What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that address Moldova 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, titer test (some countries) 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.
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 Moldova
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Moldova 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.
Moldova Pet Import Requirements
Although not an EU Member State, Moldova has adopted many EU requirements for pet import.
All steps required to conform to Moldova pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
Step 1: Type of Transport
Moldova classifies the movement of pets as non-commercial or commercial. These pet import requirements apply to both non-commercial and commercial transports. Review the conditions below to determine whether your pet’s transport will be classified as non-commercial or commercial as the requirements for each type of transport are different.
Conditions for Non-Commercial Transport
• All pets must enter Moldova with or within five days of their owner*. Proof of travel will be required AND
• The transport applies to no more than five pets unless proof of participation in a competition or show is available, and pets are over six months of age AND
• The purpose of the transport must not be for adoption, sale, or exchange of ownership.
*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.
All pet owners transporting their pets under non-commercial regulations must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that their pet’s transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of their pet.
Unless all of the above conditions are satisfied, your pet must travel under commercial regulations.
Conditions for Commercial Transport
- The pet is not traveling with or within five days of the owner* OR
- The transport is greater than five pets under one owner’s passport OR
- The purpose of the transport involves any change of ownership, adoption or commercial sale.
If any of the above conditions are met, then your pet must travel under commercial regulations. The importer must be registered in the origin country and have proof of the organization they represent. They also must have proof that this business or organization will be responsible for the import of the pet. The exporter must provide proof that they are registered in the exporting country.
Step 2: 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 rabies vaccination (step 2). 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.
A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification as long as it was given prior to July 3, 2011, is clearly visible and your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied.
Step 3: Vaccinations
All cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies 30 days prior to entering the country. Moldova does honor the 3 year rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets; however, it should only be administered as a booster unless specified by the manufacturer. You can speak to your veterinarian about this.
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 must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitus, hepatitus enteritis, parvovirus, adenovirosis and leptospirosis. Cats must be vaccinated against panleucopenia.
Veterinarians must record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination country.
Step 4: 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. A licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination.
A rabies titer test for cats and dogs entering Moldova must be administered in the origination country a minimum of three calendar months prior to travel.
Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.
Step 5: Parasite Treatments
According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered prior to entering Moldova.
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 recommended, but not required.
The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.
Step 6: 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.
The type of health certificate required for your pet depends on whether or not your pet’s transport is accompanied OR it involves a purchase, sale or transfer of ownership. Choose from two options below.
Non-Commercial Transport to Moldova from Non-EU Countries
Steps 2-4, and 6 apply.
A licensed veterinarian in the origination country completes the Non-Commercial Health Certificate within 10 days of travel. The certificate must then be endorsed by the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
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.
Related: Non-Commercial Pet Health Certificate for Moldova
Non-Commercial Transport to Moldova from an EU Member State
Steps 2-4 apply.
Your veterinarian must obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet.
Commercial Transport to Moldova from a Non-EU Country
Steps 2-4, and 6 apply.
A licensed veterinarian in the origination country completes the Commercial Health Certificate within 48 hours of travel. The certificate must then be endorsed by the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
Related: Commercial Pet Health Certificate for Moldova
Your pet must enter Moldova at Chisinau International Airport. All dogs must be vaccinated against distemper.
Commercial Transport to Moldova from an EU Member State
Steps 2-4 apply.
Your veterinarian must obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet.
Your pet’s veterinarian must issue a health certificate completed within 48 hours of entry.
Step 7: Import Permit
Pet dogs and cats entering Moldova with their owners do not need an import permit.
Other Information
Pets Entering Moldova from Malaysia or Australia
Dogs and cats from Peninsular Malaysia should have a declaration stating they were not exposed to pigs
within 60 days of import. They will also need to prove they originate from an area where no cases of Nipah have been reported. Your pet will also need to be tested for the antibody for Nipah disease within 10 days of import.
Cats from Australia should be accompanied by an official veterinary certification that the animals have not been resident on holdings where during the past 60 days cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed.
Breeds Banned from Import to Moldova
Moldova does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.
Flying a Pet to Moldova
Flights to Moldova should be direct or transit through a listed third 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 Moldova by Air
Pets must enter Moldova via Chisinau International Airport. Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo according to airline pet policies.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
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.
Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like Moldova, 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 Moldova All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.
Importing Other Pet Animals to Moldova
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 to enter Moldova. 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
Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Moldova?
Visit PetTravelStore.com to find further detail on permits, costs, tests and pet import requirements for Moldova.
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Moldova?
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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 Moldova pet import requirements.
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