Official permit procedures and detailed US dog/cat health conditions, with dog testing methods separated from cat rules.
Certificates and permits
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Obtain a South African veterinary import permit before the pet is shipped. Apply on the appropriate dog/cat form and comply with the granted conditions; an application or payment receipt is not the permit. Confirm the current fee with the authority. The additional Animal Improvement registrar authorisation described for farm animals excludes dogs and cats.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Use the health-certificate model issued with the permit and have it completed in English by a veterinarian authorised by the exporting veterinary authority within 10 days before departure. For US dogs the September 2024 APHIS guide refers to model IMP. DOG. GEN 05/22 CG supplied with the permit; the guide itself cannot be used as a health certificate.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Present the original import permit, original veterinary health certificate and every additional document specified in the permit to veterinary import control at the entry point. If the approved movement requires quarantine, arrange the state-veterinarian booking and required indemnity before shipment. This conditional procedure does not impose quarantine on every pet.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
US-origin dogs/cats need a USDA-accredited veterinarian’s certificate and USDA-APHIS official endorsement, including service or emotional-support animals. Complete final inspection, certificate issuance and endorsement within 10 days of travel. Use the actual permit model and carry the official originals; a template is not a certificate issued for your animal.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Both dogs and cats on this US path need an implanted microchip. Record the correct number and, for cats, its location; match identification across the permit and health records. For dogs the number must appear accurately on every laboratory report. The cat model currently linked by APHIS is marked July 2005; the issued permit remains controlling.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
US dogs need rabies vaccination within 12 months before export. A primary vaccination must be strictly more than 30 days before export; the wait does not apply to a booster given before the previous vaccination expired. Keep the rabies certificate for endorsement and carry its original or a copy with the health certificate.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
On the adult US-cat vaccinated branch, maintain valid rabies vaccination. The currently linked cat model requires a primary vaccination at least 30 days, and no longer than 12 months, before export using a WHO-recognised potency standard. Its young-animal maternal-vaccine and UK/Australia/New Zealand exemptions are outside this US-adult branch.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
The cat model requires continuous residence in the exporting country since birth, or continuous residence in the exporting country or South Africa during the last six months. The origin area must not be under official restrictions for diseases affecting carnivores, and there must be no known contact with rabies-infected or suspect animals. Six months is residence, not a vaccine wait.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Have an official veterinarian clinically examine the cat within 10 days before export, confirming no internal/external parasites or relevant infectious/contagious disease and fitness to travel. Use an IATA-compliant container that is new or suitably disinfected/fumigated and prevents contact with lower-health-status animals en route. The five dog-disease laboratory panel is not a cat requirement in this model.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
All five required dog-disease tests must be performed within 30 days before import, with negative results. Every report must record sample collection date and the accurate microchip number; carry copies with the certificate. Use officially approved US laboratories except the specified international reference laboratory for T. evansi. Any method or timing deviation needs South African dispensation; non-compliance may lead to return or euthanasia rather than quarantine to complete tests.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For Brucella canis use either serum agglutination OR rapid slide agglutination. A different test cannot be substituted without South African dispensation; the common 30-day pre-import window and negative-result/report requirements apply.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For Trypanosoma evansi (surra), BOTH CATT and Giemsa blood smear are required, and both must be performed at an approved OIE reference laboratory. Current APHIS instructions identify the Belgium and Japan reference laboratories; arrange sample submission with the selected laboratory. Do not treat the two tests as alternatives or an old holiday closure as a current closure.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For Babesia gibsoni complete two groups: (IFA OR ELISA using BgTRAP antigen) AND (Giemsa blood smear OR real-time PCR). One test alone does not satisfy both groups. Apply the common negative-result, 30-day pre-import and report requirements.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Dirofilaria immitis requires a microfilarial filtration test; the guidance lists it as the only acceptable method. A routine heartworm antigen test is not a substitute without an issued dispensation. Record a negative result within 30 days before import.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For leishmaniosis use one allowed method: IFAT, ELISA, direct agglutination, or western blot/membrane immunoassay. Do not add an unlisted method without South African dispensation. The 30-day pre-import window and negative result apply.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
After receiving the negative heartworm result, maintain preventive medication at the required intervals until export. Record at least one treatment after receipt of the negative result and before or on the certificate-signing date. Annual ProHeart SR-12 has a specified exception; ask the certifying veterinarian to confirm it rather than assuming any prior treatment qualifies.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Within 30 days before departure apply an effective acaricide and insect repellent against ticks and flies, using products accepted under the guidance. Record dates, product names and doses before submitting for endorsement. The veterinarian must consider interactions with heartworm prevention. These dog treatments must not be transferred to cats.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
Confirm the granted permit’s origin eligibility, port, transport acceptance and any quarantine booking for the actual journey. The official application framework distinguishes quarantine and non-quarantine cases but does not establish a universal fixed period or exemption. Approval and laboratory logistics may take longer than the quoted post-approval processing estimate.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
Detailed health/test rules for other origins, young animals, transit and special exemptions require their own current permit and certificate. The US dog guidance and the older cat model cannot settle every such pathway. The US dog five-disease panel is not automatically a worldwide requirement for cats.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, no sale or ownership transfer; actual origin, permit, route and carrier must accept. General permit rules are separate from US-specific health conditions. Use the model supplied with the granted permit; young animals, transit and other origins require their own confirmation. Air modes indicate sanitary-document scope, not airline permission.
