Pet Transport USA to Egypt: The 2026 GOVS Process

Cairo’s summer is intense. Temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees Celsius from June through September, and tarmac temperatures at Cairo International Airport can be significantly hotter. Most airlines apply heat embargoes on pet cargo during these months, either restricting certain breeds entirely or refusing cargo shipments when ambient temperatures breach thresholds.

For brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs), cargo restrictions during Cairo summers are almost total. For other breeds, embargoes depend on the specific airline and conditions on the day. Booking a summer move to Egypt involves either accepting the restriction risk or planning for a different travel window.

The practical advice for most US-to-Egypt pet moves is to aim for travel between October and May. Cairo winters are mild, with temperatures in the mid-teens to low 20s Celsius. Heat restrictions are rarely an issue in this period, and cargo space is more readily available.

GOVS manages live animal imports into Egypt. Before your pet travels, you need an import permit from GOVS. This can be obtained through the Egyptian embassy in Washington or through GOVS directly. A pet transport agent with Egypt experience can manage this process on your behalf, which reduces the risk of a formatting error or missing field delaying the permit.

On arrival at Cairo International Airport (CAI), GOVS inspectors check the health certificate, import permit, microchip, and vaccination records. For pets with complete documentation, the inspection is typically a document review and brief visual health assessment. Pets are not routinely taken to quarantine.

EgyptAir is the most direct carrier from JFK to Cairo. Lufthansa via Frankfurt is the practical option for most other US cities. Emirates via Dubai is another viable routing but the Gulf summer heat between June and September adds a second heat restriction risk on the Dubai leg.