South Africa

Entry Requirements

Complete the following entry requirements to travel to South Africa with your pet: South Africa is a high-risk country for rabies. In order to return to the United States, travelers with U.S.-vaccinated dogs must provide two documents per animal, the CDC Dog Import Form (completed online with an uploaded photo of your dog, taken recently or within 15 days before travel to the U.S. if under one year old) and a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form. Dogs can enter the U.S. at any airport, seaport or land border crossing, as long as the port matches your CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Additionally, dogs must appear healthy upon arrival, have a microchip detectable by a universal scanner that was implanted prior to the rabies vaccine, and be at least 6 months old at the time of entry to the U.S. Their microchip number must be included on all required forms and supporting documents. The required forms can be obtained at this link. For further guidance on returning to the U.S. with your pet from a high-risk country, contact the CDC directly at cdcanimalimports@cdc.gov. Travelers with pets must apply for a veterinary import permit from South Africa's Director of Animal Health. You must apply 30 days before you travel. Contact the office via email at vetpermits@daff.gov.za for more information. The fee for this service is revised annually and published in the Government Gazette. Once you have completed your application form and made the payment, a veterinary import permit and a veterinary health certificate template will be sent directly to you.

Official Resources

Quarantine Information

Pets traveling to South Africa from select countries typically do not need to be quarantined unless arriving from a high-risk area or an unapproved country.

Questions & Answers

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