ZA
South Africa
✈️
AE
United Arab Emirates
Pet Transport from South Africa to United Arab Emirates
10
Sourced facts for this journey
8 Oct 2026
Independently checked
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Full door-to-door service
South Africa is not on MOCCAE's low-risk list, so the UAE treats your pet as coming from a high-risk country and wants a rabies titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml. Emirates operates 28 flights a week between Johannesburg and Dubai and says animals on itineraries ending in Dubai must be transported as cargo.
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Official rules on this page checked
What does South Africa require for the United Arab Emirates before the flight?
- The Western Cape Department of Agriculture's UAE infosheet (updated 2023) says the pet's own veterinarian should complete a veterinary health certificate made specifically for the United Arab Emirates.
Reference: Dogs and cats UAE updated 2023 (Western Cape Department of Agriculture infosheet), checked 8 October 2026 - The infosheet says blank forms may be obtained from the State Veterinary office or from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture website, www.elsenburg.com.
Reference: Dogs and cats UAE updated 2023 (Western Cape Department of Agriculture infosheet), checked 8 October 2026 - The infosheet says the pet should be taken to a local private veterinarian for a health check within 7 days of travel.
Reference: Dogs and cats UAE updated 2023 (Western Cape Department of Agriculture infosheet), checked 8 October 2026 - The infosheet (updated 2023) says the UAE import permit is valid for 30 days.
Reference: Dogs and cats UAE updated 2023 (Western Cape Department of Agriculture infosheet), checked 8 October 2026 - The infosheet says the antibody titration test comes after a period of not less than 21 days following the last date of the basic (initial) vaccination.
Reference: Dogs and cats UAE updated 2023 (Western Cape Department of Agriculture infosheet), checked 8 October 2026
Which airlines take pets from South Africa to the United Arab Emirates?
- The infosheet says a pet going to the UAE has to be shipped in manifested cargo as per IATA regulations.
Reference: Dogs and cats UAE updated 2023 (Western Cape Department of Agriculture infosheet), checked 8 October 2026 - Emirates' Johannesburg to Dubai page says it currently operates 28 flights per week between Johannesburg and Dubai.
Flights from Johannesburg (JNB) to Dubai (DXB) (Emirates), checked 8 October 2026 - Emirates' animals page says that for all itineraries ending in Dubai, animals must be transported as cargo.
What are the rules and charges for travelling with animals? (Emirates), checked 8 October 2026 - Etihad's Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi page says there is a nonstop flight per day, depending on the schedule.
Flights from Johannesburg (JNB) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) (Etihad Airways), checked 8 October 2026 - Etihad's pets page says small dogs, cats and falcons can be brought on its flights to and from Abu Dhabi.
Travelling with pets (Etihad Airways), checked 8 October 2026
Which United Arab Emirates rules depend on a pet coming from South Africa?
The United Arab Emirates sorts countries into 2 groups, and South Africa falls in “High-risk countries”.
Rabies titre test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, approved laboratory, valid 365 days) required; animal at least 15 weeks old. Official source
These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Rabies titre test: The titre result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml; the result may instead be written on the health certificate. Applies to dogs and cats from high-risk countries.
استيراد حيوانات الرفقة ( قطط / كلاب) (Import of pets, cats/dogs), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: The titre test certificate is valid for 365 days. Applies to dogs and cats from high-risk countries.
استيراد حيوانات الرفقة ( قطط / كلاب) (Import of pets, cats/dogs), checked 1 October 2026 - Minimum age: Animals from high-risk countries must be at least 15 weeks old. Applies to dogs and cats from high-risk countries.
استيراد حيوانات الرفقة ( قطط / كلاب) (Import of pets, cats/dogs), checked 1 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering the United Arab Emirates, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our United Arab Emirates guide.
What does South Africa require before your pet leaves?
We are still checking the export rules of South Africa against official government pages, so they are not shown here yet.
FAQ
Common questions
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture's UAE infosheet, updated 2023, says your veterinarian should complete the veterinary health certificate specifically for the United Arab Emirates. It also says your pet should be taken to your local private veterinarian for a health check within 7 days of travel. It adds that blank forms may be obtained from the State Veterinary office (SV) or www.elsenburg.com.
MOCCAE states on its service page that the import permit is valid for 90 days only. The Western Cape infosheet, updated 2023, says the permit is valid for 30 days for the UAE, so check the validity printed on your permit itself.
Emirates says that for all itineraries ending in Dubai, animals must be transported as cargo. Etihad's pets page says small dogs, cats and falcons can be brought on its flights to and from Abu Dhabi, so ask the airline how it will carry your pet before you book.
Emirates operates 28 flights per week between Johannesburg and Dubai. Etihad's page shows a nonstop flight per day from Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi, depending on the schedule. MOCCAE delivers its pet service through veterinary quarantine centres at entry points, including Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai Free Zone and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
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Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations