Planning a pet relocation from South Africa to Germany is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Give yourself close to 20-22 weeks so none of the fixed waiting periods catch you out. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from South Africa to Germany
typically takes around 20-22 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The South Africa to Germany pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm ISO microchip predates rabies vaccination.
Responsible: Vet in South Africa
5+ months before travel
2
Verify rabies vaccination and 21-day post-primary wait.
Responsible: Vet in South Africa
5+ months before travel
3
Blood drawn for FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory. 3-month wait starts from this date.
Responsible: State vet and EU-approved laboratory
4-5 months before travel
4
Wait 3 months from blood sampling date.
Responsible: N/A - mandatory waiting period
3 months from blood draw
5
Book cargo from JNB to FRA on Lufthansa or Emirates.
Responsible: Owner or agent
4-6 weeks before travel
6
Obtain DALRRD-endorsed EU certificate within 10 days of travel.
Responsible: State vet or DALRRD-authorised vet plus DALRRD endorsement
Within 10 days of travel
7
Depart JNB. German customs (Zoll) inspects at Frankfurt on arrival.
Responsible: Airline cargo and German customs
Travel day
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Germany
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Valid rabies vaccination required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required. South Africa is not EU-listed. FAVN titre test required. Blood must be drawn after microchip and valid vaccination. 3-month wait from blood sampling date. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets. German customs (Zoll) inspects at Frankfurt (FRA) or destination airport.
Import permit
No import permit. DALRRD-endorsed EU-format certificate is the required document.
Health certificate
EU-format certificate endorsed by DALRRD, within 10 days of travel.
Export permit (South Africa)
DALRRD veterinary export permit required. Issued alongside the health certificate. Apply through the State Veterinarian's office in your province.
Costs
What this route typically costs
DALRRD vet certificate and export permit: ZAR 1,000-2,500 (approximately EUR 50-130)
FAVN titre test (EU-approved laboratory): EUR 85-170
IATA-compliant crate: EUR 80-250 if needed
Cargo JNB to FRA (Lufthansa direct or Emirates via DXB): EUR 900-2,200 depending on crate size
Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 200-500
Total typical range: EUR 1,300-3,300
Critical points to read before you book
South Africa is not EU-listed: FAVN titre test and 3-month wait from blood draw are mandatory. Start 5 months before travel.
3-month wait runs from blood draw date, not the date results are received.
Germany Bundesland breed restrictions vary; check your destination state.
DALRRD certificate must be EU format and dated within 10 days of travel.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa Cargo
Lufthansa operates direct from Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) to Frankfurt (FRA). Lufthansa Cargo handles live animals in temperature-controlled holds. Frankfurt is Germany's main live animal cargo hub.
Cargo Only
EMIRATES
Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates operates from JNB to Dubai (DXB) with connections to Frankfurt and other German airports. Emirates SkyCargo has established live animal handling at Dubai and in Germany.
Cargo Only
ETHIOPIAN
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo
Ethiopian Airlines routes from JNB to Addis Ababa (ADD) with connections to European hubs including Frankfurt. A three-leg journey but sometimes competitive on rates.
Cargo Only
Germany import rules, explained
Germany keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.
Practical tips for this move
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.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about South Africa to Germany pet transport
Yes. South Africa is not EU-listed, so the FAVN titre test and 3-month wait from blood sampling date are mandatory. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026.
Yes. Lufthansa Cargo operates direct from JNB to FRA and accepts live animals in the temperature-controlled hold. Emirates SkyCargo via Dubai is an alternative. Book four to six weeks ahead.
From the blood sampling date for the FAVN titre test, not from when results arrive. If blood is drawn on 1 April, travel to Germany is not possible before 1 July.
Cargo from JNB to FRA typically costs EUR 900 to EUR 2,200 depending on crate size. Add EUR 85-170 for the titre test, EUR 50-130 for the DALRRD certificate, and EUR 80-250 for a crate if needed. Total all-in is typically EUR 1,300 to EUR 3,300, with five months preparation.
Airline guides
Lufthansa Cargo
Emirates SkyCargo
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.