Pet import requirements for Lesotho
What Lesotho 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 2025-05-29 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.
Lesotho at a glance
| Requirement | For Lesotho |
|---|---|
| Microchip Required | Pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is 15 digits and non-encrypted |
| Rabies | Pets must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry |
| Import permit Required | Import Permit is Required for countries unless your dog or cat is transiting between the following SADC member nations: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland or… |
| Quarantine | Not required |
| Minimum age to travel | 8 – 12 weeks on mother’s valid rabies 16 weeks on own Rabies vaccine if done at 12 weeks with 30 day waiting period |
| Customs clearance | No, owners can self clear but recommended for convenience |
| 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
Not required. Location of the country is surrounded by the country of South Africa.
Import requirements
8 – 12 weeks on mother’s valid rabies
16 weeks on own Rabies vaccine if done at 12 weeks with 30 day waiting period
The pets may need to travel to or through South Africa, please take note of the South African requirements for transit or import
Identification and microchip
Pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is 15 digits and non-encrypted. Pets MicroChip number must be present on all Documents
Rabies and vaccinations
Pets must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry.
Puppies must be 16 weeks old at time of Rabies vaccine.
Puppy can travel on mother’s Valid Rabies vaccine if still valid at time of giving birth (min 30 days – max 1 year)
All primary vaccines must be done min of 30 days prior to departure. Booster Rabies can be valid for 3 years
Dogs should be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza
Cats should be vaccinated against Feline Panleaukemia (Distemper), Viral Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus and Leukaemia
and must be older than 30 days but not more than 12 months.
Pets must have valid vaccination records,
in cluding proof of rabies in oculation.
Tests and treatments
Not applicable.
None but good idea to do parasite treatment. Not a requirement.
Health certificate and permits
An accredited veterinarian must complete an International Health Certificate for Lesotho in English and the IHC must be endorsed by the governing authority of the exporting country within 7 days of export to confirm fit to travel, and shows no signs of in fections, or contiguous or parasitic disease.
Import Permit is Required for countries unless your dog or cat is transiting between the following SADC member nations: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland or Zimbabwe..
Quarantine
Not required
Restrictions and banned breeds
An import permit is required to enter Lesotho. The permit is issued by the Director of Animal Health and is valid for 6 months after the date of issuance. A licensed veterinarian must complete the health certificate shortly prior to travel.
Cats and dogs traveling between, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland and South Africa can travel on an Interterritorial movement permit will not need an import permit.
Customs, agents, and airports
No, owners can self clear but recommended for convenience.
No but highly Recommended.
- Moshoeshoe I International Airport, Maseru, Lesotho (IATA: MSU, ICAO: FXMM)
Pets must enter into Moshoeshoe Airport in Maseru.
Other pets / CITES / extra rules
Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Department of Environment
Telephone+266 22 32 05 34
Fax+266 22 31 01 94
Contact people
Mamasheane Motabotabo - Focal Point
motabotabo@gmail.com
mamasheane.motabotabo@gov.ls
Mailing address
7th Floor Post Office Building
P.O. Box 10993
Maseru 100
Last update
20 March 2024
Official contacts
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Address:LNDC Building, Block B Box 24, No. 80 Constitution Road
Tel:+266 223 227 41 / +266 800 101 00
Email:lereko.masupha@gov.ls
https://www.gov.ls
Ministry of Agriculture
PO Box 24
Maseru 100
Tel: +266 2231-6410
Fax: +266 2231-0186
Contact: Mr. Lereko Masupha
Email: lereko.masupha@gov.ls
The Lesotho Trade Portal Manager
One-Stop Business Facilitation Centre
Ministry of Trade and Industry, Marketing and Cooperatives
First Floor LNDC Phase II
Kingsway
Lesotho
Tel: +266 2232-6647
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 2025-05-29.
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 Lesotho
- Animal Welfare Regulations rr-africa.woah.org
Questions about moving a pet to Lesotho
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for Lesotho?
Pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is 15 digits and non-encrypted
From the country profile, last verified 2025-05-29.
What rabies vaccination does Lesotho require?
Pets must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry
Do I need an import permit to bring a pet into Lesotho?
Import Permit is Required for countries unless your dog or cat is transiting between the following SADC member nations: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland or…
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in Lesotho?
Not required
How old does a puppy or kitten have to be to travel to Lesotho?
8 – 12 weeks on mother’s valid rabies 16 weeks on own Rabies vaccine if done at 12 weeks with 30 day waiting period