Pet Transport from United Arab Emirates to Zimbabwe

A move from United Arab Emirates to Zimbabwe with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Budget around 26-32 weeks and start early, because the mandatory waits on …

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26-32

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

14 days

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

26-32 weeks

Quarantine

14 days

Route complexity

Very High

Airlines

7 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from United Arab Emirates to Zimbabwe typically takes around 26-32 weeks. Expect 14 days of quarantine on arrival. A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.

Regulations verified July 2026

Written and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Step by step

The United Arab Emirates to Zimbabwe import process

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks

Apply for import permit from Zimbabwe

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Immediately on arrival (mandatory)

Quarantine on arrival (7-14 days days)

Responsible: Zimbabwe quarantine authority

Requirements

Zimbabwe entry requirements

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

Microchip

Required (ISO 11784/11785)

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel

Rabies titre test

Required for: Most countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml

Quarantine

Mandatory quarantine. 7-14 days days. Government quarantine facility, Harare.

Import permit

Required. Issued by: Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services

Health certificate

Required. Issued by: Official veterinarian, endorsed by national authority

Leaving United Arab Emirates

Export requirements

Export permit

Contact municipality for specific export clearance process

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Import permit application fee (Zimbabwe)

Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Emirates	Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round	Cabin and Cargo
British Airways	Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.	Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons	Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific	Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met	Cargo Only
Air France	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes	Cabin and Cargo
KLM	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo	Cabin and Cargo

Meeting Zimbabwe's entry requirements

Entry to Zimbabwe is tightly controlled, and officials verify each requirement in turn. Treat it as a sequence where every step gates the next.

Advice worth following

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

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.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

Yes, quarantine is mandatory in Zimbabwe. Your pet will stay for 7-14 days days at a government-run facility on arrival. This is non-negotiable and the cost is paid by the owner.

Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Zimbabwe. Start this process as early as possible.

Yes, an import permit is required from Zimbabwe’s authority (Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in United Arab Emirates. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Zimbabwe’s authority for the exact format required.

Airline guides

Emirates
Lufthansa
British Airways
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air France
KLM

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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