Dog or cat from South Africa to Egypt: official requirements

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Egypt

      ISO microchip, before the rabies vaccination

      Your pet must have an ISO-compliant microchip, put in before its rabies vaccination, and the microchip number must be written on all its documents.

      Details and the official words

      Egypt's requirement reached us through Australia's export database (Micor), which records the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture's correspondence of 18 December 2025 for pets entering Egypt. It is newer than the US and UK documents that don't require a chip; we follow it because it is Egypt's own, more recent statement.

      “The following basic health requirements are mandatory for pets entering Egypt:”

      “The pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip.”

      “The pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip.”

      “Based on correspondence received from the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture on 18 December 2025.”

      “Animal microchips are not required for entry into Egypt”

      “Dogs and cats should be identified either by tattoo or microchip number or by a full description including coat colour and type, markings, weight, breed, sex and declared age.”

   2. VaccinationEntering Egypt

      Rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies after its microchip, at least 21 days before it travels, and the vaccination must still be valid when it enters Egypt. Bring a valid rabies vaccination certificate.

      Details and the official words

      Egypt doesn't say whether a booster restarts the 21 days. We count them from the first vaccination of your pet's current, unbroken series; if a booster falls within 3 weeks of the trip, ask the Egyptian embassy.

      “A valid Rabies Vaccination Certificate is required.”

      “The rabies vaccine must be administered after microchipping and at least 21 days prior to travel and remain valid at the time of entry.”

      “The rabies vaccine must be administered after microchipping and at least 21 days prior to travel and remain valid at the time of entry.”

      “Egypt require separate evidence that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies.”

      “This can either be in an up to date Pet Passport or a document provided by the veterinary practice.”

      “Passport & Proof of Vaccinations for rabies”

      “Ont été vaccinés contre la rage par un vaccin inactivé”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. 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”

   2. PaperworkSouth Africa and Egypt

      Official veterinary health certificate

      Your pet needs an official veterinary health certificate issued by a government-authorised vet in your country, within its period of validity before you travel. Egypt doesn't publish how long that is for your country: ask your veterinary authority, which knows the certificate it issues for Egypt.

      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.

      “An official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a government-authorized veterinarian in the country of origin is required.”

      “The certificate must be issued within the valid period prior to travel.”

      “3900EHC may be used to accompany dogs and cats, not intended for sale, exported to Egypt accompanied by their owners”

      “The clinical examination should be carried out no more than 96 hours prior to export.”

      “This certificate is valid for 14 days after issuance.”

      “I certify that the animals described in box 21 have been inspected by me on this date and appear to be free of any infectious or contagious diseases”

      “Ont été examinés au cours des 24 dernières heures, ont été trouvés en bon état de santé et n’ont présenté aucun signe clinique de maladies contagieuses propres à l’espèce.”

      “Ont été identifies à l’aide d’une micropuce électronique.”

      “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”

   3. 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.”

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves South Africa (dogs).

The trip back asks for 12 steps: veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves), ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted), lived in the exporting country since birth or for the last 6 months and rabies vaccination at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) and more.

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves South Africa (cats).

The trip back asks for 8 steps: veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves), ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted), lived in the exporting country since birth or for the last 6 months and rabies vaccination at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) and more.