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Pet Transport USA to Nigeria: Getting to Lagos with Your Dog or Cat

Nigeria's NAQS (Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service) manages live animal imports, and the process for a dog or cat from the USA requires planning ahead. An import permit from …

4-8 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Medium
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must …
Rabies vaccinationRequired. Must be administered at least …
Rabies titre testNot routinely required for personal pets …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for dogs and cats …
Import permitAn import permit from NAQS (Nigeria …
Health certificateOfficial health certificate, …
Related routes
Pet Transport Nigeria to USA→Pet Transport UK to Nigeria→Pet Transport USA to Kenya→
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
Start of planning.
Confirm microchip is in place and ISO-compliant.

Responsible: Your vet

2
Several weeks before travel, to allow boosters if needed.
Ensure all vaccinations are current. Rabies must be at least 30 days old and no more than 12 months old at arrival. Additional vaccinations for dogs and cats must be up to date.

Responsible: Your vet

3
At least 4-6 weeks before travel.
Apply for NAQS import permit through naqs.gov.ng. Allow several weeks for processing.

Responsible: You or your agent

4
Close to travel date, within the validity window required.
Book USDA-accredited vet for the health certificate.

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

5
Immediately after vet appointment.
USDA APHIS endorses the certificate. Allow two to five business days.

Responsible: USDA APHIS

6
Several weeks before travel.
Book cargo space on BA, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, or Ethiopian Airlines to Lagos (LOS).

Responsible: You

7
Travel day.
Travel to Lagos. NAQS inspectors check documentation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on arrival.

Responsible: You and airline

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be recorded on the health certificate. Source: NAQS, naqs.gov.ng.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Must be administered at least 30 days before arrival and not more than 12 months old at time of entry. Source: NAQS, naqs.gov.ng.
Rabies titre test
Not routinely required for personal pets from the USA.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for dogs and cats from the USA with correct documentation. Pets showing signs of illness on arrival may be held for inspection.
Import permit
An import permit from NAQS (Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service) is required before travel. Apply through the NAQS portal at naqs.gov.ng. Allow several weeks for processing. Source: NAQS, naqs.gov.ng.
Health certificate
Official health certificate, USDA-endorsed, covering all required vaccinations and health status. Must confirm the pet is healthy and free of communicable disease.
Export permit
No formal US export permit required. The endorsed health certificate covers departure.
Health certificate
USDA-accredited vet issues the health certificate, endorsed by USDA APHIS. The certificate must confirm microchip, all required vaccinations, freedom from disease, and fitness to travel. Source: USDA APHIS, aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel.
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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

British Airways
British Airways operates from multiple US cities to Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) via London Heathrow (LHR). BA Cargo accepts pets. The LHR-LOS route is well-established for cargo. Confirm pet cargo availability on both legs.
Cargo Only
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic operates from New York (JFK) to Lagos (LOS) via London Heathrow (LHR). Virgin Cargo accepts pets on some routes. Confirm availability for the complete LHR-LOS leg.
Cargo Only
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Via Amsterdam (AMS) to Lagos. KLM Cargo has a strong Africa network. Good transatlantic coverage from multiple US gateways.
Cargo Only
Ethiopian Airlines
Via Addis Ababa (ADD) to Lagos. Ethiopian Airlines has extensive West Africa coverage and accepts pet cargo. Useful routing from many US cities.
Cargo Only
Delta Air Lines
Delta Cargo via European or West African hub connections to Lagos. Confirm the complete routing accepts pet cargo before booking.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

USDA-accredited vet examination, vaccinations, and health certificate: USD 250 to USD 500
USDA APHIS endorsement: USD 38
NAQS import permit: varies, typically a low fee
International pet cargo (USA to Lagos): USD 900 to USD 2,500
IATA-compliant crate: USD 80 to USD 350 if needed
Total typical range: USD 1,270 to USD 3,400

Critical points

The NAQS import permit is mandatory and must be obtained before your pet travels. Do not attempt to bring a pet into Nigeria without it.

Lagos (Murtala Muhammed International Airport, LOS) is the main international cargo hub. Abuja (ABV) may also receive pet cargo on some routes. Confirm your specific arrival airport with the airline.

Lagos heat can be intense. Confirm brachycephalic breed eligibility with your airline before booking, as flat-faced breeds may face restrictions on the final leg into Lagos.

The vaccination list for dogs is extensive: distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and rabies. Missing any of these from the health certificate can cause issues at the NAQS inspection.

Getting the NAQS permit and preparing documents

The NAQS import permit is the first thing to sort. Apply through the NAQS portal at naqs.gov.ng or through a Nigerian embassy. Processing times vary, and delays are possible, so starting this four to six weeks before your planned travel date is sensible.

Once you have the permit, your USDA-accredited vet can complete the health certificate covering all required vaccinations and health status. The certificate is endorsed by USDA APHIS and must confirm freedom from contagious disease and fitness to travel. All vaccinations must be current on the day of examination: check expiry dates for each one, not just rabies.

A pet transport agent who knows the NAQS process is worth considering for this route. Nigeria’s import requirements are detailed, and the consequences of a missing vaccination record or incorrectly formatted document can mean the animal is held at Lagos airport pending resolution.

Flying to Lagos and the NAQS inspection

Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) is Nigeria’s main international hub. British Airways via London Heathrow, Virgin Atlantic via Heathrow, and KLM via Amsterdam are the most commonly used routings for the USA-Nigeria pet cargo route. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is a solid option for a wider range of US departure cities.

On arrival at LOS, NAQS inspectors review the import permit, health certificate, microchip, and vaccination records. A visual health check is conducted. Pets arriving with correct documentation are not placed in quarantine. If any vaccination is missing from the record or the import permit is not in order, the animal may be held at the NAQS facility until the issue is resolved.

Lagos is a hot city. Average temperatures are 25 to 32 degrees Celsius year-round. Airline heat embargoes for brachycephalic breeds apply on the final Lagos leg during the hottest months. Confirm eligibility with your carrier before booking.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. An import permit from Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) is required before your pet can enter Nigeria. Apply through the NAQS portal at naqs.gov.ng. Allow several weeks for processing. Travelling without a NAQS permit will likely result in your pet being detained at the airport.
Dogs entering Nigeria from the USA need: rabies (at least 30 days before travel, no more than 12 months old), distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. All must be current at the time of travel and recorded on the USDA-endorsed health certificate. Source: NAQS, naqs.gov.ng.
No titre test is routinely required for cats from the USA entering Nigeria. Cats need rabies vaccination (current), feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and feline leukaemia vaccinations, plus a USDA-endorsed health certificate and NAQS import permit.
No routine quarantine applies to dogs and cats from the USA with correct documentation. NAQS conducts a document and health inspection on arrival at Lagos airport. Pets that appear healthy and have complete, correct paperwork are released. Pets with missing documentation or signs of illness may be held at the NAQS facility.
British Airways (via London Heathrow), Virgin Atlantic (via Heathrow), KLM (via Amsterdam), and Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa) are the main carriers. Delta also has cargo connections via West African hubs. All operate pets as manifested cargo only. Confirm pet cargo acceptance on both legs of the routing before booking.
Expect to pay USD 250 to USD 500 for vet fees and vaccinations, USD 38 for USDA APHIS endorsement, and USD 900 to USD 2,500 for cargo depending on dog size and routing. Add a crate if needed. Total for a medium dog is typically USD 1,200 to USD 3,100.
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