If you’re planning on bringing your pet to the UAE, it’s essential to follow the import regulations set by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). These regulations include obtaining an import permit prior to arrival, shipping your pet in manifested cargo as per IATA regulations, and adhering to specific vaccination and treatment requirements. The import of certain breeds of dogs is prohibited in the UAE. Pet owners must also provide necessary documents upon arrival, such as an original vaccination card or animal passport, a valid official health certificate, and a Certificate for Rabies Serum Neutralization Test. In this article, we’ll provide you with an overview of the requirements you need to know before bringing your pet to the UAE.
- Obtain an import permit prior to arrival through the MOCCAE website. The permit is valid for 30 days, and it is not allowed to import pets with an expired import permit.
- Your pet must be shipped in manifested cargo as per IATA regulations. Check the IATA conditions for carrying pets.
- The cats and dogs must be identified with a permanent microchip, and the chip number in the health certificate must conform with the chip number implanted in the animal – read more on the importance of microchipping here.
- The minimum age of an imported animal from low-risk countries is 12 weeks, while the minimum age for importing from high-risk countries is not less than 15 weeks.
- The following breeds of dogs are prohibited from being imported into the UAE:
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier , American Bully, Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasiliero), Argentinian Mastiff (Dogo Argentino), Tibetan Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux), Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff), Bully Kutta (Alangu Mastiff, Indian Mastiff), Perro De Presa Canario (Canary Mastiff), Japaneese tosa, Presa Canario
- (Except for those used as service animals, emotional support animals or for medical purposes and in accordance with the regulating
- Personal import is allowed for no more than 2 cats or 2 dogs or a dog and a cat annually, with the exception of the exit and entry of resident animals, provided that they are identified by a fixed microchip and the health requirements for import are fulfilled.
Documents Required upon Arrival at Port of Entry/UAE:
- Original vaccination card or animal passport, which includes pet microchip, date of birth, validity of treatments, Rabies vaccination, and other vaccination records (dates, manufacturer, batch No., vacc. stickers, etc.).
- Valid original official health certificate from the exporting country that illustrates pet identification Microchip and that the animal has been examined and shows satisfactory health symptoms.
- Original Certificate for Rabies Serum Neutralization test (RSNT) conducted within 90 days prior to travel, attesting a minimum titer of 0.5IU/ml or above. This certificate is not required for the listed countries below:
- Australia, Austria, Andorra, Aruba, Barbados, Bahrain, Belgium, Comoros, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, French Polynesia, Falkland Island, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mauritius, Malta, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, San Marino, Seychelles, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Vanuatu.
Service Fees:
- Import permit fees of 500 Dhs for one pet (cat or dog)
- Inspection fees of 500 Dhs for each cat upon entry
- Inspection fees of 1000 Dhs for each dog upon entry Payment should be paid by E-Dirham, MASTER, or VISA card.
Essential Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats in the UAE
When importing pets (cats/dogs) into the UAE, certain vaccinations and treatments are required. For dogs, the following vaccinations are required, you can also read more on
Vaccinations for Dogs
- Rabies, a valid vaccination applied according to the instruction of the vaccine manufacturer. The initial dose should not be applied before 3 months of animal age, and 21 days must elapse before arriving in the UAE.
- Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
- Canine Parvo Virus
- Infectious Canine Hepatitis.
- Leptospirosis (Ictohaemorragea – Canicola)
Vaccinations for Cats
- Rabies, a valid vaccination applied according to the instruction of the vaccine manufacturer. The initial dose should not be applied before 3 months of animal age, and 21 days must elapse before arriving in the UAE.
- Feline Pan Leukcopenia.
- Feline Rhinotracheitis.
- Feline Calicivirus.
The Importance of Vaccinations for Your Pet’s Travel
Required Treatments for Dogs and Cats within 10 Days Pre-Shipping
In addition to the required vaccinations, pets must undergo certain treatments within 10 days of shipping. These treatments include:
- Anti-external parasites using Fipronil or Permethrin
- Deworming (Anthelmintic) using Praziquantel
Required Documents for Import
When importing pets into the UAE, certain documents are required upon arrival at the port of entry. These documents include:
- Original vaccination card or animal passport, which includes pet microchip, date of birth, validity of treatments, rabies vaccination, and other vaccination records (dates, manufacturer, batch no., vacc. stickers, etc.). Refer to List A and B for required vaccinations and treatments.
- Valid original official health certificate from the exporting country, which illustrates pet identification microchip and that the animal has been examined and shows satisfactory health symptoms.
- Original Certificate for Rabies Serum Neutralization Test (RSNT) conducted within the 90 days prior to travel, attesting a minimum titer of 0.5IU/ml or above.
- This certificate is not required from the countries in this list: Australia, Austria, Andorra, Aruba, Barbados, Bahrain, Belgium, Comoros, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, French Polynesia, Falkland Island, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mauritius, Malta, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, San Marino, Seychelles, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and Vanuatu. For travelers from these countries, the certificate is not necessary to enter the destination country.
In conclusion, it is essential to adhere to the necessary regulations and requirements when importing pets into the UAE. This ensures the safety and health of both the pets and the community.
We hope that this blog post has been helpful in guiding you through the process of relocating your pet to the UAE. At Chauf-fur, we understand how important your pet is to you and how stressful the relocation process can be. If you have any more questions or concerns about relocating your pet to the UAE, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our team of experts is here to assist you in any way we can to ensure that your furry friend has a smooth and stress-free transition to their new home.
Call +971559927669 
