Egypt Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Egypt pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the 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 Egypt passport will include proof of rabies and other vaccinations, and an international export health certificate.

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. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO EGYPT below.

Pets in Egypt

Pet ownership in Egypt is a reflection of the country’s rich history, diverse culture, and modern trends. Current estimates suggest there are around 4 million pets in the country, with an expected increase of 90,000 this year. Cats and dogs dominate, with approximately 5 million cats and 3 million dogs in Egyptian households.

Egypt has a growing network of veterinary clinics, especially in urban areas. Major cities like Cairo and Alexandria have a significant number of pet supply stores.

As Egypt continues to modernize, the role of pets in society is likely to become even more significant.

Pet-Friendly Airlines Flying to Egypt

Many major commercial airlines fly to Cairo International Airport including Air France, Air Carro, Air Arabia, Aeroflot, British Airways, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad, Ethiopian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Swiss International and Turkish Airways.

Flights to Egypt should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country. 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 Egypt

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.

Egypt Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to import a dog or cat to Egypt 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. 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.

Although not required, it is recommended to have your pet identified with a microchip in accordance with the procedures in the country of origin and will be required with any itinerary including a transit in the European Union.

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

Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 30 days prior to entry and no later than 11 months after the vaccination is administered.

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 must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza according to their country’s disease status.

Cats must 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 Egypt 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 Egypt 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.

If your pet’s itinerary involves a transit in the European Union, the rabies titer test will be required 3 months in advance of travel.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Before your dog or cat can enter Egypt, it must have an internal and external parasite treatment administered by a licensed veterinarian. Actually, it is highly recommended that your pet be on a flea and tick prevention program prior to entering Egypt.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued in the country of origin, including the following information:

Within 14 days of travel, a licensed veterinarian in the origination country must then complete the export health certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by the government agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Related: Pet Health Certificate for Egypt

Step 6: Import Permit

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

Other Information

Breeds Banned by Egypt

Canine breeds such as the Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Mastiff, Rottweiler, or any crosses or hybrids of these breeds are not permitted to enter Egypt.

Entering Egypt by Air

Pets can enter Egypt by air via Cairo International Airport. Pets can arrive in the cabin, checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies. 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?

All pets transiting the European Union are subject to additional requirements.

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.

Exporting Resident Pets

Within one day of departure, take your pet, certificate of health from a licensed veterinarian, rabies record and your passport to the General Authority for Veterinary, Quarantine Department. They will issues you an export health certificate which is valid for 30 days. This can also be done 4-5 hours ahead of time at the Veterinary Quarantine Administration office at the airport. There is a nominal fee charged for this service.

Importing Other Animals to Egypt

Birds are not permitted import to Egypt. 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 Egypt. 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 Egypt?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Egypt at minimal cost.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Egypt?

Have a comment about importing a pet to Egypt? 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 Egypt pet import requirements.