Pet travel from Dubai to South AfricaDocuments & vet certificate
Planning pet travel from Dubai to South Africa? This page gives the South Africa pet import requirements from the UAE for dogs and cats, the steps, and our prices. Our vets in JVC do the fit to fly certificate (the dog and cat travel certificate), the pet passport and the blood tests, and guide you on the MOCCAE pet export certificate. Veterinary import permit before shipment. Dogs: blood tests and possible quarantine. Cats: no quarantine.
Import permitLast updated
South Africa pet import requirements from the UAE
The rules for a pet dog or cat that travels from the UAE to South Africa, in plain words. When the official rules are not clear, we say so: our vet confirms that point at your first visit.
Import permitYes
Veterinary import permit from the Director: Animal Health, before shipment. The permit gives the exact conditions and the certificate.
How long the permit takes: our vet confirms this at your first visit.
Microchip
Our vet confirms this at your first visit.
Rabies vaccineYes
First vaccine: 30 days to 12 months before import. Booster: in the last 12 months.
Rabies titre test (blood test)No
Not mentioned in the official information.
Other vaccines, tests and treatmentsYes
Dogs: blood tests for Babesia gibsoni, Brucella canis, heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), Trypanosoma evansi and Leishmania. The permit gives the details.
Quarantine
Cats: no, if the documents are correct. Dogs: 14 days, except dogs from exempt countries.
If dogs from the UAE are exempt: our vet confirms this at your first visit.
Dog breedsNo
None found.
Health certificateYes
Original, by an official vet, in English, issued in the 10 days before departure.
Step-by-step timeline: Dubai to South Africa
- 1
First visit
Our vet checks the rabies vaccine. The first vaccine must be 30 days to 12 months before import; a booster in the last 12 months.
- 2
As early as possible
You apply for the veterinary import permit. It gives the exact conditions. Our vet confirms how long it takes.
- 3
After the permit
For dogs, we take the blood samples for the tests that the permit asks for.
- 4
In the 10 days before departure
The original certificate in English, by an official vet. You apply for the MOCCAE export certificate.
Pet relocation Dubai to South Africa: what Pet Avenue does
- We check your pet's microchip, vaccines and documents against the rules for South Africa.
- A vet examines your pet and issues the clinic health certificate (fit to travel) in the correct time window.
- We take the blood samples for the dog tests that the permit asks for.
- We tell you which documents the import permit needs. You (or your agent) apply for the permit.
- We guide you on the UAE export certificate. You apply for it yourself on the MOCCAE website.
We do the vet part of your pet's move. Your airline or a pet relocation company books the flight or the cargo.
Dogs and cats: the differences
- Dogs: blood tests for Babesia gibsoni, Brucella canis, heartworm, Trypanosoma evansi and Leishmania. Dogs can also have 14 days of quarantine: our vet confirms if this applies to dogs from the UAE.
- Cats: no quarantine if the documents are correct.
Cost estimate: pet travel documents for South Africa
Our clinic items only, in AED incl. VAT, for 1, 2 or 3 pets. Fees of the government, the airline and South Africa are not included.
| Clinic item | 1 pet | 2 pets | 3 pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit-to-travel examination and health certificate | AED 278 | AED 556 | AED 834 |
| Total (incl. VAT) | AED 278 | AED 556 | AED 834 |
| Clinic item | 1 pet | 2 pets | 3 pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit-to-travel examination and health certificate | AED 278 | AED 556 | AED 834 |
| Leishmania test (IFAT) | AED 1,050 | AED 2,100 | AED 3,150 |
| Other dog blood tests in the permit | Vet confirms | Vet confirms | Vet confirms |
| Total (incl. VAT) | From AED 1,328 | From AED 2,656 | From AED 3,984 |
Only if necessary
- Microchip (ISO)If your pet has no ISO microchip.
- AED 157.50 per pet
- Rabies vaccineIf the vaccine is not valid for travel. The annual vaccine package (consultation, rabies and core vaccine) is AED 255.
- Our vet tells you the price
- New pet passportIf your pet has no passport.
- AED 100 per pet
Not included in our prices
- The MOCCAE export certificate fee: AED 100 for up to 2 pets, valid 30 days. You apply and pay on the MOCCAE website. We guide you.
- Airline, cargo and pet relocation costs.
- The import permit and the fees of the destination country.
- Quarantine costs in the destination country, if quarantine applies.
Earliest travel
Our vet confirms the date at your first visit (the permit time and the dog test results).
The rabies titre test result takes about 2 to 3 weeks. The UAE export certificate from MOCCAE is valid 30 days.
Airline and cargo notes
- Book the flight after the permit and the dog test results.
- Each airline has its own rules: cabin, checked baggage or cargo, the crate size and the breeds that it accepts. Ask your airline before you book.
- In the UAE summer (about May to September), many airlines limit pets in the hold because of the heat. Plan early.
- Check the rules of each transit country too. A transit can change the documents that your pet needs.
Common mistakes
- The dog blood tests are started before the permit gives the conditions.
- The certificate is older than 10 days on departure.
- The MOCCAE export certificate is applied for too late. It is valid 30 days: apply in time for your flight.
- The flight is booked before the permit, the titre result or the waiting time is complete.
Questions: pet travel to South Africa
Does my dog or cat need a rabies titre test to fly from Dubai to South Africa?
No. Not mentioned in the official information.
Do I need an import permit to take my pet from the UAE to South Africa?
Yes. Veterinary import permit from the Director: Animal Health, before shipment. The permit gives the exact conditions and the certificate. How long the permit takes: our vet confirms this at your first visit. Who applies: You.
Does my pet go into quarantine in South Africa?
Cats: no, if the documents are correct. Dogs: 14 days, except dogs from exempt countries. If dogs from the UAE are exempt: our vet confirms this at your first visit.
Which health certificate does my pet need for South Africa?
Original, by an official vet, in English, issued in the 10 days before departure.
How early should I start to prepare my pet for South Africa?
Our vet confirms the date at your first visit (the permit time and the dog test results).
How much do the vet documents for South Africa cost at Pet Avenue?
Our clinic items are AED 278 for 1 cat and From AED 1,328 for 1 dog, incl. VAT. A microchip (AED 157.50), a rabies vaccine or a pet passport (AED 100) are added only if your pet does not have them. Not included: the MOCCAE fee, the airline or cargo cost, the import permit and fees of South Africa, and quarantine.
Who applies for the MOCCAE pet export certificate for South Africa?
You do. At this time, you apply on the MOCCAE website and pay the government fee: AED 100 for up to 2 pets, valid 30 days. MOCCAE can inspect your pet. We give you the clinic documents and guide you.
Official sources
- South African Government: Import animals(opens in a new tab)
- USDA APHIS: Pet travel to South Africa(opens in a new tab)
- MOCCAE: Animal health certificate for export of live animals(opens in a new tab)
Last checked 27 Oct 2026. Rules can change; our vet confirms everything at your first visit.
Pet travel to other countries
Pet travel to South Africa?
Send us your travel date, your pet's type, breed and age. Our vet checks the rules and gives you a plan.