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Pawhopper

Pet travel route

Dog or cat from South Africa to Uruguay: the rules

Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 3 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate, rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) and dogs: negative leishmaniosis test within 60 days before entry and 5 more.

Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 7 official pages

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 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)

3 weeks

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) (at least 21 days before entry, for a first vaccination)

2 days

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: International veterinary certificate (CVI) from the official authority (the certificate travels with your pet)

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

On this route (dogs)

  • Parasite treatment before travel
  • Extra disease test
  • 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)

3 weeks

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) (at least 21 days before entry, for a first vaccination)

2 days

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: International veterinary certificate (CVI) from the official authority (the certificate travels with your pet)

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.

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

South Africa → Uruguay

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether South Africa (leaving) or Uruguay (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.

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering Uruguay

      Dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate

      Your dog must be identified with a microchip whose number is on its international health certificate. The chip must meet ISO 11784 and use HDX or FDX-B technology (read with an ISO 11785 reader); if it doesn't, bring a reader that can read it. MGAP's pages don't ask for a microchip for cats.

      Details and the official words

      “Deberá estar chipeado conforme a Resolución Nº 273 de DGSG de 27/08/2018,”

      “A partir del 1ºde octubre de 2018, los animales de la especie canina no residentes, deberán ingresar y egresar del país, con identificación individual mediante dispositivo electrónico (microchip), asociado al Certificado Sanitario Internacional expedido por la autoridad sanitaria competente del país de origen.”

      “Los microchips colocados en el extranjero, deberán cumplir con la norma ISO 1 1784 y aplicar la tecnología HDX o FDH-B. Los mismos se leerán con un lector compatible con la norma ISO 11785. En caso que el dispositivo colocado no cumpla con las normas precedentes, el responsable deberá proveer de un lector que permita la lectura del microchip al ingreso al país.”

    2. VaccinationEntering Uruguay

      Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination)

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine authorised in the country it comes from, and the vaccination must still be valid (as the manufacturer states) when it enters Uruguay. After a first vaccination, wait at least 21 days before entering Uruguay. The certificate gives the date, type, batch and brand of the vaccine.

      Details and the official words

      For dogs, MGAP adds that a dog coming from a country or zone that meets WOAH's conditions to be declared free of rabies may enter without the vaccination if the certificate or passport states this. MGAP doesn't publish a list of such countries, so we show the vaccination: ask MGAP (dsacomercio@mgap.gub.uy) if your dog comes from a rabies-free country.

      “Los perros deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Los gatos deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Cuando se trate de animales vacunados por primera vez, la vacuna debe haber sido aplicada al menos VEINTIÚN (21) días previos al ingreso a Uruguay.”

      “Si el animal proviene de un país o zona que cumple con las recomendaciones establecidas en el Código Terrestre de la ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DE SANIDAD ANIMAL (OMSA) para ser declarado libre de Rabia, podrá ingresar sin la vacunación contra esta enfermedad, debiéndose certificar esta condición en el CVI o Pasaporte.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. TestEntering Uruguay

      Dogs: negative leishmaniosis test within 60 days before entry

      Dogs from a country that hasn't declared itself free of leishmaniosis to WOAH need a negative leishmaniosis test (IFAT, ELISA or direct agglutination for antibodies, or a molecular test for the parasite), done to WOAH's manual no more than 60 days before entering Uruguay. The result goes on the certificate or passport.

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

      Details and the official words

      MGAP doesn't list which countries have declared themselves free of leishmaniosis to WOAH, so we show the test for every dog. Ask MGAP (dsacomercio@mgap.gub.uy) whether your dog's country of origin is exempt.

      “Para los países que no se declaren como libres de Leishmaniosis ante la OMSA, se exigirá la prueba de detección de la respuesta inmunitaria negativa a dicha enfermedad (IFAT, ELISA o prueba de aglutinación directa), o detección del agente (por métodos moleculares), en un plazo no mayor de SESENTA (60) días anteriores a la fecha de ingreso del canino a Uruguay.”

    2. Vet examEntering Uruguay

      Vet examination within 10 days before the certificate

      Within the 10 days before the certificate is issued, a vet licensed in the exporting country examines your pet and confirms it is clinically healthy, shows no sign of parasites and is fit to travel to Uruguay. It must be free of signs of infectious and parasitic diseases.

      Details and the official words

      “Su mascota fue sometida, dentro de los diez (10) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI, a un examen clínico efectuado por un profesional veterinario matriculado en el país exportador, que acredite que dicho animal se encuentra clínicamente sano, sin evidencias de parasitosis y que está apto para su traslado hacia Uruguay.”

      “Su mascota debe estar libre de síntomas y signos de enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias.”

    3. 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
    4. TreatmentEntering Uruguay

      Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before the certificate

      Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before the certificate is issued (or the passport is endorsed), with products approved in the country it comes from. The date and product go on the certificate. For dogs, the internal treatment must contain praziquantel.

      Details and the official words

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, realizada dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia. El antiparasitario interno deberá contener como principio activo Praziquantel.”

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia.”

    5. PaperworkSouth Africa and Uruguay

      International veterinary certificate (CVI) from the official authority

      Your pet enters with an international veterinary certificate (CVI) issued by the official veterinary authority of its country of origin, stating the examination, parasite treatments, rabies vaccination and (dogs) microchip and leishmaniosis test. An official pet passport is accepted instead only if an official vet of that authority has signed and stamped it before boarding. Present it with your pet at MGAP's office at the border.

      Details and the official words

      MGAP's entry pages don't say how long the certificate stays valid for entry; its exit page says certificates for travel within Mercosur are valid for 60 days. Ask your vet to issue it as close to travel as the 10-day examination and 15-day parasite windows allow.

      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.

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, conforme a la Resolución Mercosur GMC 17/15, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar, en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Vacuna antirrábica vigente (en el CVI deberá constar fecha de vacunación, tipo, serie y marca de vacuna).”

      “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”

    6. 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. On arrivalEntering Uruguay

      Show your pet and documents at MGAP's border office

      When you enter Uruguay, present your pet and its documents at MGAP's office at the border crossing. No import authorisation is needed for a dog or cat travelling with you, and there is no charge.

      Details and the official words

      “Presentar la documentación solicitada y la mascota, en las oficinas del MGAP dispuestas en los pasos de frontera al momento del ingreso al país.”

      “Si ingresa a Uruguay junto con su perro o gato, no es necesario presentar autorización de ingreso emitida por MGAP.”

      “Perros y gatos: no tiene costo.”

Good to know

  • MGAP accepts an official pet passport instead of the certificate only if it is valid, holds all the health information required and has been signed and stamped by an official vet of the animal health authority of the country before boarding. A passport without that official validation is not accepted.
  • If your pet arrives as cargo at Carrasco airport (even on your own flight), MGAP must be told at least 72 business hours before arrival by email to aeropuertoic@mgap.gub.uy, with the documents scanned.
  • Staying less than 30 days? You can leave Uruguay with the same certificate you entered with, as long as it states how long it is valid; otherwise you need a new certificate from MGAP to leave.
  • 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.

  1. Get ready

    1. VaccinationEntering Uruguay

      Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination)

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine authorised in the country it comes from, and the vaccination must still be valid (as the manufacturer states) when it enters Uruguay. After a first vaccination, wait at least 21 days before entering Uruguay. The certificate gives the date, type, batch and brand of the vaccine.

      Details and the official words

      For dogs, MGAP adds that a dog coming from a country or zone that meets WOAH's conditions to be declared free of rabies may enter without the vaccination if the certificate or passport states this. MGAP doesn't publish a list of such countries, so we show the vaccination: ask MGAP (dsacomercio@mgap.gub.uy) if your dog comes from a rabies-free country.

      “Los perros deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Los gatos deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Cuando se trate de animales vacunados por primera vez, la vacuna debe haber sido aplicada al menos VEINTIÚN (21) días previos al ingreso a Uruguay.”

      “Si el animal proviene de un país o zona que cumple con las recomendaciones establecidas en el Código Terrestre de la ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DE SANIDAD ANIMAL (OMSA) para ser declarado libre de Rabia, podrá ingresar sin la vacunación contra esta enfermedad, debiéndose certificar esta condición en el CVI o Pasaporte.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. Vet examEntering Uruguay

      Vet examination within 10 days before the certificate

      Within the 10 days before the certificate is issued, a vet licensed in the exporting country examines your pet and confirms it is clinically healthy, shows no sign of parasites and is fit to travel to Uruguay. It must be free of signs of infectious and parasitic diseases.

      Details and the official words

      “Su mascota fue sometida, dentro de los diez (10) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI, a un examen clínico efectuado por un profesional veterinario matriculado en el país exportador, que acredite que dicho animal se encuentra clínicamente sano, sin evidencias de parasitosis y que está apto para su traslado hacia Uruguay.”

      “Su mascota debe estar libre de síntomas y signos de enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias.”

    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
    3. TreatmentEntering Uruguay

      Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before the certificate

      Your cat is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before the certificate is issued (or the passport is endorsed), with products approved in the country it comes from. The date and product go on the certificate.

      Details and the official words

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, realizada dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia. El antiparasitario interno deberá contener como principio activo Praziquantel.”

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia.”

    4. PaperworkSouth Africa and Uruguay

      International veterinary certificate (CVI) from the official authority

      Your pet enters with an international veterinary certificate (CVI) issued by the official veterinary authority of its country of origin, stating the examination, parasite treatments, rabies vaccination and (dogs) microchip and leishmaniosis test. An official pet passport is accepted instead only if an official vet of that authority has signed and stamped it before boarding. Present it with your pet at MGAP's office at the border.

      Details and the official words

      MGAP's entry pages don't say how long the certificate stays valid for entry; its exit page says certificates for travel within Mercosur are valid for 60 days. Ask your vet to issue it as close to travel as the 10-day examination and 15-day parasite windows allow.

      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.

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, conforme a la Resolución Mercosur GMC 17/15, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar, en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Vacuna antirrábica vigente (en el CVI deberá constar fecha de vacunación, tipo, serie y marca de vacuna).”

      “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”

    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. On arrivalEntering Uruguay

      Show your pet and documents at MGAP's border office

      When you enter Uruguay, present your pet and its documents at MGAP's office at the border crossing. No import authorisation is needed for a dog or cat travelling with you, and there is no charge.

      Details and the official words

      “Presentar la documentación solicitada y la mascota, en las oficinas del MGAP dispuestas en los pasos de frontera al momento del ingreso al país.”

      “Si ingresa a Uruguay junto con su perro o gato, no es necesario presentar autorización de ingreso emitida por MGAP.”

      “Perros y gatos: no tiene costo.”

Good to know

  • MGAP accepts an official pet passport instead of the certificate only if it is valid, holds all the health information required and has been signed and stamped by an official vet of the animal health authority of the country before boarding. A passport without that official validation is not accepted.
  • If your pet arrives as cargo at Carrasco airport (even on your own flight), MGAP must be told at least 72 business hours before arrival by email to aeropuertoic@mgap.gub.uy, with the documents scanned.
  • Staying less than 30 days? You can leave Uruguay with the same certificate you entered with, as long as it states how long it is valid; otherwise you need a new certificate from MGAP to leave.
  • 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

May also apply, depending on your case

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

  • Microchipyour vet · for: dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate200–315 ZAR

    South Africa: 2 published prices

  • Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination)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
  • Vet examinationyour vet · for: vet examination within 10 days before the certificate, health check and health certificate from your private vet590 ZAR

    South Africa: 2 published prices

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 8 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 6 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.

Every step from Uruguay to South Africa

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

Questions owners ask

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

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 Uruguay?

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 Uruguay?

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 Uruguay?

With nothing done yet, start at least 3 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate, rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) and dogs: negative leishmaniosis test within 60 days before entry 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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