Pet import requirements for Madagascar
What Madagascar 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 2025-07-01 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.
Madagascar at a glance
| Requirement | For Madagascar |
|---|---|
| Microchip Required | Identification is mandatory |
| Rabies | Required to be older than 30 days and less than 1 year |
| Rabies antibody test Required | The Rabies serum neutralizing antibody test is not mandatory to enter Madagascar but just suggested in case of an eventual travel of the pet to an ECC country member in the future |
| Import permit Required | Import Permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development/Department |
| Quarantine | Pets are required to spend 30 days in isolation at home quarantine once arrived in Madagascar and a sanitary in spection |
| Minimum age to travel | Dogs / cats less than three months old, not yet vaccinated against rabies, are not allowed to enter Madagascar |
| Customs clearance | Customs Clearance and Role of the Owner: Travelers may handle customs procedures the mselves, or choose to authorize a veterinary clinic in Madagascar to manage the import… |
| Agent at destination | Not specified |
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
Pets are required to spend 30 days in isolation at home quarantine once arrived in Madagascar and a sanitary in spection. Madagascar, of ficially the Republic of Madagascar, is an island country that in cludes the island of Madagascar and numerous smaller peripheral islands. Arrival airports noted for this destination in clude TNR.
Import requirements
Dogs / cats less than three months old, not yet vaccinated against rabies, are not allowed to enter Madagascar.
Import permit
Health Certificate
Vaccination Records
Generally VHC, RNATT, bloodwork if necessary, and original vet book.
Identification and microchip
Identification is mandatory. Microchipping is required. ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15 digit microchip is the preferred method of pet identification.
Rabies and vaccinations
Required to be older than 30 days and less than 1 year.
Health Requirements for Companion Animals: Rabies vaccination and treatment against echinococcosis are mandatory for entry. The health certificate should attest that the animal is free from other major diseases such as leptospirosis, adenovirosis, canine distemper, parvovirosis, and parainfluenza, among others.
Tests and treatments
The Rabies serum neutralizing antibody test is not mandatory to enter Madagascar but just suggested in case of an eventual travel of the pet to an ECC country member in the future.
Pets must be treated forGeneral endo and ecto parasites control/treatment.
Health certificate and permits
Mandatory. The Health Certificates completed by a licensed veterinarian must be endorsed by the governing authority responsible for the import and export of live animals although it is not required.
The 1st delivered FIFTEEN DAYS prior the departure to obtain the import permit
The 2nd delivered not more than THREE DAYS before departure.
Import Permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development/Department.
- Two veterinary Health Certificate (good health and free from disease, lived in a safe and rabies free region)
- Microchip certificate
- Good health certificate
- Original vet books
- Proof of rabies vaccination
Quarantine
Pets are required to spend 30 days in isolation at home quarantine once arrived in Madagascar and a sanitary in spection.
Restrictions and banned breeds
There are no restricted breeds for entry into Madagascar. However, for export, especially of specific breeds like the Coton de Tuléar, a specific export authorization is required.
Customs, agents, and airports
Customs Clearance and Role of the Owner: Travelers may handle customs procedures the mselves, or choose to authorize a veterinary clinic in Madagascar to manage the import formalities on their behalf. However, the sanitary import authorization must be validated (VISA)by the Border Veterinary Service prior to customs clearance.
Not specified
Points of Entry for Companion Animals: Companion animals (dogs, cats, ferrets) may arrive at the following airports and ports: Ivato International Airport, Nosy-Be Airport and Port, Toamasina (Tamatave) Airport and Port, Mahajanga (Majunga) Airport and Port, Antsiranana (Diego) Airport and Port, Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin) Airport and Port, Toliara (Tuléar) Airport and Port. Please note that actual entry depends on the existence of operational flights or ships to these locations, and on the policies of the airline or shipping company, which are outside our scope. Travelers must contact them in advance.
dsv.sif.info@gmail.com
Dr ANDRIAMAHEFA Heritiana Fanomezantsoa
Chef de Service Inspection aux Frontières
Direction des Services Vétérinaires
Tel: 0383057931/ 0341635525
Whatsapp +261341635525
Airports listed on this destination file: TNR.
Import authorization must be obtained before departure.
VHC must be placed of departure less than 15 days before departure. Must have info on the owner, and complete description of the animal. Specifically, that the animal is in good health, and the origin has been free from any in fectious disease. For dogs over 3 months and cats over 6 months old, certificates must also confirm the rabies vaccination.
Dogs - more than 1 month and less than 3 years before travel for dogs over 6 months, more than 3 months before travel for dogs under 6 months.
Cats - more than 1 month and less than 1 year before travel.
All animals entering the country will be forced to undergo a sanitary in spection upon arrival.
Export notes
This is dependent on the country exporting.
General requirements are an import/export permit, Veterinary health certificate, RNATT certificate, Microchip certificate for export, especially of specific breeds like the Coton de Tuléar, a specific export authorization is required
Other pets / CITES / extra rules
Apply for CITES permit for all CITES registered species. Import and Export Cites permit required.
Vet Service – private vet clinic
Lot II N 40 ABA Analamahitsy Antananarivo 101 – BP 6231 Fiadanana – Tél (261.20)22 415 45 ou 22 491 63 ou
Fax (261.20) 22 490 76
e-mail: vetclinic@sssm.mg-
Nothing specified for welfare regulations
Import permit takes 15 days from date of application.
The 2 veterinary health certificates (good health and free from diseases, lived in safe and rabies free region.
1st- issued 15 days before departure for import permit.
2nd- not less than 3 days prior to departure.
Official contacts
According to the government agency all of the below are private vet clinics – “The other addresses you mentioned belong to private veterinary clinics, which you are free to contact directly for assistance or further services.”:
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and Fishery (MINAE)
Contact: Harifidy Jansen Ramilison
Email: minae.celcom@gmail.com
Huguette FIAKARA
VETCLINIC 24H
Adresse: Lot II E 2 ZWR
Ampandrianomby – 101 Antananarivo
MADAGASCAR
Director of Veterinary Services
BP 291,
Antananarivo 101,
Madagascar.
Tel; + ( 261 20 ) 24 636 38
Fax; + ( 261-20 ) 22 665 34
E-mail: maillard@cirad.mg
Vet Service
Lot II N 40 ABA Analamahitsy Antananarivo 101 – BP 6231 Fiadanana – Tél (261.20)22 415 45 ou 22 491 63 ou
Fax (261.20) 22 490 76
e-mail: vetclinic@sssm.mg-
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 2025-07-01.
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 Madagascar
- Website minae.gov.mg
Questions about moving a pet to Madagascar
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for Madagascar?
Identification is mandatory
From the country profile, last verified 2025-07-01.
What rabies vaccination does Madagascar require?
Required to be older than 30 days and less than 1 year
Is a rabies antibody (titer) test needed for Madagascar?
The Rabies serum neutralizing antibody test is not mandatory to enter Madagascar but just suggested in case of an eventual travel of the pet to an ECC country member in the future
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 Madagascar?
Import Permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development/Department
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in Madagascar?
Pets are required to spend 30 days in isolation at home quarantine once arrived in Madagascar and a sanitary in spection