Pet import requirements for Djibouti

Djibouti at a glance

The detail

Djibouti is situated in the Horn of Africa, in the eastern region of the continent. Because Djibouti is in Africa And Middle East, transit countries on the way can impose extra live-animal rules even when the destination file looks straightforward.

Import requirements

Dogs and cats are generally permitted to enter Djibouti 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 Djibouti are considered commercial.

Djibouti has not published variations requirements due to origin

Identification and microchip

Microchip Identification:

• Mandatory: All dogs and cats must 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 Djibouti 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

• No test required for pets entering Djibouti

All pets must receive in ternal (endoparasite) and external (ectoparasite) parasite treatments within 14 days prior to their entry into Djibouti.

Health certificate and permits

Pets entering Djibouti 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.

Djibouti 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.

An import permit, issued by the Department of veterinary Services

in Djibouti, is required for all pets coming into Djibouti. Issuing the import permit takes about 2-14 working days.

In order to obtain an Import Permit, the following documents are required:

Pet Passport or Vaccination records with Microchip Number

Consignee’s Passport copy (picture/bio page)

Canine/ Feline Import License for Dogs and Cats

*All import permits are issued by the *Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock and Fish Resources (MAWFLFR), Djibouti

Requirements for obtaining an Import Permit are:

To import a dog or cat into Djibouti the following is required:

• A formal letter from the pet owner requesting a permit.

• A certified copy of the pet owner’s passport

• A vaccination card of the pet (rabies) signed by a Veterinary doctor

Original Vaccination booklet, in dicating vaccinations and Rabies vaccination.

Veterinary Health certificate within 2 days of departure.

Quarantine

Quarantine Requirements for Pets Entering Djibouti

• Djibouti 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 Djibouti 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

Djibouti 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, Djibouti 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

• Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport (IATA: JIB, ICAO: HDAM)

Pets entering Djibouti should do so through JIB Djibouti International Airport (JIB) or Red sea.

Export notes

Documents Required

• Original Health Certificate – This is valid for not more than 48hrs after issue and is issued by a competent/authorized local vet once the health check is completed.

• Original Vaccination Certificate / Pet Passport

• Original Microchip Certificate

• Original Export Permit / International Health Certificate

• Shipper/Consignee’s Passport copy

• Import permit from Destination country (if required)

An Export permit / International Health Certificate is required for All pets moving from Djibouti and is valid for 2 weeks from date of approval. It can take up to 2 working days to obtain the approved Export Permit

All the import requirements of the destination should be met prior to export.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

For CITES-regulated imports into Djibouti, 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.

CITES Management AuthorityMinistère de l'Agriculture et du Développement RuralDirection de l'Élevage et des Pêches

• Telephone: +253 35 10 25 / +253 35 37 83
• Fax: +253 35 70 61 / +253 35 78 50
• Email:pace@in tnet.dj

Mailing Address: B.P. 297, Djibouti

Given Djibouti’s warm climate, it is advisable to travel with pets to ensure that they are cared for properly and removed promptly from the tarmac upon arrival. Veterinary care is available, and although there is only one vet for household pets, he is very caring and competent. There are no kennel facilities. These are guidelines only which are subject to change. Contact the Embassy of Djibouti, or Consulate, for current requirements about bringing pets into their country.

Official contacts

Directeur de Agriculture de Veterinaires,

Ministere de l’agriculture

B. P. 297, Boulaos,

Djibouti

Tel; + 253 351-301 / 351-025

Fax: + 253 357-061

Ministry of Agriculture and Sea

Dr. Tabareck Mohamed Ismaill

Email: tabachan600@hotmail.com

Tel: +253 835-818

Current as of May-2025

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 2026-05-29.

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