FR
France
✈️
AE
United Arab Emirates
Pet Transport from France to United Arab Emirates
6-10 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Moderate
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
Overview
Pet transport from France to United Arab Emirates is a moderately complex route. The documentation is specific and there are a few stages to work through, but families who plan ahead get their pets there without major issues.
At minimum, your pet needs a microchip (ISO 11784/11785 standard), a current rabies vaccination, a rabies titre test with a waiting period after the result, an approved import permit from the destination authority, and a government-endorsed health certificate issued close to your travel date. Allow 6-10 weeks from starting preparation to travel day.
Use the step-by-step timeline below to plan your preparation, and get in touch if you want us to coordinate the process for you.
Step by step
The France to United Arab Emirates process
1
Before any vaccinations. Must be done first.
Get your pet microchipped (ISO 11784/11785)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
At least 21 days before travel (after microchip)
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (RNATT blood test)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
4
Lead time: Check with authorities
Apply for import permit from United Arab Emirates
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirements)
Obtain health certificate / veterinary clearance
Responsible: Official veterinarian
6
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space availability.
Book IATA-compliant flight and arrange pet cargo/cabin booking
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
7
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation
Responsible: You + airline cargo desk
Checklist
United Arab Emirates: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. Vaccination must be administered after microchipping. Titre test may be required from certain countries. |
| Rabies titre test | Required for: Pets from certain non-approved or high-risk countries. Not required for: Pets from approved countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, EU countries, etc.). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml |
| Quarantine | No routine quarantine. Penalty quarantine up to varies days if non-compliant |
| Import permit | Required. Import permit MUST be obtained before travel. Different emirates have different application processes. Allow 1-2 weeks for processing. |
| Health certificate | Required. Veterinary health certificate / Official health certificate. Issued by: Government veterinarian or government-endorsed veterinarian in country of export. Certificate must confirm: rabies vaccination status, microchip number, pet is free from infectious disease, fit to travel |
Leaving France
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal export permit. Health certificate and EU pet passport serve as documentation. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Airline cargo/cabin fees (varies by carrier, pet weight, and crate size) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire) |
| 3 | Veterinary fees (vaccinations, health certificate, microchip) |
| 4 | Import permit application fee (United Arab Emirates) |
| 5 | Government endorsement/USDA endorsement fee (if applicable) |
| 6 | Pet transport agent fee (if using a relocation service) |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds face cargo restrictions on most airlines. Check breed-specific policies before booking.
⚠ Microchip MUST be implanted before rabies vaccination. Vaccination given before microchip is invalid and the clock restarts.
⚠ Temperature embargoes apply during Gulf summer months (June to September). Airlines may refuse pet cargo when ground temperatures exceed 30C.
Restricted breeds
United Arab Emirates breed rules
- Pit Bull Terrier (and related types) (restricted)
- American Staffordshire Terrier (restricted)
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier (restricted in some emirates)
- Rottweiler (restricted but not outright banned in most emirates)
- Dogo Argentino (restricted)
- Fila Brasileiro (restricted)
- Japanese Tosa (restricted)
- Perro de Presa Canario (restricted)
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Lufthansa
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo transport available. Transport of large animals to certain destinations not possible due to local circumstances. Fighting dog breeds subject to special rules
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel as cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo transport available. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes. French regulations on dangerous dog breeds apply
United Airlines
Small pets allowed in cabin
American Airlines
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: American Airlines Cargo handles pet transport
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
Etihad Airways
Cargo: Pets travel as cargo through Etihad Cargo. Brachycephalic breeds subject to seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during Abu Dhabi summer months
Air Canada
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Air Canada Cargo handles pet transport in heated/pressurized hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
South African Airways
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Pets travel as checked excess baggage in hold or through SAA cargo
FAQ
Common questions
The process takes 6-10 weeks from start to finish. The rabies titre test requires a 3-6 month waiting period after the blood draw before your pet can travel, so start early.
No routine quarantine for pets entering United Arab Emirates with the correct documentation. No routine quarantine. Penalty quarantine up to varies days if non-compliant
Required. Import permit MUST be obtained before travel. Different emirates have different application processes. Allow 1-2 weeks for processing.
Required. Veterinary health certificate / Official health certificate. Issued by: Government veterinarian or government-endorsed veterinarian in country of export. Certificate must confirm: rabies vaccination status, microchip number, pet is free from infectious disease, fit to travel Your France vet must be approved to issue official veterinary certificates. The certificate must be issued within the timeframe required by United Arab Emirates: usually 10 days before travel. Present the original at check-in.
Yes. Required for: Pets from certain non-approved or high-risk countries. Not required for: Pets from approved countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, EU countries, etc.). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination for the vaccination to be valid. Start this process as early as possible.
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.