Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Hawaii (US) 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 at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) and rabies vaccination within the last 12 months and 6 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 16 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- South Africa puts Hawaii (US) in the group “Country whose dogs skip quarantine”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: import permit needed, parasite treatment before travel and extra disease test.
- No rabies blood test or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
Limited official guidance. The authority for entering South Africa publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. The Department of Agriculture's own pages don't open from our network, so this follows the government services portal (gov.za), the department's 2026 permit tariff, payment notice and forms page (read from a web archive's copies), and the certificates South Africa agreed with the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Which countries' dogs skip quarantine, the 14 days' quarantine and the manifest-cargo rule still come from the department's 2008 protocol. The department sends the exact requirements with your permit, so check them there and ask the permit office (VetPermits@nda.gov.za) if in doubt. 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 at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) (a primary vaccination at least 30 days before export)
No official wait
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- No rabies blood test
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
- Extra disease test
How early to start (cats)
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) (a primary vaccination at least 30 days before export)
No official wait
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- No rabies blood test
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
Which rules apply to you
South Africa puts Hawaii (US) in the group “Country whose dogs skip quarantine”. See every group
Official name: Dogs from this country do not go into quarantine on arrival (the permit and certificate must still be in order)
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Hawaii (US) → South Africa
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Hawaii (US) (leaving) or South Africa (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
We haven’t verified the leaving side for Hawaii (US) yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
Get ready
Residence ruleEntering South Africa
Lived in the exporting country since birth or for the last 6 months
The health certificate states that your pet has lived in the country it is exported from since birth, or in that country or South Africa for the last 6 months.
Details and the official words
Every model certificate we could read has this statement (those agreed with the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom).
“either been continuously resident in the exporting country since birth, or have been continuously resident in the exporting country or South Africa for the last six months.”
“Have, as far as I can ascertain, either been continuously resident in Canada since birth, or have been continuously resident in Canada or South Africa for the last six months.”
IdentificationEntering South Africa
ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted)
Your pet must be identified with a microchip that can be read by an ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 scanner; tattoos are not accepted. The microchip number goes on the health certificate and on every laboratory report.
Details and the official words
“Microchip must be able to be read by ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 scanners”
“The animal's microchip number must be recorded on all laboratory reports.”
“All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be permanently identified with a microchip (tattoos will not be accepted).”
VaccinationEntering South Africa
Rabies vaccination at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK)
Your pet needs a valid rabies vaccination with a vaccine meeting the World Health Organization's potency standard. A first (primary) vaccination must be given at least 30 days, and at most 12 months, before export. The 30-day wait doesn't apply to a booster given before the previous vaccination expired. Not required for pets from Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom, though the UK advises it.
Details and the official words
The UK's guidance says South Africa can grant a dispensation reducing the 30 days to 15 days if you can't wait (a dispensation letter costs R420).
“In the case of the primary Rabies vaccination, the animal must have been vaccinated at least 30 days, but not longer than 12 months prior to export.”
“The 30 days waiting period for the primary Rabies vaccination does not apply to the booster vaccination if it was applied before the previous Rabies vaccination expired”
“The Rabies vaccine used must be a strain of anti-rabies conforming to a potency standard recognized by the World Health Organization.”
“If it is not possible to wait 30 days, then a dispensation to reduce to 15 days is available from the authorities in South Africa.”
“In the case of cats from the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand, vaccination for rabies is not required.”
“It is advisable that dogs are vaccinated before being exported.”
“Vaccination against rabies is not required for cats/dogs imported from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland”
VaccinationEntering South Africa
Rabies vaccination within the last 12 months
The latest rabies vaccination (the first one, or the last booster) must be less than 12 months before export. If it will be older on the day your pet leaves, give a booster before then.
Details and the official words
Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.
“In the case of a booster Rabies vaccination, the animal must have been vaccinated less than 12 months prior to export.”
PermitEntering South Africa
Veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves)
Apply to the Department of Agriculture's permit office for a veterinary import permit before your pet is shipped. Use the department's application form (dogs not subject to quarantine, dogs subject to quarantine, or domestic cats), pay the permit fee (R250 from April 2026) into the department's bank account and send the form with the proof of payment; no application is processed without it. Individuals use their ID or passport number as the reference on both. Once the department approves the import, the permit takes 3 to 5 working days, and it is sent to you with the health certificate your vet must complete.
Details and the official words
The department's current permit office address is VetPermits@nda.gov.za (its 2025 payment notice); gov.za still shows an older address.
The fee is revised every year (1 April). The department asks for payment within 5 working days before you submit the application.
“you must apply for a veterinary import permit from the Director: Animal Health. You must obtain this permit before the animal or product is shipped from the exporting country.”
“No application will be processed without proof of payment.”
“Once the state veterinarian at the national office has approved the importation, it takes three to five working days to process the application and issue the permit.”
“Following receipt of the completed application form and proof of payment, a veterinary import permit and a veterinary health certificate template will be issued and sent directly to you.”
“Application to import dogs not subject to quarantine”
“Application to import domestic cats”
“Issuance of an import permit”
“Individual applicants must use their ID/Passport number as the reference number on both the application form and the proof of payment.”
“Payment must be made within five (5) working days prior to the date of submission of the application.”
In the days before you travel
TestEntering South Africa
Dogs: blood tests for five diseases within 30 days before arrival
Your dog must test negative for Brucella canis, Trypanosoma evansi (surra), Babesia gibsoni, Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) and leishmaniosis, with the test methods set out on the health certificate, on blood samples taken within 30 days of import. The surra tests (card agglutination and a Giemsa blood smear) are done at a World Organisation for Animal Health reference laboratory, often abroad, so start early; the microchip number must be on every report, and copies of the reports travel with the certificate.
Details and the official words
The US and Canadian certificates count the 30 days to the date of import; the UK's certificate and the 2008 protocol count them to export. The plan uses the import date (the stricter reading).
Test methods on the US and Canadian certificates: Brucella canis by serum or rapid slide agglutination; T. evansi by card agglutination and a Giemsa smear; B. gibsoni by IFAT or ELISA plus a Giemsa smear or real-time PCR; heartworm by microfilarial filtration; leishmaniosis by IFAT, ELISA, direct agglutination or Western blot. The UK's certificate differs slightly: follow your own certificate.
“The animals have been tested, with negative results, within 30 days from date of sample collection to the date of import, for the following conditions in a laboratory using the testing methodologies outlined below.”
“ALL tests must be performed within 30 days of import (no exceptions are permitted without a dispensation issued by South Africa).”
“being within the 30 days prior to export”
“All surra testing must occur at one of the two internationally recognized OIE Reference Laboratories for surra testing”
“The required testing for Trypanosoma evansi is currently not available in Canada however, there are international laboratories which offer the required diagnostic testing.”
Vet examLeaving Hawaii (US)
Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian
Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.
Details and the official words
“contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”
TreatmentEntering South Africa
Dogs: heartworm treatment from the negative test until export, and for 6 months after arrival
From the date of the negative heartworm test until export, your dog is treated against heartworm at the required intervals with one of the products listed on the health certificate (at least one dose after the negative result and before the vet signs the certificate). The treatment must continue for 6 months after arrival in South Africa, and heartworm drugs are hard to find there, so bring a 6-month supply with the dog.
Details and the official words
The certificates agreed with the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom all ask for this; the department's 2008 protocol asked it only of dogs from countries not certified free of heartworm.
Canada's certificate: no further treatment is needed if the negative test falls within 11 months of a ProHeart SR-12 injection.
“from the date of negative testing until export at the required intervals with:”
“Treatment for Dirofilaria must continue for 6 months after arrival in South Africa.”
“There should be at least ONE treatment date listed in section 6.1 of the certificate AFTER the test result of the negative heartworm test was received and BEFORE (or on the same day as) the USDA Accredited Veterinarian signs the health certificate”
“The South African authorities require that sufficient supply of the drug is in the possession of the owner/person in custody of the dog at the time of its arrival in South Africa.”
TreatmentEntering South Africa
Dogs: tick and insect treatment within 30 days before departure
Within 30 days before departure, and before the vet completes the certificate, your dog is treated with an effective acaricide (against ticks) and an insect repellent (against flies), to protect against leishmaniosis and Babesia gibsoni. The vet records the dates, products and doses on the certificate.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
This is on South Africa's general dog certificate (model IMP. DOG. GEN 05/22), as used for dogs from the United States and Canada. The certificate agreed with the UK (2017) doesn't have it. The certificate sent with your permit says which applies.
Canada's certificate asks for products registered in the exporting country; the US guidance quotes 'registered in South Africa' but accepts US-licensed products.
“the animals must be treated with an effective acaricide and with insect repellent registered in the exporting country, within 30 days before departure.”
“the animals must be treated with an effective acaricide, and with insect repellent, registered in South Africa within 30 days before departure.”
PaperworkHawaii (US) and South Africa
Veterinary health certificate within 10 days of departure
The department sends the veterinary health certificate with the permit. A vet authorised by the exporting country's veterinary authority examines your pet and completes the certificate in English within 10 days of departure, and the exporting country's veterinary authority certifies it. Some countries use their own agreed version instead (for example the UK's 6256EHC and Canada's HA2123 and HA2124).
Details and the official words
USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.
“The veterinary health certificate has to be completed in English by a veterinarian authorised by the veterinary authority of the exporting country within 10 days of departure.”
“Health certificate issuance and endorsement must occur within 10 days of the pet's travel.”
“Have been examined clinically by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of export and were found to be free of internal and external parasites, contagious and infectious diseases to which the species is susceptible and fit to travel.”
“Do not use the Veterinary Health Certificate that is included with the import permit issued by South Africa.”
“OVs ARE NOT required to complete or sign the South African model because the Defra official health certificate 6256EHC replaces it.”
“assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”
Travel day and arrival
TransportEntering South Africa
Fly as manifest cargo, not as excess baggage
Dogs and cats must be registered as manifest cargo and can't fly as excess baggage. Book this with your airline.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
From the department's 2008 protocol; the newer texts we could read don't mention how pets fly. Check with the permit office and your airline.
“All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be registered, as manifest cargo and can not fly as excess baggage.”
On arrivalEntering South Africa
Present the original permit and certificate on arrival
At the port of entry, give the South African veterinary import control officer the original import permit, the original health certificate and any other documents the permit asks for, such as the rabies vaccination certificate, the laboratory reports or the quarantine indemnity.
Details and the official words
“You must present the following to the South African veterinary import control officer at the port of entry:”
“Any other documentation specified, e.g. indemnity declaration, rabies vaccination certificate, CITES permit, etc.”
Good to know
- South Africa's health requirements change often. The permit comes with the health certificate that sets out the exact requirements for your pet: read it as soon as you get it and give it to your vet. Ask the permit office (VetPermits@nda.gov.za) if anything is unclear.
- Puppies and kittens under 3 months old aren't vaccinated against rabies: they can travel if their mother was vaccinated at least 30 days and at most 12 months before they were born, and must then be vaccinated at 3 months of age in South Africa (tell the South African veterinary authorities).
- A dog that tests positive for any of the five diseases can't be imported. A dog whose tests don't meet South Africa's requirements risks being sent back or put down on arrival.
- USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.
- Coming back to the U.S. with your dog? Your destination is high-risk for dog rabies, so get the 'Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination' from a USDA-accredited vet BEFORE you leave — it can't be issued afterwards.
Cats
We haven’t verified the leaving side for Hawaii (US) yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
Get ready
Residence ruleEntering South Africa
Lived in the exporting country since birth or for the last 6 months
The health certificate states that your pet has lived in the country it is exported from since birth, or in that country or South Africa for the last 6 months.
Details and the official words
Every model certificate we could read has this statement (those agreed with the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom).
“either been continuously resident in the exporting country since birth, or have been continuously resident in the exporting country or South Africa for the last six months.”
“Have, as far as I can ascertain, either been continuously resident in Canada since birth, or have been continuously resident in Canada or South Africa for the last six months.”
IdentificationEntering South Africa
ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted)
Your pet must be identified with a microchip that can be read by an ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 scanner; tattoos are not accepted. The microchip number goes on the health certificate and on every laboratory report.
Details and the official words
“Microchip must be able to be read by ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 scanners”
“The animal's microchip number must be recorded on all laboratory reports.”
“All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be permanently identified with a microchip (tattoos will not be accepted).”
VaccinationEntering South Africa
Rabies vaccination at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK)
Your pet needs a valid rabies vaccination with a vaccine meeting the World Health Organization's potency standard. A first (primary) vaccination must be given at least 30 days, and at most 12 months, before export. The 30-day wait doesn't apply to a booster given before the previous vaccination expired. Not required for pets from Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom, though the UK advises it.
Details and the official words
The UK's guidance says South Africa can grant a dispensation reducing the 30 days to 15 days if you can't wait (a dispensation letter costs R420).
“In the case of the primary Rabies vaccination, the animal must have been vaccinated at least 30 days, but not longer than 12 months prior to export.”
“The 30 days waiting period for the primary Rabies vaccination does not apply to the booster vaccination if it was applied before the previous Rabies vaccination expired”
“The Rabies vaccine used must be a strain of anti-rabies conforming to a potency standard recognized by the World Health Organization.”
“If it is not possible to wait 30 days, then a dispensation to reduce to 15 days is available from the authorities in South Africa.”
“In the case of cats from the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand, vaccination for rabies is not required.”
“It is advisable that dogs are vaccinated before being exported.”
“Vaccination against rabies is not required for cats/dogs imported from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland”
VaccinationEntering South Africa
Rabies vaccination within the last 12 months
The latest rabies vaccination (the first one, or the last booster) must be less than 12 months before export. If it will be older on the day your pet leaves, give a booster before then.
Details and the official words
Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.
“In the case of a booster Rabies vaccination, the animal must have been vaccinated less than 12 months prior to export.”
PermitEntering South Africa
Veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves)
Apply to the Department of Agriculture's permit office for a veterinary import permit before your pet is shipped. Use the department's application form (dogs not subject to quarantine, dogs subject to quarantine, or domestic cats), pay the permit fee (R250 from April 2026) into the department's bank account and send the form with the proof of payment; no application is processed without it. Individuals use their ID or passport number as the reference on both. Once the department approves the import, the permit takes 3 to 5 working days, and it is sent to you with the health certificate your vet must complete.
Details and the official words
The department's current permit office address is VetPermits@nda.gov.za (its 2025 payment notice); gov.za still shows an older address.
The fee is revised every year (1 April). The department asks for payment within 5 working days before you submit the application.
“you must apply for a veterinary import permit from the Director: Animal Health. You must obtain this permit before the animal or product is shipped from the exporting country.”
“No application will be processed without proof of payment.”
“Once the state veterinarian at the national office has approved the importation, it takes three to five working days to process the application and issue the permit.”
“Following receipt of the completed application form and proof of payment, a veterinary import permit and a veterinary health certificate template will be issued and sent directly to you.”
“Application to import dogs not subject to quarantine”
“Application to import domestic cats”
“Issuance of an import permit”
“Individual applicants must use their ID/Passport number as the reference number on both the application form and the proof of payment.”
“Payment must be made within five (5) working days prior to the date of submission of the application.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving Hawaii (US)
Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian
Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.
Details and the official words
“contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”
PaperworkHawaii (US) and South Africa
Veterinary health certificate within 10 days of departure
The department sends the veterinary health certificate with the permit. A vet authorised by the exporting country's veterinary authority examines your pet and completes the certificate in English within 10 days of departure, and the exporting country's veterinary authority certifies it. Some countries use their own agreed version instead (for example the UK's 6256EHC and Canada's HA2123 and HA2124).
Details and the official words
USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.
“The veterinary health certificate has to be completed in English by a veterinarian authorised by the veterinary authority of the exporting country within 10 days of departure.”
“Health certificate issuance and endorsement must occur within 10 days of the pet's travel.”
“Have been examined clinically by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of export and were found to be free of internal and external parasites, contagious and infectious diseases to which the species is susceptible and fit to travel.”
“Do not use the Veterinary Health Certificate that is included with the import permit issued by South Africa.”
“OVs ARE NOT required to complete or sign the South African model because the Defra official health certificate 6256EHC replaces it.”
“assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”
Travel day and arrival
TransportEntering South Africa
Fly as manifest cargo, not as excess baggage
Dogs and cats must be registered as manifest cargo and can't fly as excess baggage. Book this with your airline.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
From the department's 2008 protocol; the newer texts we could read don't mention how pets fly. Check with the permit office and your airline.
“All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be registered, as manifest cargo and can not fly as excess baggage.”
On arrivalEntering South Africa
Present the original permit and certificate on arrival
At the port of entry, give the South African veterinary import control officer the original import permit, the original health certificate and any other documents the permit asks for, such as the rabies vaccination certificate, the laboratory reports or the quarantine indemnity.
Details and the official words
“You must present the following to the South African veterinary import control officer at the port of entry:”
“Any other documentation specified, e.g. indemnity declaration, rabies vaccination certificate, CITES permit, etc.”
Good to know
- South Africa's health requirements change often. The permit comes with the health certificate that sets out the exact requirements for your pet: read it as soon as you get it and give it to your vet. Ask the permit office (VetPermits@nda.gov.za) if anything is unclear.
- Puppies and kittens under 3 months old aren't vaccinated against rabies: they can travel if their mother was vaccinated at least 30 days and at most 12 months before they were born, and must then be vaccinated at 3 months of age in South Africa (tell the South African veterinary authorities).
- A dog that tests positive for any of the five diseases can't be imported. A dog whose tests don't meet South Africa's requirements risks being sent back or put down on arrival.
- USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Hawaii (US) publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
USDA APHIS health certificate endorsementLeaving United States160 USD
“Number of Pets Associated Fee per Certificate 0 Any $101 per certificate 1-2 1 $160 1-2 2 or more $160 for the first pet, plus $10 for each additional pet on the same certificate.”
Cost to endorse your pet's health certificate · as of 2026-06-18
Veterinary import permit (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027)Entering South Africa250 ZAR
Government fees in total: 160 USD + 250 ZAR (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Microchipyour vet · for: ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted)15–30 USD
the United States: 4 published prices
- Humane Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN): Microchip at the wellness clinic15 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- Sacramento SPCA (Sacramento, CA): Microchip at a low-cost vaccine/microchip appointment (dogs and cats; $5 non-refundable booking deposit)25 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (Janesville, WI): Microchip as an add-on at the wellness & vaccine clinic (exam fee charged separately)29 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- WesternU CVM Pet Health – Spay & Neuter Center (North Central Animal Shelter, Los Angeles, CA): Microchip as a wellness service (prices effective 13 Jan 2025; $25 when done with surgery)30 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK), rabies vaccination within the last 12 months15–29 USD
the United States: 4 published prices
- WesternU CVM Pet Health – Spay & Neuter Center (Los Angeles, CA): Rabies vaccine as a wellness service (wellness exam $40 required; prices effective 13 Jan 2025)15 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- Sacramento SPCA (Sacramento, CA): Rabies vaccine for a dog (cats also $20) at a low-cost vaccine appointment20 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- Humane Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN): Rabies vaccine (1-year); a wellness exam is required20 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (Janesville, WI): Rabies vaccine: 1-year $21, 3-year $29 (3-year needs proof of current rabies vaccination); exam fee extra21–29 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
Parasite treatmentyour vet · for: dogs: heartworm treatment from the negative test until export, and for 6 months after arrival, dogs: tick and insect treatment within 30 days before departure7–30 USD
the United States: 3 published prices
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (Janesville, WI): Dewormer: pyrantel $7, ponazuril $15 (not a tapeworm drug)7–15 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- WesternU CVM Pet Health – Spay & Neuter Center (Los Angeles, CA): Pyrantel dewormer (roundworm/hookworm, not tapeworm); flea/tick control listed at $15–$5015 USD · per treatment · read 2026-10-12
- Sacramento SPCA (Sacramento, CA): Praziquantel tapeworm treatment, one treatment: $20 cats, $30 dogs (listed in the spay/neuter 'Other Services' table headed 'PRICING EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2017')20–30 USD · per treatment · read 2026-10-12
Health certificate (vet’s fee)your vet · for: veterinary health certificate within 10 days of departure289.50–1,250 USD
the United States: 6 published prices
- The Pet Doctors of Sherman Oaks (Sherman Oaks, CA) – price sheet on the practice's JotForm: International health certificate (Hawaii, Guam, all countries except Canada/Mexico); exam $87 and set-up consult ($165–$354) are extra; additional pet on the same certificate $265289.50 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- Pittsfield Veterinary Clinic (Ann Arbor, MI): Completion of the international health certificate at the final IHC exam (planning time $50–$150 and required treatments billed separately)300 USD · per certificate · read 2026-10-12
- Clarendon Animal Care (Arlington, VA): International health certificate appointment (vet fee); USDA VEHCS submission/endorsement billed on top at $154–$355; $150 retainer at booking410 USD · per appointment · read 2026-10-12
- Polk Street Animal Hospital (San Francisco, CA): International health certificate appointment; excludes tests, medications, vaccines, treatments and USDA endorsement fees (Canada/Mexico certificate $170)750 USD · per appointment · read 2026-10-12
- Boca Park Animal Hospital (Las Vegas, NV): Health certificate all-in from $990: exam, certificate by USDA-accredited vet, USDA review/endorsement and overnight shipping (page on the practice's kinsta.page web host)990 USD · per certificate (starting price) · read 2026-10-12
- Meadowlands Veterinary Hospital – travel inquiry form on the practice's JotForm: International travel appointment incl. exam, USDA documents, USDA endorsement and shipment when required; vaccines/tests/treatments extra; $250 deposit (Canada/Mexico from $485)1,125–1,250 USD · per appointment (starting price) · read 2026-10-12
Vet examinationyour vet · for: use a USDA-accredited veterinarian25–87 USD
the United States: 4 published prices
- Humane Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN): Wellness exam: $25 spayed/neutered pet, $45 intact pet 1 year and older25–45 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- WesternU CVM Pet Health – Spay & Neuter Center (Los Angeles, CA): Wellness exam (required for each pet)40 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (Janesville, WI): Exam fee, taken as a non-refundable booking deposit of $46.42 ($44 + tax)44 USD · per appointment (plus tax) · read 2026-10-12
- The Pet Doctors of Sherman Oaks (Sherman Oaks, CA) – price sheet on the practice's JotForm: Exam required with health-certificate services (not charged on the new-patient consult, where the exam is included)87 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
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
If you need them Not official figures
Travel cratea pet shop or the airline139.99–269.99 USD
- Petmate (petmate.com): Petmate Sky Kennel, 28" (28 x 20.5 x 21.5 in), weight range 25-30 lbs as the page states; page says it complies with the IATA Live Animals Regulation (51st edition, 2025); manufacturer's own online store139.99 USD · read 2026-10-13
- Petmate (petmate.com): Petmate Sky Kennel, 40" (40 x 27 x 30 in), weight range 70-90 lbs as the page states; IATA LAR-compliant per the page; manufacturer's own online store269.99 USD · read 2026-10-13
Pet shipper, door to doora pet relocation company3,395–10,000 USD
- Starwood Pet Travel: Published starting price for relocating 1 pet (dog) from the USA to the UK with Starwood Pet Travel; the page calls it a starting estimate and says final costs vary3,395 USD · read 2026-10-13
- PetRelocation, Inc.: Published pricing example: door-to-door move of 1 small pet from the United States abroad with PetRelocation (Complete Relocation Support); the page says vet visits and a travel crate are not included5,975–10,000 USD · read 2026-10-13
- PetRelocation, Inc.: Published worked example: one small dog moving from the United States to Singapore with PetRelocation Complete Support, total of required costs plus service fee; the page calls these estimates based on typical cases7,500 USD · read 2026-10-13
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Hawaii (US)
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Hawaii (US).
The trip back asks for 8 steps: rabies vaccination #1, rabies vaccination #2 (a booster, more than 30 days before arrival), rabies antibody blood test (OIE-FAVN) and a 30-day wait and tick treatment within 14 days before arrival and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Import animals and animal products (South African Government services portal, gov.za)
- Announcement of new tariffs as from 1 April 2026: veterinary import permits (Department of Agriculture, Directorate Food Import and Export Standards, 22 January 2026; read from Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-39, captured 11 September 2026)
- Veterinary import permit office: application reference numbers and proof of payment (Department of Agriculture, 5 September 2025; read from Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-39, captured 15 September 2026)
- Application Forms: Animal Health, Import/Export Policy Unit (Department of Agriculture; read from Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-39, captured 15 September 2026)
- Pet travel from the United States to South Africa (USDA APHIS, last modified 12 January 2026)
- Guidance information regarding the use of the Veterinary Health Certificate in Respect of Dogs for Export to the Republic of South Africa (IMP. DOG. GEN 05/22 CG), for U.S. origin dogs (USDA APHIS, September 2024)
- Veterinary health certificate in respect of cats for export to the Republic of South Africa (USDA APHIS, model of July 2005, file of 22 July 2020)
- Export of dogs and cats to South Africa (CFIA, modified 10 December 2024)
- Veterinary health certificate: export of dogs to the Republic of South Africa, HA2123 (CFIA, amended 14 November 2024)
- Veterinary health certificate: export of cats to the Republic of South Africa, HA2124 (CFIA, amended 14 November 2024)
- Export of dogs from the United Kingdom to the Republic of South Africa: notes for guidance 6256NFG (APHA, revised 17 October 2023)
- Export of dogs from the United Kingdom to the Republic of South Africa: health certificate 6256EHC, version 5 (agreed 20 July 2017)
- Information on importing of dogs and cats into the Republic of South Africa (Directorate Animal Health)
- Take a pet from the United States to another country
- Pet travel from the United States to the United Kingdom
- Cost to endorse your pet's health certificate
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-13.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Hawaii (US) to South Africa?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into South Africa?
Yes: Apply to the Department of Agriculture's permit office for a veterinary import permit before your pet is shipped.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in South Africa?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Hawaii (US) 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 at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) and rabies vaccination within the last 12 months 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
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