Cameroon Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Cameroon 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 Cameroon will include proof of current rabies vaccination 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 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 CAMEROON 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 Cameroon

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

Cameroon Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to Cameroon 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. Firstly, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, 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, a microchip may be required for your dog or cat to return to its country of origin.

Although not required, it is 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.

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 the 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 three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days prior to entering Cameroon. Multi-year rabies vaccinations are not recognized unless administered within 12 months of import.

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, and leptospirosis 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 origination country.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It should be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination.

This test is not required to enter Cameroon 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 Cameroon 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 your country.

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 Pet Health Certificate for Cameroon shortly prior to travel.

Most countries, including Cameroon, require that this certificate be endorsed by the government agency responsible for the import and export of animals in the country of origin.

Step 6: Import Permit

An import permit is not required for pets entering Cameroon from any country with their owner.

More Information

Breeds Banned by Cameroon

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

Entering Cameroon by Air

If flying, pets should enter Cameroon via Douala International Airport in Douala and Yaounde Airport in Yaounde.

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 Animals to Cameroon

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 Cameroon. 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 Cameroon?

Further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Cameroon are available at minimal cost.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Cameroon?

Have a comment about importing a pet to Cameroon? Post it below and be published! 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 Cameroon pet import requirements.