Ghana Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Ghana 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 Ghana passport will be comprised of proof of microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, blood tests, an import permit, and an international pet 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 GHANA below.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, owners, agents, or anyone transporting a pet should ensure that their veterinarian is licensed by the governing authority in their country that is responsible for the movement of live animals. This veterinarian should administer all vaccinations and treatments, as well as issue all required documentation.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Ghana

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

Ghana Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Ghana must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-6 should be followed 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. 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.

All dogs and cats entering Ghana must be identified 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.

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 3: Vaccinations

Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 6 months prior to entering Ghana. Dogs, cats or ferrets traveling from Ireland, Malta, Sweden, Ireland and the United Kingdom are not required to be vaccinated for rabies, although it is
recommended.

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 entering Ghana must have proof of vaccinations for canine distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospira canicola, leptospira
icterohaemorrhagiae and parainfluenza. Cats must be vaccinated against feline panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline calicivirus.

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

Step 3: Tests (Dogs only)

Your dog must test negative for the following diseases: Brucella canis, Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia gibsoni
Dirofilaria immitis, and Leishmania.

Although a rabies titer test is not required to import a dog or cat to Ghana, this test will be required to return to many countries as Ghana is classified as a high-rabies country by the World Organization of Animal Health.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

All dogs entering Ghana must be treated for internal parasites by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin prior to entry. Both dogs and cats must be treated for external parasites prior to 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 the country of origin must then complete a Pet Health Certificate for Ghana. The governing authority of your country that is responsible for the import and export of animals should endorse the forms.

Step 6: Import Permit

An import permit is required when entering Ghana with a personal pet. The application should be submitted after the blood tests are done. The permit is valid for 8 weeks after issuance.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Ghana

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens under three months of age can enter Ghana, but only when originating from rabies-free countries of Malta, Sweden, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Breeds Banned for Import to Ghana

Ghana does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Ghana by Air

All pets flying into Ghana can arrive via Kotoka International Airport. The following documentation must be available:

• Import Permit
• Original health certificate
• Rabies certificate
• Blood test results

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.

Importing Other Animals to Ghana

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of the rabies vaccination; however, they will have to meet other requirements. They should have an import permit and health certificate to enter Ghana. 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 Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Ghana?

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

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

• Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Ghana from any country available in six languages
• Required Vaccinations and Intervals
• ISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip Information
• Import Permit Application & Instructions
• Parasite Treatments
• Blood Tests
• Approved Laboratories
• 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 Ghana (US/Canada)
• Microchip Certificate
• Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Ghana?

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