Pet import requirements for Gabon

Gabon at a glance

The detail

Gabon is located on the west coast of Central Africa, bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Typical air gateways on file in clude LBV. Highly Recommended.

Import requirements

Minimum Age for Pets to Enter Gabon

• Pets are generally allowed to enter Gabon at 3 months (12 weeks) of age, as this is the minimum age for administering a rabies vaccine.
• Since Gabon 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

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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 Gabon are Classified as Commercial.

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

Identification and microchip

Microchip

• A 15-digit ISO Standard 11784/11785 microchip is *strongly recommended* when moving pets into Gabon.

Rabies and vaccinations

Yes, Rabies vaccination is required for pets entering Gabon. 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 Gab on All vaccinations must be administered not less than 30 days and not more than 1 year before entry into Gabon.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

Gabon does not provide a standardized health certificate template. Pets entering Gabon 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 Gabon.

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

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly Recommended

LBV – Libreville Leon M’ba International Airport

Airports listed on this destination file: LBV.

Pets can enter in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo. Upon arrival you will need to present documents to the Veterinary Officer stationed at the port entrance, the Officer will stamp documents. All pets must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans. If pet is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian will be required at your expense.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

General CITES Requirements – Gab on Gabon 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, Gabon requires:For Export/Re-export from Gabon:

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

OR

• CITES Re-export Certificate (if the specimen originated from another country)For Import into Gabon:
• 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

Pets must enter Gabon via Libreville International Airport. Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo.

Upon arrival in Gabon you will present the documents and the Veterinary of ficer stationed at the entrance port will stamp them.

Official contacts

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Boîte Postale 551,

Libreville

Tel: +241 721-579

Ministry of Agriculture, Farming, Fishing, and Food Security

B.P. 2087

Tel: +241 01 760-978

Airport of Libreville S.A.

BP 363

Tel: +241 01 736-244 / +241 01 736-246 / +241 01 736-247

Fax: +241 01 736-128

Current as of September 2024

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.

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