

The country you travel from is in the group: Category 2: countries recognised as rabies free or Category 3: specified countries where rabies is absent or well controlled

Apply online for the MPI import permit at least 8 weeks before you need it, and allow 30 working days for processing once MPI has every document. For Category 3 you upload the rabies vaccination records, the blood test result, the Category 3 Rabies Certification Form and the signed quarantine booking form; for Category 2, the signed quarantine booking form.

“A cat or dog from a category 2 or 3 country (including assistance dogs); and”

Import permit from the Department of Animal Resources

For every pet

Visit a Department of Animal Resources veterinary clinic (Al Matar Street in Al Rayyan, or Al Shamal), fill in the import request form and bring a copy of your ID card and your pet's current vaccination record. The permit is valid for one month, so it must be used within a month of issue. The law says importing animals is prohibited unless the permit was obtained beforehand.

“To obtain an import license, visit one of the Department of Animal Resources' veterinary clinics on Al Matar Street in Al Rayyan area or Al Shamal to fill out an import request form”

Entry permit from MEWA (Naama platform)

For every pet

Apply online on the Naama platform at least 15 days before the shipping date (it takes 5–7 days and is free). The permit is valid for 30 days from issue, and your pet must enter through the port named in it.

“The request must be submitted at least 15 days before the shipping date”

Dog or cat licence (PALS)

For every pet

Get a dog or cat licence on the Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS) — you need it before you can apply for the import licence.

“To import a dog or cat, you must obtain a dog or cat licence before applying for an import licence.”

Import licence

For every pet

Apply on the GoBusiness Licensing Portal (S$50, issued in 2 working days; S$100 express, 1 working day). It's valid for 90 days from issue with no extension, so your pet must arrive within that time. Mixed breeds need a colour photo.

“An import licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.”

Veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves)

For every pet

A veterinary import permit from the Directorate Animal Health is needed to import dogs and cats. You apply with the application form and proof of payment of the permit fee, and for a dog that will be quarantined an indemnity declaration. The permit is issued and sent to you together with a veterinary health certificate; the protocol says processing takes 3 to 4 working days if approved.

“A veterinary import permit is needed to import Dogs & Cats into South Africa.”

Import licence application (Form R.1/1) and import permit

For every pet

Email the scanned documents to the quarantine station and phone to confirm they arrived. The station emails you the scanned import permit within 7 working days (longer if documents are incomplete). The documents are the application form R.1/1, a copy of the owner's passport photo page, proof of vaccination, a colour picture of the pet's face, and a document with the number and species of pets, each pet's breed, sex, age, colour and microchip, the addresses in the country of origin and in Thailand, the expected arrival date and the departure and entry ports. The import permit is valid for 60 days, and the import licence (Form R.7) for 7 days.

“Import License Application Form (Form R.1/1)”

SPS Import Clearance (SPSIC) from BAI

For every pet

A dog or cat cannot enter the Philippines without an SPS import permit (SPSIC) from BAI's National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division. You apply with a letter of intent and your documents: proof of the microchip numbers, vaccination and deworming records, a photograph of the pet, the pet passport if any, a BIR-issued ID with a tax number, and a notarized affidavit of undertaking (Annex A for Filipinos, Annex C for foreigners).

“Acquiring SPS Import Permit is a requirement before any dog or cat can enter into the Philippines.”

UAE import permit

For every pet

Apply online on the MOCCAE website before your pet travels (AED 200 per animal). It's issued in 1 working day and is valid for 90 days — your pet can't enter on an expired permit.

“validity of permit is 90 days. It is not allowed to import pets with an expired import permit”

FSVO import licence (flying in from a rabies-risk country)

Your pet has been in a place in the group “Group 3: rabies risk countries (everything not in groups 1 and 2) — titer test, 3-month wait, FSVO licence for direct flights” in the last 6 months

For a pet flying into Zurich, Geneva or Basel from (or after a stay in) a rabies-risk country, send the FSVO application form (one per animal, with the microchip, vaccination and lab report proofs) to infobew@blv.admin.ch at least 21 days before the planned entry date.

“For direct entry by plane an import licence from the FSVO is also required”