Pet Transport from United States to Senegal

Planning a pet relocation from United States to Senegal is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. This is a middle of the road route, and about 6-9 weeks of preparation usually covers …

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6-9

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Moderate

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

6-9 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 States to Senegal typically takes around 6-9 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 States to Senegal import process

Before, or alongside, the rabies vaccination

ISO microchip implanted

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

21+ days before travel

Rabies vaccination given, at least 21 days before travel if this is the primary dose

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

Shortly before travel

Parasite treatment for internal (including Echinococcus multilocularis) and external parasites

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

A few weeks before travel, not too far in advance

Email Senegal's DSV directly to apply for the Import Authorisation, timed so its 3-month validity covers the actual travel date

Responsible: Owner or agent

Within 21 days of travel

APHIS Form 7001 completed by a USDA-accredited vet, national accreditation number noted on the form

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

As early as the Import Authorisation timeline allows

Cargo or cabin booking confirmed with Air France, Turkish Airlines or Brussels Airlines (not Delta, unless travelling under military or State Department orders)

Responsible: Owner or agent

On landing

Arrival at Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS); Import Authorisation, health certificate and vaccination record checked against the animal

Responsible: DSV officials

Requirements

Senegal 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 microchip, recorded as part of the pet's import documentation set alongside the vaccination and health certificate.

Rabies vaccination

Required. For a primary vaccination, given not less than 21 days before travel. Additional core vaccines (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus for dogs; feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukaemia for cats) are also expected.

Rabies titre test

Not required. A pet arriving from the United States does not need a rabies antibody titre test to enter Senegal.

Quarantine

No routine quarantine is imposed. Officials can hold an animal, however, if its documentation is incomplete or doesn't match what's presented at the airport.

Import permit

A separate Import Authorisation is required from Senegal's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DSV), part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock. Applied for directly by email to the DSV, rather than through an online portal, and valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Source: USDA APHIS country page, checked July 2026.

Health certificate

USDA APHIS Form 7001, alongside a separate rabies vaccination certificate. Senegal expects both documents, not one combined paper.

Leaving United States

Export requirements

Export permit

No export permit required from the US side for companion animals. The entry permit is issued by Senegal, not the US (see destination requirements).

Health certificate

APHIS Form 7001 (Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals), completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and issued within 21 days of travel. If the vet's national accreditation number is noted on the form, Senegal does not require a separate USDA APHIS federal endorsement, unlike destinations that mandate the standard 3-5 business day endorsement wait. Source: USDA APHIS, checked July 2026.

Costs

What this route typically costs

USDA-accredited vet exam and APHIS Form 7001: USD 100-250

Parasite treatment: USD 20-50

Senegal DSV Import Authorisation: fee not published on the DSV's own channels; budget for agent or vet time to prepare the email application rather than a fixed government charge, and confirm the current position directly before applying

IATA-compliant travel crate: USD 80-300

Cargo agent fee for the export booking: USD 400-900

Air cargo a US gateway to Dakar via Paris, Istanbul or Brussels: USD 1,200-2,800 depending on crate size and season

Total typical range: USD 1,900-4,500

Critical points

Delta's direct JFK-Dakar flight exists, but its cargo pet booking is restricted to active US military and State Department personnel under PCS orders. Don't plan around Delta unless that applies to you; book Air France, Turkish Airlines or Brussels Airlines instead.

Senegal's Import Authorisation is applied for by direct email to the DSV, not through an online government portal, and it's only valid for 3 months from issue. Time the application against a confirmed flight date.

Skipping the USDA federal endorsement step is a genuine advantage of this route, but only if your vet's national accreditation number is correctly noted on the APHIS Form 7001. Missing that detail means falling back to the standard endorsement process and its added wait.

Dakar's commercial airport changed in December 2017. Confirm your booking and any ground arrangements reference Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), not the older Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport, which now handles mostly cargo, charter and military traffic.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Delta Air Lines	Operates the only direct New York JFK-Dakar service (flights DL216/DL217, a Boeing 767, a few times a week). Its general cargo pet programme is currently restricted to active US military and State Department personnel with PCS orders, so most owners cannot book a pet on this direct flight in either direction.	None
Air France	Routes via Paris CDG, with around 14 weekly Paris-Dakar flights. Small pets in cabin; larger animals via Air France Cargo, an established live animal carrier open to the general public.	Cabin and Cargo
Turkish Airlines	Routes via Istanbul, with onward service to Dakar through the airline's dedicated live animal facility.	Cargo Only
Brussels Airlines	Routes via Brussels, capped at 4 pets per Brussels-Dakar flight.	Cabin and Cargo

The rules for bringing a pet into Senegal

Senegal has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.

How to keep this move on track

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.

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Not necessarily. If APHIS Form 7001 is signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and their national accreditation number is noted on the form, Senegal does not require a separate USDA APHIS federal endorsement. This is unusual: many destinations mandate that step, which typically adds 3 to 5 business days. Source: USDA APHIS, checked July 2026.

By emailing Senegal’s Directorate of Veterinary Services (DSV) directly with the pet, owner and travel details, rather than through an online portal. The resulting Import Authorisation is valid for 3 months from issue, so time the application against a confirmed flight date.

Only if you’re active US military or State Department personnel travelling under PCS orders. Delta’s general cargo pet service on this route isn’t currently open to the public, despite the flight itself running several times a week. Book Air France, Turkish Airlines or Brussels Airlines instead.

No. Senegal does not require a rabies antibody titre test from a pet arriving with a current rabies vaccination, given at least 21 days before travel for a primary dose, and the required USDA and DSV paperwork.

Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), which replaced the older Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport for scheduled commercial flights in December 2017. Confirm any cargo or ground handling booking references DSS specifically.

Airline guides

Delta Air Lines
Air France
Turkish Airlines
Brussels Airlines

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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Pet Transport from United States to Senegal

The United States to Senegal import process

Senegal entry requirements

Export requirements

What this route typically costs

Critical points

Approved carriers on this route

The rules for bringing a pet into Senegal

How to keep this move on track

Common questions about this route

Airline guides

Breed guides

Move your petto Senegal.

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