Pet import requirements for Tanzania

Tanzania at a glance

The detail

Tanzania is located in East Africa, bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the east. Because Tanzania is in Africa And Middle East, transit countries on the way can impose extra live-animal rules even when the destination file looks straightforward. Pets entering Tanzania that fully comply with all import requirements, in cluding holding a valid import permit, are not subject to quarantine upon arrival.

Import requirements

For puppies and kittens, the minimum import age is 12 weeks, as this is the earliest age at which they can receive their first rabies vaccination.

However, puppies or kittens younger than 12 weeks may be permitted entry if they are accompanied by their mother and her rabies vaccination is valid and up to date.

Pet Import Requirements –Republic of Tanzania1. Import Permit2. International Veterinary Health Certificate (issued within 10 days of departure)3. Valid Rabies Vaccination (primary or booster, with accepted vaccine types)4. Core Vaccinations (Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, etc. / Cats: FVRCP)5. ISO-Compliant Microchip (15-digit, non-encrypted)6. Internal & External Parasite Treatment (within 10 days of entry)7. Minimum Age Requirement (12 weeks; younger pets must travel with mother)CITES Permit (required for CITES-listed species)

All pets entering Tanzania are considered commercial.

NA

Pets entering Tanzania that fully comply with all import requirements, in cluding holding a valid import permit, are not subject to quarantine upon arrival.

However, pets arriving without a valid import permit or with in complete documentation may be placed under mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility for up to 14 days, at the owner's expense. This measure is enforced to safeguard public health, protect local animal populations, and prevent the in troduction of in fectious diseases.

Identification and microchip

All pets must be microchipped with a 15-digit, non-encrypted microchip that complies with ISO 11784/11785 standards. If your pet's microchip does not meet these specifications, you must provide a compatible microchip scanner upon entry*.*

The microchip number must be clearly recorded in both the vaccination booklet/certificate and the in ternational health certificate.

Rabies and vaccinations

The pet must be vaccinated against rabies as follows:

a) For a primary vaccination: It must be administered no less than 30 days and no more than 12 months prior to travel, and the animal must have been at least 3 months old at the time of vaccination.

b) For a booster vaccination: It must be administered within 12 months before the date of shipment.

c) The rabies vaccine used must be either an in activated virus vaccine or a recombinant vaccine expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein.

Dogs: Must be vaccinated against Rabies, Canine Distemper, Adenovirus (in cluding Hepatitis), Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Leptospira (canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae strains).

Cats: Must be vaccinated against Rabies, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.

Tests and treatments

None. Republic of Tanzania has not published any tests requirements for pets entering into Tanzania

Pets must be treated for both in ternal and external parasites by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days prior to entry, and this treatment must be clearly recorded on the in ternational health certificate.

Health certificate and permits

Pets entering the Republic of Tanzania must be accompanied by an in ternational veterinary health certificate issued and endorsed by the competent veterinary authority in the country of origin. This certificate should be completed no more than five (10) days before the pet’s departure, and the original document must travel with the animal.

Please note that the Republic of Tanzania has not published a standardized national health certificate for pet imports. As such, the of ficial health certificate used in the country of origin—provided it meets in ternational standards and is duly endorsed—is accepted for entry.

Import permit is required for all pets entering Republic of Tanzania.

APPLICATION FORM FOR IMPORTING PET ANIMALS TO THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA available at https://www.mz.tzembassy.go.tz/services/import-permit-food-plants-pets-and-animal-products

Quarantine

Pets entering Tanzania that fully comply with all import requirements, in cluding holding a valid import permit, are not subject to quarantine upon arrival.

However, pets arriving without a valid import permit or with in complete documentation may be placed under mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility for up to 14 days, at the owner's expense. This measure is enforced to safeguard public health, protect local animal populations, and prevent the in troduction of in fectious diseases.

Restrictions and banned breeds

At present, there are no of ficially published breed-specific bans or restrictions for pet importation into the Republic of Tanzania.

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly Recommended

Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)(JNIA)

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) *(AAKIA*)

Airports listed on this destination file: ZNZ, DOD, DAR.

• All pets sent as manifested cargo shall unergo cutoms clearance for duty assessment, documents should be lodged to customs and duties to be paied at least 4 days before pet arrival, import permit takes 2 days to be obtained, after duties has been paid, will wait pet arrival where airport handling charges has to be paid prior release of the pet, clearance process takes 2-5 hours. Diplomats are exempted from customs duties once they do have pro6 exemption from their mission and approved by MFA.

Export notes

• Pasport copy of the owner

• Export permit
• Heath certificate

• Import permit copy from destination country
• AWB

APPLICATION FORM FOR EXPORTING PET ANIMALS OUT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA at: https://www.mz.tzembassy.go.tz/services/import-permit-food-plants-pets-and-animal-products

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

General CITES Import Requirements:

• Valid CITES Permits:

o All imports must be accompanied by the appropriate CITES permits or certificates, issued by the Management Authority of the exporting country. These documents confirm that the trade is legal, sustainable, and traceable, in accordance with Articles III, IV, and V of the Convention.

• Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs):
• For species listed in Appendix II, a Scientific Authority must determine that the export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species. This assessment ensures that the trade does not threaten the species' existence in the wild.

• Legal Acquisition Findings:

Importing countries must be satisfied that the specimens were legally acquired, ensuring compliance with the laws of the country of origin.

CITES Authorities – Tanzania

CITES Management Authority

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism

Wildlife Division

Director of Wildlife

Government City Mtumba, Prime Minister's Street

P.O. Box 1351, Dodoma, Tanzania

Tel: +255 (26) 232 1568 / +255 (26) 232 1514

Email: wildlife@maliasili.go.tz

Website: www.maliasili.go.tz

See CITES

There is not much in formation on government website on pet movement procedure to Tanzania, in formation on procedure changes can be obtained locally at the revenue of fices and ministry of fices.

Official contacts

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives

P.O Box 9192

Dar es Salaam

Tel: +255 22 286-2480 / +255 22 286-2481

Email: psk@kilimo.go.tz

Director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Water and Livestock Development

Temeke Veterinary Office

PO Box 9152

Dar es Salaam

Tel: +255 22 286-2592

Fax +255 22 286-2538

Email: zoosanitary@mifugo.go.tz

Email: epid1@mifugo.go.tz

Web: Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania

CITES Authorities – TanzaniaCITES Management AuthorityMinistry of Natural Resources and TourismWildlife Divisi on Director of Wildlife

Government City Mtumba, Prime Minister's Street

P.O. Box 1351, Dodoma, Tanzania

Tel: +255 (26) 232 1568 / +255 (26) 232 1514

Email: wildlife@maliasili.go.tz

Website

Current as of June 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 2026-06-18.

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