Pet import requirements for Cote d'Ivoire
What Cote d'Ivoire asks for before a dog or cat can enter — the microchip, the rabies work, the permit and the paperwork — and how far ahead you need to start. We handle all of it on a move we arrange.
Import rules change, and they change without notice. Last verified 2025-06-20 by the country-profile service Furry Freight uses; profile last updated 2025-09-15. Confirm every requirement with the authority named below, or with us on (424) 421-1650, before you book a flight or start any vet work.
Cote d'Ivoire at a glance
| Requirement | For Cote d'Ivoire |
|---|---|
| Microchip Required | Identification is mandatory |
| Rabies | Rabies Vaccination must be more than 30 days but less than one year |
| Rabies antibody test Not required | Not required |
| Import permit Required | Dog and cats traveling to the Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire), must have an import permit issued by the [Directorate of Veterinary Services of Cote… |
| Quarantine | The Ivory Coast does not quarantine cats and dogs that meet the necessary requirements for importation |
| Minimum age to travel | Not lesser than 3 months |
| Customs clearance | Strongly advised |
| Agent at destination | Strongly advised |
Where this fits in the timeline. The order matters more than the effort: a rabies vaccination given before the microchip was implanted does not count in most regimes, and a titer test drawn too early restarts a waiting period. On a move we handle, we check your pet's existing dates against these rules on the free consultation before anything is booked.
The detail
The Ivory Coast does not quarantine cats and dogs that meet the necessary requirements for importation. Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is located in West Africa, bordered by Liberia and Guinea to the west, Mali and Burkina Faso to the north, Ghana to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Arrival airports noted for this destination in clude ASK and ABJ.
Import requirements
Not lesser than 3 months
- Pet Identification
- Health Certificate
- Import Permit
All pets entering Côte d’Ivoire are treated as commercial imports, and the country has not issued specific regulations distinguishing between commercial and non-commercial movements of animals.
All original Veterinarian documents.
State Veterinarian Endorsed Health Certificate
Identification and microchip
Identification is mandatory.
Rabies and vaccinations
Rabies Vaccination must be more than 30 days but less than one year. If the pet has only received one rabies vaccine (a primary vaccination) or if a rabies booster vaccine was given outside of the period of validity of the previous vaccination, the pet will be required to wait at least 30 days after vaccination before they travel to the Ivory Coast.
5-in-1 for dogs and Felocell for cats
Tests and treatments
A rabies titer test is not required to enter the Ivory Coast from any country.
A ticks and tapeworm treatment is not required prior to entering Ivory Coast but is recommended due to availability of these products in the country.
Health certificate and permits
All animals must be accompanied by a health certificate and a rabies in oculation certificate dated not earlier than 3 days before the trip commenced and issued by the health authorities in the country of origin. The health certificate must state that the animal does not carry any contagious diseases and that no contagious diseases have existed in the territory during the previous 6 weeks. The animal should be free from mange for at least 6 months. Sample Health Certificate
Dog and cats traveling to the Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire), must have an import permit issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services of Cote d’Ivoire
State Veterinarian Endorsed Health Certificate
All original Veterinarian documentation
Quarantine
The Ivory Coast does not quarantine cats and dogs that meet the necessary requirements for importation.
Restrictions and banned breeds
Ivory Coast does not publish a list of banned breeds. Domestic animals with a health and identification card (chip, tattoo) are allowed to enter the country with special customs clearance. However, they are not allowed to enter national parks and reserves.
Customs, agents, and airports
Highly Recommended
Best Airport: Pets must enter the Ivory Coast at Port Bouet International Airport. Pets can Arrive in the cabin, as check baggage or as air cargo.
Airports listed on this destination file: ASK, ABJ.
Upon arrival in the Ivory Coast you will present the documents and the Veterinary of ficer stationed at the entrance port will stamp them.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.
Export notes
An export permit is required for dogs and cats leaving the Ivory Coast. Veterinary of ficials will want to see all required documentation for the destination country.
Other pets / CITES / extra rules
If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. others It is necessary to comply with the provisions of the International Convention on Protected Animal Species
Côte d’Ivoire does have specific regulations for other pets beyond dogs, cats, and ferrets. all other pets—in cluding birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, rabbits, fish, in vertebrates, exotic mammals, and zoo/ornamental animals—do require an import permit as well as a veterinary health certificate, regardless of whether they enter privately or commercially. Additionally, if any of these animals are listed under CITES, the relevant CITES import/export permits must also be obtained
The 5 freedoms of animals must be observed before, during and after transport and IATA LAR must be observed. The DVS is responsible for enforcing this laws.
Birds, in vertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Ivory Coast. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further in formation from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
The Ivory Coast does not quarantine cats and dogs that meet the necessary requirements for importation.
Veterinarian Health Certificate within 10 days endorsed by a Ministry Vet
Official contacts
Dr Vessaly Kallo
Directeur des Services Vétérinaires
Ministère des Ressources Animales et Halieutiques. Cité administrative, Tour C, 11ème étage. B.P. V 84 Abidjan
MIRAH
Sidi Tiemoko Toure
Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources
https://www.ressourcesanimales.gouv.ci/accueil/
The Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries
Tel: 20 22 99 30 or 20 21 34 23
Address: Secrétariat du Ministre Imm. CAISTAB, 11èmeSociété Ahaly Transit
Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire
Contact: Kongo Julien DibiPort-Bouet - 12 BP 80 Abidjan 12Abidjan - Côte d’Ivoire(+225) 27 21 58 13 16(+225) 07 07 22 75 44(+225) 01 01 63 88 57Ministère de Agriculture
Immeuble CANISTAB 24
25 ème étage
01 BP V82
Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire
Tel: +225 20 21 08 33
Ministere de I’Agriculture et de Ressources Animales,
BVP 84,
Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire
Tel: +225 20 21 9085 / 8972
Fax: +225 20 21 9071 / 9085
Current as of 6/20/25
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 2025-06-20.
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
Official sources for Cote d'Ivoire
- Sample Health Certificate aphis.usda.gov
- Directorate of Veterinary Services of Cote d’Ivoire ressourcesanimales.gouv.ci
- Animal Welfare Regulations ressourcesanimales.gouv.ci
Questions about moving a pet to Cote d'Ivoire
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for Cote d'Ivoire?
Identification is mandatory
From the country profile, last verified 2025-06-20.
What rabies vaccination does Cote d'Ivoire require?
Rabies Vaccination must be more than 30 days but less than one year
Is a rabies antibody (titer) test needed for Cote d'Ivoire?
Not required
A titer test is the single most common reason a move takes months rather than weeks, because the waiting period runs from the blood draw.
Do I need an import permit to bring a pet into Cote d'Ivoire?
Dog and cats traveling to the Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire), must have an import permit issued by the [Directorate of Veterinary Services of Cote…
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in Cote d'Ivoire?
The Ivory Coast does not quarantine cats and dogs that meet the necessary requirements for importation