Pet Transport from the United Kingdom to Madagascar

Planning a pet relocation from United Kingdom to Madagascar is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Allow around 12-16 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay on track. Compliant …

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12-16

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Moderate

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

12-16 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Moderate

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Madagascar typically takes around 12-16 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.

Regulations checked July 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The United Kingdom to Madagascar import process

12-14 weeks before travel; the letter-based process can take several weeks and has no fixed turnaround.

Send the import permit letter of request to Madagascar's Direction des Services Veterinaires

Responsible: You or your agent, via DSV

Before the rabies vaccination.

Microchip implanted (ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit)

Responsible: UK vet

At least 30 days before travel; runs in parallel with the DSV letter.

Rabies vaccination given, or a current booster confirmed

Responsible: UK vet

Ideally more than 7 working days before the intended certification date.

APHA Official Veterinarian booked and export application (EXA) submitted

Responsible: Owner, with the nominated OV

Within the certificate's 10-day validity window before travel.

Export Health Certificate examination and issue

Responsible: APHA-authorised OV

Once the DSV permit, certificate date and flight are all aligned.

Cargo or cabin booking confirmed via Air France (Paris), Kenya Airways (Nairobi), Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) or Turkish Airlines (Istanbul/Mauritius)

Responsible: You or a pet transport agent

Day of travel.

Pet delivered to the departure terminal ahead of the flight

Responsible: Owner or agent

On landing.

Arrival inspection at Ivato International Airport, Antananarivo; documents checked and the 30,000 Ariary Livestock Fund fee paid

Responsible: DSV veterinary officials

Requirements

Madagascar entry requirements

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

Microchip

A 15-digit ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip is required, and it has to be in place before the rabies vaccination is given for the vaccination to count. Source: Madagascar import requirements, PetTravel.com and US Embassy Antananarivo guidance, 2026.

Rabies vaccination

Required, given between 30 days and 12 months before arrival in Madagascar. Dogs also need core vaccinations against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus. Source: PetTravel.com Madagascar import requirements, 2026.

Rabies titre test

Not required for entry to Madagascar from any country, the UK included. This holds regardless of Madagascar's own reputation as a rabies-affected country; the requirement is about the vaccination record, not a blood result. That's the reverse of the position facing a Madagascar-origin pet entering GB, which does need a titre test and a fixed three-month wait because Madagascar sits outside GB's approved country tables. Source: PetTravel.com Madagascar import requirements, 2026.

Quarantine

No quarantine for a pet arriving with compliant paperwork. Non-compliant arrivals face quarantine where a facility exists, return to the country of origin, or, in the worst case, euthanasia, all at the owner's expense.

Import permit

A letter of request addressed to the Directeur des Services Veterinaires (DSV), stating the owner's name and address, the animal's name, breed, age and sex, a copy of the vaccination record, the country of origin, arrival date, transport mode and airport of disembarkation. Processing can take several weeks, so apply well ahead of travel. Source: PetTravel.com Madagascar import requirements, 2026.

Health certificate

The UK-issued APHA Export Health Certificate is presented on arrival, alongside a fee of 30,000 Ariary per pet (roughly GBP 5-6 at 2026 exchange rates), payable at the Livestock Fund (Fonds de l'Elevage) at Ivato International Airport, Antananarivo. Source: PetTravel.com Madagascar import requirements and Embassy guidance, 2026.

Leaving United Kingdom

Export requirements

Export permit

An export application (EXA) is submitted to APHA alongside the certificate request; there is no separate standalone export permit for a companion pet.

Veterinary inspection

Clinical examination by an APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian (OV), confirming the pet is fit to travel and meets Madagascar's stated health conditions.

Government endorsement

Only an APHA-authorised OV can issue and sign the Export Health Certificate (EHC). Applications submitted more than 7 working days ahead are processed 7 working days before the certification date. Source: GOV.UK, 'Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Getting an animal health certificate,' 2026.

Health certificate

Bilingual Export Health Certificate confirming microchip, rabies vaccination and general health, valid for a limited window around the travel date, typically 10 days.

Costs

What this route typically costs

APHA Official Veterinarian consultation and Export Health Certificate: GBP 200-400

Microchip and rabies vaccination, if not already current: GBP 40-90

DSV import permit letter process: no fixed fee published; confirm directly with DSV

Livestock Fund arrival fee: 30,000 Ariary per pet (roughly GBP 5-6), paid at Ivato on arrival

IATA-compliant travel crate: GBP 70-250

Cargo freight, Heathrow to Antananarivo via Paris, Nairobi, Addis Ababa or Istanbul: GBP 1,600-3,400

IPATA-registered pet transport agent fee: GBP 400-1,000

Total typical range: GBP 2,300-5,100

Critical points

Madagascar's import permit is a letter addressed to the Direction des Services Veterinaires, not an online application form. Confirm the current submission address well before relying on it, and apply at least 12-14 weeks out given the lack of a published turnaround.

No airline flies Heathrow to Antananarivo direct. Air France via Paris, Kenya Airways via Nairobi, Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Mauritius are the realistic options, and each involves a carrier or terminal change.

Madagascar's own flag carrier has had a disrupted international schedule in recent years and has focused on domestic flying. Don't assume it covers a UK connection without checking its current route map directly.

A small arrival fee (30,000 Ariary per pet, paid at Ivato's Livestock Fund counter) is separate from anything paid in the UK before departure. Carry cash in Ariary or confirm accepted payment methods with your agent in advance.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Air France	Connects via Paris Charles de Gaulle to its several-times-weekly Paris to Antananarivo service, one of the few European links into Madagascar. Small pets under 8kg including carrier can travel in the cabin on the Paris-Antananarivo sector; larger pets go via Air France Cargo.	Cabin and Cargo
Kenya Airways	Flies Heathrow to Nairobi, connecting to Kenya Airways' near-daily Nairobi to Antananarivo service.	Cargo Only
Ethiopian Airlines	Covers Heathrow to Addis Ababa, with a several-times-weekly Addis Ababa to Antananarivo service from there.	Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines	Routes via Istanbul with a scheduled stop in Mauritius before reaching Antananarivo. The longest of the realistic options here, but a workable third choice if Air France or the two African-hub carriers don't line up with travel dates.	Cargo Only

How Madagascar handles incoming pets

Madagascar 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

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.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. Madagascar does not require a rabies antibody titre test from a pet arriving from any country, including the UK, despite its reputation as a rabies-affected island nation. A current vaccination given between 30 days and 12 months before arrival is what’s checked.

It’s a letter, not a form. The letter of request goes to the Direction des Services Veterinaires (DSV) in Antananarivo and needs to include the owner’s and animal’s details, a copy of the vaccination record, and the arrival flight details. Processing can take several weeks.

Yes, a small one. 30,000 Ariary per pet (roughly GBP 5-6 at 2026 exchange rates) is payable at the Livestock Fund counter at Ivato International Airport on arrival, separate from any UK-side vet or certificate fees.

No. Air France via Paris, Kenya Airways via Nairobi, Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Mauritius are the realistic options. Air France will carry a small pet in the cabin on the Paris-Antananarivo sector.

Budget twelve to sixteen weeks from a standing start. The DSV import permit letter, which has no published turnaround, is the main factor, not the vaccination or export certificate steps.

Airline guides

Air France
Kenya Airways
Ethiopian Airlines
Turkish Airlines

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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