Pet Transport from Uganda to France

Planning a pet relocation from Uganda to France is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Set aside roughly 20-26 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the sequencing. The guide …

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20-26

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

20-26 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

High

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Uganda to France typically takes around 20-26 weeks.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The Uganda to France import process

First step, before any vaccination. At least 22-28 weeks before intended France arrival date.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785)

Responsible: Your vet in Uganda

After microchipping. Record exact date; the 30-day clock to titre test blood draw starts here.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: MAAIF-authorised veterinarian

At least 30 days after rabies vaccination. Blood sent to an EU-approved laboratory. Result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.

FAVN titre test blood draw at an EU-approved laboratory

Responsible: MAAIF-authorised vet and EU-approved laboratory

Your pet cannot enter France until 90 days after the blood draw date on the titre test certificate. This clock cannot be shortened.

90-day waiting period from blood draw date

Responsible: No action required; mandatory waiting period

Health certificate completed within 10 days of departure. Endorsed by MAAIF. Allow 2-4 weeks for MAAIF processing.

MAAIF export permit and EU-format health certificate

Responsible: MAAIF-authorised vet and MAAIF Uganda

4-6 weeks before travel date, once the 90-day wait will be complete by your intended arrival date.

Book cargo space from Entebbe (EBB)

Responsible: You or your IPATA-registered agent

Day of travel

Travel day: arrive at EBB cargo desk 3-4 hours before departure with all documents

Responsible: You and airline cargo desk

Requirements

France entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before rabies vaccination. If microchipped after vaccination, the vaccination is considered invalid and the sequence must restart.

Rabies vaccination

Required. Administered after microchipping. The vaccination date starts the 30-day clock before blood draw for the FAVN titre test.

Rabies titre test

FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation) titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after a valid rabies vaccination.

Health certificate

EU-format health certificate endorsed by MAAIF. Must be completed within 10 days of travel and meet the requirements of EU Regulation 576/2013 and 2020/692.

Leaving Uganda

Export requirements

Export permit

Export permit required from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), maaif.go.ug.

Health certificate

EU-format health certificate prepared by a MAAIF-authorised veterinarian and endorsed by MAAIF. Must meet the format required under EU Regulation 576/2013 and Implementing Regulation 2020/692.

Costs

What this route typically costs

FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory (laboratory fees plus shipping of blood sample from Uganda)

Airline cargo fees EBB to CDG via BRU, ADD, IST, or other hub

MAAIF export permit and EU-format health certificate endorsement fees

IATA-compliant travel crate

IPATA-registered pet transport agent (strongly recommended for the EU unlisted-country sequence)

Critical points

The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. If your pet was vaccinated before microchipping, the vaccination is considered invalid under EU rules and the entire sequence must restart from microchipping.

The 90-day wait is calculated from the date the blood was drawn for the FAVN test, not from the date the result was received. Missing this calculation by even one day means your pet cannot enter France until the full 90 days have elapsed.

The FAVN test must be done at an EU-approved laboratory. Not every veterinary laboratory is approved. Confirm EU approval status before sending the blood sample.

Uganda is not on the EU list of approved third countries for simplified pet import. The full unlisted-country sequence (microchip, vaccination, FAVN test, 90-day wait, EU health certificate) applies without exception.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Brussels Airlines Cargo	Via Brussels (BRU). EBB to BRU, then BRU to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Brussels Airlines is one of the best-established carriers for East Africa to Europe pet cargo, with regular EBB service and strong Brussels-CDG connections.	Cargo Only
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo	Via Addis Ababa (ADD). EBB to ADD, then ADD to CDG. Ethiopian Airlines operates direct ADD-CDG service, making this a reliable two-leg route for pets from Entebbe.	Cargo Only
Air France Cargo	Via CDG hub connections. Confirm routing options and live animal acceptance on the East Africa leg. Air France Cargo accepts live animals on approved routes; check current embargoes before booking.	Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines Cargo	Via Istanbul (IST). EBB to IST, then IST to CDG. Turkish Cargo operates a growing East Africa network and is a practical alternative when Brussels Airlines or Ethiopian space is unavailable.	Cargo Only

France import rules, explained

France asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.

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 this route

The FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation) test measures rabies antibody levels in your pet’s blood. France, as an EU member, requires it for pets from countries not on the EU’s approved list, including Uganda. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after a valid rabies vaccination, the result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml from an EU-approved laboratory, and your pet must then wait 90 days from the blood draw date before entering France. Source: EU Regulation 576/2013.

Under EU rules, the rabies vaccination is considered invalid if the microchip was not already in place when the vaccination was given. You would need to re-microchip (if the existing chip is non-compliant) or, more commonly, re-vaccinate and restart the sequence from the vaccination step, then wait 30 days before the blood draw, and then restart the 90-day wait.

Count 90 days forward from the date the blood was drawn for the FAVN test. That is the earliest date your pet can enter France. The health certificate must then be completed within 10 days of the travel date, which means timing the veterinary appointment carefully against both the 90-day date and the flight booking.

Yes. EU unlisted-country rules apply to both dogs and cats. Cats from Uganda need the same sequence: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, FAVN test (blood drawn 30 days after vaccination), 90-day wait, and EU health certificate endorsed by MAAIF.

Airline guides

Brussels Airlines Cargo
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo
Air France Cargo
Turkish Airlines Cargo

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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