Libya Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents as detailed below that are required for dogs and cats as per Libya pet import requirements. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet passport to enter Libya includes proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

No pet imports will be permitted to or from Qatar.

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 LIBYA below.

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 Libya

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

Libya Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to Libya pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. 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. 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.

Your pet must be identified with a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering Libya. All documentation must reflect the microchip number. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.

Step 2: Vaccinations

All cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Libya. The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin:

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

It is strongly recommended that dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia.

Veterinarians must record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination country.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination.

Libya does not require a rabies titer test for cats and dogs from any country. However, all pets originating in countries classified as having a high risk of rabies should always travel with a rabies titer test. In addition, the World Organization of Animal Health classifies Libya as a high-rabies risk country. As such, if your pet will be returning to the origin country, this test may be required.

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

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Libya does not require parasite treatments for internal and external parasites. However, pet owners should protect their pet against foreign parasites when traveling internationally. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate including:

• details of your pet and
• vaccinations and treatments and
• veterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export.

Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate depending on the country of origin.

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the Pet Health Certificate for Libya shortly prior to travel.

A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Step 6: Import Permit

Pet dogs and cats entering Libya with their owners do not need an import permit. Commercial imports will require an import permit.

Other Information

Breeds Banned from Import to Libya

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

Entering Libya by Air

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

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?

Tripoli does not have a live animal storage facility, so it is pertinent to expedite a quick clearance of animals upon arrival. We
recommend that you use the services of an agent in Tripoli who will arrange to have a government veterinarian meet your incoming flight.

Flights should be direct if the duration of the flight does not violate animal welfare laws. Layovers should be short and not involve a change in airline companies. If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply.

Importers will need to provide advance notice to veterinary officials at the airport so they will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing. This is especially important if your pet will be arriving outside of normal business hours.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport.
A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering Libya. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.

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

Importing Other Pet Animals to Libya

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination. However, other pet animals may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Libya. 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 crucial 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 this is the case, importers will have to submit additional permit applications. The agency that issues these permits is responsible for the protection of wildlife in your country.

Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

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

Related: Read more about CITES

Need more detailed pet import requirements for Libya?

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

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

• Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Libya 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 Libya (US/Canada)
• Microchip Certificate
• Airline Health Certificate
• Inoculation Record

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Libya?

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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, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. To avoid these consequences, we suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Libya pet import requirements.