CATS (more simple process):

Transportation to South Africa
Pets may travel to South Africa only as cargo.

A valid Rabies vaccination is required. This vaccination should be administered no more than one year and no less than thirty days before the intended travel date.
Annual vaccinations are recommended.
For Cats: Feline Panleukopenia (Infectious Enteritis/Feline Distemper), Feline Rhinotracheitis, and Feline Calicivirus.

An Import Permit is required, and it typically takes 2-3 working weeks to obtain.

Step 2 and 3: Blood Tests + Treatments and Import Permit

Step 1: Animal Improvement Compliance Permit

Two steps can be done at the same timeframe.

Dogs imported into South Africa be tested for the following diseases before being imported.
The five blood tests and two smears for these diseases must be conducted within 30 days of arrival in South Africa.

‼️ The Babesia gibsoni immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test or ELISA using the Bg TRAP antigen CANNOT be done at CRVL in the UAE because the lab does not perform these tests. The blood sample must be sent by your vet to a laboratory abroad. Only a few veterinary clinics in the UAE know how to send samples to foreign laboratories. Please ask your vet first if they can arrange this.

Dogs imported into South Africa must be treated from the date of negative testing (same date as blood sample collection) until the date of export, at the required intervals, with one of the following treatments:

An Import Permit is required. You can only apply for the Import Permit after receiving the Animal Improvement Compliance Permit. It typically takes 2-3 working weeks to obtain.
For dogs from quarantine countries, the import permit is valid for 10 days.

⚠️ It is very important to make sure that the import permit is valid until your pet arrives and that the blood tests are still valid. Your pet cannot enter the country after either the 30-day blood test validity or the 10-day import permit validity expires, whichever comes first.

❗️ Important! All dogs must be spayed or neutered to entered South Africa!

DOGS TO SOUTH AFRICA (a more complicated and strict process)

Dogs entering South Africa must have an Animal Improvement Compliance Permit. The processing time for this permit is 30 working days, after which the application for the South African Veterinary Permit can be initiated.

A valid Rabies vaccination is required. This vaccination should be administered no more than one year and no less than thirty days before the intended travel date.
Annual vaccinations are recommended.

For Dogs: Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Parainfluenza and Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough)

Quarantine (up to 14 days) will be imposed on dogs entering South Africa from certain countries. We will advise on the best day of the week for your dog to arrive, to ensure the least amount of time in quarantine.
Quarantine facility needs to be booked in advance.
NO quarantine for cats.