Moving to South Africa from Ireland with a dog or cat means starting the paperwork months before your flight.
This route is moderately involved, with a clear checklist to follow. Start preparations at least 20 weeks before your travel date …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
2
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
3
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
4
Apply for import permit from South Africa
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
5
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
6
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
7
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter South Africa
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. Vaccination must be documented on health certificate. Booster must be within manufacturer's validity period.
Rabies titre test
Required for: Pets from countries without bilateral veterinary agreements. Not required for: Pets from most P1 countries with bilateral agreements (UK, USA, EU, Australia, etc.). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for pets arriving with correct documentation from approved countries. Pets with incomplete documentation may be quarantined at owner's expense.
Import permit
Required. Must be obtained BEFORE travel. Application requires destination address in South Africa, description of pet, planned port of entry.
Health certificate
Required. Official veterinary health certificate. Issued by: Government veterinarian in country of export. Certificate must confirm: vaccination status, microchip, health status, parasite treatment, absence of notifiable diseases
Export permit (Ireland)
No export permit required for pet cats and dogs.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
Import permit application fee (South Africa)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points to read before you book
Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
BRITISH
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
EMIRATES
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
SINGAPORE
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
CATHAY PACIFIC
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
AIR FRANCE
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Key requirements for moving your pet to South Africa
Compared to some international pet transport routes, Ireland to South Africa is manageable. That said, every country’s rules are different and the timing requirements are strict.
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) regulates pet imports. South Africa has rabies present in several provinces (KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo particularly). DALRRD portal blocked automated extraction; data compiled from published DALRRD guidelines and cross-referenced with established pet transport operator information. South Africa’s outbound classification by other countries is notably affected by its rabies-endemic status.
Step-by-step: what to do first
Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.
Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.
Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.
If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.
FAQ
Common questions about Ireland to South Africa pet transport
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in South Africa for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter South Africa. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from South Africa’s authority (the relevant government body). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Ireland. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check South Africa’s authority for the exact format required.