The Import and Export of Pets Can be Tricky!
The import and export of pets can cause major headaches for pet owners. Whether you are moving to another country and can’t bear to part with your pets or bought an exotic pet from another country, you can’t put the pet in a box and send it via the Post Office!
Can I import my pet?
One of the most common questions we get from customers wanting to import or export pets, is whether they are even allowed to bring a certain breed into the country. There are not many restrictions on the import of pets but it’s always good to make sure.
It’s best to contact professionals like Macro Clearing to ask whether your pet can be imported and what the process would be. Each animal has different requirements as far as documentation and specific transport arrangements are concerned. This can be difficult to navigate if you have never had to import or export any pets before, so it’s always best to get professional advice. For instance, did you know that puppies or kittens are not allowed to fly until they are at least 8 to 10 weeks old?
What documents are needed for the import and export of pets?
It does not matter what animal you want to bring to South Africa, it will need certain documents from a vet from the country of origin. Exotic animals also require a CITIES permit before they are allowed in the country. For all
If you want to bring dogs or cats from Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe or Malawi, you won’t need an import permit. Nonetheless, you still need to have the necessary veterinary documentation before bringing them across the border.
Something that we often find is a concern to pet owners importing or exporting their pets, is whether the animal will need to be quarantined. Birds and dogs are regularly quarantined but these regulations differ with different breeds, etc. Once again, contact us if you have any questions about the quarantine procedures for the import and export of pets.