What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to the Solomon Islands 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 an import permit, proof of microchip, rabies vaccination 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.
The Solomon Islands will only permit dogs and cats that were born and raised or have resided for a minimum of six months in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the United Kingdom or Vanuatu. Pets must conform to the requirements of these countries prior to traveling to the Solomon Islands.
All pets must be spayed or neutered prior to import to the Solomon Islands.
Pets in the Solomon Islands
Pet ownership in the Solomon Islands is on the rise, reflecting broader social and cultural changes. While dogs and cats are the most common pets, the interest in birds, fish, and small mammals is also growing. The development of pet-related services and changing attitudes among the population indicate a positive trend towards responsible pet ownership and animal welfare in the country.
Veterinary services in the Solomon Islands are limited, primarily available in urban centers such as Honiara. These services include vaccinations, general health check-ups, and treatments for common ailments. There are a few pet shops in urban areas that provide pet food, accessories, and supplies.
Flights to the Solomon Islands
Flights to the Solomon Islands 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 Solomon Islands
Quarantine will not be imposed on your pet if the following regulations are met; however, Australia and New Zealand do impose quarantine on all pets entering the country. Pets not meeting import regulations will be quarantined, returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer.
Solomon Islands Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to the Solomon Islands 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.
The Solomon Islands require that your pet be identified with a pet microchip. The microchip should be a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785. 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
Rabies vaccinations are not required for dogs and cats entering the Solomon Islands for pets originating from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the United Kingdom or Vanuatu; however, a vaccination against rabies is required if your pet is entering these countries to serve residency requirements.
Other Vaccinations
Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline calicivirus.
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 not required to enter the Solomon Islands from any country; however, it is required to enter Australia and New Zealand if your dog or cat is entering one of these countries to fulfill residency requirements. A rabies titer test will also be required if you are entering the United Kingdom from an unlisted country.
Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.
Step 4: Import Permit
Pet dogs and cats entering the Solomon Islands will require an import permit from Biosecurity.
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 must be administered prior to entering the Solomon Islands.
Treatment for external parasites must be given within twice one week apart with the final treatment not more than 48 hours of travel. Treatments for internal parasites must be given within 10 days 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 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.
A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate within 48 hours of transport.
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.
Other Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to the Solomon Islands
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to three months of age. They must conform to regulations to enter Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom prior to entering the Solomon Islands.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy.
Entering the Solomon Islands by Air
Pets must enter the Solomon Islands via Honiara International Airport. Pets can enter in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo and only from Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom.
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 the Solomon Islands, 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 Solomon Islands. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.
Importing Other Pet Animals to the Solomon Islands
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 will need a health certificate and import permit to enter Solomon Islands. 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
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to the Solomon Islands?
Have a comment about importing a pet to the Solomon Islands? 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 Solomon Islands pet import requirements.
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