INTERNATIONAL PET SHIPPING
Pet Transport to South Africa
What you need to know about shipping pets to South Africa from the United States
If you are looking to send your pet to South Africa, we can help you arrange this move. We offer door to door pet relocation, or you can select which services you need to fit your budget. Either way, we will guide you every step of the way!
What’s the process?
The steps below must be followed in detail in order for your pet to enter South Africa. We recommend discussing the requirements and options in detail with a pet relocation company
Import Permit
To be applied for 1-6 months prior to export.
1
Import Permit
- All pets entering South Africa will need an import permit from DAFF Permit Office, which is valid for up to 6 months.
Health Requirements
Must be completed at least 30 days prior to export.
2
Microchip
Health requirement
Must be completed at least 30 days before departure
- Dogs, cats, and must be identified by microchip. There are no exceptions to this rule.
- If your pet does not have a microchip in place, do this before any vaccinations and testing. An ISO chip can be implanted at any veterinary office.
3
Vaccinations
Health requirement
Must be administered between 30 days and 12 months of export.
- Rabies vaccination must be administered between 30 days and 12 months of export. This means that a 3 year vaccine vaccine will not be accepted.
- Other vaccines are not required, but the vaccines below are recommended, particularly if your pet may need to be boarded before or after travel.
- Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DHLPP) and Bordetella.
- Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP).
4
Lab Testing (For Dogs Only)
Health requirement
Must be completed within 30 days of export
- Brucella canis: Serum agglutination (this is the ONLY acceptable test method)
- Trypanosmoa evansi: BOTH Card agglutination test* AND Giemsa blood smear*
- Babesia gibsoni: BOTH Immunoflouresence antibody test AND Giemsa blood smear
- Dirofilaria immitis: Microfilarial filtration test (this is the ONLY acceptable test method)
- Leishmaniosis: Indirect fluorescent antibody test OR ELISA test OR Direct agglutination test OR Western blot/membrane immunoassay
Import Health Certificate
Must be completed 2-10 days before departure.
5
Health Certificate
Health requirement
Must be completed within 10 days before departure
- At this point in your move, one of our pet shipping specialists will pre-complete the correct health certificate and email it to you veterinarian for signature at the physical appointment. We provide all documents and are available to answer any questions and trouble shoot issues that may rise.
- The health certificate must be completed within 10 days of export.
6
USDA Endorsement
Health requirement
Must be completed within 10 days before departure
- After your pet has been examined by your veterinarian and the correct health certificate has been completed and signed, the health certificate must be submitted to the USDA office to be endorsed. FFexpress coordinates this process on your behalf.
- If a military veterinarian completes your pet’s health certificate, the USDA endorsement is not needed. A military veterinarian is a Veterinary Corps Officer or civilian GS-0701 series government veterinarian employed by the U.S Army Veterinary Service.
Banned Breeds
South Africa does not publish a list of banned breeds.
Pet Travel Success Stories
“If you are looking to relocate your pet bird outside the USA, then this is the company for you. Feathers and Fur Express had the knowledge and experience, to walk me through all the documents that was required to do this. They were with me right up to handing (Studley my parrot) over for departure and his flight from Atlanta, and at the other end of his journey in the UK. Marck and Lindsey and their team are just amazing. Thank You”
“Excellent service for my baby. We were not the easiest clients and Feathers and Fur Express did an excellent job. Very experienced and reliable company. I would highly recommend them to anyone. During the move they were very responsive and sending updates of our baby. I worked with Rebecca and Lindsey, they are excellent at their job. My vet technician who worked on our health certificate told me that this was your favorite company they have ever worked with!”
“With only 10 days notice Feathers & Fur made it all happen, they were so kind, professional & made the process stress free. They delivered my dog happy in perfect condition into my mother’s arms on schedule, updating me on their great app with photos & messages all the way and reassuring me as my dog made the journey. I could not recommend them highly enough.”
“We recently used FFExpress to ship our two pups to Europe. I couldn’t express my gratitude for them helping us!! We had a few hiccups but they did everything they could to help fix them. They took care of our two babies and made sure we knew they were safe the entire time. Would definitely recommend Feathers and Fur express to anyone!”
“We were at a loss for how to get our beloved pittbull/boxer mix from Atlanta to Girona, Spain. We’d almost lost hope when FFE gave us great recommendations on how we could be the process as smooth as possible with very clear instructions. We had no trouble, and our precious pup arrived with a wagging tail! Definitely a wonderful service!”
“Despite trying to move our Labrador from Houston during a pandemic and then a historic power failure on Houston, FFE came through for us. The team kept us in constant contact and went out of their way to help our veterinarian get set up with the USDA portal. Would highly recommend them for anyone moving pets internationally”
