Pet import requirements for Eritrea

Eritrea at a glance

The detail

ASM is on the arrival list for pets heading to Eritrea. Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of Eastern Africa, with its capital and largest city at Asmara. Yes — to import a pet into Eritrea, you must obtain an of ficial import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Department of Animal Resources in Asmara.

Import requirements

Dogs and cats are generally permitted entry into Eritrea from 12 weeks of age, as this is the earliest they can receive a rabies vaccination.

However, puppies and kittens younger than 12 weeks may be allowed entry without a rabies vaccine if:

• The mother has a valid and up-to-date rabies vaccination.

• The exemption is clearly noted in the veterinary health certificate and pre-approved by the Department of Animal Resources under the Ministry of Agriculture.

For pregnant animals, a fit-to-fly certificate from a licensed veterinarian is required to confirm the pet is healthy, not in an advanced stage of pregnancy, and fit for travel.

Required Entry Documents for Pets into Eritrea:

• International Veterinary Health Certificate – issued within 10 days before travel

• Valid Rabies Vaccination Certificate – primary or booster given within the past 12 months

• Microchip is recommended – must comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards

• Proof of Internal and External Parasite Treatment – administered within 10 days prior to entry

• Import Permit – required in most cases

• CITES Permit – mandatory for any protected species under CITES regulations

All pets entering Eritrea are considered commercial.

None published

Identification and microchip

Microchip Identification – Eritrea

• Microchipping is recommended but not mandatory for dogs and cats.

• It should comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards and be implanted before rabies vaccination.

• The microchip number must be clearly recorded in all documents, in cluding the veterinary health certificate.

Rabies and vaccinations

Rabies Vaccination – Eritrea

a) Primary Vaccination:

• Pets can enter Eritrea immediately after receiving their rabies shot if:

• They were at least 3 months old at the time of vaccination
• The vaccine was given no more than one year before travel.

b) Booster Vaccination:

• Boosters must also be administered within one year of the travel date.

• No waiting period is required after a valid booster, provided the previous rabies vaccination was still current at the time of re-vaccination.

All dogs and cats entering Eritrea must be vaccinated against rabies:

• The rabies vaccine must be administered when the pet is at least 12 weeks old.

• The vaccine must be given no more than one year prior to travel.

For puppies and kittens younger than 12 weeks:

• They may be permitted entry without their own rabies vaccination if they are fit to fly and their mother has a valid and up-to-date rabies vaccination.

• This exemption must be clearly stated in the veterinary health certificate and pre-approved by Eritrea’s Department of Animal Resources.

Other core vaccinations (e.g. for distemper, parvovirus, or feline viral diseases) may be recommended but are not explicitly mandated for entry.

Tests and treatments

None

All pets must receive treatment for in ternal and external parasites within 10 days before entering Eritrea, and the treatments must be clearly documented in the veterinary health certificate.

Health certificate and permits

Requires an International Veterinary Health Certificate or Certificate of Good Health, issued shortly before travel.

No of ficial Eritrean public form is available, but you can typically use standard in ternational formats issued in your country:

• Certificates must be completed by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin.

• Must in clude a detailed examination, in cluding vaccinations, parasite treatments, microchip info, and general health status

Yes — to import a pet into Eritrea, you must obtain an of ficial import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Department of Animal Resources in Asmara.

Export Health Certificate.

Quarantine

Eritrea does not require a government-mandated quarantine for dogs or cats that:

• Comply fully with all veterinary health and vaccination requirements
• Arrive with complete and valid documentation
• Appear healthy upon in spection at the port of entry

Pre-arrival (home-based) quarantine is also not required by Eritrean authorities.

However, pets may be subject to in spection on arrival. If signs of illness or issues with documentation are found, the animal may be:

• Denied entry
• Placed under veterinary observation
• Temporarily held at the discretion of port health or veterinary of ficials

Restrictions and banned breeds

Eritrea currently has no breed-specific restrictions in place. There is no of ficial list of banned dog or cat breeds, and all recognized breeds are permitted entry as long as they meet the required health and import documentation.

While Eritrea does not enforce climate-related travel bans, airlines may impose seasonal restrictions—particularly during extreme heat or cold—which can affect pet travel. This is especially important for snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds, which are more sensitive to temperature changes.

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly Recommended

Airport:

• Asmara International Airport, Asmara (IATA: ASM, ICAO: HHAS)

Ground:

Eritrea shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti. Pets can be legally transported from any of these countries, but procedures and transport modes may vary.

• Via Ethiopia (Refer to Ethiopia Country profile)
• Via Sudan (Refer to Sudan Country profile)
• Via Djibuoúti (Refer to Djibouti Country profile)

Water Port:

No scheduled vehicle/ferry routes bring pets directly into Eritrea. Maritime transport is not a practical option for pet import.

Airports listed on this destination file: ASM.

Export notes

Microchip

Export Health Certificate

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

Appendix I species:

Require both an export permit from Eritrea’s Management Authority and an import permit from the destination country. Trade is only permitted under exceptional circumstances (e.g. scientific research).

Appendix II species:

Require an export permit issued by Eritrea’s Management Authority before trade.

Appendix III species:

If sourced from Eritrea itself, an export permit is required; if from elsewhere, a certificate of origin applies.

Management Authority

Ministry of Agriculture – Regulatory Services Department

Telephone: +291 1 120 395 / +291 1 120 388 / +291 7 117 867

Fax: +291 1 127 508

Email: cites-er@moa.gov.er

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1162, Asmara, Eritrea

Animal Welfare Regulations

Official contacts

Management Authority

Ministry of Agriculture – Regulatory Services Department

Telephone: +291 1 120 395 / +291 1 120 388 / +291 7 117 867

Fax: +291 1 127 508

Email: cites-er@moa.gov.er

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1162, Asmara, Eritrea

Minister of Agriculture-Eritrea

Mr. Arefaine Berhe

Email: agriculture@moa.gov.er

Asmara

PO Box 1048

Eritrea, Asmara

Tel: +291 1 181-499

Fax: +291 1 181-415

Current as of July 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 2025-07-10.

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