Category 5: Minimum of 210 days in quarantine

Time Frame: Confirm eligibility before proceeding.

Residency: Cats and dogs must have been continuously living in the Republic of South Africa for a minimum of six (6) months immediately prior to export or since direct importation from Australia (refer to page 9) or since birth.

Cats and dogs must not be under quarantine restriction at the time of export.

Age: Cats and dogs must be at least nine (9) months old at the time of export.

Pregnancy: Cats and dogs must not be pregnant nor suckling young at the time of export.

Cat Breeds: In accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) cats that are derived from a cross with a wild cat species are not eligible for importation into Australia. This includes (but is not limited to) breeds such as the Savannah cat (which is a cat derived from crossbreeding a domestic cat (Felis catus) with a serval cat (Felis serval), the Safari cat (crossed with a Geoffroy cat, Oncifelis geoffroyi) and the Chausie (crossed with the Jungle cat, Felis chaus). The only exception to this is the Bengal cat (Felis catus x Prionailurus bengalensis) which may continue to be imported provided it is five generations removed from the Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

Dog Breeds: Under the legislation of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, dogs of the following pure-breeds are prohibited and are not eligible for importation into Australia:

• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brazileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service can be contacted on phone: +61 2 6275 6666 or 1300 363 263 (within Australia) or by email.

Hybrids: Any domestic/non-domestic animal hybrids (e.g. Savannah cats or wolf-dog crosses) are not eligible for import. The only exception to this is the Bengal cat (Felis catus x Prionailurus bengalensis) which may continue to be imported provided it is five generations removed from the Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). Contact the Wildlife Trade Regulation Section, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) phone +61 6274 1111 or email.

Time Frame: Before the blood is sampled for the Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test.

Cats and dogs must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader. The microchip must be implanted before any testing takes place.

DAFF strongly recommends that the animal is scanned at each visit to the veterinarian to ensure that the microchip can be read and is correct prior to export.

If the microchip differs from the DAFF import permit and/or supporting documentation, or cannot be found or read upon the animal's arrival in Australia, the animal will be exported to the country of origin.

It is the importer's responsibility to contact their local Australian council regarding cat or dog registration and microchip requirements. DAFF is unable to provide council details.

Time Frame: Within the 12 months prior to export.

Every cat and dog must be vaccinated against rabies with an approved inactivated rabies virus vaccine within the 12 months prior to export and when the animal is at least three (3) months old.

The rabies vaccination certificate must be presented to the Official Government Veterinarian when completing the Rabies vaccination and Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) Declaration of the application form for DAFF import permit.

Time frame: Before sampling blood for the rabies antibody test.

An Official Government Veterinarian: A government officer employed by the Department of Agriculture Veterinary Service in South Africa. Official Government Veterinarians endorse Veterinary Certificate A and complete Veterinary Certificate B. The Official Government Veterinarian must also complete, sign and stamp the Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) Declaration. The RNATT Declaration is included in the application form to import cats and dogs. The Official Government Veterinarian may assist you with locating a 'government approved veterinarian' and a 'government approved laboratory'.

Government Approved Veterinarian: A veterinarian approved by the South African Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Service who will prepare your pet for export to Australia and fill in the details of these preparation on Veterinary Certificate A of the DAFF import permit.

Government approved laboratories: Laboratories approved by the South African Veterinary Service to test samples from animals destined for export.

Department of Agriculture, South Africa
Website
Phone: +27 (012) 319 6000
Fax: +27 (012) 319 0000
Post: Private Bag x250, Pretoria, 0001

Time frame: Between three (3) and 12 months prior to export and before commencement of South African quarantine.

If the animal has never been previously rabies vaccinated DAFF recommends that at least four (4) weeks elapse between the rabies vaccination and blood sampling. This will enable the animal to produce sufficient antibodies to record a positive test result.

Arrange for a Government Approved Veterinarian to scan the animal's microchip and collect a blood sample for the RNATT. Ensure the animal's microchip number, as scanned, is written on the blood tube and on the laboratory submission form. The blood sample must be drawn within a DAFF approved country.

The microchip number and blood sampling date must be consistent between the RNATT laboratory report and RNATT declaration before a DAFF import permit can be granted.

A government approved laboratory must carry out testing. The testing laboratory must be within a DAFF approved country. Testing methods accepted by DAFF are FAVN and RFFIT as described in the OIE manual. The laboratory report must include the animal's microchip number, the blood sampling date and a result of greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/ml. If a result of less than 0.5 IU/ml is obtained you must re-vaccinate the cat or dog and repeat the process.

Cats and dogs will not be eligible for import into Australia until at least three (3) months has elapsed between the blood sampling date for the RNATT and export from South Africa.

Two hundred and ten days (210) days must elapse from the blood sampling date for the RNATT (with a satisfactory result) and the date the animal is released from Australian quarantine.

DAFF recognises the RNATT result for a period of 12 months from the date of blood sampling. The animal must have a valid RNATT at the time of export.

Time Frame: More than three (3) months before export to Australia

Subsequent to blood being taken and providing a satisfactory RNATT result, cats and dogs must be continuously confined in a government approved rabies free premise in South Africa for at least three (3) months immediately prior to export.

These premises are approved by the South African National Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Services. The following kennels are currently the only approved quarantine kennels in South Africa. These kennels can prepare cats and dogs for export to Australia.

Keringa Kennels
Website
Phone: +27 (011) 976 3030
Fax: +27 (011) 393 3907
Email

Kookaburra Kennels
Website
Phone: +27 (012) 654 1270
Fax: +27 (086) 685 8220
Email

Paws Resort Quarantine Kennels
Website
Phone: +27 (011) 464 0914 / 15
Fax: +27 (086) 653 6557
Email

The time spent in quarantine in South Africa will determine the amount of time the animal must stay in Australian quarantine.

Keep in mind that cats and dogs must spend at least a minimum 30 days in Australian quarantine. This means that if you want the animal to spend the minimum 30 days in Australian quarantine, the animal must spend 180 days in South African quarantine.

To calculate the Quarantine period:

90 days in Republic of South Africa (RSA) + 30 days in Australia (AUS)+ 90 days in either RSA or AUS = 210 days

• 90 days in Republic of South Africa Quarantine, mandatory
• 30 days in Australian Quarantine, mandatory
• 90 days in the Republic of South Africa or Australia Quarantine. This is your choice as long as the total continuous quarantine period is 210 days.

Time frame: After you have received the RNAT test Laboratory Report and completed RNAT test Declaration, and at least 30 days prior to export.

You must submit copies of the following documents with your import permit application:

1. RNAT test Declaration signed and stamped by an Official Government Veterinarian
2. RNAT test Laboratory Report
3. Private Veterinary Attendance and Treatment Declaration – completed by the person listed as the importer on the application form. You must provide Australian contact details (physical street address and telephone number. An address using a Post Office (PO) Box, 'to be advised', or 'care of the animal quarantine station' is not accepted) and a handwritten signature on this form.
4. For animals with ongoing medical condition(s) a detailed medical letter from the Veterinarian. Originals documents are not required.
5. Full payment (credit card payment form or cheque if not applying for the import permit through the eLodge system).

Note: Additional documents will not be assessed unless specifically requested in a separate email.

You may submit your import permit application and supporting documentation by any of the following methods:

• Online application using DAFF eLodge. You must scan and attach all supporting documentation.
• Manual application with a copy of your application and all supporting documentation:
  • Email to Animal Import Operations Branch.
  • Fax to +61 2 6272 3110
  • Post to Animal Import Operations: GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

DAFF aims to grant all import permit applications within ten (10) working days, provided that all required information is received at the time of submission.

DAFF import permits are valid for six (6) months from the date of issue.

Application information and forms can be found at Application to Import Cats and Dogs.

Payment of Import Permit Fees

Current fees for import permit applications can be found at Charging Schedule for Import Permit Applications.

DAFF will not grant an import permit until payment is confirmed.

You can pay by:

• Credit Card – American Express, Visa and MasterCard on posted, faxed, emailed and eLodged applications.
• Bank Cheque – With posted applications only. Bank cheques must be in Australian dollars and made out to the "Collector of Public Monies – DAFF". Personal cheques will not be accepted.

Time Frame: On receipt of the DAFF import permit.

On receipt of the DAFF import permit, you will need to contact the relevant Animal Quarantine Station to make a booking for your animal/s.

The granting of a DAFF import permit does not guarantee a space at your preferred Animal Quarantine Station. Due to high demand, some stations may require bookings to be made in advance.

You must confirm the booking by providing an air waybill number to the Animal Quarantine Station closer to the date of departure.

Detailed information on the Australian Animal Quarantine Stations can be viewed at Quarantine Station Accommodation & Fees.

Time frame: A copy of the DAFF import permit is required to start travel arrangements

Cats and dogs can only arrive into Australia through the following airports:

• Sydney (New South Wales)
• Melbourne (Victoria)
• Perth (Western Australia).

Animals can travel unaccompanied to Australia. On arrival animals will be collected at the airport by DAFF staff and transported directly to the Animal Quarantine Station.

In general and wherever possible, flights should be booked to arrive in Australia between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Animals must not arrive on Australian public holidays or weekends as they cannot be collected from the airport.

If you are unable to arrange a flight that arrives in Australia between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, information on animal collection arrangements at each of the Australian Quarantine Stations is available below. Please contact the relevant station office for further information on collection hours.

Spotswood, Melbourne, Victoria - Animals cannot be collected from the airport between the hours of 9.00 pm and 6:00 am, Monday to Friday.

Eastern Creek, Sydney, New South Wales - Animals cannot be collected from the airport between the hours of 12.00 am (midnight) and 6:00 am, Monday to Friday.

Byford, Perth, Western Australia - Animals cannot be collected from the airport between the hours of 7.00 pm and 6:00 am, Monday to Friday.

Note: the differences in collection hours reflect differences in each station's infrastructure and staffing arrangements, proximity to the airport and different operating hours at each airport.

DAFF does not place any restrictions on the airline you choose. However, the animal must travel as 'anifested Cargo' (not in the cabin) and in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved container (crate) for cats and dogs.

View IATA guidelines

Strict compliance with crate specifications is vital for the safe and secure transport of your animal. Problems will occur if the animal can escape from its crate or if any part of its body (nose, limbs, or tail) can protrude.

During transport to Australia cats and dogs may transit (stay on the same plane) or trans-ship (change planes) in all countries (DAFF approved or not). However, the original seals on the crates must not be broken. Trans-shipment may also require approval from the quarantine authority in the country of trans-shipment. For the wellbeing of the animal DAFF strongly advises booking direct flights to prevent mishaps occurring (eg animals missing connecting flights and remaining in airports for extended periods of time).

There are animal transport companies in most countries that can make arrangements on your behalf. Visit IPATA website for a list of animal transport companies worldwide.

DAFF accepts no responsibility for animals that escape en route, and all transport costs are at the expense of the importer.

Time Frame: Once travel arrangements have been made and prior to export of the animal.

You must contact the Animal Quarantine Station to confirm your animal's booking. You will need to provide:

• A valid DAFF Import Permit number
• Flight number and date of arrival in Australia
• Air waybill number
• Contact telephone number
• Details of any special needs your animal may have

Time frame: Between one (1) year and 14 days prior to export.

Vaccinations must be valid for the entire quarantine period in Australia. All vaccinations must have been administered within a DAFF approved country.

• Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, infectious hepatitis (canine adenovirus), canine parvovirus (parvo), para-influenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Vaccination against Leptospira interrogans are not recommended as the vaccination can interfere with testing which may result in dogs being ineligible for export to Australia.

• Cats must be vaccinated against feline enteritis (also known as feline panleucopenia or feline distemper), rhinotracheitis and calicivirus.

Time frame: Within 30 days prior to export.

Blood tests: Arrange for a government approved veterinarian to scan the dog's microchip and draw blood samples for the testing of:

• ehrlichiosis (tropical canine pancytopaenia)
• brucellosis
• leishmaniosis
• leptospirosis

The microchip number must be recorded on the blood tube and on the laboratory submission form. The blood must be sent to a government-approved laboratory for testing. The laboratory report must be in English, on official letterhead, signed by an authorised officer at the laboratory, record the blood sample date, and link the dog’s microchip number to the test result.

If there is no microchip number on the laboratory report or the testing requirements are not met, the dog may be exported from Australian Quarantine at the importer's expense.

The results must be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A of the DAFF import permit. Copies of all laboratory test results must be endorsed by an Official Government Veterinarian and accompany the dog to Australia.

Contact DAFF if the dog does not meet the test requirements.

Ehrlichiosis: Dogs must be tested for Ehrlichia canis infection by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The test must produce a negative result at a dilution of 1:40.

Treatment for external parasites must commence at the same time that blood is sampled for ehrlichia testing as this disease is spread by ticks.

A Government Approved Veterinarian must treat the dog with a long acting acaricide that is registered for the control of ticks. The treatment must kill ticks upon direct contact. Washes, rinses, spot-on formulations or medicated collars that repel ticks and prevent them biting the animal are acceptable. Oral products are not satisfactory, neither are products that kill ticks only after biting your animal. Acceptable active ingredients include (but are not limited to) fiprinol (e.g. Frontline®), permethrin (e.g. Permoxin® or Advantix ®), amitraz (e.g. Preventic ®) or flumethrin (e.g. Kiltix ®).

The treatment must be repeated according to the manufacturer's instructions to the date of export. Treatment must be also be repeated within 4 days prior to export. Dates of treatment must be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A of the DAFF import permit.

Brucellosis: Dogs must be tested for Brucella canis infection using a serum agglutination test. The test must produce a negative result.

Once blood is collected for this test the dog must not be mated or inseminated prior to export to Australia.

Leishmaniosis: Dogs must be tested for Leishmania infantum infection by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) or an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The test must produce a negative result.

Leptospirosis: Dogs must be tested for Leptospira canicola serovar of Leptospira interrogans using a microscopic agglutination test.

Dogs that record a negative result (less than 50% agglutination at a serum dilution of 1:100) are eligible for import.

Dogs that record a result of positive at 1:100 or more, but negative at 1:800, must be re-tested 14 days or more after blood was sampled for the first test. The second test must also show a negative titre result at 1:800 or less.

Dogs that record a result positive at 1:800 or more are ineligible for import.

Vaccination against Leptospira interrogans are not recommended as the vaccination can interfere with testing which may result in dogs being ineligible for export to Australia.

Time frame: Within 28 days prior to export.

This treatment should not be given within 48 hours of treatment for external parasites as the chance of side-effects may increase.

Option 1: A government approved veterinarian must treat the dog once with imidocarb dipropionate (Forray-65, Hoechst or Imizol by Coopers) at a rate of 7.5 mg per kg body weight by subcutaneous injection.

Option 2: A government approved veterinarian must treat the dog twice with imidocarb dipropionate (Forray-65, Hoechst or Imizol by Coopers) at a rate of 6.6 mg per kg body weight by subcutaneous injection given two weeks apart.

Details of treatment/s must be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A of the DAFF import permit.

Time frame: Within four (4) days prior to export. This can be done at the same time as the completion of Veterinary Certificate A of the DAFF import permit.

Internal parasites: Cats and dogs must be treated with a product approved for the treatment of nematodes and cestodes (e.g. Drontal).

Internal parasite treatment must be effective against roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm.

External parasites: Cats and dogs must be treated with a product approved for the treatment of ticks and fleas. The treatment must kill ticks upon direct contact.

Oral products and injections are not satisfactory nor are products that rely on the tick biting the dog. Washes, rinses, medicated collars and spot on products that kill ticks on contact are acceptable.

Dogs: You must have already commenced external parasite treatment for dogs, as per Step 12. The dog must be retreated for external parasites within four (4) days prior to export.

The product name, active ingredient, dose rate and treatment date/s must be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A of the DAFF import permit.

Time frame: Within four (4) days prior to export.

Veterinary Certificates A and B are included in the granted DAFF Import Permit.

Veterinary Certificate A is to be completed by a Government Approved Veterinarian or an Official Government Veterinarian.

You must bring the animal and all documentation (e.g. vaccination certificates, laboratory reports) to this inspection. The animal must be free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases.

A thorough examination for external parasites, including visible or palpable ticks, must be performed by the approved veterinarian. Particular attention should be given to the forelegs, chest, neck, head, ears, eyes, shoulders, axillae and inner thighs. The animal must be fit to undertake the journey to Australia and undergo quarantine in Australia.

Any corrections to the approved veterinarian's entries on Veterinary Certificate A will only be accepted if the original entry has been struck through and remains legible correction fluid must not be used. An Official Government Veterinarian must sign to each correction.

The DAFF import permit must not be altered.

Time frame: After the completion of Veterinary Certificate A, usually on the day of departure.

Veterinary Certificate B must be completed by an Official Government Veterinarian. The following documents must be presented to the Official Government Veterinarian to be signed and stamped (endorsed) and then travel with the animal to Australia.

• Original or copy of the DAFF import permit
• Completed Veterinary Certificate A
• General vaccination certificates
• Rabies vaccination certificate
• RNATT laboratory report
• [Dogs Only] brucellosis, ehrlichiosis, leishmania and leptospirosis laboratory reports in English

Copies may be used. However, the paperwork arriving in Australia with your animal must bear original signatures and stamps.

An Official Government Veterinarian must scan the animal and confirm that the microchip number is consistent on the DAFF import permit and all supporting documents.If the microchip number is consistent, the veterinarian must record the number on Veterinary Certificate B.

If the microchip number is incorrect on the DAFF import permit and/or supporting documentation OR the microchip is absent and cannot be scanned, the animal is ineligible for import.

The Official Government Veterinarian must record the identification number of the seal on Veterinary Certificate B and seal the animal into the crate. Ensure the animal is prepared for travel before the crate is sealed. Once sealed, the animal must not be released from its crate.

A water container should be fixed inside the crate. An external funnel with a hose leading into the water container should be provided to allow water to be replenished without opening the crate. Sufficient absorbent bedding should be provided (soiled bedding may be destroyed on arrival in Australia). The crate should be marked 'Live Animal'.

Time frame: Confirm with your airline.

In most cases the animal will be checked in at the freight terminal, not the passenger terminal.

The DAFF import permit (Veterinary Certificates A and B), blood test results, vaccination records and any other relevant documents must travel to Australia with the animal. These documents may be originals or copies but must bear the original signature and stamp of an Official Government Veterinarian of the country of export.

DAFF recommends that you retain a copy of these documents.

If, in exceptional circumstances, the animals crate must be opened during transit or transhipment it must be resealed and a certificate provided to DAFF by an Official Government Veterinarian, port authority, or captain of the aircraft detailing the circumstances. Instructions to this effect should be attached to the outside of the crate before departure from the port of export.

On arrival animals will be collected from the airport by DAFF staff and transported directly to the Animal Quarantine Station. Visiting of animals at the airport upon arrival in Australia is not permitted.

DAFF provides housing, bedding, food, water and care for the animal for the duration of its stay. All quarantine costs must be paid by the importer prior to the animal's release.

Should the animal require veterinary care, DAFF will contact the importer and arrange for a private veterinarian. Private veterinarians will charge the importer directly.

Australian cats and dogs traveling to South Africa and returning to Australia

Visit the following webpage for more information Cats and Dogs Returning to Australia

DAFF cannot guarantee that animals exported from Australia will be eligible for re-import.

Cats and dogs exported from Australia immediately relinquish their Australian status.

Exported cats and dogs may be exposed to exotic diseases and may not be eligible for direct re-import to Australia.

Only cats and dogs in a DAFF approved country may be eligible for direct return to Australia.

All standard DAFF import conditions must be met in full.

DAFF recommends that prior to export from Australia your cat/dog is microchipped with an ISO approved chip.

We also recommend that a DAFF accredited veterinarian:

• vaccinates your cat/dog against rabies and four (4) weeks later
• collects and sends a blood sample to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) for a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT). The RNATT report from AAHL must record your animal’s microchip number and a result of greater than 0.5 IU/ml. This laboratory report should be signed and stamped by DAFF prior to the export of your animal/s.

DAFF recommends that your cat/dog be re-vaccinated for rabies and re-RNAT tested in South Africa within 12 months of the tests being conducted in Australia. This process should be repeated at intervals of less than 12 months throughout your stay in South Africa.

Your cat/dog's microchip number must be scanned and recorded on the blood tube and the microchip number must appear on the laboratory report.

RNATTs conducted in South Africa should be collected by a government approved veterinarian and sent to a government approved lab for testing. The government approved veterinarian should also sign and stamp all results. You should forward these documents to DAFF when applying for a permit to import the cat/dog into Australia.