Moving a dog or cat from France to Kuwait is very doable with the right preparation. Expect around 20-26 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting periods. …
Rabies titre testRequired for: May be required. Check …
QuarantineInspection on arrival by PAM veterinary …
Import permitRequired. Apply to PAM before travel. …
Health certificateRequired. Official Veterinary Health …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from France to Kuwait
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
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
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
4
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from Kuwait
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
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)
6
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
7
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
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. Rabies vaccination required and current.
Rabies titre test
Required for: May be required. Check current PAM requirements
Quarantine
Inspection on arrival by PAM veterinary officer at Kuwait International Airport.
Import permit
Required. Apply to PAM before travel. Permit issued per animal.
Health certificate
Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Valid for 14 days from issue. Embassy attestation required. Plan 2+ weeks.
Export permit
No formal export permit. Health certificate and EU pet passport serve as documentation.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your France to Kuwait 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.
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
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
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
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
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
Etihad Airways
Cargo: Pets travel through Etihad Cargo. Brachycephalic breeds subject to seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during Abu Dhabi summer months
Cargo Only
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
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
Import permit application fee (Kuwait)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
Breed restrictions apply at destination. Check if your dog is affected before booking.
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
What Kuwait requires
Bringing a pet into Kuwait involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.
Avoiding the common mistakes
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow at least 20 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 routine quarantine is required in Kuwait for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Kuwait. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from the Kuwait veterinary authority. 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 France. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Kuwait’s authority for the exact format required.
Yes, Kuwait bans or restricts certain breeds including American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino. If your dog is one of these types or a mix, contact the destination authority before making any travel arrangements.
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