Pet import requirements for Malawi

Malawi at a glance

The detail

A customs broker is required for Malawi. A destination agent is required for Malawi. Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, lies within the Great Rift Valley, featuring diverse landscapes such as highlands, plateaus, and Lake Malawi, which occupies a third of its territory. Have the HAWB issued to LLW unless the airline assigns a different live-animal station.

Import requirements

The earliest age for import is 12 weeks, provided the pet has received its Rabies vaccination. However, pets younger than 12 weeks can be imported using the mother’s valid Rabies vaccination certificate.

Import permit is required for pets entering Malawi. While no direct government link to the form is available, the permit typically specifies the pet’s details, such as species, vaccination requirements, and health certification conditions. The permit can be obtained from Malawi’s Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development under the Ministry of Agriculture or processed through a licensed customs agent in Malawi.

• Rabies Vaccination Record
• Vaccination Record
• Health Certificate
• Import Permit

In Malawi, all pets entering the country are classified as a commercial move

Commercial Moves

In Malawi, all pets entering the country are classified as a commercial move

Malawi has not published any special requirements or restrictions based on the exporting country, in cluding those at war, high-risk for rabies, or countries from which animals cannot be imported. However, all pets must meet the standard import requirements, in cluding a Veterinary Import Permit, a valid Rabies vaccination certificate, and compliance with health and transport guidelines.

The date of arrival and flight number must be communicated to the Chief Veterinary Officer in Lilongwe, Malawi. Appropriate arrangements should be made to collect the animal and keep it under restraint until it has been examined.

Identification and microchip

All pets entering Malawi must be microchipped as a mandatory requirement. The microchip must comply with ISO Standard 11784/11785 and be readable by a universal microchip reader. If the microchip does not meet these standards or cannot be read by a universal reader, the owner must provide a compatible microchip reader to ensure the pet's identification can be verified upon entry.

Rabies and vaccinations

Rabies vaccination is required for pets entering Malawi. 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.

Rabies Vaccination: Required for all dogs, cats, and other applicable pets. However, dogs and cats under 3 months of age are exempt from Rabies vaccination. Upon reaching 3 months of age or immediately upon arrival if already older, they must be presented to the nearest veterinary department office for vaccination.

Tests and treatments

Malawi has not published any specific test requirements for pets entering the country. Therefore, there are no tests that must be performed before entry, no timelines for when tests should be conducted, and no expiration periods for test results.

Before entry into Malawi, pets must receive both in ternal and external parasite treatments administered by a certified veterinarian. These treatments must be done within 14 days prior to embarkation. Additionally, the pet must be issued a health certificate within 14 days of embarkation, endorsed by the competent authority. The health certificate must in clude details of the parasite treatments, such as the dates of administration, the products used, and the veterinarian's certification.

Health certificate and permits

A Veterinary Health Certificate is required for pets entering Malawi, issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by the competent government authority in the country of origin. The certificate must confirm the pet was examined within 14 days prior to export and is free from contagious or in fectious diseases. It must also in clude proof of Rabies vaccination (Flury strain avianized rabies vaccine), administered not less than 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to exportation, with confirmation that the pet has had no contact with a rabid animal in the previous six months. The certificate must in clude a description of the pet, vaccination date, batch number, and the name of the vaccine production laboratory.

Import permit is a mandatory requirement.

(IF FROM SOUTH AFRICA: You would apply for an import permit as the SA government will want to see import permit.)

Apply to the Director for Animal Health and Development, PO Box 2096, Lilongwe; Malawi.

The importer must pay the required fees

Import Permit

IMPORT PERMIT

Quarantine

Pets that meet Malawi's import permit requirements, in cluding a valid Veterinary Health Certificate and Rabies vaccination certificate, will not be quarantined upon arrival. However, pets that do not meet these requirements will be quarantined for 14 days at the owner’s expense. There is no requirement for pets to quarantine at home before entry. Quarantine only applies upon arrival if import conditions are not fully met.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Malawi has not published any breed-specific restrictions for pet importation. Additionally, there are no climate-related travel restrictions specified for pet travel into Malawi. The country’s equatorial tropical climate is generally favorable for dog transport, avoiding extreme weather conditions. However, it is always advisable to ensure pets are transported in a manner that prioritizes their comfort and safety during travel.

Customs, agents, and airports

A customs broker is required for Malawi.

A destination agent is required for Malawi.

Pets must enter Malawi via Lilongwe International Airport. - LLW

Airports listed on this destination file: LLW.

• Entry Mode: All pets must enter Malawi as cargo; pets cannot travel in-cabin or as baggage.

• Customs and State Veterinary Clearance:
• Clearance is mandatory for all pets upon arrival.
• The process must be handled by a licensed customs agent, who will provide a detailed breakdown of fees at the time of import.
• IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR):

• Pets must be transported in containers that comply with IATA LAR standards, ensuring proper size, ventilation, and security for the pet.
• Entry Points:

• Pets typically enter Malawi through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, which serves as the main point of entry for live animals.
• Operating Hours:

• Customs and veterinary of fices operate during standard business hours. It is essential to notify the authorities in advance regarding the pet's date of arrival and flight number to ensure arrangements are made for clearance.
• Weekend Arrivals:

• For pets arriving on weekends or outside regular hours, prior communication with the Chief Veterinary Officer and licensed customs agents is necessary to avoid delays.
• Appointments:

• While appointments are not strictly required, it is mandatory to notify the authorities and coordinate with a licensed customs agent in advance to ensure a smooth process.
• Customs Requirements:

Documents Required:

• Veterinary Import Permit
• Veterinary Health Certificate (issued within 14 days of departure and endorsed by the competent authority)
• Rabies vaccination certificate (administered between 30 days and 12 months before travel)
• IATA-compliant crate details
• A licensed customs agent must manage the clearance process.
• Fees, Taxes, and Costs:

• Fees for live animal imports vary and are determined by the licensed customs agent. These may in clude import duties, veterinary in spection fees, and handling charges.
• Transit Station/Crates During Clearance:

• Malawi does not have a dedicated transit station for live animals. Pets will remain in their IATA-compliant crates while awaiting Customs and Veterinary clearance.
• Best Practices for Entry:

• Ensure all documentation and crate requirements are accurate and complete before departure.
• Notify the Chief Veterinary Officer and licensed customs agent in advance with the pet's date and time of arrival to avoid delays.
• Use Kamuzu International Airport as the preferred entry point due to its established facilities for handling live animal imports.

Export notes

Export Permit, Veterinary Health Certificate, Vaccination and Microchip, Customs Process and State Veterinary Clearance, Pets must be transported in IATA-compliant crates suitable for their size and species, destination requirements import permit must be met, pet owners are required to Begin the export process well in advance to meet timelines for documentation and approvals.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

CITES Requirements:1. CITES Export Permit:

• Required for exporting any CITES-listed species from Malawi.
• Issued by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change.
• The permit must specify the species, quantity, and purpose of the export.
• CITES Import Permit:

• Required for importing CITES-listed species into Malawi.
• Issued by the DNPW and must align with the export permit from the originating country.
• CITES Transit Permit:

• Required for the transit of CITES-listed species through Malawi.
• Must in clude documentation from both the exporting and importing countries.
• Species Classification:

• Trade regulations depend on the CITES Appendix under which the species is listed:
• Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction – requires both import and export permits.
• Appendix II: Species not necessarily threatened but require trade controls – requires an export permit.
• Appendix III: Species protected in specific countries – requires a certificate of origin or other supporting documentation.
• Documentation:

• All CITES-listed species must be accompanied by valid permits during transport.
• These documents must be presented to customs and wildlife of ficials upon arrival or departure.
• Inspection and Compliance:

• All CITES-listed species are subject to in spection by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and customs of ficials to ensure adherence to regulations.

Department of National Parks and Wildlife

The Director of National Parks and Wildlife

Telephone +265 999 915 411

Email dpw@wildlifemw.net

brightkumchedwa@wildlifemw.net

wmgoola@wildlifemw.net

Mailing address

Convention Drive

Matamando House

Opposite Civic Centre - City Centre

Lilongwe

https://cites.org/eng/parties/country-profiles/mw

Malawi has not published specific import requirements or restrictions for pets other than dogs and cats. For such animals, it is recommended to contact the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development to obtain in formation on the applicable protocols and health requirements for importation. Additionally, consulting a licensed customs agent in Malawi can provide guidance and help ensure compliance with all necessary regulations.

None.

Official contacts

Ministry of Agriculture, Malawi

Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development

Capital Hill, Lilongwe, Malawi

+265 1 789 033 / +265 1 789 046

info@agriculture.gov.mw

WEBSITE

Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters

P.O. Box 30134,

Capitol Hill, Lilongwe 3

Tel: +265 1 788-738

Fax: +265 1 788-908

Website

Department of Animal Health,

Ministry of Agriculture,

P. O. Box 2096,

Lilongwe, Malawi

Tel: +265 1 756-038

Fax: +265 1 755-912 / 751-349

Email: dahi.cvl@malawi.net

Current as of February 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 2025-02-24.

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