Pet Transport from South Africa to United Arab Emirates
Relocating a pet from South Africa to United Arab Emirates follows a clear path once you understand what United Arab Emirates asks for. Allow around 6-10 weeks and follow the steps …
Rabies titre testRequired for: Pets from certain …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine. Penalty …
Import permitRequired. Import permit MUST be obtained …
Health certificateRequired. Veterinary health certificate …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from South Africa to United Arab Emirates
typically takes around 6-10 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.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, in full
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
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the 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
Export permit
Required for all live animal exports. Apply through provincial State Veterinarian office.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your South Africa to United Arab Emirates move gets missed.
Pet Transport Global
Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
British Airways
Cargo transport available
Cargo Only
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
Cabin and Cargo
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Pets can travel in the hold as checked baggage or via KLM Cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo transport available. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes. French regulations on dangerous dog breeds apply
Cabin and Cargo
Delta Air Lines
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo transport available
Cabin and Cargo
South African Airways
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Pets travel as checked excess baggage in hold or through SAA cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Turkish Airlines
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo transport available. Brachycephalic breeds restricted in cargo. Temperature restrictions apply
Cabin and Cargo
Virgin Atlantic
Cargo: Pets transported through Virgin Atlantic Cargo. Brachycephalic breeds restricted. Temperature embargoes
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo/cabin fees (varies by carrier, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees (vaccinations, health certificate, microchip)
Import permit application fee (United Arab Emirates)
Government endorsement/USDA endorsement fee (if applicable)
Pet transport agent fee (if using a relocation service)
Critical points
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.
How United Arab Emirates handles incoming pets
United Arab Emirates keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.
What experienced owners do
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
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.
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 South Africa 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.
Ready when you are
Move your pet
to United Arab Emirates.
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