Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Ecuador to South Africa: the rules
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted), rabies vaccination (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) and veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves) and 6 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 3 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- South Africa puts Ecuador in the group “Country whose dogs are quarantined”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: import permit needed, quarantine on arrival, extra disease test and official stamp on the certificate.
Limited official guidance. The authority for entering South Africa publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. This is the department's protocol for dogs and cats, a page last updated in 2008 and read from a copy stored in 2021, because the department's sites do not open from our network. Fees, forms, contacts and the list of countries whose dogs skip quarantine may have changed (newer summaries mention an updated tariff). Treat it as a short summary under review and confirm with the Directorate Animal Health (VetPermits@dalrrd.gov.za) before you travel. Dogs and cats from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Malawi, and dogs from other African countries, follow other rules we have not built.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) (a primary vaccination at least 30 days before import (a booster no more than 12 months before))
3 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip (request sent 72 hours before the trip)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- Import permit needed
- Quarantine on arrival
- Extra disease test
- Official stamp on the certificate
Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.
How early to start (cats)
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) (a primary vaccination at least 30 days before import (a booster no more than 12 months before))
3 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip (request sent 72 hours before the trip)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- Import permit needed
- Official stamp on the certificate
Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.
Which rules apply to you
South Africa puts Ecuador in the group “Country whose dogs are quarantined”. See every group
Official name: Dogs from this country are quarantined for 14 days on arrival and re-tested
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
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Rule change for pets travelling from Ecuador to South Africa
Leaving rules: China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa and Kenya (short summaries, under review). Tap to see what changed.
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Ecuador → South Africa
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Ecuador (leaving) or South Africa (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Bringing a dog or cat into South Africa: we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.
Get ready
IdentificationEntering South Africa
ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted)
All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be permanently identified with a microchip that can be read by ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 scanners; tattoos are not accepted.
Details and the official words
“All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be permanently identified with a microchip (tattoos will not be accepted).”
“The microchip must be able to be read by an ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 scanners.”
VaccinationEntering South Africa
Rabies vaccination (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK)
Dogs and cats must have a valid rabies vaccination: a primary vaccination given not more than 12 months and not less than 30 days before import, or a booster given not more than 12 months before import. It is not required for pets from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, though advised.
Details and the official words
“In the case of a primary rabies vaccination the vaccination must be given not more than 12 months and not less than 30 days before the date of import.”
“In the case of a booster rabies vaccination the vaccination must be given not more than 12 months before the date of import.”
“Vaccination against rabies is not required for cats/dogs imported from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland”
PermitEntering South Africa
Veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves)
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.
Details and the official words
The fee in the protocol (R110) is old; newer department pages mention an updated tariff.
“A veterinary import permit is needed to import Dogs & Cats into South Africa.”
“it takes three (3) to four (4) working days to process the permit”
In the days before you travel
TestEntering South Africa
Dogs: blood tests for five diseases within 30 days of export
Before a dog can be imported it must be certified free of Brucella canis, Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia gibsoni, Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) and Leishmania by blood tests, done within 30 days of export (the exporting country's vet authority can instead certify that the country is free of a disease). Dogs from countries not certified free of heartworm must be treated from the negative test until export, and must bring enough medication for a six-month course after arrival.
Details and the official words
“Before dogs can be imported the dog needs to be certified free from the following five diseases by means of blood tests.”
“Blood tests need to be done within 30 days of the date of export to South Africa.”
“Dogs imported from countries not certified free from Dirofilaria immitis must be treated from the date of negative testing until export at the required intervals with:”
Vet examLeaving Ecuador
Health check by a vet registered with Agrocalidad (valid 10 days)
A vet registered with Agrocalidad examines your pet and enters the health certification online in Agrocalidad's GUIA system, checking your destination's requirements. The health certification is valid for 10 days. The vet attaches the original vaccination card (vaccines and dates, microchip date, sterilisation if any, internal and external parasite treatments) and any extra document your destination asks for.
Details and the official words
“La certificación de salud animal tendrá una vigencia de 10 días, la información de la inspección clínica será ingresada en línea mediante el Sistema GUIA habilitado para cada médico veterinario registrado ante la Agencia, donde deberá cumplir las exigencias sanitarias establecidas por el país destino.”
“El Médico Veterinario Registrado ante AGROCALIDAD deberá adjuntar los siguientes requisitos en el sistema GUIA y aquellos adicionales que establezca el país de destino en formato PDF.”
“Carnet de vacunas original, debe incluir las fechas y vacunas aplicadas, fecha de aplicación del microchip y esterilización (si corresponde), así como, las fechas de las desparasitaciones internas y externas.”
PaperworkEcuador and South Africa
Veterinary health certificate within 10 days of departure
The department sends you the veterinary health certificate with the import permit. A vet authorised by the exporting country's veterinary administration completes it in English within 10 days of departure, and it is stamped and signed by the exporting country's veterinary authorities.
Details and the official words
Agrocalidad export health certificate: Once the request is approved, you collect the paper certificate at the Agrocalidad office or exit border post your vet chose. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
“This needs to be completed, in English, by a veterinarian authorized thereto by the Veterinary Administration of the exporting country, within 10 days of departure.”
“Una vez aprobada su solicitud podrá retirar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación, de forma física en la oficina de la Agencia o punto fronterizo de salida que seleccionó en la solicitud.”
Official stampLeaving Ecuador
Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip
Your registered vet sends the request for the export health certificate in GUIA at least 72 hours before the trip and chooses the Agrocalidad office (or exit border post) where you collect the paper certificate, giving the request number. It costs USD 28.90 per animal, debited from the vet's GUIA account: settle it with your vet.
Details and the official words
“Para poder solicitar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de animales de compañía convencionales el Médico veterinario registrado, deberá enviar la solicitud 72 horas previas al viaje y seleccionar la oficina de AGROCALIDAD más cercana para retirar el documento en físico.”
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering South Africa
Fly as manifest cargo and present the permit and certificate on arrival
Dogs and cats must be registered as manifest cargo and cannot fly as excess baggage. Cats and dogs from countries without quarantine can also arrive at Durban. At the airport the original import permit and original health certificate are presented to the veterinary officials before the animal is released.
Details and the official words
“All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be registered, as manifest cargo and can not fly as excess baggage.”
“On arrival at the airport the original Veterinary Import Permit issued by the Directorate Animal Health and the original Veterinary Health Certificate signed, stamped and certified by Veterinary Authorities of the exporting country must be presented to the veterinary officials at the airport before the dog or cat can be released.”
QuarantineEntering South Africa
Dogs from some countries: 14 days' quarantine on arrival
Dogs from countries not on the department's list are quarantined for 14 days on arrival, re-tested for the five diseases at the owner's expense, and may only arrive through OR Tambo (Johannesburg) or Cape Town. Before a quarantine booking is confirmed you must sign an indemnity form (the original, not a copy).
Details and the official words
“Quarantine of 14 days will be imposed on some dogs, depending on the country of origin of the dog.”
Good to know
- Puppies and kittens under 3 months old need no rabies vaccination, but can only travel if their mother was vaccinated more than 30 days and less than 12 months before they were born; they are vaccinated after arrival at 3 months of age.
- A dog that tests positive for any of the five diseases is not eligible for import.
- Before you apply, check your destination's entry requirements and your airline's rules, and the rules of any country your pet transits. If your destination isn't covered by Agrocalidad's list, contact certificacion.zoosanitaria@agrocalidad.gob.ec (02 3828860, ext. 2012 or 2013).
- Your pet doesn't need a clinical inspection at Agrocalidad before leaving (the registered vet records it online), but Agrocalidad carries out random inspections before boarding.
Cats
Bringing a dog or cat into South Africa: we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.
Get ready
IdentificationEntering South Africa
ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted)
All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be permanently identified with a microchip that can be read by ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 scanners; tattoos are not accepted.
Details and the official words
“All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be permanently identified with a microchip (tattoos will not be accepted).”
“The microchip must be able to be read by an ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 scanners.”
VaccinationEntering South Africa
Rabies vaccination (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK)
Dogs and cats must have a valid rabies vaccination: a primary vaccination given not more than 12 months and not less than 30 days before import, or a booster given not more than 12 months before import. It is not required for pets from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, though advised.
Details and the official words
“In the case of a primary rabies vaccination the vaccination must be given not more than 12 months and not less than 30 days before the date of import.”
“In the case of a booster rabies vaccination the vaccination must be given not more than 12 months before the date of import.”
“Vaccination against rabies is not required for cats/dogs imported from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland”
PermitEntering South Africa
Veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves)
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.
Details and the official words
The fee in the protocol (R110) is old; newer department pages mention an updated tariff.
“A veterinary import permit is needed to import Dogs & Cats into South Africa.”
“it takes three (3) to four (4) working days to process the permit”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving Ecuador
Health check by a vet registered with Agrocalidad (valid 10 days)
A vet registered with Agrocalidad examines your pet and enters the health certification online in Agrocalidad's GUIA system, checking your destination's requirements. The health certification is valid for 10 days. The vet attaches the original vaccination card (vaccines and dates, microchip date, sterilisation if any, internal and external parasite treatments) and any extra document your destination asks for.
Details and the official words
“La certificación de salud animal tendrá una vigencia de 10 días, la información de la inspección clínica será ingresada en línea mediante el Sistema GUIA habilitado para cada médico veterinario registrado ante la Agencia, donde deberá cumplir las exigencias sanitarias establecidas por el país destino.”
“El Médico Veterinario Registrado ante AGROCALIDAD deberá adjuntar los siguientes requisitos en el sistema GUIA y aquellos adicionales que establezca el país de destino en formato PDF.”
“Carnet de vacunas original, debe incluir las fechas y vacunas aplicadas, fecha de aplicación del microchip y esterilización (si corresponde), así como, las fechas de las desparasitaciones internas y externas.”
PaperworkEcuador and South Africa
Veterinary health certificate within 10 days of departure
The department sends you the veterinary health certificate with the import permit. A vet authorised by the exporting country's veterinary administration completes it in English within 10 days of departure, and it is stamped and signed by the exporting country's veterinary authorities.
Details and the official words
Agrocalidad export health certificate: Once the request is approved, you collect the paper certificate at the Agrocalidad office or exit border post your vet chose. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
“This needs to be completed, in English, by a veterinarian authorized thereto by the Veterinary Administration of the exporting country, within 10 days of departure.”
“Una vez aprobada su solicitud podrá retirar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación, de forma física en la oficina de la Agencia o punto fronterizo de salida que seleccionó en la solicitud.”
Official stampLeaving Ecuador
Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip
Your registered vet sends the request for the export health certificate in GUIA at least 72 hours before the trip and chooses the Agrocalidad office (or exit border post) where you collect the paper certificate, giving the request number. It costs USD 28.90 per animal, debited from the vet's GUIA account: settle it with your vet.
Details and the official words
“Para poder solicitar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de animales de compañía convencionales el Médico veterinario registrado, deberá enviar la solicitud 72 horas previas al viaje y seleccionar la oficina de AGROCALIDAD más cercana para retirar el documento en físico.”
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering South Africa
Fly as manifest cargo and present the permit and certificate on arrival
Dogs and cats must be registered as manifest cargo and cannot fly as excess baggage. Cats and dogs from countries without quarantine can also arrive at Durban. At the airport the original import permit and original health certificate are presented to the veterinary officials before the animal is released.
Details and the official words
“All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be registered, as manifest cargo and can not fly as excess baggage.”
“On arrival at the airport the original Veterinary Import Permit issued by the Directorate Animal Health and the original Veterinary Health Certificate signed, stamped and certified by Veterinary Authorities of the exporting country must be presented to the veterinary officials at the airport before the dog or cat can be released.”
Good to know
- Puppies and kittens under 3 months old need no rabies vaccination, but can only travel if their mother was vaccinated more than 30 days and less than 12 months before they were born; they are vaccinated after arrival at 3 months of age.
- A dog that tests positive for any of the five diseases is not eligible for import.
- Before you apply, check your destination's entry requirements and your airline's rules, and the rules of any country your pet transits. If your destination isn't covered by Agrocalidad's list, contact certificacion.zoosanitaria@agrocalidad.gob.ec (02 3828860, ext. 2012 or 2013).
- Your pet doesn't need a clinical inspection at Agrocalidad before leaving (the registered vet records it online), but Agrocalidad carries out random inspections before boarding.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Ecuador publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
Agrocalidad export health certificate (per animal)Leaving Ecuador · 28.90 USD for each extra pet28.90 USD
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
Salida del Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad) · as of 2026-10-12
Veterinary import permitEntering South Africa230 ZAR
Tariff from 1 April 2024. The department revises it every year, so check the current amount when you apply.
“Issuance of an import permit. R230”
New tariffs as from 1 April 2024: veterinary import permits issued in terms of the Animal Diseases Act · as of 2024-04-01
Government fees in total: 28.90 USD + 230 ZAR (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
We have no published vet or lab prices for Ecuador yet.
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Ecuador
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Ecuador (dogs).
The trip back asks for 8 steps: older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip, vet examination within 10 days before the trip, internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding and rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and more.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Ecuador (cats).
The trip back asks for 8 steps: older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip, vet examination within 10 days before the trip, internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding and rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Information on importing of dogs and cats into the Republic of South Africa (Directorate Animal Health)
- New tariffs as from 1 April 2024: veterinary import permits issued in terms of the Animal Diseases Act
- Salida del Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Ecuador to South Africa?
We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into South Africa?
Yes: A veterinary import permit from the Directorate Animal Health is needed to import dogs and cats.
Will my dog be quarantined in South Africa?
It can be: Dogs from countries not on the department's list are quarantined for 14 days on arrival, re-tested for the five diseases at the owner's expense, and may only arrive through OR Tambo (Johannesburg) or Cape Town.
Will my cat be quarantined in South Africa?
We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Ecuador to South Africa?
With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted), rabies vaccination (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) and veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves) and 6 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
Turn this into dates for your pet
Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.