Democratic Republic of the Congo

Pet Entry Requirements for Democratic Republic of the Congo

Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Democratic Republic of the Congo?

What Additional Information Do I Need for Democratic Republic of the Congo?

• Other Information:

  Not specified

• What is a Pet Passport?:

  We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Democratic Republic of the Congo pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport will include rabies vaccination and international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

• Find a Licensed Veterinarian:

  Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.

• Animals eligible for these regulations:

  Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.

• Pets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

  In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, pets play an important role in many households, though pet ownership practices and the level of care can vary significantly between urban and rural areas. Dogs and cats are the most common pets for different reasons depending on whether the environment is urban or rural. In urban areas, pets are increasingly seen as companions, while, in rural areas, pets may be kept more for practical purposes such as guarding, herding or pest control. Veterinary services are available mainly in larger cities like Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma. These clinics offer essential services such as vaccinations, treatments for common ailments, and emergency care. However, access to specialized veterinary services can be limited. Pet owners who are planning further travel or may be returning to their country of origin should research requirements before departing as access to specialized tests and treatments may be limited. Stray dogs and cats are a significant issue, particularly in urban areas. Pet owners should take care to protect themselves and their pets against local parasites and contagious diseases.

• Entering the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Air:

  Pets must enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo via N’djili Airport. Pets can enter in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo according toairline pet policies. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant? Flights should be direct if the duration of the flight does not violate animal welfare laws. Layovers should be short and not involve a change in airline companies. If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply. Importers will need to provide advance notice to veterinary officials at the airport so they will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing. This is especially important if your pet will be arriving outside of normal business hours. Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like the Republic of Congo, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering the Republic of Congo. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.

• Breeds Banned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

  The Democratic Republic of the Congo does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.

• Democratic Republic of the Congo Pet Import Requirements:

  All steps required to import a pet dog or cat to the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

• Quarantine for Pets Entering the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

  Quarantine will not be imposed on your pet if the following regulations are met. Pets not meeting import regulations will be quarantined, returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer.

• Importing Other Pet Animals to the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

  Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate and import permit to enter the Republic of Congo. Pet owners can seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

• Pet-Friendly Airlines Flying to the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

  Commercial airlines that provide services for pets that fly into N’djili Airport include Air France, Air Kasai, ASKY Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Congo Airways, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar, Royal Air Maroc, South African Airways, Turkish Air and Uganda Airlines. Pet owners should try to stay on one of these airlines and avoid changing airline companies in other countries, if at all possible. Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

• Importing Puppies and Kittens to the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

  Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. They should be vaccinated after 3 months of age and wait for 30 days before travel to conform to Democratic Republic of the Congo pet import requirements. Related:More information on transporting a puppy.

• Differences between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Congo:

  The Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Kinshasa and formerly Zaire, was colonized by Belgium. The Republic of Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville was originally colonized by France. Both countries share a border and are separated by the Great Congo River. They both have different forms of government and different pet import requirements. Prominent language is French.

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

  The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is crucial if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If this is the case, importers will have to submit additional permit applications. The agency that issues these permits is responsible for the protection of wildlife in your country. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Read more about CITES

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