Kuwait Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Kuwait 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 Kuwait will include an import permit, proof of a microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test results (some countries), and an 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 KUWAIT below.

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Kuwait if the following import regulations are met.

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. 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 Kuwait

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

Kuwait Pet Import Requirements

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

Step 1: Pet Microchip

To import your pet dog or cat to Kuwait, it must first be identified with a 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 11784 or Annex A of 11785. The microchip number should be reflected on all documentation. If your pet’s current microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip.

The microchip should be implanted by your veterinarian, veterinary hospital or trained nurse. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer database.

Microchip numbers must be recorded on all documentation required in your pet’s passport to enter Kuwait.

Step 2: Vaccinations

All cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Kuwait.

Multi year rabies vaccines are accepted as boosters only and proof must be signed and stamped by both the administering veterinarian and a government veterinarian.

The administering veterinarian should either issue a rabies certificate or record vaccination information in a government-issued vaccination booklet or EU Pet Passport, sign and stamp.

Dogs should be vaccinated against canine distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, parainfluenza virus, and bordetella (especially if kenneling will be required).

Cats should be vaccinated against feline calicivirus and herpesvirus (rhinotracheitis), panleukopenia (enteritis), leukemia.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test is required to enter Kuwait from Armenia, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakharn, Lebanon, Malaysia, Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine. We have heard from pet owners that it is extremely difficult to secure an import permit without a serology test, so it is strongly recommended that you have your veterinarian administer a FAVN test before applying for an import permit (step 6).

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Pets can enter Kuwait after receiving acceptable results and the import permit (step 6) is approved.

Note that rabies titer test results are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination (rabies certificate, government-issued vaccination booklet or EU Pet Passport).

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are not required prior to entering Kuwait; but are strongly recommended whenever traveling internationally. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue a record of treatment. Treatments should be administered shortly prior to travel.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide include a pet health certificate in their import regulations. A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the veterinary health certificate for Kuwait within 10 days of entry.

The health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number. Your veterinarian must state that your pet is fit to travel and is not originating from an area that is under restrictions for rabies. Additionally, your veterinarian should attest that your pet is displaying no symptoms of any contagious diseases.

After issuance, the certificate must be certified (endorsed) by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Step 6: Import Permit

An import permit is required to import a dog or cat to Kuwait. An agent in Kuwait must obtain an Import Permit from the Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR). Only one permit will be issued per year to one person. The permit can cover only one dog OR two cats OR one dog and one cat.

Breeds Banned from Import to Kuwait

Kuwait bans the import of the following breeds and their crosses or mixes: Staffordshire Terrier, America Bully,
Mastiff (all breeds), English Bulldog, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Presa Canario, Boxer, Boerboel, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Turkish Kangal, Anatolian Karabash, and Great Dane.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Kuwait

Unvaccinated pets are not permitted entry to Kuwait. Puppies and kittens must be vaccinated for rabies no sooner than three months and wait for 30 days after vaccination to enter Kuwait. They must be microchipped as per step #1 before being imported.

Puppies may not be imported from Serbia, Ukraine or Russia.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Entering Kuwait by Air

Pets can enter Kuwait via Kuwait International Airport in Farwaniya. Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo according to airline pet policies.

Notice should be given to veterinary officials at the airport so they will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing, especially if arrival is outside of normal business hours.

If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport.
Further examination and treatment by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health.

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

Importing Other Pet Animals to Kuwait

Kuwait classifies only cats and dogs as pets. The import of other animals will require an import permit and the assistance of a licensed agent to process the import. Contact us for an agent reference if needed.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat and very important if it is a turtle or parrot.  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Read more about CITES

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Kuwait?

Have a question about importing a pet to Kuwait? 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 from Facebook users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. 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, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Kuwait import requirements.