Lebanon Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Lebanon 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 Lebanon will include proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

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. Pets must originate from countries that have not had a rabies incident within the past 6 months of import.

Lebanon is classified as an unlisted country (see step 1) by the European Union and many other countries. A rabies titer test will be required to return to the European Union and many other countries. See more information under Exporting Pets below.

Pets in Lebanon

A wide variety of dog breeds are popular, ranging from small breeds like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians to larger breeds like German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers. Cats are also very popular, with both purebred and mixed breed cats being common in Lebanese homes. Lebanon has regulations in place regarding pet ownership, including vaccination and microchip registration requirements.

There are regulations in place in this country regarding pet ownership, including vaccination and registration requirements, but stray animals, particularly dogs and cats, are a significant issue in many areas. Efforts are ongoing to address this through spaying/neutering programs and community awareness. For this and other reasons, it is very important to vaccinate your dog and cat against rabies and other contagious and dangerous diseases.

Pet-Friendly Airlines Flying to Lebanon

Many commercial airlines with services for pets fly to Beirut-Rafik Hariri International Airport including but not limited to: Aegean, Cypris Airways, Egyptair, Emirates, Ethiopia, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, Kuwait Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Middle Eastern Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudia, Swiss International Airlines, TAROM, Transavia, and Turkish Airlines.

Flights to Lebanon should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *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 Lebanon

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Lebanon if the following import regulations are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to denial of import, return to the origination country, quarantine or euthanization. All costs will be borne by the importer.

All steps required to import a pet dog or cat to Lebanon must be completed in the country of origin. 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. Secondly, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from your during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database.

All dogs and cats must be identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784 or 11785 Annex A compliant pet microchip before step 2. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer or government database in your country.

If your pet is microchipped, the microchip number should be recorded on all documentation.

Step 2: Vaccinations

Your pet must have proof of current vaccination against rabies (rabies certificate or government- issued pet passport) no sooner than 30 days and no more than 12 months prior to entering Lebanon.

Do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

Dogs must be treated for the following diseases:

canine distemper
canine hepatitis
canine leptospirosis (unless currently being treated)
canine parvovirus
parainfluenza

Cats must be treated for the following diseases:

feline viral rhinotracheitis
feline panleukopenia
feline leukemia
calicivirus

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test is not required to import a pet to Lebanon from any country.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites must be administered prior to entering Lebanon.

The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer shortly prior to travel. These treatments should be recorded on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.

Step 5: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires current health certificates in their pet import regulations, and Lebanon is no exception.

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete a pet health certificate for Lebanon within 10 days of travel indicating that a pet is clinically healthy and vaccinated against rabies.

The certificate or Pet Passport must be signed and stamped by a government veterinarian in the origination country representing the agency responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Step 6: Import Permit

An import permit will be issued at customs clearance when entering Lebanon. Pet owners do not need to apply in advance for the permit.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Lebanon

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens under three months of age are granted an exception when entering Lebanon as they should not be vaccinated for rabies until they turn three months. However, they must be microchipped, have a current health certificate. They must also have proof that the mother was vaccinated for rabies within six months of giving birth.

All pets over three months of age are subject to requirements listed here.

Breeds Banned from Import to Lebanon

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

Entering Lebanon with a Pet

Pets must enter Lebanon at the Beirut-Rafik Hariri International Airport. Pets can enter the country by air in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Flighttps://www.pettravel.com/information/pet-travel-by-air/is-your-pet-crate-iata-compliant/hts to Lebanon should be direct or have short layovers in countries known to control rabies.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Lebanon. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

Exporting Pets from Lebanon

Pet owners planning to export their pets from Lebanon must have a vaccination certificate indicating rabies vaccination at least 30 days and not more than one year of export. Also required is proof of microchip and a health certificate issued by a government veterinarian within 10 days of export.

Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Lebanon. Traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country.

Importing Birds and Other Pet Animals to Lebanon

Other Animals

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

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)

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. Contact agency in your origin country that is responsible for the protection of wild animals if you suspect that your pet is covered by CITES regulations.

Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need More Detailed Lebanon Pet Import Requirements and Forms?

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

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

Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Lebanon from any country available in six languages
Required Vaccinations and Intervals
ISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip Information
Parasite Treatments
Health Certificate Information
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 Lebanon (US/Canada)
Microchip Certificate
Airline Health Certificate
Inoculation Record

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Lebanon?

Have a question about importing a pet to Lebanon? 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 Lebanon pet import requirements.