Pet Transport from Tunisia to the United Arab Emirates
Bringing your dog or cat from Tunisia to United Arab Emirates takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Around 8-10 weeks is typical, with a straightforward …
Rabies titre testRequired. Tunisia is not on MOCCAE's …
QuarantineNone for a pet arriving with complete, …
Import permitMOCCAE import permit, applied for …
Health certificateOfficial veterinary health certificate, …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Tunisia to United Arab Emirates
typically takes around 8-10 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 import process, in full
1
Start of planning.
Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip, then administer the rabies vaccination (minimum age 12 weeks for a first dose).
Responsible: Vet in Tunisia
2
3-5 weeks before travel, allowing for lab turnaround.
Draw blood for the FAVN titre test at least 21 days after vaccination, send to an accredited laboratory.
Responsible: Vet and laboratory
3
As early as possible.
Confirm the dog's breed or type against MOCCAE's Pit Bull, Tosa and mastiff-type restrictions before booking anything further.
Responsible: Owner
4
3-4 weeks before travel.
Once travel dates are fixed, apply for the MOCCAE import permit online (AED 200, valid 30 days).
Responsible: Owner or agent
5
3-4 weeks before travel.
Book manifest cargo space with Tunisair Cargo or Emirates SkyCargo for the TUN-DXB leg.
Responsible: Owner or a pet transport agent
6
Final two weeks.
Administer antiparasitic treatment within the 14 days before travel.
Responsible: Vet in Tunisia
7
2-3 working days before travel.
Apply for DGSV endorsement of the Tunisian export certificate, reformatted to MOCCAE's model.
Responsible: Owner and DGSV-registered vet
8
Day of departure.
Present the titre report, MOCCAE import permit and DGSV-endorsed certificate together at the cargo desk.
Responsible: Owner and cargo agent
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
ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination. Source: MOCCAE, moccae.gov.ae.
Rabies vaccination
Minimum age 12 weeks at first vaccination, given at least 21 days before travel. A current booster does not reset this wait; the titre test can be drawn straight away.
Rabies titre test
Required. Tunisia is not on MOCCAE's list of roughly 50 low-risk countries (which includes the UK, most of the EU, Japan and Australia), so the FAVN rabies antibody test applies: result at least 0.5 IU/ml, sample taken within 12 months of travel and at least 21 days after a first vaccination. Source: MOCCAE, moccae.gov.ae.
Quarantine
None for a pet arriving with complete, correct paperwork. A pet without a valid titre result is held and tested at the owner's expense on arrival.
Import permit
MOCCAE import permit, applied for online, AED 200, valid 30 days from issue. Apply once the flight is confirmed, not before.
Health certificate
Official veterinary health certificate, examined and endorsed close to departure, plus antiparasitic treatment for internal and external parasites within 14 days of travel. Dogs also need distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis and leptospirosis cover; cats need panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus cover.
Export permit
No general export permit for an accompanied personal pet. An export health certificate, endorsed by DGSV, is the working document.
Veterinary inspection
Physical exam by a Tunisian veterinarian close to the travel date, checking the microchip reads correctly and the rabies vaccination and titre paperwork match.
Government endorsement
DGSV endorsement of the certificate, allow 2-3 working days.
Health certificate
Certificate issued by a Tunisian veterinarian and endorsed by the DGSV (Direction Generale des Services Veterinaires, under the Ministere de l'Agriculture). Reformatted where needed to match MOCCAE's model certificate for imports into the UAE.
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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.
Tunisair
Operates the only nonstop passenger service on this route, Tunis-Carthage (TUN) to Dubai (DXB), around 13 flights a week at roughly 6 hours' flying time. A pet cannot travel as cabin or checked baggage on the Dubai leg regardless of Tunisair's usual policy elsewhere, since MOCCAE mandates manifest cargo for every animal entering the UAE. Pit Bull, Rottweiler and Tosa Inu type dogs are not accepted in any class.
Cargo Only
Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates also flies TUN-DXB direct, and its cargo arm has one of the stronger live-animal handling setups at Dubai, useful if a Tunisair cargo slot is full on the intended date.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways Cargo
An indirect alternative via Doha into Dubai or Abu Dhabi, worth pricing when neither direct carrier has space in a tight travel window.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
DGSV export health certificate and endorsement: TND 100-250 (approximately AED 120-300)
FAVN rabies titre test, drawn in Tunisia and sent to an accredited laboratory: approximately AED 550-1,100
MOCCAE import permit: AED 200, valid 30 days from issue
Antiparasitic treatment before travel: AED 100-250
IATA-compliant travel crate: AED 350-1,100
Manifest cargo, Tunis to Dubai direct: AED 3,000-7,000 depending on crate size and season
Agent and cargo clearance fees: AED 800-1,600
Total typical range: AED 5,500-11,500 over 8-10 weeks
Critical points
Every pet entering the UAE travels as manifest cargo, never as cabin or checked baggage, even on a Tunisair flight that would normally carry a small pet in the cabin. Booking through the passenger side of the airline gets a pet nowhere on this route.
MOCCAE identifies banned breeds by appearance, not paperwork. A dog that looks like a Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa or a mastiff type can be refused entry at Dubai regardless of what the certificate says its breed is.
A titre result under 0.5 IU/ml means revaccination and a fresh wait before the blood can be redrawn. Confirm the result before booking cargo space, not after.
Meeting United Arab Emirates's entry requirements
Getting a pet into United Arab Emirates is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.
Advice worth following
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.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes. Tunisair and Emirates both fly Tunis-Carthage to Dubai nonstop, around 13 flights a week between them, roughly six hours’ flying time. This is one of the few routes on this site with a genuine direct option.
Yes. Tunisia is not on MOCCAE’s list of roughly 50 low-risk countries, so the FAVN titre test is required: blood drawn at least 21 days after vaccination, result at least 0.5 IU/ml, sample no more than 12 months old on arrival.
No. MOCCAE requires every pet entering the UAE to travel as manifest cargo, never as cabin or checked baggage, regardless of the airline’s usual pet policy. This applies even though Tunisair carries small pets in the cabin on some of its other routes.
Yes. Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa and several mastiff-type breeds are refused entry. MOCCAE identifies banned breeds by physical appearance rather than paperwork, so a dog resembling a banned type can be refused regardless of what the certificate states.
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