Importing Pets |
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Many people relocating to Ras al Khaimah cannot leave their pets behind. To bring your pet into the UAE you have to follow certain rules and meet certain requirements. Arranging things in advance will allow you to prevent trouble and unnecessary hassle, and avoid a long and costly quarantine for your pet.
UAE REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORT
Pets have to be a minimum of 4 months old.
The rabies vaccination must be older than 30 days but not older than 1 year.
A rabies neutralization titer test (RNATT) result if the pet originates from a country other than: Australia, Austria, Andorra, Ascension Island, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bahrain, Bermuda, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mayote, Monaco, Montserrat, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Saint Kitts & Nevis, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Wallis & Futuna.
The official health certificate issued at the country of departure by the government certified veterinarian.
A microchip is required for all pets arriving to the UAE.
Import permit issued by the Ministry of Environment and Water must be obtained prior to your pet’s arrival. Necessary documents include: a copy of the owner’s passport with UAE residency visa or employment letter, the application form for import permission, a copy of the pet’s vaccination certificate and a microchip number. The permit is issued within 2-3 working days and is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. The charges are 200dhs per animal. Received import permits must be submitted to the Cargo Village at the arrival airport.
All pets imported into the UAE must travel as a manifest cargo shipment, not as excess baggage.
UPON ARRIVAL
Upon arrival, your pet will be taken to the Cargo Village for the process of customs clearance and after just a few hours it should be released, assuming the papers and the pet’s condition are in order. Animals brought into the UAE without the proper documents will be held until those documents are obtained. Quarantine may also be imposed on pets arriving from certain countries that are not rabies free.
When collecting the animal, take along the original vaccination document, the official certificate issued by the government of your country and the import permit. Remember that there is also around 200dhs customs charge, paid only by e-dirham card.
If the pet is not picked up at the destination within a reasonable timeframe, it will be boarded at your expense at a kennel or other appropriate place. So keep in mind that if your pet's departure precedes yours, you should arrange pick up and boarding at the destination.
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Animal Wealth Department in the Ministry of Environment and Water Location: Office in Cargo Village, Dubai Phone: 04 2228161 Open: Sun–Thurs 7.30am-2.30pm www.moew.gov.ae/En/InformationCenter/Pages/AnimalWealth.aspx
Ministry of Environement and Water Abu Dhabi: 02 4444747 Dubai: 04 2148444
NOTE: Import of some dangerous breeds of dog such as Pit Bull, Bull Terrier, Neapolitan Mastiffs and crossbreeds of these breeds is banned in the UAE. Some animal breeds are protected species and they require special permits and documents to travel with you. |