Country Classifications

The European Union (EU) classifies countries as either:

EU Member States or

Listed Third Countries and Territories or

Unlisted Third Countries.

The requirements to import a dog, cat or ferret to France will depend on the classification of the origination country, and whether your pet has visited an Unlisted Third Country within the past 4 months.

Importers and pet owners should always check their country's classification before reviewing these regulations.

Pet Microchip

The first step to import your dog, cat or ferret to enter France is to have your pet microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15 digit pet microchip.

The microchip should be implanted by your veterinarian, veterinary hospital or trained nurse. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions how to register your pet's information in the manufacturer database.

A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification as long as it was given prior to July 3, 2011, is clearly visible and your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied.

Rabies Vaccination

All dogs, cats and ferrets must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered after a microchip was implanted to enter France.

If your pet is entering France from a Listed Third Country, the primary rabies vaccination must be administered no sooner than 21 days before entering France.

There is no waiting period after booster vaccinations as long as:

• the previous vaccination was administered after a microchip was implanted AND
• the booster vaccination was administered before the previous vaccination had expired.

France does honor the 3 year rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets; however, it should only be administered as a booster, not as a primary vaccination. You can speak to your veterinarian about this.

If your pet is entering France from an Unlisted Third Country, it must wait for a minimum of 30 days after the rabies vaccination before receiving a rabies titer test (see step 4).

Rabies Titer Test

If your pet is entering France from an Unlisted Third Country or has visited an Unlisted Third Country in the previous 4 months prior to travel, your pet must have a rabies titer test (FAVN) administered by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter France no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn and avoid quarantine.

This step is only required unless entering France from an Unlisted Third Country.

Tapeworm Treatment - Dogs Only

A tapeworm treatment is not required when entering France from any country; however, treatment for heartworm is always recommended and a part of a healthy pet regiment.

Pet Health Certificate

The type of EU pet health certificate depends on whether or not your pet's transport is commercial or non-commercial. Choose from two options below.

Non-Commercial Transport (all conditions must apply):

• The pet owner or a legal representative of the owner is traveling with or within 5 days of the pet.
• The transport does not involve the purchase, sale, adoption or transfer of ownership of the pet.
• The pet owner or legal representative of the pet owner is traveling with five pets or less unless proof of participation in a show or competition is available for pets over 6 months of age.

Non-Commercial Transport to France from a Listed Third Country or Unlisted Third Country:

Regulations in steps 2 and 3 apply. If entering France from an Unlisted Third Country, step 4 applies as well.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the non-commercial EU pet health certificate for France. A government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country which is responsible for the import and export of live animals must endorse the certificate within 10 days of arrival.

The EU pet health certificate is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. (see item 7 if you are traveling with more than 5 pets). The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on it does not expire.

You or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Non-Commercial Transport to France from an EU Member State or Territory:

Regulations in steps 2 and 3 apply. Step 4 does not apply.

Have your veterinarian issue and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet. An EU pet health certificate is not required for pets traveling to France from another EU Member State unless your pet does not qualify for an EU Pet Passport (non-resident pet).

A health check prior to travel is recommended and may be required by your carrier.

You or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Commercial Transport (any condition can apply):

• The owner or legal representative of the owner is not traveling with or within 5 days of the pet.
• The purpose of the transport involves a sale, adoption or transfer of ownership of the pet.
• The pet owner or legal representative of the pet owner is traveling with more than five pets and proof of participation in a show or competition is not available.

Commercial Transport to France from a Listed Third Country or Territory:

Regulations in steps 2 and 3 apply. Step 4 does not apply.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the commercial EU pet health certificate. The certificate must be issued and endorsed within 48 hours of travel by a government veterinarian who represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals. Official Pet Passports will be accepted from certain countries.

The EU pet health certificate is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. (see step 7 for transports of more than 5 pets). The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on it does not expire.

Your pet must enter France at an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) at an international airport in Linz or Vienna. Notice must be given 24 hours prior to arrival.

All dogs must be vaccinated against distemper.

Commercial Transport to France from an Unlisted Third Country:

Dogs, cats and ferrets can only enter France under commercial regulations from these Unlisted Third Countries. Pets must conform to all steps above and also have a rabies titer test according to step 3 above.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the commercial EU pet health certificate. The certificate must be issued and endorsed within 48 hours of travel by a government veterinarian who represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Commercial Transport to France from an EU Member State:

Regulations in steps 2 and 3 apply. Step 4 does not apply.

Your pet must travel from a licensed premises which is registered with the governing authority in your EU Member State responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Your veterinarian must obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet.

Your pet's veterinarian must issue an Intratrade pet health certificate completed within 48 hours of entry.

TRACES

Regardless of whether your pet's transport is commercial or non-commercial, it must be entered into the TRACES system. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Entering France from Malaysia & Australia

If your pet is entering France from peninsular Malaysia, the following conditions must be met:

1. Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.
2. Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.
3. Your pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export.

Cats may only enter France from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Entering France by Air

Pets entering by air from non-EU countries must do so at Border Inspection Posts at international airports in Paris, Reunion, Marseille, Nice, Lyon and Toulouse.

Pets can enter France in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo.

If your pet transits another EU Member State on the way to France, additional requirements will apply.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to France. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Puppies and Kittens

Non-vaccinated puppies, kittens and ferrets are not permitted to enter France from any country or EU Member State. Rabies vaccinations must not be administered prior to 12 weeks of age and there is a 21 day wait for puppies and kittens arriving from EU Member States or Listed Third Countries. The minimum age for entering France from Unlisted Third Countries is 7 months of age.

Banned Breeds

France prohibits the import of the following breeds without pedigree certification: Staffordshire Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers or Tosa. These breeds must be a registered pedigree. Crossbreeds are not permitted. Mastiff and Boerbull breeds and their crosses may not be imported.

American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers and Japanese Tosas can be imported to France as class 2 guard dogs only with pedigree papers. Rottweilers may also be imported as class 2 dogs without pedigree papers.

Owners of class 2 dogs must conform to import regulations above. Owners must have insurance to protect against liability. Your dog must be owned and accompanied by an adult, must receive approval from the local town council, have a detention permit, have behavioral evaluations and be leashed and muzzled when in public.

Mastiffs and Boerboels are not permitted.

Exporting Pets Living in France

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving France for another EU Member State must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies (in that order) and wait 21 days before leaving France.  If you are planning to take your pet on a trip to an Unlisted Third Country, your veterinarian should do a rabies titer test before you leave France if you intend to return. Export permits may be required for non-accompanied transports.

Other Animals

All Savannah and Bengal cats must have proof of pedigree from Official Book of Feline Origins else it will be considered a hybrid and will need an import permit from the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing.

All birds entering France from other EU countries and rabies-controlled countries need a health certificate. Birds entering France from rabies-controlled countries need to meet the following additional requirements: your bird must be quarantined in an approved facility for 30 days prior to transport. You must enter France with 5 birds or less with no intention to sell, rehome or transfer ownership in any way. Your bird must be vaccinated against avian influenza H5 at least 60 days before importation. Tests must be done for H5N1 PCR with negative results.

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 France. Mammals will need parasite treatment prior to entering France.

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 Assistance?

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 under Pet Passports. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 2:00 PM EST.

 

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