Official personal-pet permits, cargo documents, vaccines and US antibody conditions, with permit-validity differences flagged.
Certificates and permits
Dog / Cat · Separate cargo service
Obtain the MOCCAE import permit before shipment and use a valid issued permit, not a submitted application. Verify its printed expiry for the journey; the conflict between the national and US guide’s validity periods is recorded separately.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Personal import is limited to two dogs, two cats, or one of each per person per year. The resident-pet return exception has separate conditions and does not expand first-time imports.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Dogs/cats need permanent microchip identification matching the health certificate. Include the chip number and full description—species, colour, sex and birth date—in vaccination/passport records.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Carry a health certificate certified by the exporting veterinary authority, vaccination/passport records and the customs declaration or airway bill for release. Clinical examination must show no disease signs. High-risk imports also require the accepted rabies laboratory evidence.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Document required vaccines with product name, manufacturer, batch and administration date. Rabies vaccination begins no earlier than 12 weeks; maintain validity according to manufacturer instructions.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Dogs need rabies, distemper, parvovirus, infectious hepatitis and leptospirosis vaccination. On the US branch the guide specifies leptospirosis icterohaemorrhagiae/canicola. The national alternative test for origins that do not vaccinate against leptospirosis needs separate authority confirmation.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Cats need rabies, feline panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus vaccination, with the required product/date records. The dog leptospirosis requirement is not a feline requirement.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Preventive internal and external parasite treatment must occur within 14 days before shipment/export and be recorded in the health certificate or passport. The US model records date and active ingredient; medication choice belongs to the veterinarian.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Ship directly from the exporting country; if the accepted route passes through a third country, prevent contact with other animals. Confirm that the actual route satisfies MOCCAE and carrier requirements.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Arrival release follows application review and clinical inspection, with laboratory examination if required, and an issued release permit. Non-compliance may cause return at importer expense or confiscation. This process is not an unconditional no-quarantine guarantee.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
The APHIS US-to-UAE path requires manifested cargo. A cabin or accompanied-baggage selection does not make that transport acceptable; obtain the carrier’s cargo booking and the required sanitary approval.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
US pets must be at least 15 weeks at import. Use the current dog/cat certificate, issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA, valid ten days from issuance. Carry it for arrival; endorsement does not restart the issue-date clock.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
US guidance requires at least 21 days from rabies vaccination to travel, while the model states 21 days before UAE arrival. Plan to satisfy both dates, with vaccination at age 12 weeks or older and valid records.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
US imports need rabies titre at least 0.5 IU/mL from an accepted laboratory. Sample at least 21 days after primary vaccination or a lapse; a valid booster permits immediate sampling. Satisfy the US sampling window within 12 months before travel/export and MOCCAE’s 365-day certificate validity: keep rabies valid and repeat testing if another booster is given during that period.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
If the US shipment transits another country before the UAE, the owner, carrier representative or animal holder must sign the no-contact attestation, identifying each pet and transit location. Direct shipments do not acquire this conditional requirement.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
The US model requires a clean, disinfected, ventilated box/cage that prevents leakage, permits cleaning and allows visual observation; meet IATA and carrier transport conditions as well.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
The current national service and October 2024 dog model prohibit specified pit-bull types, mastiffs, Japanese Tosa and Presa Canario; the US model also covers their mixes/hybrids. Check the complete official list for the actual dog. Service/medical exemptions need special documents and are outside the ordinary pet branch.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
MOCCAE’s current service says the import permit is valid 90 days from issue; the APHIS page still says 30. Confirm the granted permit’s expiry and accepted US paperwork with both authorities before relying on days 31–90. Do not silently substitute either period.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
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 source-country risk class, minimum age, port and transport acceptance for non-US routes. Low-risk age 12 weeks and high-risk age 15 weeks are distinct; unknown origin is not low risk. Resident returns, Bengal/Serval pedigree and transit through UAE have separate conditions. The older cat-linked model’s dog list differs from the current dog model and must not establish current dog eligibility.
Healthy adult private domestic dogs/cats, first-import cargo branch with actual permit, accepted origin/route/port/carrier and no sale/transfer. US entry is manifested cargo only. Source-risk classification and resident returns, hybrids, service dogs and transit through UAE are separate. Selected cargo scope does not establish a worldwide ban on other modes.
