Pet travel route
Dog or cat from South Africa to Ecuador: the rules
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 2 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before), dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival and vet examination within 10 days before the trip and 4 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 7 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: parasite treatment before travel and tell the authority in advance.
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving South Africa publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. In South Africa a state veterinarian of your province certifies your pet's export health certificate. The national Department of Agriculture's pages on leaving with a pet don't open from our network, so this summary follows the Western Cape Department of Agriculture's guidance (its info sheets date from 2023 and 2024). Other provinces may book, charge and time things differently: ask your provincial state vet office, and check the destination's own requirements.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
2 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) (a first vaccination at least 14 days before arrival)
2 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival (issued no more than 10 calendar days before entry)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- Parasite treatment before travel
- Tell the authority in advance
Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.
How early to start (cats)
2 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) (a first vaccination at least 14 days before arrival)
2 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival (issued no more than 10 calendar days before entry)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- Parasite treatment before travel
- Tell the authority in advance
Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
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South Africa → Ecuador
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether South Africa (leaving) or Ecuador (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Taking a dog or cat out of South Africa (provincial state vet): we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.
Get ready
Age ruleEntering Ecuador
Older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip
Your dog or cat must be older than 4 months when it enters Ecuador and be identified by its name, a tattoo or a microchip.
Details and the official words
“Los animales de compañía convencionales deberán tener una edad mayor a 4 meses y estar identificados mediante nombre, tatuaje o un microchip.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)
Your pet's rabies vaccination must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador. If it is your pet's first rabies vaccination, at least 14 days must have passed since it was given.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Rabia. - Únicamente para esta enfermedad, en caso de ser la primera vacunación del animal para su ingreso al país, al menos deberá haber pasado catorce (14) días desde el día de la aplicación de la vacuna.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival
Your dog's vaccinations against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Enfermedad de carré (Distemper)”
“Parvovirosis”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Ecuador
Vet examination within 10 days before the trip
A vet recognised by your country's official veterinary service examines your pet within the 10 days before the trip and finds it free of signs of infectious or parasitic disease and of healing wounds. The certificate gives the species, age, breed, sex and coat colour.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue sometido a un examen clínico por parte de un médico veterinario reconocido por el Servicio veterinario oficial del país de origen dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje y que al momento de realizar el mismo, éste se encontró libre de signos clínicos de enfermedades infectocontagiosas, parasitarias, así como, de la presencia de heridas en procesos de cicatrización”
Vet examLeaving South Africa
Health check and health certificate from your private vet
Take your pet to your private vet for a health check. The vet completes a standard veterinary health certificate (blank forms from the state vet office, and Western Cape templates for many destinations) and must have done all the tests, treatments and vaccinations the destination asks for: ones not done by the vet are not accepted for certification. The province's general guide asks for the health check within 7 days of travel, depending on what the destination's import permit says.
Details and the official words
“Your pet should be taken to your local private veterinarian for a health check.”
“Your veterinarian should complete a standard Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC).”
“Your veterinarian must have completed all the tests, treatments and vaccinations indicated on the import permit.”
“A health check within 7 days of travel depending on what is specified on the import permit”
TreatmentEntering Ecuador
Internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 21 days before boarding, with products authorised in your country. The certificate gives the product name, active ingredient and date.
Details and the official words
“El animal recibió un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo dentro de los veintiún (21) días previos al embarque con productos autorizados para su uso en el país de origen, detallando nombre del producto, principio activo, y la fecha de aplicación.”
PaperworkSouth Africa and Ecuador
Official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival
The official veterinary service of your pet's country issues (or endorses) an export health certificate, in Spanish or English, stating that your pet meets Ecuador's requirements. It must be issued no more than 10 calendar days before your pet enters Ecuador. Show it on arrival: for a pet in the cabin, with your checked luggage or crossing a land border, it is the only document needed.
Details and the official words
State vet certifies the health certificate: Bring the signed health certificate, the destination's import permit (some destinations, such as EU countries and Namibia, don't issue one), your pet's vaccination booklet, supporting documents and your ID or driver's licence to the state vet office. The state vet certifies the certificate. You pay the application fee at the appointment (R200 per application in 2023 in the Western Cape).
Fee: R200 per application in 2023 (Western Cape general info sheet; its EU info sheet says R209). It is set by the province's tariff list and may have changed.
“El animal estará amparado por un Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación expedido o avalado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen con fecha de emisión no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previos al ingreso de los animales al Ecuador, mismo que deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés.”
“Para ingresar a Ecuador debe presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de su perro y/o gato otorgado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen, el mismo deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés, detallando el cumpliendo de los requisitos sanitarios exigidos por Ecuador.”
“Cuando el perro o gato arribe al país en la cabina del avión junto al pasajero o por un paso fronterizo terrestre, no necesitará obtener el Permiso Zoosanitario de Importación, pero obligatoriamente deberá presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido en el país de origen.”
“Pets travelling out of South Africa generally require a Veterinary Health Certificate certified by a state veterinarian.”
“An import permit from the country you are going to (some countries such as EU countries and Namibia do not issue these, for further information contact your local State Vet)”
“The signed VHC, import permit as well as your pet’s vaccination booklet and supporting documents should be brought to the SV office for certification.”
“Cost for application in 2023 is R200 each”
NoticeLeaving South Africa
Book an appointment with the state vet office
State vet offices certify pets by appointment only. In Cape Town, email vetexport@westerncape.gov.za with the time slot you want, the number of pets and their destination, at least 2 days ahead; other offices ask you to book in good time because the state vet is not always available.
Details and the official words
“To make an appointment, clients are required to send an e-mail to vetexport@westerncape.gov.za with their required time slot.”
“Clients are required to make an appointment at least 2 days in advance.”
Good to know
- These are Agrocalidad's rules for entering mainland Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands have their own biosecurity agency (ABG), which controls what animals may be brought to the islands: ask ABG before planning to take a dog or cat there. We don't cover the Galápagos.
- A pet in the cabin, delivered with your checked luggage, or crossing a land border only needs the export health certificate. If your pet flies in the cargo hold, it also needs an import permit: see the permit step (email the arrival airport 72 hours before arrival).
- If one of the required vaccines isn't approved for use in your pet's country, the export certificate must say so and you must have your pet vaccinated during your stay in Ecuador.
- If your pet will go back to a country that asks for a rabies antibody blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, at a lab approved by that country) or a microchip, check this before you travel to Ecuador.
- Export certification is done by the veterinary services of your province, so contact the state vet office where you live. In the Western Cape: the Cape Town Veterinary Export Certification Office (34 Roeland Street, vetexport@westerncape.gov.za, by appointment Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 12:00) or the regional state vet offices.
- The destination sets the rules, and you are responsible for getting its import requirements. Check them with the destination's veterinary authority (or its representatives in South Africa) before each trip; the province's info sheets are only a guide.
- Coming back to South Africa later? Dogs and cats entering South Africa need a veterinary import permit from the national Department of Agriculture (vetpermits@dalrrd.gov.za).
Cats
Taking a dog or cat out of South Africa (provincial state vet): we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.
Get ready
Age ruleEntering Ecuador
Older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip
Your dog or cat must be older than 4 months when it enters Ecuador and be identified by its name, a tattoo or a microchip.
Details and the official words
“Los animales de compañía convencionales deberán tener una edad mayor a 4 meses y estar identificados mediante nombre, tatuaje o un microchip.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)
Your pet's rabies vaccination must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador. If it is your pet's first rabies vaccination, at least 14 days must have passed since it was given.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Rabia. - Únicamente para esta enfermedad, en caso de ser la primera vacunación del animal para su ingreso al país, al menos deberá haber pasado catorce (14) días desde el día de la aplicación de la vacuna.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Cats: panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus vaccinations valid on arrival
Your cat's vaccinations against feline panleukopenia, feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Panleucopenia felina”
“Rinotraqueitis viral felina”
“Calicivirus felino”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Ecuador
Vet examination within 10 days before the trip
A vet recognised by your country's official veterinary service examines your pet within the 10 days before the trip and finds it free of signs of infectious or parasitic disease and of healing wounds. The certificate gives the species, age, breed, sex and coat colour.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue sometido a un examen clínico por parte de un médico veterinario reconocido por el Servicio veterinario oficial del país de origen dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje y que al momento de realizar el mismo, éste se encontró libre de signos clínicos de enfermedades infectocontagiosas, parasitarias, así como, de la presencia de heridas en procesos de cicatrización”
Vet examLeaving South Africa
Health check and health certificate from your private vet
Take your pet to your private vet for a health check. The vet completes a standard veterinary health certificate (blank forms from the state vet office, and Western Cape templates for many destinations) and must have done all the tests, treatments and vaccinations the destination asks for: ones not done by the vet are not accepted for certification. The province's general guide asks for the health check within 7 days of travel, depending on what the destination's import permit says.
Details and the official words
“Your pet should be taken to your local private veterinarian for a health check.”
“Your veterinarian should complete a standard Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC).”
“Your veterinarian must have completed all the tests, treatments and vaccinations indicated on the import permit.”
“A health check within 7 days of travel depending on what is specified on the import permit”
TreatmentEntering Ecuador
Internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 21 days before boarding, with products authorised in your country. The certificate gives the product name, active ingredient and date.
Details and the official words
“El animal recibió un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo dentro de los veintiún (21) días previos al embarque con productos autorizados para su uso en el país de origen, detallando nombre del producto, principio activo, y la fecha de aplicación.”
PaperworkSouth Africa and Ecuador
Official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival
The official veterinary service of your pet's country issues (or endorses) an export health certificate, in Spanish or English, stating that your pet meets Ecuador's requirements. It must be issued no more than 10 calendar days before your pet enters Ecuador. Show it on arrival: for a pet in the cabin, with your checked luggage or crossing a land border, it is the only document needed.
Details and the official words
State vet certifies the health certificate: Bring the signed health certificate, the destination's import permit (some destinations, such as EU countries and Namibia, don't issue one), your pet's vaccination booklet, supporting documents and your ID or driver's licence to the state vet office. The state vet certifies the certificate. You pay the application fee at the appointment (R200 per application in 2023 in the Western Cape).
Fee: R200 per application in 2023 (Western Cape general info sheet; its EU info sheet says R209). It is set by the province's tariff list and may have changed.
“El animal estará amparado por un Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación expedido o avalado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen con fecha de emisión no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previos al ingreso de los animales al Ecuador, mismo que deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés.”
“Para ingresar a Ecuador debe presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de su perro y/o gato otorgado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen, el mismo deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés, detallando el cumpliendo de los requisitos sanitarios exigidos por Ecuador.”
“Cuando el perro o gato arribe al país en la cabina del avión junto al pasajero o por un paso fronterizo terrestre, no necesitará obtener el Permiso Zoosanitario de Importación, pero obligatoriamente deberá presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido en el país de origen.”
“Pets travelling out of South Africa generally require a Veterinary Health Certificate certified by a state veterinarian.”
“An import permit from the country you are going to (some countries such as EU countries and Namibia do not issue these, for further information contact your local State Vet)”
“The signed VHC, import permit as well as your pet’s vaccination booklet and supporting documents should be brought to the SV office for certification.”
“Cost for application in 2023 is R200 each”
NoticeLeaving South Africa
Book an appointment with the state vet office
State vet offices certify pets by appointment only. In Cape Town, email vetexport@westerncape.gov.za with the time slot you want, the number of pets and their destination, at least 2 days ahead; other offices ask you to book in good time because the state vet is not always available.
Details and the official words
“To make an appointment, clients are required to send an e-mail to vetexport@westerncape.gov.za with their required time slot.”
“Clients are required to make an appointment at least 2 days in advance.”
Good to know
- These are Agrocalidad's rules for entering mainland Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands have their own biosecurity agency (ABG), which controls what animals may be brought to the islands: ask ABG before planning to take a dog or cat there. We don't cover the Galápagos.
- A pet in the cabin, delivered with your checked luggage, or crossing a land border only needs the export health certificate. If your pet flies in the cargo hold, it also needs an import permit: see the permit step (email the arrival airport 72 hours before arrival).
- If one of the required vaccines isn't approved for use in your pet's country, the export certificate must say so and you must have your pet vaccinated during your stay in Ecuador.
- If your pet will go back to a country that asks for a rabies antibody blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, at a lab approved by that country) or a microchip, check this before you travel to Ecuador.
- Export certification is done by the veterinary services of your province, so contact the state vet office where you live. In the Western Cape: the Cape Town Veterinary Export Certification Office (34 Roeland Street, vetexport@westerncape.gov.za, by appointment Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 12:00) or the regional state vet offices.
- The destination sets the rules, and you are responsible for getting its import requirements. Check them with the destination's veterinary authority (or its representatives in South Africa) before each trip; the province's info sheets are only a guide.
- Coming back to South Africa later? Dogs and cats entering South Africa need a veterinary import permit from the national Department of Agriculture (vetpermits@dalrrd.gov.za).
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in South Africa publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
No fee applies to every trip; these may, depending on your case
State vet’s certificate application (Western Cape)Leaving South Africa200 ZAR
The Western Cape’s 2023 figure; its EU info sheet gives R209 for 2023. Each province sets its own tariff: ask your state vet office for the current amount.
“Certificate application cost can be found on the departments tariff register (Cost for application in 2023 is R200 each) each payable on appointment.”
Taking pet dogs and cats overseas: info sheet 'Dogs and cats general 2023' (Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Veterinary International Trade Facilitation) · as of 2023-03-20
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Vet examinationyour vet · for: vet examination within 10 days before the trip, health check and health certificate from your private vet590 ZAR
South Africa: 2 published prices
- Vet House (Pietermaritzburg, KZN): Normal consultation (routine care price list)590 ZAR · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
- The Corner Vet (Bryanston, Johannesburg): Wellness exam (nose-to-tail consultation)590 ZAR · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)250–412 ZAR
South Africa: 3 published prices
- Vet House (Pietermaritzburg, KZN): Rabies vaccine (Nobivac Rabies); the list does not say whether a consultation is included250 ZAR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
- Vitalvet (George / Mossel Bay, Western Cape): Rabies-only vaccination (the same price is shown in two of the three branch price tables on the page; the page does not label which table is which branch)300 ZAR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
- The Corner Vet (Bryanston, Johannesburg): Rabies-only vaccination for an adult dog (vaccinations section is headed 'Wellness exam and vaccination')412 ZAR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
Other vaccinationsyour vet · for: dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival520–879 ZAR
South Africa: 2 published prices
- Vet House (Pietermaritzburg, KZN): Annual dog/cat core vaccination together with rabies (vaccine prices exclude dewormer)520 ZAR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
- The Corner Vet (Bryanston, Johannesburg): Adult dog annual vaccination: 5-in-1 (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) plus rabies879 ZAR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
No published prices yet for South Africa: parasite treatment, health certificate (vet’s fee).
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 South Africa
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves South Africa (dogs).
The trip back asks for 9 steps: veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves), ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted), rabies vaccination (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) and dogs: blood tests for five diseases within 30 days of export and more.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves South Africa (cats).
The trip back asks for 7 steps: veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves), ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted), rabies vaccination (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) and veterinary health certificate within 10 days of departure and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Ingreso al Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad)
- Requisitos zoosanitarios para la importación de animales de compañía (Agrocalidad, March 2026)
- Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos: trámites (gob.ec)
- Exporting pets and products (Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services)
- Taking pet dogs and cats overseas: info sheet 'Dogs and cats general 2023' (Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Veterinary International Trade Facilitation)
- Non-commercial export of dogs and cats to the European Union: info sheet (Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Veterinary International Trade Facilitation, 2024)
- South African policy on export certification for animals and animal products (Department of Agriculture, Government Notice 1325, Government Gazette 31680, 12 December 2008; gov.za copy)
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 South Africa to Ecuador?
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 Ecuador?
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.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Ecuador?
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 South Africa to Ecuador?
With nothing done yet, start at least 2 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before), dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival and vet examination within 10 days before the trip and 4 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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