Dog or cat from South Africa to Israel: the rules

Dogs

1. Get ready

   1. Age ruleEntering Israel

      At least 4 months old on arrival (3 months from rabies-free countries)

      Your dog or cat must be over 4 months old on the day it arrives in Israel. Pets on Israel's rabies-free route (born and kept in, or more than a year in, Australia, Cyprus, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden or the UK) may come from 3 months old.

      Details and the official words

      “מעל גיל 4 חודשים ביום ההגעה לישראל חוץ מאלו המבקשים להגיע ממדינות נקיות מכלבת (ראה מטה).”

      “ניתן לייבא מעל גיל 3 חודשים.”

      “Dogs and cats shall be no less than 4 months of age upon arrival in Israel.”

   2. IdentificationEntering Israel

      ISO microchip (134.2 kHz), before the rabies vaccination

      Your pet needs a microchip that transmits at 134.2 kHz and can be read by a reader meeting ISO 11784 and Annex A of ISO 11785. It must be implanted before the rabies vaccination and the blood test.

      Details and the official words

      “מסומן באמצעות סימון תת-עורי בשבב אלקטרוני: שמשדר בתדר 134.2 קילוהרץ.”

      “שבב זה יוחדר לבעל החיים לפני חיסון הכלבת ובדיקת הדם.”

      “All dogs and cats must be tagged with a subcutaneous electronic chip that transmits on a frequency of 134.2 kilohertz and can be read with a chip reader that conforms to the provisions of the ISO Standard No. 11784 and of Annex A of ISO Standard 11785.”

      “Please note that the pet's microchip must be implanted before or on the same date as the rabies vaccination documented on the health certificate.”

   3. VaccinationEntering Israel

      Rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before arrival

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies at 3 months old or older, and a first vaccination must be at least 30 days before arrival. A pet that has had more than one rabies vaccination needs no 30-day wait after a booster.

      Details and the official words

      “חוסן כנגד מחלת הכלבת בגיל 3 חודשים ומעלה לא יותר משנה ולא פחות מ-30 ימים לפני ההגעה לישראל.”

      “אם בעל החיים חוסן יותר מפעם אחת כנגד מחלת הכלבת אין צורך בהמתנה של 30 יום אך לא יותר משנה או לפי הוראות היצרן.”

      “All dogs/cats require a veterinary confirmation that they have been vaccinated against rabies no more than one year and no less than 30 days prior to their arrival in Israel”

      “If primary vaccination is needed, or if booster does not occur during the period of validity of the previous vaccination, this booster should be considered a primary vaccination, and animals are required to wait at least 30 days prior to importation.”

   4. VaccinationEntering Israel

      Most recent rabies shot no more than a year before arrival

      Israel's model certificate asks for a rabies vaccination given no more than one year before your pet arrives. If your pet's most recent shot will be older than that on arrival day, give a booster before you leave (while the current one is still valid, so no new 30-day wait applies).

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      Israel's service page says, for a pet vaccinated more than once, 'not more than a year or according to the manufacturer's instructions', so a 3-year vaccine may be accepted for longer: ask the Veterinary Services. The certificate the US agreed with Israel only asks that the pet is current on its rabies vaccination, so we don't apply this to pets from the US.

      Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.

      “All dogs/cats require a veterinary confirmation that they have been vaccinated against rabies no more than one year and no less than 30 days prior to their arrival in Israel”

      “אם בעל החיים חוסן יותר מפעם אחת כנגד מחלת הכלבת אין צורך בהמתנה של 30 יום אך לא יותר משנה או לפי הוראות היצרן.”

      “All pets listed on this certificate are current on rabies vaccinations.”

   5. Blood testEntering Israel

      Rabies blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml), more than 30 days after the first vaccination

      A vet takes a blood sample more than 30 days after the first rabies vaccination, and a laboratory approved by WOAH or the EU must find at least 0.5 IU/ml. The result stays valid for your pet's life as long as its rabies vaccinations continue without a gap, following the vaccine maker's instructions. There is no wait after the test, but the laboratory report goes with your request for flight approval, so leave time for the laboratory.

      Details and the official words

      A pet microchipped before its first rabies vaccination and vaccinated more than once after 3 months old may have the sample taken 14 days after its latest rabies vaccination, as long as more than 30 days have passed since the first one. Don't take the sample within 14 days after a booster.

      If this is missed: Only in exceptional cases can the blood test be done in Israel, in an approved quarantine, and the pet then needs an import licence and must meet all its conditions.

      “tested in an EU or WOAH-approved laboratory, which states that the rabies neutralizing antibody titer was equal to or greater than 0, 5 IU/ml.”

      “The sample referred to in Part V must have been taken more than 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination”

      “or in case of an animal which was vaccinated more than once after the age of 3 months and being tagged by a microchip prior to the primary vaccination the sample can be taken 14 days after rabies vaccination as long as more than 30 days passed from the primary vaccination against rabies.”

      “בדיקת הדם תקפה לכל חיי בעל החיים אם נשמר הרצף החיסוני על פי הנחיות היצרן.”

      “במקרים חריגים בהם לא נעשתה בדיקת דם לנוגדני כלבת תיבחן אפשרות לביצועה בישראל בתנאי הסגר בהסגר המאושר על ידי השירותים הווטרינריים – אך במקרה זה בעל החיים חייב ברישיון יבוא ועמידה בכל תנאיו.”

      “The sample must be taken more than 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination, and the laboratory results are valid for the life of the animal, as long as the dog/cat remains current on rabies vaccinations”

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 Israel

      Israel's veterinary certificate (Annex A), valid for 10 days

      Your pet travels with Israel's 'Veterinary certificate for domestic dogs and cats entering Israel' (Annex A), issued no more than 10 days before arrival. An official veterinarian signs it, or a vet authorised by your country's veterinary authority signs it and that authority endorses it. It confirms the clinical examination (no signs of contagious or infectious disease), the microchip, the rabies vaccination and the blood test result.

      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.

      If this is missed: Pets that don't meet the requirements in full are sent back, quarantined or destroyed, as the Director decides, at the owner's cost.

      “VETERINARY CERTIFICATE FOR DOMESTIC DOGS AND CATS ENTERING ISRAEL”

      “The certificate is valid for 10 days”

      “OFFICIAL VETERINARIAN OR VETERINARIAN AUTHORISED BY THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY (* ) (in the latter case, the competent authority must endorse the certificate)”

      “At the time of examination it did not exhibit any symptoms of contagious or infectious diseases”

      “תעודת הבריאות צריכה להיות מונפקת במהלך 10 ימים לפני מועד היבוא.”

      “All U.S. pet dogs and cats must be accompanied by the Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Pet Dogs and Cats from the United States of America to the State of Israel, issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA-APHIS, no more than 10 days prior to arrival.”

      “Any health certificate without APHIS endorsement is not valid for dogs or cats entrance to Israel.”

      “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. PaperworkEntering Israel

      Owner's declaration (Annex B): your pet for at least 90 days

      Sign Israel's owner declaration (Annex B): your pet travels with the person responsible for it, it isn't for trade, and it has been in your possession for at least 90 days before you bring it to Israel. It goes with your request for flight approval. A pet you've had for less than 90 days can't use the no-licence route.

      Details and the official words

      “Pet Owner Declaration”

      “The animals had been in my possession at least 90 days prior to being brought to Israel.”

      “The animals are not intended for commercial purposes.”

      “הכלב או החתול היה ברשותו הפיזית של הבעלים שעל הטיסה לפחות ב-90 הימים שלפני הטיסה לישראל.”

   4. NoticeEntering Israel

      Request flight approval at least 2 working days before you leave

      At least two working days before you leave for Israel, send the Veterinary Services the owner declaration and arrival notice (Annexes B and C), the health certificate and the rabies blood-test report: for Ben Gurion Airport through the online form, for the ports of Ashdod, Haifa and Eilat by email to the port's veterinary office. The service is free. Your pet may only board once you have the written flight approval from the Veterinary Services at the port of arrival.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: Your pet may not board without the written flight approval.

      “בעלי חיות מחמד שעומדים בדרישות לפטור מרישיון יבוא יעבירו, לפחות 2 ימי עבודה לפני היציאה ממדינת המוצא, את הטופס ואת המסמכים הנדרשים באופן הבא:”

      “הצהרת בעלים והודעה על הגעת בעל חיים”

      “דוח מעבדה של בדיקת דם לנוגדני כלבת כמפורט בתנאי הבריאות”

      “השירות ניתן ללא עלות.”

      “ניתן להעלות את בעלי החיים על הטיסה, רק לאחר קבלת אישור בכתב מהשירות הווטרינרי בנמל הייבוא בישראל (אישור הטסה).”

      “Notification on Pet Arrival”

      “e-mail: vs-airport@moag.gov.il”

   5. 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.”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. RouteEntering Israel

      Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport or the ports of Haifa, Ashdod or Eilat

      Pets can only be brought into Israel through Ben Gurion Airport or the seaports of Haifa, Ashdod and Eilat.

      Details and the official words

      “נמלי הים חיפה, אשדוד ואילת; נמל התעופה בן-גוריון”

      “לא ניתן לייבא דרך נמלים אחרים.”

Cats

1. Get ready

   1. Age ruleEntering Israel

      At least 4 months old on arrival (3 months from rabies-free countries)

      Your dog or cat must be over 4 months old on the day it arrives in Israel. Pets on Israel's rabies-free route (born and kept in, or more than a year in, Australia, Cyprus, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden or the UK) may come from 3 months old.

      Details and the official words

      “מעל גיל 4 חודשים ביום ההגעה לישראל חוץ מאלו המבקשים להגיע ממדינות נקיות מכלבת (ראה מטה).”

      “ניתן לייבא מעל גיל 3 חודשים.”

      “Dogs and cats shall be no less than 4 months of age upon arrival in Israel.”

   2. IdentificationEntering Israel

      ISO microchip (134.2 kHz), before the rabies vaccination

      Your pet needs a microchip that transmits at 134.2 kHz and can be read by a reader meeting ISO 11784 and Annex A of ISO 11785. It must be implanted before the rabies vaccination and the blood test.

      Details and the official words

      “מסומן באמצעות סימון תת-עורי בשבב אלקטרוני: שמשדר בתדר 134.2 קילוהרץ.”

      “שבב זה יוחדר לבעל החיים לפני חיסון הכלבת ובדיקת הדם.”

      “All dogs and cats must be tagged with a subcutaneous electronic chip that transmits on a frequency of 134.2 kilohertz and can be read with a chip reader that conforms to the provisions of the ISO Standard No. 11784 and of Annex A of ISO Standard 11785.”

      “Please note that the pet's microchip must be implanted before or on the same date as the rabies vaccination documented on the health certificate.”

   3. VaccinationEntering Israel

      Rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before arrival

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies at 3 months old or older, and a first vaccination must be at least 30 days before arrival. A pet that has had more than one rabies vaccination needs no 30-day wait after a booster.

      Details and the official words

      “חוסן כנגד מחלת הכלבת בגיל 3 חודשים ומעלה לא יותר משנה ולא פחות מ-30 ימים לפני ההגעה לישראל.”

      “אם בעל החיים חוסן יותר מפעם אחת כנגד מחלת הכלבת אין צורך בהמתנה של 30 יום אך לא יותר משנה או לפי הוראות היצרן.”

      “All dogs/cats require a veterinary confirmation that they have been vaccinated against rabies no more than one year and no less than 30 days prior to their arrival in Israel”

      “If primary vaccination is needed, or if booster does not occur during the period of validity of the previous vaccination, this booster should be considered a primary vaccination, and animals are required to wait at least 30 days prior to importation.”

   4. VaccinationEntering Israel

      Most recent rabies shot no more than a year before arrival

      Israel's model certificate asks for a rabies vaccination given no more than one year before your pet arrives. If your pet's most recent shot will be older than that on arrival day, give a booster before you leave (while the current one is still valid, so no new 30-day wait applies).

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      Israel's service page says, for a pet vaccinated more than once, 'not more than a year or according to the manufacturer's instructions', so a 3-year vaccine may be accepted for longer: ask the Veterinary Services. The certificate the US agreed with Israel only asks that the pet is current on its rabies vaccination, so we don't apply this to pets from the US.

      Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.

      “All dogs/cats require a veterinary confirmation that they have been vaccinated against rabies no more than one year and no less than 30 days prior to their arrival in Israel”

      “אם בעל החיים חוסן יותר מפעם אחת כנגד מחלת הכלבת אין צורך בהמתנה של 30 יום אך לא יותר משנה או לפי הוראות היצרן.”

      “All pets listed on this certificate are current on rabies vaccinations.”

   5. Blood testEntering Israel

      Rabies blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml), more than 30 days after the first vaccination

      A vet takes a blood sample more than 30 days after the first rabies vaccination, and a laboratory approved by WOAH or the EU must find at least 0.5 IU/ml. The result stays valid for your pet's life as long as its rabies vaccinations continue without a gap, following the vaccine maker's instructions. There is no wait after the test, but the laboratory report goes with your request for flight approval, so leave time for the laboratory.

      Details and the official words

      A pet microchipped before its first rabies vaccination and vaccinated more than once after 3 months old may have the sample taken 14 days after its latest rabies vaccination, as long as more than 30 days have passed since the first one. Don't take the sample within 14 days after a booster.

      If this is missed: Only in exceptional cases can the blood test be done in Israel, in an approved quarantine, and the pet then needs an import licence and must meet all its conditions.

      “tested in an EU or WOAH-approved laboratory, which states that the rabies neutralizing antibody titer was equal to or greater than 0, 5 IU/ml.”

      “The sample referred to in Part V must have been taken more than 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination”

      “or in case of an animal which was vaccinated more than once after the age of 3 months and being tagged by a microchip prior to the primary vaccination the sample can be taken 14 days after rabies vaccination as long as more than 30 days passed from the primary vaccination against rabies.”

      “בדיקת הדם תקפה לכל חיי בעל החיים אם נשמר הרצף החיסוני על פי הנחיות היצרן.”

      “במקרים חריגים בהם לא נעשתה בדיקת דם לנוגדני כלבת תיבחן אפשרות לביצועה בישראל בתנאי הסגר בהסגר המאושר על ידי השירותים הווטרינריים – אך במקרה זה בעל החיים חייב ברישיון יבוא ועמידה בכל תנאיו.”

      “The sample must be taken more than 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination, and the laboratory results are valid for the life of the animal, as long as the dog/cat remains current on rabies vaccinations”

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 Israel

      Israel's veterinary certificate (Annex A), valid for 10 days

      Your pet travels with Israel's 'Veterinary certificate for domestic dogs and cats entering Israel' (Annex A), issued no more than 10 days before arrival. An official veterinarian signs it, or a vet authorised by your country's veterinary authority signs it and that authority endorses it. It confirms the clinical examination (no signs of contagious or infectious disease), the microchip, the rabies vaccination and the blood test result.

      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.

      If this is missed: Pets that don't meet the requirements in full are sent back, quarantined or destroyed, as the Director decides, at the owner's cost.

      “VETERINARY CERTIFICATE FOR DOMESTIC DOGS AND CATS ENTERING ISRAEL”

      “The certificate is valid for 10 days”

      “OFFICIAL VETERINARIAN OR VETERINARIAN AUTHORISED BY THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY (* ) (in the latter case, the competent authority must endorse the certificate)”

      “At the time of examination it did not exhibit any symptoms of contagious or infectious diseases”

      “תעודת הבריאות צריכה להיות מונפקת במהלך 10 ימים לפני מועד היבוא.”

      “All U.S. pet dogs and cats must be accompanied by the Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Pet Dogs and Cats from the United States of America to the State of Israel, issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA-APHIS, no more than 10 days prior to arrival.”

      “Any health certificate without APHIS endorsement is not valid for dogs or cats entrance to Israel.”

      “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. PaperworkEntering Israel

      Owner's declaration (Annex B): your pet for at least 90 days

      Sign Israel's owner declaration (Annex B): your pet travels with the person responsible for it, it isn't for trade, and it has been in your possession for at least 90 days before you bring it to Israel. It goes with your request for flight approval. A pet you've had for less than 90 days can't use the no-licence route.

      Details and the official words

      “Pet Owner Declaration”

      “The animals had been in my possession at least 90 days prior to being brought to Israel.”

      “The animals are not intended for commercial purposes.”

      “הכלב או החתול היה ברשותו הפיזית של הבעלים שעל הטיסה לפחות ב-90 הימים שלפני הטיסה לישראל.”

   4. NoticeEntering Israel

      Request flight approval at least 2 working days before you leave

      At least two working days before you leave for Israel, send the Veterinary Services the owner declaration and arrival notice (Annexes B and C), the health certificate and the rabies blood-test report: for Ben Gurion Airport through the online form, for the ports of Ashdod, Haifa and Eilat by email to the port's veterinary office. The service is free. Your pet may only board once you have the written flight approval from the Veterinary Services at the port of arrival.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: Your pet may not board without the written flight approval.

      “בעלי חיות מחמד שעומדים בדרישות לפטור מרישיון יבוא יעבירו, לפחות 2 ימי עבודה לפני היציאה ממדינת המוצא, את הטופס ואת המסמכים הנדרשים באופן הבא:”

      “הצהרת בעלים והודעה על הגעת בעל חיים”

      “דוח מעבדה של בדיקת דם לנוגדני כלבת כמפורט בתנאי הבריאות”

      “השירות ניתן ללא עלות.”

      “ניתן להעלות את בעלי החיים על הטיסה, רק לאחר קבלת אישור בכתב מהשירות הווטרינרי בנמל הייבוא בישראל (אישור הטסה).”

      “Notification on Pet Arrival”

      “e-mail: vs-airport@moag.gov.il”

   5. 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.”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. RouteEntering Israel

      Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport or the ports of Haifa, Ashdod or Eilat

      Pets can only be brought into Israel through Ben Gurion Airport or the seaports of Haifa, Ashdod and Eilat.

      Details and the official words

      “נמלי הים חיפה, אשדוד ואילת; נמל התעופה בן-גוריון”

      “לא ניתן לייבא דרך נמלים אחרים.”

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

The trip back asks for 11 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.