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Pet travel route

Dog or cat from South Africa to Kenya: official requirements

Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least about 6 months ahead. The main steps: microchip (or other permanent identification), rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment and rabies vaccination within the last year and 5 more.

Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 13 official pages

Make my dated plan Reverse: Kenya → South Africa

In short

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 information pack confirms this is a provincial task). The only province whose pet guidance we could read is the Western Cape (its page, and info sheets from 2023 and 2024), so the booking time and fee here are the Western Cape's. Other provinces may book, charge and time things differently: ask your provincial state vet office, and check the destination's own requirements.

Limited official guidance. The authority for entering Kenya publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Kenya's Directorate of Veterinary Services doesn't publish its import conditions on its own website. We follow the permit conditions published by the Embassy of Kenya in Spain (the same document is on the High Commission in Pretoria's site) and KenTrade's permit procedure. Other official texts say something different: the certificate Kenya agreed with the United States (2026) asks for no blood test and is valid for 30 days, while the Embassy of Kenya in Angola and the UK's certificate ask for a vet's certificate within 5 days of departure. The texts also disagree on how long the permit is valid (30 or 90 days), and none lists the rabies-free countries. The plan follows the strictest reading: confirm with the Directorate (infodvs@kilimo.go.ke) before you travel.

At a glance

The rules on this route are the same for dogs and cats.

How early to start

about 6 months

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment (primary vaccination at least 6 months before shipment)

about 3 months

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: Rabies blood test, 3 to 24 months before shipment (not less than 3 months and not more than 24 months before shipment)

The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.

On this route

  • Rabies blood test needed
  • Import permit needed
  • Tell the authority in advance

Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.

Prefer a feed reader? South Africa rule changes · Kenya rule changes

South Africa → Kenya

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether South Africa (leaving) or Kenya (entering) asks for it.

Bringing a dog or cat into Kenya: we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering Kenya

      Microchip (or other permanent identification)

      Your pet must be identified by a permanent mark such as a microchip, and its number must be on the veterinary certificate. Not needed for a pet from a rabies-free country (see the warning).

      Details and the official words

      “Were identified by a permanent mark (such as a microchip) and their identification number shall be stated in the certificate or had any other adequate identification; and”

    2. VaccinationEntering Kenya

      Rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment

      Your pet's first (primary) rabies vaccination must be given when it is at least 3 months old, and at least 6 months (and at most 1 year) before shipment; a booster must be given at most 1 year before shipment. Use an inactivated vaccine or a recombinant vaccine. Not needed for a pet from a rabies-free country (see the warning).

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

      Details and the official words

      The 6-month wait is in the permit conditions only. The Embassy of Kenya in Angola instead asks, for a pet vaccinated less than 6 months before departure, for a government vet's certificate that there has been no rabies within 50 km in the last 6 months, and the US certificate has no wait. The plan follows the permit conditions.

      “Not less than 6 months and not more than one year prior to shipment in the case of a primary vaccination, which should have been carried out when the animals were at least 3 months old;”

      “With an inactivated virus vaccine or with a recombinant vaccine expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein; and”

    3. VaccinationEntering Kenya

      Rabies vaccination within the last year

      The latest rabies vaccination (the first one, or the last booster) must be at most 1 year before shipment. 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.

      “Not more than one year prior to shipment in the case of a booster vaccination;”

    4. Blood testEntering Kenya

      Rabies blood test, 3 to 24 months before shipment

      Your pet needs a rabies antibody test (as set out in the World Organisation for Animal Health manual) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken between 24 months and 3 months before shipment. Not needed for a pet from a rabies-free country (see the warning).

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

      Details and the official words

      The blood test is in the permit conditions only: the Embassy of Kenya in Angola's list, the UK's certificate and the US certificate don't mention it. The plan keeps it; ask the Directorate of Veterinary Services whether your pet needs it.

      “Were subjected not less than 3 months and not more than 24 months prior to shipment to an antibody test as prescribed in the OIE Terrestrial Manual with a positive result equivalent to at least 0.5 IU/ml;”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. PermitEntering Kenya

      Import permit (VS01) from the Directorate of Veterinary Services

      Apply online on KenTrade's Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) for the import permit for dogs and cats (VS01), with a copy of your pet's vaccination certificate from its country of origin, and pay the processing fee (up to KES 500 per animal). The permit covers one consignment and travels with your pet. The permit conditions and the Embassy of Kenya in Angola say it is valid for at most 30 days; KenTrade's page says 90 days. The plan uses 30 days.

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

      Details and the official words

      Processing fee: KES 0 to 500 per animal (KenTrade's estimate), paid by M-PESA or at a bank.

      The application also asks for a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) number.

      “This import permit shall be valid for a maximum of thirty (30) days and shall only be for one consignment.”

      “The permit is valid for thirty (30) days from the date of the issue and is only valid for one consignment.”

      “This import permit shall accompany the animal during importation.”

      “The import permit is processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), and is issued per consignment. The permit is valid for a period of ninety (90) days.”

      “Vaccination certificate (copy)”

      “KES 0 - KES 500 per animal”

    2. 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”

    3. PaperworkSouth Africa and Kenya

      International veterinary certificate, dated at most 48 hours before departure

      Your pet travels with an international veterinary certificate, dated no more than 48 hours before it boards, stating that it showed no sign of rabies (on the day of shipment and in the 48 hours before) and is clinically free of other contagious and infectious diseases and of internal and external parasites. It also states the microchip number and the rabies vaccination and blood test.

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

      Details and the official words

      48 hours is the permit conditions' limit. The Embassy of Kenya in Angola and the UK's certificate say 5 days before departure, and the US certificate is valid for 30 days. The plan uses the shortest.

      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.

      “No canine or feline animal shall be imported into Kenya from any country unless accompanied by an international veterinary certificate attesting that the animal:”

      “Showed no clinical sign of rabies on the day of shipment;”

      “Showed no clinical sign of rabies within 48 hours of shipment;”

      “Is clinically free of symptoms of any other contagious and infectious disease and internal and external parasites, the certificate being dated not more than 48 hours before embarkation;”

      “which must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate from the country of origin to ascertain that the animals are healthy and disease free.”

      “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”

    4. 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. TransportEntering Kenya

      Fly as manifest cargo, not in the cabin or as checked baggage

      Your pet must travel to Kenya as manifest cargo in the aircraft's freight compartment, not in the passenger cabin or as excess baggage. Book this with your airline.

      Details and the official words

      “Animals entering Kenya should travel as Manifest Cargo and use the Freight Compartment of the aircraft. They should not travel as baggage-cargo or in passenger cabins.”

    2. TransportEntering Kenya

      Certificate from the captain that your pet stayed on board and apart

      Your pet needs a certificate from the captain of the aircraft (or ship, or the driver) stating that it didn't leave the craft between boarding and arrival in Kenya and was kept apart from other dogs and cats throughout the journey. Ask your airline's cargo office to provide it.

      Details and the official words

      “The animal shall be accompanied by a certificate from the captain of the ship or aircraft or driver of a vessel in which the animal traveled to Kenya certifying that the animal has not left the vessel between the place of embarkation and the place of entry into Kenya, and has been isolated from all other canine and feline animals throughout the journey.”

Good to know

  • A pet that has lived since birth, or for the 6 months before shipment, in a rabies-free country (as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health) doesn't need the microchip, rabies vaccination and blood test steps below. Kenya doesn't publish a list of these countries, so the plan keeps the steps: ask the Directorate of Veterinary Services if your country counts.
  • A pet that isn't vaccinated against rabies, or doesn't meet the microchip, vaccination and blood test conditions, may be placed in a quarantine station in Kenya for up to 6 months, at the owner's cost.
  • Kenya's official texts don't agree. The permit conditions (followed here) ask for a blood test, a first vaccination at least 6 months before shipment and a certificate dated at most 48 hours before boarding. The Embassy of Kenya in Angola asks instead for a vet's certificate signed at most 5 days before departure and, for a pet vaccinated less than 6 months before departure, a government vet's certificate that there has been no rabies within 50 km of its home in the last 6 months; the UK's certificate for Kenya also uses 5 days. Follow what your permit says, and ask the Directorate of Veterinary Services if in doubt.
  • Arriving by land (or anywhere other than Nairobi by air or Mombasa by sea)? Report your pet to the nearest veterinary office within 3 days of arrival.
  • 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@nda.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

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

  • Microchipyour vet · for: microchip (or other permanent identification)200–315 ZAR

    South Africa: 2 published prices

  • Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment, rabies vaccination within the last year250–412 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
  • Rabies blood test: the lab’s own pricean approved laboratory; your vet adds the blood draw and the courier · for: rabies blood test, 3 to 24 months before shipmentPrices from 8 countries

    Austria: 1 published price

    France: 2 published prices

    • Laboratoire départemental de la Haute-Garonne (LD31 EVA): Lab price for the FAVN (WOAH/OMSA method) rabies antibody test, VAT included, price guaranteed until 31/12/2026 (from the lab's order form)99 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
    • Inovalys (laboratory): Lab price only: rabies antibody titration (COFRAC accredited), ordered online by the owner; the page says the blood sample is taken by your vet and sending it to the lab is the owner's responsibility (no amounts given for those)99.18 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13

    the United Kingdom: 2 published prices

    Japan: 1 published price

    Poland: 1 published price

    Sweden: 1 published price

    • Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA): Lab price for the FAVN rabies vaccination-check antibody test (article D142410), excluding VAT (exkl. moms)1,365 SEK · per test · read 2026-10-13

    the United States: 1 published price

    South Africa: 1 published price

  • Vet examinationyour vet · for: health check and health certificate from your private vet590 ZAR

    South Africa: 2 published prices

No published prices yet for South Africa: 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 13 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 9 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.

Every step from Kenya to South Africa

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-13.

Entering KenyaLeaving South AfricaReport a mistakeGet rule-change alerts

Questions owners ask

Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from South Africa to Kenya?

Yes: Your pet needs a rabies antibody test (as set out in the World Organisation for Animal Health manual) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken between 24 months and 3 months before shipment.

Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Kenya?

Yes: Apply online on KenTrade's Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) for the import permit for dogs and cats (VS01), with a copy of your pet's vaccination certificate from its country of origin, and pay the processing fee (up to KES 500 per animal).

Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Kenya?

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 Kenya?

With nothing done yet, start at least about 6 months ahead. The main steps: microchip (or other permanent identification), rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment and rabies vaccination within the last year and 5 more.

Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake

Read next

Turn this into dates for your pet

Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.

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