Iran Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Iran 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 passport to enter Iran will include proof of a microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, an import permit, and an international 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 IRAN 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 Iran

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

Iran Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Iran 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. Third, most countries require that pets be microchipped and compliant microchips may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country.

To import a pet to Iran, it must 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. 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 Iran. 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 must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and leptospirosis according to their country’s disease status. Cats must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. All vaccinations must 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 Iran from any country; however, as Iran 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 required and should be administered by a licensed veterinarian 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:

Shortly before travel, a pet health certificate for Iran must be completed by a licensed veterinarian in your country. The agency in the country of origin that is responsible for the import and export of live animals must endorse the certificate.

An authorization from an Iranian veterinary organization is required before entering the country.

Step 6: Import Permit

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

Other Information

Breeds Banned from Import to Iran

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

Entering Iran by Air

Pets must enter Iran by air via Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. Dogs and cats can arrive in the cabin, as
checked baggage. It has been reported to us that pets may not enter Iran as air cargo; but you can confirm this with your airline.
If your dog or cat is small enough, it may travel in the cabin with you or it can go as checked baggage. That situation is
subject to change, and you should check with the Iranian Consulate prior to travel.

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 Iran

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 Iran. 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 Iran?

Further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Iran are available at minimal cost. Unlimited email support for you and your veterinarian is included.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Iran?

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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 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 the Iran pet import regulations.