Pet Transport from Switzerland to Lebanon
Lebanon does not require a titre test for pets from Switzerland, and there is no quarantine for compliant arrivals at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport. Switzerland follows equivalent veterinary standards to the EU, and Lebanon accepts Swiss health …
The Switzerland to Lebanon import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Responsible: BLV-authorised official vet, then BLV
Responsible: You or your transport agent
What your pet needs to enter Lebanon
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
Lebanon requires rabies vaccination at least 30 days before entry. This is stricter than many other destinations. Check your pet's vaccination date before booking travel.
Check Swiss government travel advisories for Lebanon before booking. Beirut airport cargo operations can be affected by local conditions.
Turkish Airlines temperature embargoes apply on connecting routes June to September. Confirm acceptance if travelling in summer.
Verify current requirements directly with the Ministry of Agriculture Lebanon before booking.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
What Lebanon requires at the border
Lebanon’s veterinary import requirements are administered by the Ministry of Agriculture. Documentation is inspected at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) on arrival.
The core requirements are a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days before entry, an official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and an ISO-compliant microchip. Lebanon does not require a titre test for pets arriving from Switzerland. No quarantine applies for compliant arrivals, and no import permit is needed for 1-2 personal companion animals.
The 30-day pre-entry vaccination window is the most common cause of delays on this route. If your pet’s current vaccination is less than 30 days old on the planned travel date, you must either postpone travel or revaccinate and wait the full period.
BLV health certificate process from Switzerland
Switzerland’s official health certificate for international pet travel must be signed by a BLV-authorised official vet and then endorsed by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO/BLV). Both steps must complete within 10 days of departure.
Schedule the official vet examination within 10 days of your travel date. After signing, submit the certificate to BLV for endorsement. Allow time for this step. Your regular vet can handle vaccinations and microchipping, but the official health certificate must come from a BLV-authorised official vet. Check blv.admin.ch for the list of authorised vets.
Cargo routing from Zurich to Beirut
There is no direct cargo service from Zurich (ZRH) to Beirut (BEY). Turkish Airlines Cargo via Istanbul (IST) is the primary option. Turkish Airlines operates ZRH-IST regularly, and IST to BEY is a well-served route.
Book through an approved Turkish Airlines cargo agent. Confirm pet acceptance on both the ZRH-IST and IST-BEY legs. If travelling June to September, ask specifically about temperature embargoes on the IST connection. Brachycephalic breed restrictions apply year-round.
SWISS Cargo and Lufthansa Cargo can connect Zurich to European hubs with onward routing to Lebanon, but this adds complexity. Your cargo agent can advise on the best routing for your specific travel date.