Pet Transport UK to Tanzania: Import Permit and 2026 Requirements
Taking a dog or cat from the UK to Tanzania requires a pre-travel import permit from the Tanzania Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and an APHA-endorsed health certificate from a UK official vet. No …
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Responsible: Your UK vet
Responsible: Your UK vet
Responsible: You or Tanzania-side agent
Responsible: APHA-authorised UK vet
Tanzania entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Export requirements
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Critical points
Tanzania's quarantine policy can vary. Confirm current requirements with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries before travel. Some pets from approved countries pass inspection without routine quarantine; others may face a short hold period.
Kilimanjaro International (JRO) serves northern Tanzania and is the arrival point for those moving to Arusha or Moshi. Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere International (DAR) is the main hub for Dar and central Tanzania. Confirm cargo availability to both airports with your carrier.
Tanzania's 10-day quarantine for PETS ARRIVING IN TANZANIA varies by case. Contact the Ministry directly for current policy before assuming no quarantine applies.
Approved carriers on this route
| Airline | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya Airways | Via Nairobi (NBO) from London Heathrow to Dar es Salaam (DAR) or Kilimanjaro (JRO). Kenya Airways accepts pets as cargo. Nairobi is a well-connected East African hub with established live animal handling. | Cargo Only |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Via Addis Ababa (ADD) from London Heathrow to Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro. Ethiopian Airlines accepts pets as cargo. Ethiopian Cargo is one of Africa's largest cargo carriers. | Cargo Only |
| KLM | Via Amsterdam (AMS) to Dar es Salaam with onward connections. KLM Cargo accepts pets and has established East Africa routes. | Cargo Only |
| Qatar Airways Cargo | Via Doha (DOH) from London to Dar es Salaam. Qatar Airways Cargo accepts pets and is one of the most reliable Gulf hub routings for East Africa. | Cargo Only |
Two African hub routes compared: Nairobi vs Addis Ababa
Most cargo routes from the UK to Tanzania transit through an African hub. The two main options are Nairobi on Kenya Airways and Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines. Both are well-established and experienced with live animal cargo.
Kenya Airways via Nairobi to Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro is the shorter African-hub transit. Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta is a busy regional hub with good animal handling facilities. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa to Dar es Salaam is a reliable alternative: Ethiopian Cargo is one of the continent’s largest and handles significant live animal traffic.
Gulf hub routing (Qatar via Doha) is a viable third option and avoids African hub transit, instead connecting through Doha before the final leg to Tanzania. Journey times are similar across all three options.
Tanzania import permit: apply before you do anything else
The import permit from Tanzania’s Director of Veterinary Services is the first document you need to secure for this move. Without it, your pet cannot enter Tanzania regardless of how correct the UK documentation is. Apply four to six weeks before your intended travel date through the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
At the same time, contact the Ministry or a local agent to confirm the current quarantine position for UK pets. Tanzania’s policies on arrival inspection versus routine quarantine can vary depending on the animal’s origin country, vaccination status, and the specific entry point.
Common questions about this route
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