Bringing a pet to DR Congo

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

DR Congo's pet import rules are uniform for dogs, cats, and ferrets, meaning the same requirements apply regardless of the animal's origin or rabies-risk category. The process is moderately strict, with a mandatory rabies vaccination and health certificate, but there is no quarantine culture for compliant pets. Expect bureaucratic delays at entry points, so ensure all paperwork is in order before travel.

Requirements for your pet

DR Congo applies the same dog import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate (certificat de bonne santé)
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the DRC embassy.

No additional requirements for free-tier origin countries.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate (certificat de bonne santé)
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the DRC embassy.

No additional requirements for low-risk origin countries.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate (certificat de bonne santé)
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the DRC embassy.

No additional requirements for high-risk origin countries.

Frequently asked questions

No, DR Congo does not require a rabies titer test for dogs from any origin country. A valid rabies vaccination certificate showing the vaccine was given at least 21 days before travel is sufficient.
No, DR Congo does not impose any quarantine period for dogs entering the country, regardless of the origin country's rabies status.
DR Congo does not publish a specific limit for non-commercial pet movement. However, bringing more than 2-3 dogs may trigger commercial import requirements; check with the DRC Ministry of Agriculture or the nearest embassy for guidance.
No, DR Congo does not provide any exemptions for emotional support or service dogs. All dogs must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the dog's arrival in DR Congo. It should be endorsed by an official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK).
Yes, as long as the vaccine is labeled as valid for 3 years and the dog was at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. The 21-day waiting period still applies from the vaccination date.
You must bring your own ISO-compatible microchip reader, as DRC authorities may not have the equipment to read non-ISO chips. Alternatively, have your vet implant an ISO chip before travel.

DR Congo applies the same cat import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, issued after microchip)
  • International health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No import permit required for cats from rabies-free territories.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, issued after microchip)
  • International health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No import permit required for cats from low-risk countries.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, issued after microchip)
  • International health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No import permit or rabies titer test required for cats from high-risk countries.

Frequently asked questions

No. DR Congo does not require a rabies titer test for cats from any origin country. A valid rabies vaccination certificate and health certificate are sufficient.
DR Congo does not publish a specific limit for non-commercial pet imports. Typically, up to 5 cats per traveller is considered personal. If you bring more, customs may treat it as a commercial shipment requiring an import permit and additional fees. Check with the Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises before travel.
No. DR Congo does not recognise emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard pet import requirements. All cats must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate rules regardless of their role.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the cat's arrival in DR Congo. It must be signed by an official government veterinarian in the origin country.
No. DR Congo does not require an import permit for cats from any origin country. The required documents are a rabies vaccination certificate, an international health certificate, and proof of microchip.
That depends on the airline, not DR Congo's import rules. Most airlines allow cats in the cabin if the carrier fits under the seat (typically max 8 kg including carrier). Check with your airline for their specific policy. DR Congo does not impose additional cabin restrictions for cats.
Your cat will likely be denied entry and may be quarantined at your expense or returned to the origin country. DR Congo does not allow on-arrival vaccination or microchipping as a substitute. Ensure all requirements are met before travel.

DR Congo applies the same ferret import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine type, batch number, and dates
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by an official veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

DR Congo does not publish specific ferret import rules; general mammal import requirements apply. No quarantine for ferrets from rabies-free origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine type, batch number, and dates
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by an official veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

DR Congo does not publish specific ferret import rules; general mammal import requirements apply. No quarantine for ferrets from low-risk origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine type, batch number, and dates
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by an official veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

DR Congo does not publish specific ferret import rules; general mammal import requirements apply. No quarantine for ferrets from high-risk origins, but airlines may impose their own restrictions.

Frequently asked questions

No. DR Congo's published import rules for mammals do not mention a rabies titer test requirement. Only a valid rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel) and a health certificate are required, regardless of origin rabies status.
DR Congo does not specify a numeric limit for non-commercial pet imports. However, most countries cap non-commercial movement at 5 animals. For more than 5 ferrets, commercial import rules likely apply — contact the Direction des Services Vétérinaires in Kinshasa for confirmation.
No. DR Congo does not recognize emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard import rules. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements.
DR Congo does not set a minimum age for ferret imports. However, the rabies vaccine must be given at 12 weeks or older, and the 21-day waiting period after vaccination means the ferret will be at least 15 weeks old at entry.
No. DR Congo does not require quarantine for ferrets from any origin country, provided all documentation (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate) is in order.
DR Congo does not require an import permit for ferrets. The Direction des Services Vétérinaires (under the Ministry of Agriculture) is the relevant authority for animal health matters, but no permit is needed for non-commercial pet movement.
No. An ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip is mandatory. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, and the vaccine certificate must list the microchip number.

Good to know

All pets must have a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days before travel, a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure, and an import permit from the Congolese Ministry of Agriculture. Veterinary checks at the border can be inconsistent, so carry multiple copies of documents and confirm with the local embassy beforehand.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to DR Congo, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with DR Congo's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.