Cat Import Rules by Country 2026: Quarantine, Vaccines, and Titre Tests at a Glance
Cat import rules vary more than most owners expect. Before booking any international move, confirm the current requirements directly with the destination authority. This table summarises the rules as of May 2026 - but regulations change, so always verify.
Quick Reference: Cat Import Requirements
| Country | Microchip | Rabies Vacc | Titre Test | Quarantine | Import Permit | Health Cert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | Yes | Yes (180-day wait) | 10 days | Via DAFF pre-export | Yes (govt endorsed) |
| New Zealand | Yes | Yes | Yes (180-day wait) | Min 10 days | Via MPI | Yes (govt endorsed) |
| Japan | Yes | Yes | Yes (180-day wait) | On arrival inspect | Pre-notification to MAFF | Yes |
| USA | Yes | Yes* | No | No | No | Yes (domestic) |
| Canada | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| UK (from EU) | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | AHC or health cert |
| EU (from UK) | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | AHC within 10 days |
| Germany | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | AHC |
| France | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | AHC |
| UAE | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes (MoCCAE) | Yes |
| Singapore | Yes | Yes | No | Approved group: no | Yes (AVS) | Yes |
| Malaysia | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes (DVS) | Yes |
| South Africa | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Brazil | Yes | Yes | No | No | No (for personal pets) | MAPA format |
| Morocco | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes (endorsed) |
| Mauritius | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 days | Yes (MAIFS) | Yes |
| India | Yes | Yes | No | No | For personal pets: conditional | Yes |
| Kenya | Yes | Yes | No | Possible | Yes (DVS) | Yes |
| Israel | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes (IZSV) | Yes |
| Spain | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | AHC (from UK) |
USA: Cats do not currently require rabies vaccination for entry from most countries. However, this is subject to change - always check current CDC and destination state rules.
Three Countries to Plan Months Ahead
Australia, New Zealand, and Japan are the destinations requiring the most preparation. For all three:
- ISO microchip must precede first vaccination
- Rabies vaccination required
- Blood sample sent to approved lab for titre test
- 180-day wait after titre confirmation
- Government health certificate and endorsement
- Mandatory quarantine (AU/NZ) or inspection hold (Japan)
Start at least 8-9 months before your intended travel date for these three destinations.
Sources: DAFF Australia; MPI New Zealand; MAFF Japan; European Commission; APHA UK; individual country government authority websites. Data current as of May 2026.