Bringing your dog or cat from United States to Mozambique takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Around 6-10 weeks is typical, with a straightforward sequence to work through. …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United States to Mozambique
typically takes around 6-10 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The United States to Mozambique import process
01
As early in the process as possible; the 30-day window is the legal floor
Microchip confirmed or implanted, rabies vaccination given or booster confirmed at least 30 days before travel
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet
02
Alongside the rabies vaccination appointment
Core vaccinations (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis for dogs; FVRCP and FeLV for cats) confirmed current
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet
03
As early as possible; no published processing time
Apply to DINAV, via an agent or Mozambique's diplomatic mission, for the import permit
Responsible: Owner or agent
04
Within 10 days of travel; allow 3-5 business days for USDA endorsement
USDA APHIS health certificate completed and endorsed
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet, then USDA APHIS State Vet
05
6-8 weeks before travel
Book Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways or TAP Air Portugal through to Maputo
Responsible: Owner or pet relocation agent
06
Day of travel
Travel day: present the USDA-endorsed certificate, DINAV import permit and vaccination record at check-in
Responsible: Owner and airline cargo or check-in staff
07
On landing
DINAV veterinary inspection on arrival at Maputo International Airport
Responsible: DINAV officials
Requirements
Mozambique entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required. 15-digit microchip meeting ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785, matched across the health certificate and the DINAV import permit. Source: PetTravel.com, Mozambique Pet Import Requirements, 2026.
Rabies vaccination
Required, dated at least 30 days before entry. Mozambique doesn't accept multi-year rabies vaccine records for import, so an annual-labelled dose is expected. Dogs also need distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis cover; cats need feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia cover. Source: PetTravel.com, 2026.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Mozambique doesn't ask for a rabies antibody titre test from any origin country, the US included, though a test more than 30 days after vaccination is recommended to avoid a customs query. This is the opposite of the CDC's requirement for a Mozambique-origin dog entering the US, where a titre test or a 28-day quarantine is mandatory.
Quarantine
No quarantine for a pet arriving with compliant paperwork. A non-compliant animal risks quarantine where facilities exist, return to the country of origin, or destruction at the importer's expense.
Import permit
Required for every pet dog and cat, issued by DINAV (Direcção Nacional de Veterinária), the same authority that handles Mozambique's export clearance, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture. No fee schedule or processing time is published, so this is the step to start earliest, ideally through a Mozambique-based agent or Mozambique's diplomatic mission in the US.
Health certificate
The USDA-endorsed health certificate is checked against the DINAV import permit and the microchip number on arrival at Maputo International Airport.
Leaving United States
Export requirements
Export permit
No export permit required from the US side for companion animals.
Health certificate
USDA APHIS Veterinary Health Certificate (VS Form 7001 or equivalent international health certificate) completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA APHIS State Veterinarian. Allow 3-5 business days for endorsement.
Costs
What this route typically costs
USDA APHIS endorsement fee: USD 38 per certificate, plus courier costs if posting documents
Core and rabies vaccination top-ups, if needed: USD 60-150
DINAV import permit application, fee not published: budget USD 50-150 plus agent time to track the response
IATA-compliant travel crate: USD 100-350
Cargo or hold fare, a US gateway to Maputo via Addis Ababa, Doha or Lisbon: USD 1,500-3,500 depending on carrier and crate size
Pet relocation agent for the permit and cargo handling: USD 500-1,200
Total typical range: USD 2,300-5,300
Critical points
There is no titre test required to enter Mozambique from the US. That's the opposite of the CDC's own high-risk pathway for a Mozambique-origin dog entering the US, which does require one, or a 28-day quarantine instead.
The DINAV import permit is compulsory, with no published processing time. Start this application before booking the flight, not after.
Multi-year rabies vaccine products aren't accepted for import into Mozambique. Check the label on your pet's last vaccination; an annual-labelled dose may need administering before travel.
A pet arriving without compliant documentation risks quarantine where facilities exist, return to the US, or destruction at the owner's cost. Confirm every document lines up before the flight is booked.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Ethiopian Airlines
Connects Washington Dulles (IAD) to Addis Ababa on Ethiopian's own long-haul network, then a daily Addis to Maputo sector. Cabin pets to 8kg; larger dogs and cats travel in the hold or, above 45kg with the kennel, through Ethiopian Cargo.
Cabin and Cargo
Qatar Airways
Flies from several US gateways, including New York JFK, to Doha, with a direct onward connection to Maputo. Checked pets up to 75kg combined with container; Doha's Live Animals Centre manages any transit running past 3 hours.
Cabin and Cargo
TAP Air Portugal
Routes JFK to Lisbon, then a daily nonstop of around 11 hours to Maputo. Hold pet limit drops to 32kg specifically on sectors touching the USA, against 45kg on TAP's other routes, so check the crate weight before booking.
Cabin and Cargo
Meeting Mozambique's entry requirements
The path into Mozambique is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Advice worth following
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
Yes. DINAV, Mozambique’s Direcção Nacional de Veterinária, requires an import permit for every pet dog and cat entering the country, separate from the export process it also runs. No fee schedule or processing time is published, so start this application as early as possible.
No. Mozambique doesn’t require a titre test from any country of origin, including the US. This is the reverse of the CDC’s own rules for a Mozambique-origin dog entering the US, which require a titre test or a 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered facility.
At least 30 days before entry into Mozambique, and it has to be recorded on an annual-labelled vaccine product. Multi-year rabies vaccines aren’t accepted for import purposes, so check the label on your pet’s most recent vaccination before booking a flight.
Washington Dulles connects via Ethiopian Airlines through Addis Ababa, several US gateways including JFK connect via Qatar Airways through Doha, and JFK also connects via TAP Air Portugal through Lisbon. Confirm crate weight limits, since TAP’s hold limit drops on sectors touching the US.
A non-compliant pet risks quarantine where facilities exist, return to the US, or, in the worst case, destruction at the owner’s expense. Confirming the DINAV import permit and USDA-endorsed health certificate are both in order before departure avoids this outcome entirely.
Airline guides
Ethiopian Airlines
Qatar Airways
TAP Air Portugal
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.