Tanzania
Pet Travel Policy Information
Pet Travel Requirements for Tanzania
Pet Entry Requirements for Tanzania
Pet Microchip
Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, mostcountries require that pets be microchipped. A compliant microchip may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country. Although it is not required, your pet should be identified with a 15-digitwhich is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering Tanzania. All documentation must reflect the microchip number. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide athat will read their pet’s microchip. Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.
Vaccinations
All cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 3 years prior to entering Tanzania depending on the validity period of the rabies vaccine. One-year vaccines are recommended for primary vaccinations. The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin: a rabies certificatea government-issued vaccination booklet oran EU Pet Passport Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia. Veterinarians must record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination country.
Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination. Tanzania pet import requirements do not mandate a rabies titer test for cats and dogs from any country. However, all pets originating incountries classified as having a high risk of rabiesshould always travel with a rabies titer test. In addition, the World Organization of Animal Health classifies Tanzania as a high-rabies risk country. As such, if your pet will be returning to the origin country, this test may be required. Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.
Import Permit
Tanzania requires an import permit for entry. Visitors should apply well ahead of their visit for a permit to bring their pet to Tanzania.
Parasite Treatments
According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered prior to entering Tanzania. The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are required shortly prior to import. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.
Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate (sometimes known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for live animals entering their country. The certificate should include the following information: details of your pet andvaccinations and treatments andveterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export. Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel, has no open wounds in the process of healing, and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate depending on the country of origin. A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate within 14 days of entry. Related: A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
Complete all 6 steps to enter Tanzania with your pet
Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.
Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Tanzania?
Not specified
What Additional Information Do I Need for Tanzania?
- Pets in Tanzania:
In Tanzania, pet ownership is relatively common, with dogs and cats being the most popular companions. Urban areas such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza have numerous veterinary clinics and hospitals providing medical care for pets. Owners should be prepared to travel to an urban area should special tests or treatments be required for leaving the country. This is very important if your pet will be entering South Africa. For this reason, it is advised to have blood or titer tests done before departure from the country of origin if possible.
- Other Information:
Not specified
- Flights to Tanzania:
There are many commercial airlines that offer services to pets flying to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam including Air France, Air , and Uganda Airlines., Air Zimbabwe, Egyptair, Emirates, flydubai, Kenya Airways, KLM, Oman, Qatar Airways, Saudia, and Uganda Airlines. Flights to Tanzania should be direct or transit through arabies-controlled countryor another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.
- What is a Pet Passport?:
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Tanzania pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the 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 proof of rabies vaccination, import permit, and international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
- Entering Tanzania by Air:
Pets must enter Tanzania by air via Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha. Pets can enter in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo according to airline 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 Tanzania, 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 Tanzania. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.
- 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.
- Tanzania Pet Import Requirements:
All steps required to import a pet dog or cat to Tanzania must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
- Quarantine for pets entering Tanzania:
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.
- 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.
- Importing Other Pet Animals to Tanzania:
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 to enter Tanzania. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
- Importing Puppies and Kittens to Tanzania:
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. Pet puppies and kittens must be vaccinated for rabies to conform to Tanzania pet import requirements. Related:More information on transporting a puppy.
- 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
Related Resources
Traveler Tips & Experiences
Emily Parker
February 12, 2025
I visited Tanzania last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.
Michael Chen
January 3, 2025
Air travel to Tanzania was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!