Pet import requirements for Burundi

Burundi at a glance

The detail

Highly Recommended. Highly Recommended. Burundi, of ficially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley at the junction between the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa. Have the HAWB issued to BJM unless the airline assigns a different live-animal station.

Import requirements

Dogs and cats are generally permitted to enter Burundi from 12 weeks of age, as this is the earliest age at which they can receive their first rabies vaccination.

However, exceptions are allowed for puppies and kittens younger than 12 weeks:

• These animals may enter without a rabies vaccination, provided that the dam’s (mother’s) rabies vaccination records are valid and up to date.
• This exemption must be clearly noted in the veterinary health certificate and approved in advance by the veterinary authorities in Djibouti.

Regarding pregnant females, the following restrictions apply:

A fit-to-fly certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian is required to confirm that the animal is healthy, the pregnancy is not advanced, and it is safe for travel.

Required Documents for Dogs and Cats:

• International Veterinary Health Certificate (issued within 10 days of travel)
• Rabies vaccination certificate (primary or booster within 12 months)
• Microchip (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)
• Internal and external parasite treatments (within 14 days of entry)
• Import permit (if applicable)

CITES permits (for protected species)

All pets entering Burundi are considered commercial.

This depends on the documents needed at country of origin. Generally; VHC, RNATT, bloodwork if necessary, and original vet book.

Identification and microchip

Microchip Identification:

• Mandatory: All dogs and cats may be implanted with a microchip that complies with ISO 11784/11785 standards.
• The microchip should be implanted before the rabies vaccination is administered.

Ensure that the microchip is readable and that the microchip number is recorded in all accompanying documentation, in cluding the veterinary health certificate

Rabies and vaccinations

a) Primary Rabies Vaccination:

• Pets may enter Burundi immediately after the rabies vaccine is administered, provided:
• The vaccination was carried out when the animal was at least 3 months old.
• The vaccine was administered no more than one year prior to the date of shipment.

b) Booster Vaccination:

• In the case of a booster dose, the rabies vaccination must have been given not more than one year before shipment.

No waiting period is required after a valid booster vaccination, as long as the previous vaccine had not expired.

Dogs:

Must be vaccinated against Rabies, Canine Distemper, Adenovirus (Type 1 and 2), Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Leptospirosis (specifically *L. canicola* and *L. icterohaemorrhagiae* strains).

Cats:

Must be vaccinated against Rabies, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.

Tests and treatments

None required.

Ticks and tapeworm treatment not required but highly recommended.

Health certificate and permits

Pets entering Burundi must be accompanied by an in ternational veterinary health certificate, endorsed by the of ficial veterinary authority in the country of origin. This certificate must be issued within ten (10) days prior to the pet’s departure, and the original document must accompany the animal during travel.

Burundi has not published a specific veterinary health certificate template; the refore, the standard certificate used and endorsed in the country of origin is acceptable, provided it in cludes all necessary health details and of ficial signatures.

Yes. Import permit is required.

Veterinary Health Certificate (valid for 15 days)

Import Permit

Valid rabies vaccine

Original vaccination booklet

Quarantine

Quarantine Requirements for Pets Entering Burundi

• Burundi does not mandate a government quarantine period upon arrival for pets (dogs or cats) that:
• Meet all veterinary health and vaccination requirements
• Arrive with complete and valid documentation
• Are in good health upon in spection
• Pre-entry (home) quarantine is also not required by Burundi authorities.
• However, pets may be subject to in spection upon arrival, and if any signs of illness or non-compliance are noted, the animal may be:
• Denied entry
• Placed under veterinary supervision
• Held temporarily at the discretion of port health or veterinary of ficers

Restrictions and banned breeds

Burundi does not currently impose any breed-specific restrictions. There is no published list of banned or prohibited dog or cat breeds, and all recognized breeds are allowed entry into the country, provided they meet the health and import documentation requirements.

As for climate-related travel restrictions, Burundi itself does not enforce any seasonal bans based on temperature. However, it is important to note that airlines may impose travel restrictions for pets during periods of extreme heat or cold, especially for snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds,

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly Recommended

Pets must enter Burundi via Bujumbura International Airport - BJM.

Airports listed on this destination file: BJM.

Domestic pets must be free from disease communicable to humans when examined at entry airport. State vet examined at owner’s costs.

On arrival – vet in spection, health certificate must in clude country of origin, names and Christian names and address of owner, species and sex of animal. They must be free of ticks and have not been exposed to contagious diseases.

There is no import tax payable on entry into Burundi.

Export notes

This is dependent on the country exporting.

General requirements are an Import/Export permit

Veterinary health certificate

RNATT certificate

Microchip certificate

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

For CITES-regulated imports into Burundi, both a CITES Export Permit (from the country of origin) and a CITES Import Permit (from Djibouti) must be obtained prior to shipment. Additionally, the animals must undergo an of ficial in spection by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife before departure to ensure compliance with CITES regulations.

Other exotic pets require health certificate.

Official contacts

Chef du CabinetMinistère de l’agriculture et de l’Élevage

B.P. 1850

Bujumbura

BURUNDI

Contact: Emile Ntahondi

Email: minagrie2007@yahoo.fr or entahondi@hotmail.com

Tel: +257 7991-0931 / +257 2222-9992

Fax: +257 2240-4221

Reviewed by Hazel Imrie, PETport

Current as of August 2023

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 2026-02-18.

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.

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