Pet import requirements for Tonga

Tonga at a glance

The detail

Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom of more than 170 South Pacific islands, many uninhabited, most lined in white beaches and coral reefs and covered with tropical rainforest. Typical air gateways on file in clude TBU. Highly recommended.

Import requirements

At the age at which the pet can meet these requirements - have been effectively vaccinated against rabies, distemper, hepatitis and canine parvovirus at least one month and not more than three months before shipment.

An import license is required, except for pets originating from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Rep., Chad, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Cote d'Ivoire, France, French overseas departments, French overseas territories, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger or Senegal.

Refer to this link for more in formation https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/ton_e/wtaccton4a2_leg_3.pdf

IMPORTATION OF DOGS

(1) For the importation of dogs the presentation of an in ternational animal health certificate is required, attesting that the animals:

(a) were examined within 24 hours of shipment, found to be in good health and showed no sign of any in fectious disease;

(b) have been effectively vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis and canine parvovirus at least one month and not more than three months before shipment;

(c) have been effectively treated against echinococcosis-hydatidosis within three days of shipment;

(d) have been effectively treated against round, hook and whipworms within three days of shipment;

(e) have been effectively treated against, and found on examination to be visibly free of, all ectoparasites within three days of shipment;

(f) showed no clinical sign of rabies on the day of shipment, and were kept since birth or for the six months prior to shipment in the exporting country provided that no case of rabies was of ficially reported in the exporting country during the two years immediately preceding the importation of the animals concerned.

(2) As soon as the animals arrive in Tonga they shall immediately be taken under the control of a veterinary of ficer to a quarantine ground or other premises approved by the Director, where the animals shall remain until they are released by a veterinary of ficer.

IMPORTATION OF CATS

(1) For the importation of cats the presentation of an in ternational animal health certificate is required attesting that the animals:

(a) were examined within 24 hours of shipment, found to be in good health and showed no sign of any in fectious disease;

(b) have been effectively vaccinated against feline panleucopaenia at least one month and not more than twelve months before shipment, and feline viral rhinotracheitis / calici virus at least one month and not more than three months before shipment;

(c) have been effectively treated against echinococcosis-hydatidosis within three days of shipment;

(d) have been effectively treated against round, hook and whipworms within three days of shipment;

(e) have been effectively treated against, and found on examination to be visibly free of, all ectoparasites within three days of shipment;

(f) showed no clinical sign of rabies on the day of shipment, and were kept since birth or for the six months prior to shipment in the exporting country provided that no case of rabies was of ficially reported in the exporting country during the two years immediately preceding the importation of the animals concerned.

(2) As soon as the animals arrive in Tonga they shall immediately be taken under the control of a veterinary of ficer to a quarantine ground or other premises approved by the Director, where the animals shall remain until they are released by a veterinary of ficer.

ENTRY OF ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS INTO TONGA

GENERAL CONDITIONS OF PERMIT TO IMPORT LIVE ANIMALS

(1) Every permit for the importation of live animals, in cluding embryos and ova, shall be subject to the following conditions in addition to the relevant provisions of the Act and these Regulations:

(a) the first port of entry into Tonga shall be specified in the import permit;

(b) the time and date of embarkation, the estimated time and date of arrival in Tonga and the airline/flight number or ship/voyage number shall be advised to the Director at the earliest possible time and no later than one working day before embarkation of the animals for Tonga;

(c) all animals shall be consigned to Tonga as manifested cargo unless specific provision has been made in the import permit otherwise;

(d) the facilities for the transport of animals shall comply with the Recommendations for Transport of Live Animals of the O.I.E. and the International Air Transport Association Live Animal Regulations, as appropriate, and with any other code of practice for the welfare of animals in transit from time to time recognized in Tonga;

(e) all importations of animals are to be accompanied by-

(i) the import permit issued for that importation;

(ii) a declaration signed by the owner or exporter of the animals providing such in formation and guarantees as may be required regarding the identification, history and origin of the animals;

(iii) an in ternational animal health certificate signed and stamped by an of ficial veterinary of ficer of the exporting country certifying the state of good health of the animals and giving particulars, where applicable of the biological tests to which the animals have been subjected, the vaccinations carried out on the animals which are the subject of the certificate and any measures taken to prevent the spread of disease;

(f) unless special provision has been made in the import permit otherwise all animals shall be transported directly without trans-shipment, off-loading or contact with animals not the subject of the same import permit or animals not of equivalent certified health status from the port of departure to the port of arrival in Tonga;

(g) the death, loss or sickness of any animals during the voyage shall be notified to an Inspector immediately on arrival in Tonga by the person in charge of the vessel or aircraft;

(h) all food stuffs, litter, manure, straw or bedding and packing material, crates, containers or any other related articles shall be off-loaded only on the in structions of an Inspector, who may order their cleaning, disinfection, destruction, in cineration or other means of disposal;

(i) all animals and documents shall be in spected on arrival by a veterinary of ficer, except that in the case of animals imported under general or multiple import permits, a veterinary of ficer may delegate such in spections to an Inspector;

(j) no animal shall be released from quarantine unless the veterinary of ficer, or his delegate in the case of animals imported under general or multiple permits, is satisfied that the import is in accordance with the provisions of the Act and any Regulations made the reunder, that all conditions of the import permit have been met up to the time of arrival in Tonga and that any tests, treatments or period of detention in quarantine have been completed to the satisfaction of a veterinary of ficer;

(k) the import permit shall not be transferable;

(l) the import permit may be cancelled or amended at any time after issue and before arrival of the animals concerned in Tonga should the animal health or quarantine status of the country of origin change or be reported to have changed in the meantime; and all costs and expenses of, and attendant upon, any importation in cluding any documentation, tests, in spections, treatments, detention in quarantine, destruction or re-export, or of any other procedure or action taken or brought about under the provisions of the Act or any Regulation made the reunder shall be borne by the importer and no compensation shall be payable by the Crown for any loss or reduction in value caused by such action; In the case of any O.I.E. List A or List B disease or for any communicable disease which is considered to be of socio-economic or public health importance or is significant in the in ternationalconsiderer trade of livestock and livestock products or for any communicable diseases with important socio-economic or sanitary in fluence at the national level and which affect live animals and for which export health certification conditions have not been prescribed in these Regulations: either:

(i) that the exporting country is free from such disease and that no case of such disease was of ficially reported during the six months immediately preceding the importation of the animals concerned, or:

(ii) where the exporting country is not free from any such disease referred to in the preceding sub-Regulation and export health certification conditions have not been prescribed in these Regulations, the Director shall attach such conditions to the import permit as will be, in his opinion, sufficient safeguard against the in troduction of such disease. Such conditions shall not be less than those recommended in the International Animal Health Code of the O.I.E.

The Director may grant or authorize the granting of import permits valid for multiple importations of the same commodity where it is in his opinion expedient so to do providing at all times that such permits do not result in an in creased quarantine risk.

Were kept since birth or for the six months prior to shipment in the exporting country provided that no case of rabies was of ficially reported in the exporting country during the two years immediately preceding the importation of the animals concerned.

All documents and certificates accompanying imports made under the Act shall be presented inthe English or Tongan language.

Identification and microchip

Not required, but is recommended.

Rabies and vaccinations

Dogs and cats entering Tonga must be vaccinated for rabies between 21 days and 12 months prior to entering the country. The veterinary health certificate must state that no cases of rabies have been detected for 6 weeks.

Dogs must be vaccinated against:

• Distemper, hepatitis, canine parvovirus at least one more and not more than 3 months before shipment and Rabies.
• Echinococcosis-hydatidosis within 3 days of shipment

Cats must be vaccinated against:

• Feline panleucopaenia at least one month but not more than 12 months prior to export
• Feline viral rhinotracheitis/calici virus at least one month but not more than 3 months before export
• Rabies
• Echinoccosis-hydatidosis within 3 days of shipment

Tests and treatments

Rabies titre test is not required to Enter Tonga from any country.

Pets must have been effectively treated against echinococcosis-hydatidosis within three days of shipment; have been effectively treated against round, hook and whipworms within three days of shipment; have been effectively treated against, and found on examination to be visibly free of, all ectoparasites within three days of shipment;

Health certificate and permits

A health certificate issued not later than 3 days before shipment is required. It must state that the pets originate from an area free from contagious diseases and rabies at least 6 weeks prior to arrival. Pets may enter as passenger's checked baggage, in the cabin or as cargo. "Tonga veterinary certificate for dogs” or “Tonga veterinary certificate for cats” from a certified veterinarian and endorsed by a governing authority is required.

To bring a pet dog or cat to Tonga, you must first file an application form with the Tonga Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Every application for a permit to import live animals or animal products under section 6 of the Act shall be in writing in Form 1 and shall in clude:

(a) the full name, residential address and postal address of the importer;

(b) the name and address of the exporter or supplier of the animals or animal products;

(c) full details of the animals or animal products proposed to be imported; and

(d) mode of transport, port of entry and approximate date of arrival.

A separate application form shall be required to be completed for each species proposed to be imported.

Click here for more in formation

Dogs and cats entering Tonga from the US must meet the Import requirement of New Zealand. New Zealand Transit Permit required.

Application for permit to Import Live Animals

Application for permit to Import Live Animals

For an overview

More in formation

Quarantine

NONE – However please note: Where an Inspector is not satisfied that the imported goods are free of animal disease or quarantine pests, he shall advise, where appropriate, the importer or his agent, the Collector of Customs, the Harbor Master or the Postmaster that the goods are to be held under quarantine and not released to the importer or his agent until such time as a veterinary of ficer is satisfied that the disease or quarantine pest has been eliminated.

Restrictions and banned breeds

No Breed Restrictions Known.

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly recommended

Airports:

• Fua'amotu *International Airport*, Fua'amotu (IATA: TBU, ICAO: NFTF)

Water Port:

• Port of Nuku'alofa (Queen Salote International Wharf), Nuku'alofa (+676 23-168)
• Port Name, City

Airports listed on this destination file: TBU.

As soon as the animals arrive in Tonga they shall immediately be taken under the control of a

veterinary of ficer to a quarantine ground or other premises approved by the Director, where the

animals shall remain until they are released by a veterinary of ficer.

All animals, products, or other goods, the entry of which, in the opinion of an Inspector

presents a risk of in troducing a quarantine pest or disease to Tonga, shall be subject to in spection by a veterinary of ficer and if necessary, shall be subject to treatment for the prevention of entry of animal disease and quarantine pests or to destruction or re-export as the case may be Tonga Customs requires that all yachts arriving from overseas must submit an Advance Notice of Arrival Form (ANOA) no less than 24 hours before the estimated time of arrival (ETA) of the craft in Tonga.

You must submit an Advance Notice of Arrival form at least 24 hours before arriving in Tonga

You cannot go through yacht clearance on a Sunday

You need to check-in and check-out of each island group in Tonga

Export notes

It is recommended to contact the Government to make sure there are no export permits. Animal must meet the entry requirements for destination country. Tonga does not have a resident veterinarian. They may be able to assist or provide guidance - https://www.tawstonga.org.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

The import of certain endangered species of plant, live animals and their products is prohibited or restricted under CITES.

Overview

No person shall import or in troduce into the Kingdom without prior approval of Cabinet any animal or carcass of the species listed below —

(a) any snake of any species whatever;

(b) any venomous reptile, or any living stage of any venomous amphibian,

venomous fish or venomous in vertebrate;

(c) any monkey of any species;

(d) any member of the squirrel species;

(e) any red fox or silver fox;

(f) any musquash (or muskrat);

(g) any hamster;

(h) any mongoose;

(i) any coypu (or nutria);

(j) any mink;

(k) any rabbit;

(l) any hare;

(m) any deer;

(n) any opossum;

(o) any other animal that is likely to become a nuisance or to cause in jury or damage.

Seizure and disposal of certain animals and animal products on shipsand aircraft: https://tonga.tradeportal.org/media//AnimalDiseasesAct.pdf

Where any animal or animal product is found by an Inspector on any ship or aircraft

and the animal or animal product is not being imported or in troduced into the

Kingdom in accordance with this Act, or is not listed on the in ward report of the

ship or aircraft, the animal or animal product shall be deemed to be illegally

imported; and, unless an Inspector directs that it be retained on the ship or aircraft

and re-shipped the rewith, the animal or animal product shall be seized and destroyed

by the Inspector, and no compensation shall be payable in respect of it.

It is recommended to contact the Government to make sure there are no export permits. Animal must meet the entry requirements for destination country. Tonga does not have a resident veterinarian. They may be able to assist or provide guidance - https://www.tawstonga.org.

Official contacts

Animal Genetic Resource Management Livestock Divison

Veterinary Officer / National Coordinator

Charles Kato

P.O. Box 14,

Nuku' alofa, Tonga

Tel: +1 67 629-715

Fax: +1 67 629-244

Email: kto_cjw@yahoo.com

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Food & Fisheries (MAFFF)

Tel: +1 67 621-399

Tel: +1 67 623-038

Fax: +1 67 623-093

Email: maf-hq@maf.gov.to

Email: info@mafff.gov.to

Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Breeding, & Fisheries

Avenue des Nimes (ancien batiment OPAT), Lome

Tel: +228 211-0482; +228 221-0305; +228 221-2039; +228 221-3897

Fax: +228-221-8792

Directeur de l’Elevage et de la Pêche / Directeur du LaboratoireLaboratoire Central Vétérinaire de LoméMinistère de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et de la Pêche

Dr Daniel Komla Batasse Batawui

E-mail: dbatawui@yahoo.fr

Tel: +1 228 221 36 45/221 60 33

Tel: +228 909-2730

Fax: +228 221-7120

Current as of September 2024

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 2026-03-30.

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: American Samoa · Australia · Cook Islands · all destinations