Lesotho Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport is a collection of documents, as detailed below, that are required for dogs and cats per Lesotho import requirements. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s Lesotho passport to enter Lesotho will include proof of rabies and other vaccinations, and an international health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dog and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO LESOTHO below.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

All veterinarians administering vaccinations and certificates required for pet import to Lesotho should be licensed by the governing authority in the origin country that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Lesotho

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Lesotho if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

Lesotho Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to Lesotho pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-6 should be completed in the order given.

Step 1: Pet Microchip

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. Firstly, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Secondly, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, most countries require that pets be microchipped and compliant microchips may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country.

Although not required to import a pet to Lesotho, it is strongly recommended to have your pet identified with a microchip in accordance with the procedures in the country of origin. The most accepted form of identification is a 15-digit pet microchip that meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer’s or your government’s database.

If microchipped, all documents should reflect the microchip number. If you want to be sure that veterinary inspectors can read your pet’s microchip, you can provide a microchip scanner that will read your pet’s microchip.

Step 2: Vaccinations

Vaccinating pets against rabies is crucial for their health and safety, as well as for preventing the spread of this deadly disease to humans and other animals. Rabies vaccines for pets are highly effective at preventing (not curing) the disease.

All cats and dogs over three months of age entering Lesotho must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to travel. Rabies vaccinations for pets should always be administered by a licensed veterinarian.

The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp:

• a rabies certificate or
• government-issued vaccination booklet or
• EU Pet Passport

Note: Rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.

Other Vaccinations

Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and parainfluenza according to their country’s disease status. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.

All vaccinations can be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the origin country.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test performed to measure the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test is typically conducted to assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or to determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, the test must be administered by a licensed veterinarian more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination.

This test is not required to enter Lesotho from any country. However, all pets originating in countries classified as having a high risk of rabies should always travel with a rabies titer test. Additionally, as Lesotho is classified by the World Organization of Animal Health as a high-rabies risk country, this test may be required for your pet to return to the country of origin.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are optional and should be administered within 30 days of import with products approved in the country of origin. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue a record of treatment. Pets should always be inspected for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, prior to any international travel.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued in the country of origin, including the following information:

A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete the veterinary health certificate for Lesotho shortly prior to travel.

After issuance, this certificate must be endorsed by the government agency responsible for the import and export of animals in the country of origin. The original, endorsed health certificate must accompany your pet’s transport.

Step 6: Import Permit

Lesotho requires an application for import for entry with the Director of Animal Health unless your dog or cat is entering Lesotho from the following South African Development Community (SADC) member nations: Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland or Zimbabwe.

Visitors should apply well ahead of their visit for a permit to bring their pet into Lesotho. An agent can facilitate the application process. Following receipt of the completed import application, a Veterinary Import Permit will be issued and sent directly to you. The permit is good for 6 months from date of issuance.

Other Information

Breeds Banned from Import to Lesotho

Lesotho does not publish a list of banned breeds. Importers are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Lesotho by Air

If flying, pets should enter Lesotho via Moshoeshoe Airport in Maseru. Pets can enter as in-cabin, checked baggage, or air cargo, according to airline pet policies. The owner should be present at customs clearance.

In all cases, pets must travel in a pet carrier or pet crate that is in accordance with the policies set by the International Air Transport Association.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?

Importers should inform veterinary officials in advance. They will need to be available to check your pet and its pet passport documentation after landing.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of any signs of contagious diseases when evaluated at the entry airport. Importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing if the health of your cat or dog is not acceptable.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Lesotho

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination; however, they will have to meet other requirements. They should have an import permit and health certificate to enter Lesotho. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications.

Over 180 nations participate in and enforce CITES rules and protections.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Read more about CITES

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Lesotho?

Have a question about importing a pet to Lesotho? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.

Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified, and we do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.

Current Information

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 or
• return your pet to the country of origin, or
• euthanize your pet.

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. To avoid these consequences, we suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Lesotho pet import requirements.