Israel Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Israel 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 Israel will include an import license, proof of microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries) 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 ISRAEL below.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, verify that your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or be licensed by the agency of the government that handles the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Israel

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

Israel Pet Import Requirements

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

Step 1: Pet Microchip

Your pet must be identified prior to entering Israel in accordance with your origin country’s procedures. The most accepted form of identification is a 15-digit pet microchip that meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO Standard 11785. All documents must reflect the microchip number. If your pet is microchipped and the microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, a microchip scanner that will read the microchip can be provided by the importer.

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 entering Israel must be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days prior to entering Israel for primary vaccinations. Exception: Pet dogs and cats entering Israel from countries classified as rabies-free by the World Organization of Animal Health do not require vaccination against rabies.

The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp:

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

Other Vaccinations

Pet owners should always consider healthy vaccinations against diseases such as:

• canine distemper
• canine hepatitis
• canine leptospirosis
• canine parvovirus
• feline viral rhinotracheitis
• feline panleukopenia
• feline leukemia
• feline calcivirus

These other vaccinations are always recommended when traveling internationally; however, proof of these vaccinations is not required when entering Israel.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

Unless entering Israel from Oceania countries**, Great Britain, Japan, or Cyprus, a rabies titer test administered more than 30 days after rabies vaccination will be required.

**Countries of Oceania include: Australia, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, American Samoa, Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Kiribati.

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories.

Assuming acceptable test results, pets can enter Israel directly after results are received.

Tests are valid if all rabies vaccinations are continuous after the blood sample is taken for the test.

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

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are not required prior to entering Israel; however, these treatments can protect pets from foreign pests when traveling internationally. Licensed veterinarians should administer the treatments with products approved in your country. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue a record of treatment. Pets should always be inspected for parasites prior to any international travel.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate, and Israel is no exception. The following information should be included:

A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete the Pet Health Certificate for Israel within 10 days of entry.

The government agency in the origination country responsible for the import and export of animals must endorse the certificate.

Step 6: Import License

All dogs and cats entering Israel will need an import license. Pet owners who meet the following conditions can apply for an exemption from this requirement:

• Pets arriving with their owners on the same flight
• Imports numbering two pets or less per person
• Pets that have been in their owner’s possession for more than 90 days
• Pets that conform to all the regulations listed here
• Dogs or mixes that are not classified as dangerous

Pets who meet any of the following conditions will need an import license:

• Unaccompanied pets or larger dogs
• Imports numbering more than two pets per person
• Pets who have been in their owner’s possession less than 90 days
• Pets that do not conform to all the regulations listed here
• Dogs classified as dangerous

All cats and dogs entering Israel under an import license must enter Israel as air cargo under an air waybill. All inspections will take place at the cargo facility.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Israel

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens entering Israel from Oceania countries, Great Britain, Japan, and Cyprus can enter Israel at the age of 3 months; however, they must be vaccinated shortly after arrival.

Israel requires that puppies and kittens from other countries be vaccinated at 3 months and wait for 30 days, before getting a rabies titer test.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to Israel

The following breeds or their crosses will need advance permission from the Director of Veterinary Services and Animal Health to enter Israel:

• American Staff Bull Terrier (Amstaff)
• Bull Terrier
• Argentino Dog,
• Japanese Tosa
• Staff Bull Terrier (English Staff)
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Brazilian Fila
• Rottweiler

These breeds and their mixes can be imported only if they are owned by a person over 18 years of age, are spayed or neutered, and have resided with their owner for at least 18 months prior to entry. A muzzle must be worn at all times when in public.

There are additional requirements for Mini Bullies and American Bulldogs.

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Entering Israel by Air

Pets can enter Israel through one of the following ports of entry: Ben Gurion Airport, Haifa Seaport, Ashdod Seaport, and Eilat Seaport. Advance notice must be given to customs officials so a veterinary inspector can be available to inspect your pet.

Pets can fly into Israel as checked baggage or as air cargo, according to airline pet policies. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?

There is no limit as to the number of dogs and cats that you can bring to Israel; however, the owner must obtain an import license to import more than two pets.

Prenotification must be provided a minimum of two working days in advance of arrival for those pets being imported under
an import license, and they must arrive in Israel as air cargo at Ben-Gurion Airport. The person or representative of the organization who will care for your pet during your confinement must be present at customs clearance.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of any signs of illness that can be transmitted to humans when evaluated at the entry airport. Importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing at this time if the health of your cat or dog is not acceptable.

Exporting Resident Pets from Israel

Cats and dogs, including service dogs, departing Israel must have a veterinary health certificate signed and approved by a government veterinary doctor who is employed by Veterinary Services. Health certificates completed by private doctors will not be accepted.

If the owner is not transporting the pet, it must grant his or her representative Power of Attorney to transport the pet.

Importing Other Animals to Israel

Birds must have an import permit and a health certificate to enter Israel. Invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Israel. 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 Israel?

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

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Israel?

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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 Israel pet import requirements.