Pet import requirements for Benin

Benin at a glance

The detail

Benin is located in West Africa, bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso and Niger to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea) to the south. Because Benin is in Africa And Middle East, transit countries on the way can impose extra live-animal rules even when the destination file looks straightforward. Yes, an import permit is required to bring pets (dogs or cats) into Benin.

Import requirements

Minimum Age for Pets to Enter Benin

• Pets are generally allowed to enter Benin at 3 months (12 weeks) of age, as this is the minimum age for administering a rabies vaccine.
• Since Benin requires the rabies vaccine to be given at least 30 days before entry, the practical minimum age for in dependent travel is approximately 4 months.Special Provision for Puppies Under 12 Weeks
• Puppies below 12 weeks that have NOT received a rabies vaccine may travel under the protection of the dam’s valid rabies vaccination, *provided that*:

• The mother’s rabies vaccine is not older than 1 year

Required Documents for Each Animal:

• Import Permit or Official Permission Letter
• Veterinary Health Certificate (issued within 7 days of travel and endorsed by the exporting country’s veterinary authority)
• Rabies Vaccination Certificate (must be given at least 30 days before travel)
• Core Vaccination Record:
• Dogs: DHPP/DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza ± Leptospirosis)
• Cats: FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)
• Microchip Certificate – 15-digit ISO-compliant or tattoo, implanted before rabies vaccination
• Internal and External Parasite Treatment Proof (deworming, tick/flea treatment within 14 days of travel)
• Flight Details – Port of embarkation and disembarkation
• Copy of Importer’s Passport or ID

• All pet imports into Benin are Classified as Commercial.

The conditions of the International Veterinary Certificate must conform to those laid down in the Beninian import permit

Identification and microchip

Microchip A 15-digit ISO Standard 11784/11785 microchip is *strongly recommended* when moving pets into Benin

Rabies and vaccinations

Yes, Rabies vaccination is required for pets entering Benin. However, there are no published guidelines specifying a waiting period after vaccination before entry. The Rabies vaccine must not be older than 1 year at the time of entry. Regarding the type of Rabies vaccine allowed, the specific type is not explicitly published in the regulations. There are no additional restrictions outlined for Rabies vaccinations beyond these requirements.

Vaccination Requirements for Pets Entering Ben in All vaccinations must be administered not less than 30 days and not more than 1 year before entry into Benin.Puppies under 12 weeks that have not yet received a rabies vaccination may travel under the protection of the dam’s valid rabies vaccination, provided the mother’s rabies vaccine was given at least 30 days and not more than 1 year prior to entry.For Dogs:

• Rabies: Must be administered at least 30 days before entry and within the past 12 months.
• DHPP/DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza ± Leptospirosis): Must be administered within 12 months prior to travel.For Cats:
• Rabies: Must be administered at least 30 days before entry and within the past 12 months.
• FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia): Must be administered within 12 months prior to travel.

Tests and treatments

Required Tests:✔ None

• Internal Parasite Treatment (Deworming)

• Administered by: A licensed veterinarian
• Timing: Within 14 days before travel
• Documentation: Stated in the veterinary health certificate or treatment section of the pet passport
• External Parasite Treatment (Ticks & Fleas)

• Administered by: A licensed veterinarian
• Timing: Within 14 days before travel
• Documentation: Must be recorded on the health certificate or pet passport, in dicating the product used, date of treatment, and administering vet’s details

Health certificate and permits

Benin does not provide a standardized health certificate template. Pets entering Benin must be accompanied by a health certificate that is:

• Issued on the of ficial letterhead of the attending veterinarian or veterinary authority, and
• Signed and endorsed by the of ficial government veterinary authority of the exporting country.

Required Information in the Health Certificate

The certificate must confirm that the pet:

• Was examined within 7 days before departure and found clinically healthy and free from in fectious or contagious diseases.
• Has been vaccinated against rabies, in cluding the vaccination date, vaccine details, and batch number.
• Received in ternal and external parasite treatments within 7 days prior to travel.
• Is permanently identified by microchip or tattoo, with the identification number clearly stated.
• Is fit for air transport and compliant with IATA Live Animals Regulations.

Yes, an import permit is required to bring pets (dogs or cats) into Benin.

Quarantine

Pets meeting all entry conditions will not be quarantined.

No pre-arrival home quarantine is required.

Quarantine at arrival only applies to pets that are non-compliant, ill, or high-risk.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Climate RestrictionsBenin itself does not publish climate-related travel bans, but airlines do, especially when departing from hot climates.

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly Recommended

COO – Cadjehoun International Airport (Cotonou)

Airports listed on this destination file: COO.

All pets must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

General CITES Requirements – Ben in Benin is a full signatory to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and enforces all CITES provisions for the import, export, and re-export of listed species.1. CITES Permit RequirementFor any CITES-listed animal, plant, or derivative, Benin requires:For Export/Re-export from Benin:

• CITES Export Permit (issued by Benin’s CITES Management Authority)

OR

• CITES Re-export Certificate (if the specimen originated from another country)For Import into Benin:
• A CITES Import Permit is required only for Appendix I species.
• For Appendix II and III species, only the exporting country’s permit is required.2. Validity of CITES Permits
• Permits are generally valid for 6 months from date of issue.They must be presented at the designated CITES ports of entry/exit

Official contacts

Director of Livestock Ministry of Agriculture Livestock & Fisheries

BP 201

Cotonou

Tel: +229 21 330-285

Tel: + 229 21 335-4018

E-mail: delevage@in tnet.bj

Current as of Nov-2017

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2025-12-11.

Next: measure your dog, find the kennel size, then get a free travel quote. Moving on military orders? PCS moves. Going to Hawaiʻi instead? Hawaiʻi has its own regime.

Other destinations: Algeria · Angola · Bahrain · all destinations