Pet Microchip

Your pet must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

Vaccinations

Your pet cat or dog should be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry into Turkey if it is not currently vaccinated. If your pet is due for a booster, the wait will not apply as long as the previous vaccination had not expired when the booster was administered. Turkey does not accept the 3 year rabies vaccination.

If your pet is not vaccinated as per requirements above or has a 3 year rabies vaccination administered over 12 months ago, your dog, cat or ferret can have a rabies titer test (FAVN) done at an approved laboratory prior to entering Turkey (see step #3). Levels must be acceptable.

An original rabies certificate reflecting all of your pet's rabies vaccinations should accompany your pet.

Rabies Titer Test

A rabies titer test is required for cats and dogs entering Turkey. Blood samples must be processed at an approved lab. Your pet can enter Turkey as soon as acceptable results are received.

Pets entering Turkey without a valid titer test may be subject to 21 days of quarantine at the owner's expense.

The titer test is valid for travel to the European Union from Turkey as well as other countries as long as the blood sample is processed in an EU approved lab and your pet's rabies vaccinations do not expire.

Pet Health Certificate

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must issue a pet health certificate for Turkey. After issuance, the certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel. When importing a dog or cat to Turkey from the United States, the issuance and endorsement can be within 10 days of travel.

If you are entering Turkey from a country other than the United States or Canada, your vet can complete the EU health certificate.

Internal and External Parasites

Before your dog or cat can enter Turkey, it must be treated against internal parasites (Echinococcus) and external parasites (fleas, ticks) and indicated on the health certificate.

Entering Turkey by Air

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Turkey. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense. Your pet should arrive at customs by 11:30AM for same day customs clearance. It can take 5-6 hours to clear a pet once landed in Turkey. Pets arriving 3:00 PM will be subject to extra fees.

Two pets per person can enter tax-free as long as they don't arrive unaccompanied. The owner must be present at customs clearance or have issued their representative a Power of Attorney and either an original passport or notarized copy indicating that they arrived in Turkey within 30 days of their pet.

Puppies and Kittens

Puppies and kittens under 3 months of age can enter Turkey with their Mother who meets the requirements above OR with a health declaration obtained by an official veterinarian in a country where rabies is known to be controlled which states where the puppy or kitten was born and reared and that it is an environment where it has not been in contact with wild animals. Additionally, an endorsed veterinary certificate and health declaration stating that your pet is healthy enough to travel, is free of diseases communicable to humans and is free of internal and external parasites is required. Prior permission from the Ministry is required. The owner's passport should be available.

Banned Breeds

Turkey does not permit the import of the following breeds or their crosses: Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Rottweiller, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Neopolitan Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeux, Roman Fighting Dog, Bandog Tosa Inu, Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff or similar, mongrel breeds.

Exporting Pets

Pet owners planing to export their resident pets from Turkey must visit the local branch of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock with their pet at least 48 hours before departure. Owners should bring their pet's shot records to get a Veterinary Certificate for Domestic Dogs, Cats and Ferrets for Exportation from the Republic of Turkey.

Other Animals

Birds are permitted entry with an import permit. Invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Turkey. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Need More Advice?

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.

 

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