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Taking a Cat to South Africa from the UK: Pet Travel Guide
Exporting your cat to South Africa involves several important steps, but with careful planning and the right guidance, it can be a straightforward and stress-free process. This guide breaks down exactly what’s required, helping you navigate the certification process with clarity and confidence.
Step by step guide: importing your Cat from the UK to South Africa
1
Microchip and rabies vaccination
Your cat must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies before travelling.
The primary vaccination must have been given at least 30 days before departure and within the previous 12 months. Booster vaccinations do not require an additional waiting period, provided
there has been no break in vaccination cover.
We will verify the microchip and vaccination records during your appointment.
2
Apply for an import permit
Before travelling, you'll need to obtain an import permit from the South African authorities.
This permit must accompany your cat during the journey and must match the details included on the export paperwork.
3
Book your flight
Once the timeline has been confirmed, you can arrange your cat's travel.
A few important things to remember:
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Cats entering South Africa must be registered as manifest cargo
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Your airline must accept pets on your chosen route
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Your travel crate must meet the airline's requirements
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Your arrival airport must be approved to accept live animals
4
Export paperwork and declarations
We will guide you through the application process for the official Export Health Certificate EHC 6257 and prepare all of the owner declarations required for travel.
Please don't apply for the certificate before speaking with us, as this can sometimes cause delays.
5
Final health examination and certificate issue
Within 10 days of departure, we will perform the final health examination, verify your cat's identity, review the paperwork and issue the official export certificate. Once this has been completed, your cat is ready to travel.