Saudi Arabia Pet Passport & Import Regulations
Owners or consignors of all live animals traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must register the import with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Saudi Arabia is a difficult country to import a dog. Pet owners entering Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa are not permitted to import a pet. Pet owners must enter on a work or residency visa to import a pet. Take special note of item #10 which lists restrictions on breed import.
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Saudi Arabia as long as the following requirements are met. Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs, cats and ferrets only. Owners of other pets should refer to item 11.
Pet Microchip
The first step to prepare your pet dog or cat to enter Saudi Arabia, is to identify them with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.
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 on how to register your pet's information in the manufacturer database.
Vaccinations
Your pet will need proof of current vaccination against rabies at least 30 days but not more than 6 months before entering Saudi Arabia. Three year vaccines are not recognized.
Other vaccinations for dogs: Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Canine adenovirus, Canine parainfluenza and Canine parovirus.
Other vaccinations for cats: Feline Distemper, Felline Herpes and Calicvirus.
Rabies Titer Test
A rabies titer test is not required to enter Saudi Arabia.
Pet Health Certificate
A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the Saudi Arabia pet health certificate The certificate must be endorsed by the government agency responsible for the import and export of live animals as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Saudi Embassy or Consulate in the departing country.
Import Permit
Whether your pet is a dog or cat, a permit to import from the Ministry of Agriculture in Saudi Arabia is required.
For dogs or cats, the permit must be obtained by the owner (preferred) or an agent in Saudi Arabia at least 14 days in advance. A copy of the health certificate and the owner's identification (passport) must accompany the application. Sponsor or company information must also be included as well as residency or work visa. You will need a picture of your pet to confirm its breed. You need to bring the same picture with you when claiming your dog.
Permits are good for 30 days from issuance.
Advance permission from the local police department is required for Saudi and Arab nationals to import a pet into Saudi Arabia to confirm they have a suitable residence for a pet. Dogs should be classified as working, guard or service dogs. This permission must be obtained before the permit is issued.
Other Forms Required
A letter to the Director of Customs in Saudi Arabia is required notifying them of your pet's arrival. The final step is to apply for an entrance notification. This must be done in Saudi Arabia either by the company for which you work or by an agent in Saudi Arabia.
Other Information
Saudi and Arab Nationals importing dogs must indicate on the paperwork and a licensed veterinarian must state that the dog is being imported as a certified service dog, guard dog or a hunting dog. Only 2 pets are permitted per import permit. Additional imports will need additional copies of owner passport with valid residency visa.
Entering Saudi Arabia by Air
Pets can enter Saudi Arabia at the international airport in Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam. Notice should be given to veterinary officials so they will be available to inspect your pet upon landing. Pets can arrive as excess baggage or air cargo.
One person can import 2 cats and 2 dogs per every 6 months to Saudi Arabia.
Puppies and Kittens
As puppies and kittens that are not yet 3 months old should not be vaccinated for rabies, they may enter Saudi Arabia until 12 weeks of age on the rabies certificate of their mother.
Banned Breeds
The following breeds are banned from entry: Japanese Spitz, Japanese Akita / Akita Imu / Akita, Affenpinscher, Griffon Bruxellois / Brussels Griffon / Brabaneon / Belgian Griffon, Hovawart, Boxer, Bull Dog / English Bull Dog, Rottweiler, All Terriers including Pit Bull and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Lancashire Heeler, Swedish Valhunde / Swedish Cattle Dog / Vasgoispats, Mastiff / Old English Mastiff / Bull Mastiff / Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Great Dane / Deutscher Dogge, and Leon Bergehni. Wolf hybreds are not permitted.
Small/toy breeds may enter Saudi Arabia at Riyadh; however, clearance in Dammam and Jeddah may be more difficult.
Exporting Pets Living in Saudi Arabia
Pets leaving Saudi Arabia will need to have proof of vaccinations, a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, an export permit and a copy of the owner's passport.
Other Animals
Rabbits and birds are not permitted to enter Saudi Arabia. Invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Saudi Arabia 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 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. 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.
HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS???
Due to the high demand, we may be unable to respond to your question quickly if posted below. If you need a fast response, you can post them directly to our Facebook page, blog, or forum. We will respond as soon as we can.
Please note that the accuracy of comments made from Facebook users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.