Pet Transport France to Lebanon: 2026 Guide

Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture (agriculture.gov.lb) issues import permits for companion animals. The permit is required before your pet enters the country, and you must apply in advance of travel.

Lebanese administrative timelines can be variable. What takes a week on a good run may take several weeks if there is a processing backlog or if your application needs follow-up. This is not a reason to avoid the route, but it is a reason to start early. Apply eight to ten weeks before your intended travel date and follow up by phone or email after one week if you have not received an acknowledgement.

A pet transport agent with experience on the Lebanon corridor will have contacts within the Ministry and can often accelerate or clarify the process. If you are managing this independently, keep records of every communication with the Ministry and note the names of any officials you speak to.

One practical advantage of this route is the direct air connection. Air France operates CDG to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) as a regular scheduled service, and Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon’s national carrier, also operates CDG-BEY directly.

A direct flight eliminates the risk of problems during transit connections, which is always preferable for pet cargo. CDG to BEY is approximately four hours, which is a comfortable journey length for most healthy adult dogs and cats.

Confirm live animal cargo acceptance with Air France Cargo or MEA at the time of booking, not afterwards. Cargo policies can change and not every flight accepts live animals. Once you have confirmation, get it in writing.

On arrival at BEY, your pet is inspected by the Ministry of Agriculture veterinary team. They will check the import permit, the DGAL-endorsed health certificate, your pet’s microchip, and the rabies vaccination record.

For compliant arrivals, there is no quarantine. The inspection can take longer in Lebanon than in some European countries, so factor in some extra time at the airport before you expect to have your pet with you. Present all documents clearly organised and be prepared to answer questions about your pet’s travel history.

The microchip is scanned to confirm it matches the certificate. If there is any discrepancy between the chip number on the certificate and the chip your pet carries, resolution will take time. Verify the chip number before travel.