Botswana Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Botswana pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Botswana will include proof of a microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and an export 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 dogs 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 BOTSWANA below.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Botswana

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Botswana 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.

Botswana Pet Import Requirements

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

Step 1: Pet Microchip

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, 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.

Although not required, it is strongly recommended that your pet be 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.

If microchipped, all documents should reflect the microchip number. You can provide a microchip scanner that will read your pet’s microchip.

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.

Step 2: Vaccinations

All cats and dogs over 3 months of age must be vaccinated for rabies with an inactivated vaccine and wait at least 30 days after the primary vaccination before entering Botswana.

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, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis, depending on the disease status of your country. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia.

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

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires this test.

A rabies titer test is not required for dogs and cats entering Botswana from any country; however, having acceptable titer test results in your pet’s passport is very helpful when clearing customs in any country. Samples should be processed at approved laboratories. You can speak with your veterinarian about administering this test.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are strongly recommended prior to entering Botswana. Products should be 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. Owners should travel with additional treatments due to availability of products in this country.

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 Pet Health Certificate for Botswana shortly prior to travel.

After issuance, the governing authority responsible for the import and export of live animals in the origination country should endorse the forms, although it is not required. Endorsement may be required as a result of the export requirements of the origination country.

Step 6: Import Permit

Botswana requires an application for import unless your dog or cat is entering from the following SADC member states:

• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Namibia
• South Africa
• Swaziland
• Zimbabwe

Pet owners should apply well ahead of their visit for a permit to bring their pet into Botswana if it is necessary.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Botswana

Puppies and kittens under 3 months old are permitted to enter if proof can be provided that the mother (dam) was vaccinated against rabies at least one month but not more than 12 months prior to giving birth. There must have been no outbreaks of rabies in the area in which the puppy or kitten is originating.

Breeds Banned by Botswana

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

Entering Botswana by Air

Pets must enter Botswana by air via Sir Seretse Khama International Airport near Gabarone. Pets can enter Botswana in the cabin as checked baggage or as 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 International Air Transport Association.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?

Importers should inform veterinary officials in advance, as 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 evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Importing Other Animals to Botswana

All pets other than cats and dogs (ferrets, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, etc.) will need an import permit and health certificate to enter Botswana. 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

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Botswana?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Botswana at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.

Here’s what is included in the Botswana pet passport package:

• Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Botswana from any country available in six languages
• Required Vaccinations and Intervals
• Identifying Your Pet
• Import Permit Application & Instructions
• Interterritorial Movement Permit for Dogs and Cats (when applicable)
• IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
• Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
• Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
• FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions

Also included at no additional cost:

• Veterinary Health Certificate for Botswana (US/Canada)
• Microchip Certificate
• Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Botswana?

Have a comment about importing a pet to Botswana? 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.

We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Botswana pet import requirements.