Moving a dog or cat from Belgium to Zimbabwe is very doable with the right preparation. Budget around 26-32 weeks and start early, because the mandatory waits on this route stack …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Belgium to Zimbabwe
typically takes around 26-32 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from Zimbabwe
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
4
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
6
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
7
On arrival. Compliant pets clear after inspection. Non-compliant animals risk being held or returned.
Veterinary inspection on arrival
Responsible: Department of Veterinary Services, Zimbabwe
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785)
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel
Rabies titre test
Not required, and not accepted as a substitute for vaccination. Zimbabwe wants the rabies vaccination itself, not evidence of antibodies.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets. Non-compliant animals risk being held or returned.
Import permit
Required. Issued by: Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services
Health certificate
Required. Issued by: Official veterinarian, endorsed by national authority
Export permit
Not required
Health certificate
EU Pet Passport or AHC. Issued by FASFC-authorised vet.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Belgium to Zimbabwe move gets missed.
Pet Transport Global
Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Import permit application fee (Zimbabwe)
Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.
Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Meeting Zimbabwe's entry requirements
Getting a pet into Zimbabwe means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.
Advice worth following
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No, not for a compliant pet. Zimbabwe inspects on arrival and clears animals whose paperwork is in order. A non-compliant animal risks being held or returned, so the permit and the health certificate are what matter here, not a quarantine booking.
No. Zimbabwe does not require a rabies antibody test as a standard condition of entry. If a titre has been quoted to you for this move, check whether it belongs to a transit country rather than to Zimbabwe itself, which is a common and expensive confusion.
Yes, an import permit is required from Zimbabwe’s authority (Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Belgium. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Zimbabwe’s authority for the exact format required.
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Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm
current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
IATA· International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations