There is currently no need to quarantine cats and dogs entering South Africa from the UK, as long as all the paperwork is completed correctly – if not, then animals are subject to 60 days quarantine. All cats and dogs must be microchipped.

Animals must enter the country through either Johannesburg or Cape Town Airports. They can then be forwarded to Durban, Port Elizabeth or East London if needed. They will need to be customs cleared at final destination.

An Import Permit obtained from the Directorate of Veterinary Services in Pretoria is required. An export permit is needed from APHA in Carlisle, form 6256EHC for dogs and 6257EHC for cats. An official veterinarian (OV) must complete both documents within 10 days of travel to South Africa.

WRITTEN OWNER DECLARATION (DOGS AND CATS)

Time Frame: any time before signing the final paperwork

The owner/exporter must provide a written declaration to the OV (Official Veterinarian) that the animal:

• has been continuously resident in the UK since birth OR has been continually resident in the UK or South Africa for the last six months
• originates from an area which is not under official veterinary restriction by APHA for any disease to which carnivores are susceptible
• as far as possible to determine, has not been in contact with animals infected or suspected of being infected with rabies

A separate written declaration is needed prior to travel confirming that the animal:

• will be shipped in a container that meets IATA regulations (your airline will provide you with their list of requirements to meet this)
• will be shipped in a container that is new or suitably disinfected and fumigated before loading
• will be shipped in a container of a nature such that contact with other animals of lesser health status en route will be prevented.

MICROCHIP AND RABIES VACCINATION (DOGS AND CATS)

Time frame: more than 30d and less than 1 year from travel

• All animals must be microchipped
• Rabies vaccination does not need to be done before travel but is strongly recommended if travel is more than a month away from starting paperwork. Unvaccinated animals are allowed to travel, but will be vaccinated in South Africa before clearance, which can delay matters.
• Rabies vaccination must be done more than 30 days and less than 1 year from travel.
• If puppies or kittens under 3 months of age are to be transported, their mother’s rabies vaccination schedule can be used. She needs to have been vaccinated more than 30d and less than 1 year before the puppy or kitten’s birth. If this is not possible, the animal can still travel, but vaccination must be done in South Africa.

BLOOD SAMPLING (DOGS ONLY)

Time frame: Within 30days of travel, but as soon as possible in this window

Not all of the samples needed are processed in the UK. This adds to the time window for receiving results back, so I would strongly advise starting the blood sampling process as soon as possible in the “30d before travel” window.

• Brucella canis: a blood sample is needed
• Trypanosoma evansi (surra): a blood sample and blood smear are needed. These need to be sent to Belgium.
• Babesia gibsoni: a blood sample and blood smear are needed. These are sent to Onderstepoort in South Africa.
• Dirofilaria immitis (Heartworm): a blood sample is needed
• Leishmania: a blood sample is needed. This is not an uncommon disease to find in dogs imported from European countries, especially Mediterranean countries. If your pet has travelled or was adopted from a charity abroad, I would recommend considering running a test separately when you initially consider travel. Although you cannot use the results to complete the import paperwork, discovering that you will be unable to travel at all may save a great deal of time and expense later.

HEARTWORM TREATMENT (DOGS ONLY)

Time frame: as soon as blood sampling is done

• As soon as the blood samples are taken, treatment for Heartworm must be started, and must be continued for six months after arriving in South Africa.
• In addition to a negative test, a six month supply of Heartworm medication (a drug approved by the South African authorities) must accompany you to South Africa.

NOTIFIABLE DISEASE CLEARANCE (DOGS AND CATS)

Time frame: with export certificate from APHA, Carlisle

You may need a notifiable disease clearance certificate. These arrive with the export certificate and are valid for 10 days from issue.

COMPLETION OF IMPORT AND EXPORT CERTIFICATES (DOGS AND CATS)

Time frame: within 10 days of travel

• Within 10 days of travel, an OV must complete the import and export certificates.
• Animals must be examined and certified as free from clinical signs of infectious and contagious diseases.
• Animals must be examined and certified as free from evidence of internal and external parasites. I would advise making sure that your flea preventative treatments are well up to date so that no evidence of parasites will be found at this check.
• Animals must be deemed fit to travel.