Democratic Republic of the Congo Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 resident pets. Your pet’s passport will include rabies vaccination and international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Differences between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Kinshasa and formerly Zaire, was colonized by Belgium. The Republic of Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville was originally colonized by France. Both countries share a border and are separated by the Great Congo River. They both have different forms of government and different pet import requirements. Prominent language is French.

Animals eligible for these regulations

Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.

Pets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, pets play an important role in many households, though pet ownership practices and the level of care can vary significantly between urban and rural areas. Dogs and cats are the most common pets for different reasons depending on whether the environment is urban or rural. In urban areas, pets are increasingly seen as companions, while, in rural areas, pets may be kept more for practical purposes such as guarding, herding or pest control.

Veterinary services are available mainly in larger cities like Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma. These clinics offer essential services such as vaccinations, treatments for common ailments, and emergency care. However, access to specialized veterinary services can be limited. Pet owners who are planning further travel or may be returning to their country of origin should research requirements before departing as access to specialized tests and treatments may be limited.

Stray dogs and cats are a significant issue, particularly in urban areas. Pet owners should take care to protect themselves and their pets against local parasites and contagious diseases.

Pet-Friendly Airlines Flying to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Commercial airlines that provide services for pets that fly into N’djili Airport include Air France, Air Kasai, ASKY Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Congo Airways, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar, Royal Air Maroc, South African Airways, Turkish Air and Uganda Airlines. Pet owners should try to stay on one of these airlines and avoid changing airline companies in other countries, if at all possible.

Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

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. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.

Quarantine for Pets Entering the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Quarantine will not be imposed on your pet if the following regulations are met. Pets not meeting import regulations will be quarantined, returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer.

All steps required to import a pet dog or cat to the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

Step 1: Pet Microchip

All pets traveling internationally should identified with a microchip. This is very important for several reasons. First, 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, the availability of microchips in many countries is limited and having your pet identified prior to leaving the Democratic Republic of the Congo may be difficult.

Although it is not required, your pet should be identified with a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering the Republic of Congo. All documentation must reflect the microchip number. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.

Step 2: Vaccinations

All cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin:

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

Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia.

Veterinarians must record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination 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 that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. Generally, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo does not require a rabies titer test for cats and dogs entering 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. In addition, the World Organization of Animal Health classifies the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a high-rabies risk country. As such, if your pet will be returning to the origin country, this test may be required.

Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Treatments for internal and external parasites must be administered prior to entering the Democratic Republic of the Congo according to all preventative measures to ensure public health and safety of your pet.

Bring additional treatments with you as these products are not readily available in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are recommended, but not required.

The administering veterinarian must record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate (sometimes known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for live animals entering their country. The certificate should include the following information:

details of your pet and
vaccinations and treatments and
veterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export.

Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate depending on the country of origin.

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate within 10 days of entry.

A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals. The original, endorsed health certificate must accompany your pet during travel.

Step 6: Import Permit

Pet dogs and cats entering the Democratic Republic of the Congo do not require an import permit if entering the country with their owner. Commercial or unaccompanied imports will require an import permit. Plan to apply well in advance of transport.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. They should be vaccinated after 3 months of age and wait for 30 days before travel to conform to Democratic Republic of the Congo pet import requirements.

Breeds Banned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Air

Pets must enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo via N’djili Airport. Pets can enter in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo according to airline pet policies.

Flights should be direct if the duration of the flight does not violate animal welfare laws. Layovers should be short and not involve a change in airline companies. If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply.

Importers will need to provide advance notice to veterinary officials at the airport so they will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing. This is especially important if your pet will be arriving outside of normal business hours.

Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like the Republic of Congo, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport.

A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering the Republic of Congo. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.

Importing Other Pet Animals to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Birds, 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 and import permit to enter the Republic of Congo. Pet owners can 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 crucial 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 this is the case, importers will have to submit additional permit applications. The agency that issues these permits is responsible for the protection of wildlife in your country.

Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Read more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for the Republic of Congo?

Visit PetTravelStore.com to find further detail on permits, costs, tests and pet import requirements for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Unlimited email support for you and your veterinarian is included.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

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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, 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo pet import requirements.