Moving to Tanzania with Pets: Import Permits and Vet Requirements

Tanzania is East Africa’s largest country and home to a significant expat community in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and the Zanzibar islands. Bringing a pet requires advance permit work and veterinary preparation, but the process is achievable with the right planning.

Import Permit: Start Here

Contact the Tanzania Veterinary Council or the Directorate of Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to apply for a pet import permit. You will need:

  • Species, breed, age, sex, and microchip number of your pet
  • Your passport details and intended Tanzanian address
  • Copies of current vaccination certificates

Allow at least four to six weeks for permit processing.

Health Certificate

An official health certificate, issued by an accredited vet in your home country and endorsed by your national authority (APHA for UK, USDA for USA, DAFF for Australia), is required. The certificate should:

  • Be issued within 14 days of travel
  • List all current vaccinations and their expiry dates
  • Include microchip number
  • Confirm the animal is free from external parasites
  • Reference the Tanzania import permit number

Dogs:

  • Rabies (mandatory)
  • Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis
  • Kennel Cough (Bordetella) recommended

Cats:

  • Rabies
  • FVRCP

All vaccinations should be current at time of entry.

Entry at Dar es Salaam

Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) is the main point of entry. The airport has a Veterinary Services inspection office. On arrival, the border vet will check the import permit, health certificate, and microchip. Keep all originals accessible.

Zanzibar Note

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous island within Tanzania. Bringing pets to Zanzibar involves an additional layer of administration beyond the mainland permit. If your destination is Zanzibar rather than the mainland, confirm specifically with the Zanzibar government’s veterinary authority, as different regulations may apply.

Health Risks for Pets in Tanzania

  • Tick-borne diseases are a significant risk – monthly tick prevention is essential
  • Bilharzia, trypanosomiasis, and other tropical diseases can affect dogs
  • Good veterinary care is available in Dar es Salaam and Arusha; smaller towns have limited access

This guide is accurate as of May 2026. Always verify with the Tanzania Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development before travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. An import permit from the Tanzania Veterinary Council or the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is required before your pet travels. Apply at least four to six weeks before the intended travel date.

Tanzania may require a short inspection and holding period at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam depending on documentation completeness and the animal’s health. A mandatory quarantine of several days may apply for animals from certain origins. Confirm current requirements with the Ministry of Livestock Development.

Rabies vaccination is mandatory. Dogs should also be vaccinated against distemper, parvovirus, and leptospirosis. Cats need FVRCP vaccination. All vaccines must be current and recorded in the health certificate issued by an official vet.

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