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PET IMPORT AND QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS
Verify the information provided here with the current Welcome Cable from post. These cables are located in the Country Briefing Boxes at the Overseas Briefing Center. For more information contact the The Overseas Briefing Center In all cases, notify your post of assignment (GSO) well in advance that you intend to bring a pet to post.
COUNTRY |
IMPORT RESTRICTIONS |
QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS |
| Albania | No, but difficult to obtain pet care. |
No |
| Algeria | No, but pets not recommended. See Post Report and Welcome Cable. | No |
| Angola | No, but pets not recommended. See Post Report. | No |
| Argentina | No, but vet exam req'd at airport, at cost of $20.50. See OBC post briefing box: info varies with consulates. | No |
| Armenia | No. See post box for additional info. | No |
| Australia | Yes, see Post Report & Welcome Cable for more information |
Yes, can be lengthy & costly; minimum 1 month |
| Austria | Yes, see Post Report | No |
| Azerbaijan | No, but check Briefing Box for details |
No |
| The Bahamas | Yes, dogs under 6 mos. not permitted to enter. Heartworm endemic. | No |
| Bahrain | No, but notify post early | Yes, for up to 30 days |
| Bangladesh | No, if shipped as cargo | No |
| Barbados | Yes |
Yes, up to 6 months. Check w/Barbados or UK Embassy |
| Belarus | No |
No |
| Belgium | No, but regulations constantly change (contact JAS/GSO/CS&T) Note: Individuals are encouraged to buy separate civil liability insurance for their pets | No |
| Belize | No, but an import permit is required. Heartworm is serious problem. | No |
| Benin | No |
No |
| Bermuda | No, but an import permit is required. See Briefing Box for details. | No |
| Bolivia | No, however health certificate must be stamped at Bolivian Consulate. ($50) | No |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina | No, but hotels generally do not accept pets | No |
| Botswana | Entry permit needed. If transiting S.A. will also need special permit. See Briefing Box. | No, but if transiting S.A., need special permit |
| Brazil | No - but see Welcome Cable. A health certificate notarized by Brazilian Embassy required. Check with GSO. | No |
| Brunei | No - but import permit required. See Briefing Box | Yes, up to 6 mos. for most pets. See box. May be able to have house quarantine. |
| Bulgaria | No - but no kennels or pet food available. | No |
| Burkina Faso | No |
No |
| Burma | No |
No; consult re: transiting countries |
| Burundi | No - but vet service undependable. Check Post Report. | No |
| Cambodia | No - but rabies endemic. Notify post early. | No |
| Cameroon | No |
No |
| Canada | No |
No, unless arriving from outside the U.S. without a health certificate |
| Cape Verde | No |
No |
| Central African Rep | Pets must be shipped as excess baggage | No |
| Chad | Check w/GSO re: airlines to Chad | No |
| Chile | No, but you need an exportation certificate from the Animal Health Dept. of the country of origin | Yes, home quarantine up to 30 days |
| China | Yes, many restrictions. Dogs not recommended in Beijing. Post will provide limited assistance to new arrivals. Important to contact GSO and/or CLO. The USDA/APHIS Form 7001 should be certified for cats and dogs. No birds or any other animals allowed. Contact specific posts for detailed information, as regulations change frequently. | Yes, animals may have up to 30 days in-house quarantine. |
| Colombia | No, but not recommended until housing has been assigned. Increasingly difficult to locate suitable apartments. | No |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of the | No |
No |
| Congo, Rep of | No |
No |
| Costa Rica | If access to Costa Rican Emb., pet document should be notarized by CR consul. Otherwise, contact GSO early for special arrangements. | No |
| Cote D'Ivoire | No, but inconvenient if living in apt. If pets under 6 mos., must pay a duty. | No |
| Croatia | No, but most hotels & temp. quarters do not allow pets. Austrian Air will not ship in summer. | No |
| Cuba | No. Please notify post early. | No |
| Cyprus | No, but see Welcome Cable re: import license. | Yes, 6 mos home quarantine usually possible. (Cost 120 CP dogs, 90 CP cats) |
| Czech Republic | No. Please notify post early. | No |
| Denmark | No, see Welcome Cable | No |
| Djibouti | No |
No |
| Dominican Republic | No. Notify GSO at least 1 month early. Not all apartments allow pets. | No, unless all accompanying papers are not in order. |
| Ecuador | No, but see latest Welcome Cable and notify post early. Only 1 hotel allows them: you may want to board your pet initially to allow more flexibility in your temporary housing. | No |
| Egypt | No, but see the Briefing Box for details. Notify post early about travel plans. | No |
| El Salvador | No, but import permit required. See Welcome Cable for details. | No |
| Eritrea | No, but tick and intestinal problems | No |
| Estonia | No |
No |
| Ethiopia | No, but tick fever, rabies, parasites common. Allow GSO at least 1 week for importation approval. | No, provided that all certificates are in order. |
| Fiji | Yes: check Post Report or GSO for details. | Yes, 6 mos. in London plus 3 mos. in Fiji |
| Finland | No, but strict leash laws. Advise post early. | No |
| France | Animals must be not less than 3 months old. No more than 3 animals, only 1 of which may be a puppy or kitten. | No |
| Gabon | No: please notify post early | No |
| The Gambia | No |
No |
| Georgia | No |
No |
| Germany | No, but if in temporary quarters in Frankfurt, cost is $5 a day w/pet; max $250. Pet liability insurance recommended. Check each post's Welcome Cable for specifics; requirements vary at consulates. IMPORTANT: Check Briefing Box for a July 20, 2000 Frankfurt Staff Announcement discussing 16 breeds which are now considered dangerous; these dogs must be registered and will be marked sterilized, character tested and documented. | No |
| Ghana | No, except parrots not allowed. | No |
| Greece | No, but large dogs discouraged. | No |
| Guatemala | No, but import license needed. See Welcome Cable. | No |
| Guinea | No |
No |
| Guinea-Bissau | No |
No |
| Guyana | No, but entry permit required. | Yes, 90 days; see Welcome Cable |
| Haiti | No, but must notify GSO early. | No |
| The Holy See | No, but all dogs on streets must be muzzled and leashed. | No |
| Honduras | Yes; contact post GSO early. All health certificates must be authenticated by Honduran Embassy. | Yes, 40-day in-house quarantine. |
| Hong Kong | Yes; animals must be at least 5 months old. Difficult for large dogs. Housing may be difficult, as many landlords do not want pets. Very few places to walk dogs. | Yes, unless coming from certain countries directly. See new quarantine rules in HK Briefing Box in OBC. |
| Hungary | No |
No |
| Iceland | Yes |
Yes, at least 4 months |
| India | No |
No |
| Indonesia | No, but need to read Welcome Cable. Most efficient to bring pets as excess baggage. | No, but be careful of plane routing. See Welcome Cable. |
| Ireland | Importation of certain birds prohibited. Contact post before bringing any pets. | Yes, most pets for 6 months, at owner's expense. |
| Israel | No, if accompanying baggage. Consult GSO early for directions. | No |
| Italy | No, but various documents are required. Strict leash laws. See Welcome Cable. | No |
| Jamaica | Yes, only pets born and bred in UK may be brought into Jamaica. | No |
| Japan | No, but for those studying Japanese at FSI Tokyo, the apts where you will live require a $1200 - 1500 deposit for EACH pet. | Yes, 2-6 wk. min. for dogs and cats at a cost of Y2000-2500/day. See Briefing Box for all details. |
| Jordan | No, notify GSO early. | No |
| Kazakhstan | No, most apts. have sufficient space for small animals. See Briefing Box. | No |
| Kenya | No, but import permit req'd. Many cluster housing units do not allow pets. Please advise post if you intend to bring one. | No |
| Korea | No |
No, quarantine has been lifted, but there are still special instructions. See post memo in Briefing Box. |
| Kuwait | No, but intense summer heat and small yard space. | No |
| Kyrgyzstan | No, but see post report on vaccines. | No |
| Laos | No, but advise post well in advance. | No |
| Lativia | No restrictions, but check Post Report for info regarding Health Certificates. | No |
| Lebanon | Dogs not allowed. Limited number of indoor cats, birds and fish allowed. | No |
| Lesotho | Yes. Make preparations well in advance. If transiting SA, a Transit & Import Permit required. See South Africa box. | No |
| Liberia | No, but vet certificate requires authentication and approval with Liberian seal. Check briefing box for full details. Possibly no vet services. Bring all pet food. | No |
| Lithuania | No |
No |
| Luxembourg | No |
No |
| Macedonia, The Former Yugoslavia Republic of | No, but some landlords have "no pet" policy. Inform GSO early. | No |
| Madagascar | No |
No |
| Malawi | No, but check Welcome Cable for info that must be sent ahead to GSO. | No |
| Malaysia | One month before entry must let post know of pet arrival in order to make reservations at quarantine facility. | Yes, 30 days. (See Welcome Cable for exceptions.) |
| Mali | No, but notify post early. |
No |
| Malta | Yes - See Welcome Cable. | Yes, varies from 30 days to 6 months depending upon dog's country of origin. See Welcome Cable. |
| Marshall Islands | No, but all animals must be air freighted directly. Marshall Islands has no kennels or vets. | Yes, in Hawaii through Honolulu where they will be quarantined as MI has no kennels or vets. |
| Mauritania | No, but rabies is prevalent | No |
| Mauritius | No, but special permit required and other special instructions | Yes, 6 months |
| Mexico | No, but few apts. allow pets. Contact embassy before shipping. If flying to Monterrey, pet needs to be on same flight. Review each specific Welcome Cable; information varies by consulate. | No |
| Micronesia | Yes, some (See Post Report) | Yes, see Post Report |
| Moldova | No, but an entrance fee may be charged. See briefing box. | No |
| Mongolia | No; notify GSO early for details | No |
| Morocco | No |
No |
| Mozambique | No, but if transiting South Africa, a Transit and Import Permit required. See South Africa box. | No |
| Namibia | No, but special form from GSO must be obtained. Contact GSO at least 10 weeks in advance of arrival. | No |
| Nepal | No |
No |
| Netherlands | No |
No |
| Netherlands Antilles | No |
No |
| New Zealand | Yes, post discourages bringing pets. Costs about $3000. Difficult finding housing. Pets must have microchip inserted or tatoo by vet. |
Yes, several months. (see Post Report) |
| Nicaragua | No |
No |
| Niger | No |
No |
| Nigeria | No, but import permit required. See Welcome Cable. | No |
| Norway | No, permit required. Breeds prohibited: Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro. American Staffordshire Terrier requires original pedigree. | Yes, 4 months at Vestberg Quar. Station. followed by 2 mos. house quarantine. Application will not be processed before 500 NOK paid into postal giro acct. (details in OBC) |
| Oman | Yes, but import permit required very early. Contact GSO as early as possible for more instructions. See OBC for special Oman form and complete details. | No, but the vet authority may quarantine for 6 months if it does not approve of the pet's condition or does not accept the certification. |
| Pakistan | No. Rabies and ticks endemic. If pet flying separately as cargo, import permission must be obtained from govt. by post. Contact GSO early. Better to bring as excess baggage. | No, but any layover in UK over 48 hours will result in a 6 month quarantine. See current welcome cable. |
| Palau | No information |
|
| Panama | Very important to review complete info in OBC box. Not all apt. owners allow pets. | Yes, 24 hours at pet facility, 40 more days at home. |
| Papua New Guinea | No |
Yes, 1 year quarantine |
| Paraguay | No, but official authentication and permission from Paraguayan Embassy needed. See Welcome Cable. | No |
| Peru | No, but notify post early. (See Welcome Cable) | No |
| Philippines | No, but import permit required. See Welcome Packet for special form to fill out and return. | No |
| Poland | No, but trilingual health certificate required |
No, for non-exotic pets |
| Portugal | No, but import permit required and vet must see pet at airport to clear. Health Certificate must be notarized by Portuguese Embassy. Dogs need rabies and distemper. Make early arrangements. | No |
| Qatar | No, but import permit required. Embassy compound, Al Messilah, does not allow dogs. Check with GSO for guidance. | No |
| Romania | No, but individual import requirements if shipped separately. | No |
| Russia | No, but large/guard dogs not appropriate. | No |
| Rwanda | No |
No |
| Saudi Arabia | No, but post must obtain prior approval from Saudi Govt. for pet entry. Notify post at least 1 week prior to arrival. See Briefing Box for details. | No |
| Senegal | No |
No |
| Serbia-Montenegro | No, but must come as accompanied baggage. |
No |
| Sierra Leone | No |
No |
| Singapore | No, but special license required. Notify post 8 weeks ahead. |
Yes, 30 days. |
| Slovakia | No |
No, but be careful of routing through London. |
| Slovenia | Immunization record must be faxed to post at least one week prior to arrival. | Yes, 3-week in-house quarantine. |
| South Africa | Yes, see Welcome Cable for complete directions. All pets must come as manifest cargo. Make early preparations. | No, if coming from US or Europe; from elsewhere, a one-month quarantine may be imposed. Check with SA GSO. |
| Spain | Health Certificate must be translated and certified by Spanish consular officer for airlines and govt. Contact post early. | No |
| Sri Lanka | No, notify post early. | No |
| Sudan | No, but import permit required. | No |
| Suriname | No |
Yes, if accompanying documents do not meet requirements. |
| Swaziland | No, but import permit required. If transiting SA, a SA Transit Permit is also required. See South Africa box. | No |
| Sweden | No, but import permit required very early. Contact GSO. | Yes, 4 months if coming from the US. Other requirements if coming from an EC country. |
| Switzerland | No. See costs related to damage deposits and info requirements related to hotels and pets. | No |
| Syria | No, but post must obtain approval from Syrian customs before entry. | No |
| Taiwan | Yes, see Welcome Cable. | Yes, may be 14-28 days. |
| Tajikistan | No, but very little adequate vet care | No |
| Tanzania | No, but import permit required. | No |
| Thailand | No, if dog shipped as excess baggage. Housing not suitable for large pets. They will limit housing possibilities. Contact post early re: your shipping arrangements. | No |
| Togo | No |
No |
| Trinidad & Tobago | No, but import permit required. | Yes, 6 months |
| Tunisia | No, but contact post early to avoid delays. | No |
| Turkey | No, but see Welcome Cable. Notify post 3 weeks in advance. | No |
| Turkmenistan | No pet food or supplies available locally | No |
| Uganda | No |
No |
| Ukraine | No, but check Briefing Box about transiting, a tick disease, and need to notify post early. | No |
| United Arab Emirates | Yes, see latest Welcome Cable. | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes, pit bull terriers, Tosa Inu, Fila Brazileiro, and Dogo Argentino cannot be imported. Contact GSO immediately upon receiving your assignment if you are bringing a pet. GSO will send instructions. | Yes, usually 6 months. Very strict. See Briefing Box for complete details. |
| Uruguay | No, but import permit required. Pets not allowed in temporary quarters. Post recommends that pets be sent after you are settled in permanent quarters or that boarding arrangements be made early. See Welcome Cable and advise post early | No |
| Uzbekistan | No |
No |
| Venezuela | No, but notify post early. | No |
| Vietnam | No, but if staying in hotel, pets not allowed. For Ho Chi Minh City, important to notify post early. Service apts. rarely accept pets, especially dogs. Read info in Briefing Box for further details. Do not ship a pet until you receive information from post. | No |
| Yemen | No, but inform GSO early for entry permit. | No |
| Zambia | No, but an import permit is required 3 wks. before pet's arrival. | No, if papers are in order. |
| Zimbabwe | No, but if transiting South Africa, check regulations in Welcome Cable. | No |