Pet import requirements for The Gambia

The Gambia at a glance

The detail

For The Gambia, start with this checkpoint: the earliest age for import is 12 weeks, provided the pet has received its Rabies vaccination. The Gambia is located on the Atlantic coast and is entirely surrounded by Senegal on all land borders, with the ocean to the west; as a result of this geographical and regulatory proximity, The Gambia does not operate a fully in dependent…. Confirm routing into Africa And Middle East with the airline before you lock crate training dates.

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.

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Import Permit, Vaccination Booklet, and Veterinary Health Certificate:

• Upon arrival, animals are in spected by veterinary agents at the port of entry, such as Diass Airport, to ensure compliance with health and documentation requirements.

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CITES Permits (if applicable):

• Both CITES Import and Export Permits are required for CITES-listed species.
• These permits must accompany the shipment and be presented to customs and veterinary of ficials upon arrival.

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Quotas for Pet Imports:Gambia has not established specific quotas for pet imports. Import permits are issued based on the number of animals specified in the application.

Gambia has not defined moves based on personal, commercial and non-commercial moves.

Gambia has not defined moves based on commercial and non-commercial moves.

• Gambia 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 requirements, in cluding a Veterinary Import Permit, a valid Rabies vaccination certificate, and compliance with health and transport guidelines. It is advisable to consult with Gambia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries for updates or specific cases.

All pets entering Gambia must comply with IATA Live Animal Regulations to ensure their safe and humane transport. This in cludes appropriate crate size, ventilation, and secure locking mechanisms suitable for the pet’s size and species. These regulations ensure the welfare of the animal during transit and are mandatory for all pets entering the country.

Identification and microchip

All pets entering Gambia 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 Gambia. 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.

Dogs entering Gambia must be vaccinated against the following diseases:

• Canine Distemper
• Canine Hepatitis
• Canine Parainfluenza
• Canine Leptospirosis
• Canine Parvovirus

Additionally, the dog must be free from:

• Canine Coronavirus
• Rotavirus
• Adenovirus Type 2
• Bordetella

Cats entering Gambia must be vaccinated against:

• Rabies
• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)
• Calicivirus (FCV)
• Feline Panleukopenia (FPV)

(Note: This is often administered as a combination "FVRCP" vaccine.)

For both dogs and cats, the required vaccinations must not be older than one year at the time of entry into Gambia. All vaccinations must be documented in a valid health certificate issued and endorsed by a competent veterinary authority within 48 hours of departure.

It is also advisable to ensure pets are in good health and meet all other entry requirements before traveling.

Tests and treatments

Gambia 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 Gambia, pets must receive both endo and ecto parasite treatments administered by a certified veterinarian. These treatments should be given within 14 days prior to embarkation.

Health certificate and permits

For pets traveling to Gambia, a Veterinary Health Certificate must be issued within 120 hours before embarkation. This certificate can be completed by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin, but it must be endorsed by the competent authority of the country of origin to be valid.

Gambia has not published a specific health certificate template or format for pet importation. The certificate should in clude all relevant health details of the pet, such as vaccination records, treatments (in ternal and external parasites), microchip in formation, and a declaration of good health.

While Gambia does not provide a specific form, you may use the standard health certificate template commonly used in your country. Consult your local veterinary authority or the competent government agency to ensure compliance with both the exporting and importing requirements.

Import permit is mandatory

Quarantine

Pets meeting all import requirements (in cluding a valid Veterinary Import Permit, Rabies vaccination booklet, and Veterinary Health Certificate) are not subject to quarantine upon arrival in Gambia.

There is no requirement for pets to quarantine at home before entry. However, pets may be subject to in spection by veterinary agents at the port of entry (e.g., BJL Airport) to verify documentation and health compliance. If pets fail to meet these requirements, quarantine measures may apply.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Gambia has not explicitly published a comprehensive list of prohibited pet species for import.

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly Recommended

BJL.

• Entry Mode:

• Pets can enter Gambia as cargo or as excess baggage, depending on the airline's policy.
• For pets traveling as excess baggage, it is mandatory to book an in spection upon arrival with veterinary agents to ensure compliance with health and documentation requirements.
• Customs and Veterinary Clearance:

• Clearance is mandatory for all pets upon arrival, regardless of entry mode.
• A licensed customs agent must handle the clearance process and will provide a detailed breakdown of fees at the time of import.
• It is essential to notify the authorities in advance of the in tended date and time of arrival to allow customs and veterinary of ficials to make prior arrangements, avoiding unnecessary delays.
• 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 animal.
• Entry Points:

• Pets typically enter Gambia through BJL Airport, which is equipped for live animal imports and in spections.
• Operating Hours:

• Customs and veterinary services operate 24/7, allowing pets to be cleared regardless of arrival time, in cluding weekends.
• Weekend Arrivals:

• Pets arriving on weekends: For weekends and holiday arrivals, prior arrangements are mandatory.
• Appointments:

• For pets traveling as excess baggage, you must book an in spection appointment upon arrival with state veterinary authority and customs.
• Informing your licensed customs agent in advance is also recommended to ensure smooth processing.
• Customs Requirements:

• Documents Required:
• Veterinary Import Permit
• Veterinary Health Certificate (issued within 48 hours before departure and endorsed by the competent authority)
• Rabies vaccination certificate
• IATA-compliant crate details
• A licensed customs agent must oversee the clearance process.

• Fees, Taxes, and Costs:
• Import fees vary and will be determined by the licensed customs agent during clearance. These typically in clude import duties, veterinary in spection fees, and handling charges.

• Transit Station/Crates During Clearance:
• Gambia does not have a dedicated transit station for live animals. Pets remain in their crates while waiting for Customs and Veterinary clearance.

• Best Practices for Entry:
• Ensure all documentation and crate requirements are completed and accurate before departure.
• Collaborate with a licensed customs agent to streamline the clearance process.
• Notify authorities in advance of the arrival date and time to avoid delays.
• Use BJL Airport as the preferred entry point due to its established facilities and procedures for 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

A CITES Import Permit is required for any CITES-listed species entering Gambia and is issued by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources. A CITES Export Permit must also be obtained from the CITES Management Authority in the country of origin. Both permits must accompany the shipment and be presented to customs and veterinary of ficials upon arrival. Trade regulations depend on the CITES Appendix: Appendix I (species threatened with extinction) requires both import and export permits, Appendix II (species needing trade control) requires an export permit, and Appendix III (species protected in specific countries) requires permits or certificates. Upon arrival, CITES-listed species are subject to in spection and clearance by veterinary and customs of ficials to ensure compliance. For permits and further in formation, contact Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (CITES authority) in The Gambia. oversees the implementation of CITES regulations. These sites outline the procedures and requirements for importing and exporting CITES-listed species in Gambia.

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR)

Import permit and CITES (where applicable) is a mandatory requirement.

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Official contacts

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security (MoALFS) The Quadrangle

Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa

Digital Address: FC3F+QWCTelephone: +220 422 8270

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 2026-04-08.

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