Lead time needed
12-16 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Moderate
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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AU
MG

Pet Transport from Australia to Madagascar

Bringing your dog or cat from Australia to Madagascar takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Around 12-16 weeks is typical, with a straightforward sequence to work through. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Australia to Madagascar typically takes around 12-16 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.
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Step by step

The Australia to Madagascar import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
12-14 weeks before travel; the letter-based process can take several weeks and has no fixed turnaround
Send the import permit letter of request to Madagascar's Direction des Services Veterinaires

Responsible: You or your agent, via DSV

2
Before the rabies vaccination
Microchip implanted (ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit)

Responsible: Your vet in Australia

3
At least 30 days before travel; runs in parallel with the DSV letter
Rabies vaccination given, or a current booster confirmed

Responsible: Your vet in Australia

4
Close to the confirmed travel date
Health certificate examination and issue

Responsible: Your vet in Australia

5
Once the DSV permit, certificate date and flight are all aligned
Book Emirates via Dubai or Qatar Airways via Doha, direct into Antananarivo

Responsible: You or a pet transport agent

6
Day of travel
Pet delivered to the departure terminal ahead of the flight

Responsible: Owner or agent

7
On landing
Arrival inspection at Ivato International Airport, Antananarivo; documents checked and the 30,000 Ariary Livestock Fund fee paid

Responsible: DSV veterinary officials

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Madagascar

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
A 15-digit ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip is required, and it has to be in …
Rabies vaccination
Required, given between 30 days and 12 months before arrival in Madagascar. Dogs …
Rabies titre test
Not required for entry to Madagascar from any country, Australia included. This …
Quarantine
No quarantine for a pet arriving with compliant paperwork. Non-compliant …
Import permit
A letter of request addressed to the Directeur des Services Veterinaires (DSV), …
Health certificate
The Australian vet's export certificate is presented on arrival, alongside a fee …
Export permit
No general export permit for a privately owned dog or cat leaving Australia. …
Costs

What this route typically costs

Vet fees for vaccinations and the health certificate in Australia: AUD …
DSV import permit letter process: no fixed fee published; confirm …
Livestock Fund arrival fee: 30,000 Ariary per pet (roughly AUD 10), …
IATA-compliant travel crate: AUD 120-400
Cargo freight, Australia to Antananarivo via Dubai or Doha: AUD …
IPATA-registered pet transport agent fee: AUD 500-1,100
Typical all-in total for a mid-size dog: AUD 3,870-7,800. This is a …

Critical points

Emirates' Dubai-Antananarivo service was suspended for a period and resumed on 23 October 2025. Confirm the current schedule directly with Emirates SkyCargo before committing to travel dates, since a route with a recent disruption history is worth double-checking closer to booking.

Madagascar's import permit is a letter addressed to the Direction des Services Veterinaires, not an online application form. Apply at least 12-14 weeks out given the lack of a published turnaround.

No titre test applies from Australia, the same position that holds for the UK and US routes to Madagascar on this site, but that's Madagascar's current policy, not a permanent guarantee. Confirm with DSV close to travel.

A small arrival fee (30,000 Ariary per pet, paid at Ivato's Livestock Fund counter) is separate from anything paid in Australia before departure. Confirm accepted payment methods with your agent in advance.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Emirates
Daily service from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane to Dubai, connecting to Emirates' …
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways
Twice-daily service from Melbourne and Sydney, once daily from Perth and Brisbane, to …
Cargo Only
Kenya Airways
Doesn't currently serve Australia directly, but its Nairobi-Antananarivo service is worth …
Cargo Only

Meeting Madagascar's entry requirements

The path into Madagascar is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.

Advice worth following

Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Madagascar doesn’t require a rabies antibody titre test from a pet arriving from any country, including Australia, despite its reputation as a rabies-affected island nation. A current vaccination given between 30 days and 12 months before arrival is what’s checked.
No, but it’s a genuine two-leg journey. Emirates flies Melbourne, Sydney, Perth or Brisbane to Dubai daily, then Dubai to Antananarivo four times a week on its own service, resumed on 23 October 2025 after a temporary suspension. Qatar Airways via Doha is a workable alternative.
It’s a letter, not a form. The letter of request goes to the Direction des Services Veterinaires (DSV) in Antananarivo and needs to include the owner’s and animal’s details, a copy of the vaccination record, and the arrival flight details. Processing can take several weeks.
Yes, a small one. 30,000 Ariary per pet (roughly AUD 10 at 2026 exchange rates) is payable at the Livestock Fund counter at Ivato International Airport on arrival, separate from any Australian vet or certificate fees.
Budget twelve to sixteen weeks from a standing start. The DSV import permit letter, which has no published turnaround, is the main factor, not the vaccination or export certificate steps, and not the flight itself given Emirates’ relatively direct service.
Airline guides
  • Emirates
  • Qatar Airways
  • Kenya Airways
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to Madagascar.

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AU MGAustralia to Madagascar
International pet transport route
Lead time12-16 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityModerate
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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