Seychelles Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Seychelles 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 import permit, 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.

Pets in the Seychelles

Pet ownership in the Seychelles is a growing trend, influenced by the island nation’s evolving urban lifestyle, increasing expat population, and cultural exchanges. While traditionally pets were not as common in Seychelles households as in Western countries, more people are now embracing the companionship of animals.

The Seychelles has a limited number of veterinary clinics, primarily located in urban areas such as Victoria, the capital city. These clinics offer services like vaccinations, general health check-ups, and treatments for common ailments. There are several pet shops that provide pet food, accessories, and supplies. Online shopping for pet products is also becoming more common.

Flying a Pet to the Seychelles

Flights to Seychelles 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 the Seychelles

There will be 14 or 180 days of quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Seychelles depending on its origination country. Your pet must have continually resided in the country from which it is entering Seychelles during the six months immediately preceding the date of shipment or since birth. Your pet’s stay in the Seychelles must be at least 6 months.

All steps required to conform to Seychelles pet import regulations 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 the Seychelles. 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 the Seychelles.

Step 2: Vaccinations

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

A rabies titer test is required for cats and dogs entering the Seychelles from any country. The test must be administered more than 30 days after rabies vaccination and within 6 months of travel.

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 the Seychelles within 48 hours of travel.

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 a record of treatment.

Step 5: Pet 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.

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate in English or French. A second examination by a veterinarian must be performed within 48 hours of departure to endorse that your dog or cat is in good health showing no signs of any infections, contagious and parasitic disease.

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 the Seychelles will need an import permit.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to the Seychelles

Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. They must be vaccinated after 3 months of age and conform to all Seychelles pet import requirements. Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Seychelles.

Breeds Banned for Import to the Seychelles

Seychelles does not ban the importation of the following breeds; however, they require proof that any of these breeds have been spayed or neutered prior to entering the country: Akita Inu, Alangu Mastiff, Alano Español, Alsatian, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Argentine Dogo, Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Boston Terrier, Bully Kutta, Bulldog, Bull Mastiff, Boerboel, Cane Corso, Doberman, Dogue de Bordeaux, Dogo Sardesco. English Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Gull Dong, Gull Terr, Korea Jindo Dog, Lottatore Brindisino, Neopolitan Mastiff, Perro de Presa Canario (Canary Dog), Perro de Presa Mallorquin (Ca de Bou), Rottweiler, Shar Pei, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Mastiff or Tosa Inu.

Quarantine for Pets in the Seychelles

Pets entering the Seychelles from rabies-free or rabies-controlled countries will be quarantined for a period of 14 days. Pets entering the Seychelles from high-rabies countries will be quarantined for a period of 180 days.

Entering the Seychelles by Air

Pets must enter Seychelles as air cargo in a sealed crate at Seychelles International Airport. Importers will need an IATA-compliant pet crate to transport any dog or cat. An agent in the origination country should arrange the booking.

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

Importing Other Pet Animals to the Seychelles

The Seychelles 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)

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.

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for the Seychelles?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for the Seychelles 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 Seychelles pet passport package:

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

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to the Seychelles?

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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 Seychelles pet import requirements.