Mauritius 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 Mauritius 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 will include proof of microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies titer test, parasite treatments and international 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.

To import a dog or cat to Mauritius from a country where your pet has resided for a minimum of 6 months and is considered as rabies-free or rabies-controlled by the World Organization of Animal Health, the following terms and conditions must be followed. Your country’s status will be determined at the time the import permit is requested. Pets from countries classified as having a high risk of rabies will not be permitted entry.

Dogs and cats must be neutered or spayed prior to entry and must not be pregnant.

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 Mauritius

There will be several days of quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Mauritius even if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

All steps required to conform to Mauritius 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 Mauritius. 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.

Your pet’s microchip number must be present on all documentation required to enter Mauritius.

Crates, carriers, passports, microchips and more at PetTravelStore.com

Step 2: Vaccinations

Your dog or cat must be vaccinated for rabies between 60 days and 12 months of entry for the primary vaccination and between 30 days and 12 months of entry for all booster vaccinations.

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

Other Vaccinations

Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia.

Other required tests: Erlichiosis and Brucella Canis

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

More Mauritius pet import requirements and forms

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.

All dogs and cats entering Mauritius must have a rabies titer test administered by a licensed veterinarian no sooner than 30 days and no more than six months in advance of entry. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories.

A letter from your veterinarian will be required attesting that the titer test was administered according to regulations set by the World Organization of Animal Health. Have your veterinarian scan your pet’s microchip before administering the titer test.

Additional titer tests done at least three months apart may be required for pets entering Mauritius from certain countries. The import permit will provide more detail (step 6).

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

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 Mauritius.

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 according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are required.

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 (sometimes known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for live animals entering their country. The certificate should include the following information:

  • 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.

Related: Pet Health Certificate for Mauritius

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.

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Step 6: Import Permit

Importers must apply for an Import Permit between three to six months of advance of entering Mauritius. The purpose of the transport must be stated on the application.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Mauritius

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Mauritius. They can be microchipped after 8 weeks of age; however, Mauritius pet import requirements include rabies vaccination no sooner than 3 months of age. Puppies and kittens should wait a minimum of 30 days after rabies vaccination prior to having their titer test.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to Mauritius

The following dog breeds are only permitted as purebreds with proof of registration: Alaskan Malamute, Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Dobermann, Kangal, Mastino Napoletano, Presco Canario, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler. Mixes of these breeds will not be permitted entry to Mauritius. All dogs must be registered within 15 days of import.

The following breeds and their mixes cannot be imported to Mauritius: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Blue Nose Pit Bull, Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Red Nose Pit Bull and Staffordshire Terrier.

Airline pet policies

Flying Your Pet to Mauritius

Flights to Mauritius 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.

Entering Mauritius by Air

Pets must enter Mauritius via Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaine Magnien. Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo according to airline pet policies. Clearance by a broker is required for all pets entering as air cargo (unaccompanied or larger pets).

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

Pets arriving in Mauritius should do so on a direct flight, if possible. Transiting through countries with a high risk of rabies is not permitted.

Importers must 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.

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

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 Mauritius. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.

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Importing Other Pet Animals to Mauritius

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 if they are permitted to enter Mauritius. 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 in and enforce CITES regulations.

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

Related: Read more about CITES

More pet import requirements for other countries

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Mauritius?

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

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

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

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Mauritius?

Have a question about importing a pet to Mauritius? 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 below by 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. To avoid these consequences, we suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Mauritius pet import requirements.

Comments

4 responses to “Mauritius Pet Import Requirements”

  1. Nisaa Avatar
    Nisaa

    Mauritius DOES have a mandatory hold for all pets for a minimum of at least 5 days. It’s ALWAYS been like that.

    1. Susan Avatar

      Nisaa – we appreciate your contribution and have corrected our error. Thank you.

      1. yajnah gooljar Avatar
        yajnah gooljar

        hi, willing to travel with my dog(more than 5 kg) to Mauriyius from canada. Any idea regarding which flight to book and what about layovers? where to make layover?any information is most welcomed pls.thanks

        1. Susan Avatar

          Yahnah – we do not recommend airlines but will say that you need to look at an airline that provides the most direct service possible to Mauritius. Know that transiting through countries with a high risk of rabies is not permitted. If you transit through an EU Member State, a transit EU health certificate will be required. This certificate is endorsed at the same time your health certificate for Mauritius is endorsed. If you change airline companies along the way, your dog will need to enter the layover country and will be subject to their pet import requirements.

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