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Pet Transport from Kenya to Belgium

Getting a pet from Kenya to Belgium is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. This is a middle of the road route, and about 20-26 weeks of preparation usually covers it. Compliant …

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20-26
Weeks lead time needed
Start this early minimum
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
8
Airlines on this route
Lead time needed
20-26 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Moderate
Airlines
8 carriers on this route
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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Kenya to Belgium typically takes around 20-26 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. 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.
Step by step

The Kenya to Belgium import process

01
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

02
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

03
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

04
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)

05
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

06
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

Requirements

Belgium entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Before or on same day as first rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel
Rabies titre test
Required for: Pets from non-listed countries. Not required for: EU/listed countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Penalty quarantine applies if documentation is non-compliant
Import permit
Not required
Health certificate
Required. EU Pet Passport or AHC. Issued by: Official vet. Valid for 10 days from issue
Leaving Kenya

Export requirements

Export permit
Not required
Health certificate
Required. Issued by DVS-authorised official vet.
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
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

AirlineNotesType
Kenya AirwaysSmall pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: pets in pressurised hold via Kenya Airways Cargo. Connects Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta hub to European and African destinations. IATA-compliant crate required. Advance approval needed.Cabin and Cargo
LufthansaSmall 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-roundCabin and Cargo
EmiratesCargo: 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 AirwaysCargo: 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 AirlinesCargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasonsCargo Only
Cathay PacificCargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be metCargo Only
Air FranceSmall pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoesCabin and Cargo
KLMSmall pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargoCabin and Cargo

The rules for bringing a pet into Belgium

Belgium keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.

How to keep this move on track

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.

Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.

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.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

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 Belgium 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 Belgium. Start this process as early as possible.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Kenya. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Belgium’s authority for the exact format required.
Airline guides
  • Kenya Airways
  • Lufthansa
  • Emirates
  • British Airways
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Air France
  • KLM
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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