Bringing a pet to Kiribati

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Kiribati is a rabies-free island nation with strict biosecurity controls. Pet imports require advance permission from the national agriculture authority, and there is no routine quarantine kennel on Tarawa. Animals must arrive fully documented or may be refused entry. Rules differ by origin: pets from rabies-free countries face fewer hurdles than those from rabies-affected countries. Start the permit process months before travel.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Kiribati.

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 of the exporting country · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Kiribati MELAD / Division of Quarantine Services
Rabies vaccination certificate showing at least 21 days since the primary dose
Official government veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Proof of ISO microchip (or a compatible reader supplied by the owner)
Airline pet acceptance confirmation

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, health certificate ~$100-200, permit and courier fees ~$50-150, airline pet fee ~$200-600 depending on route. No titer test is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and with Kiribati MELAD before committing.

Even for rabies-free origins, Kiribati requires an advance import permit; do not book travel until the permit is in hand. There is no routine quarantine facility on Tarawa, so if the animal arrives without a valid permit it may be refused entry or held at the owner's expense.

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 of the exporting country · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Kiribati MELAD / Division of Quarantine Services
Rabies vaccination certificate showing at least 21 days since the primary dose
Official government veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Proof of ISO microchip (or a compatible reader supplied by the owner)
Airline pet acceptance confirmation

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, health certificate ~$100-200, permit and courier fees ~$50-150, airline pet fee ~$200-600 depending on route. No routine titer test is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and with Kiribati MELAD before committing.

Kiribati does not publish a routine FAVN titer requirement for low-risk origins, but the permit application is assessed case-by-case and the Division of Quarantine Services may ask for additional proof of rabies immunity. Keep the vaccination certificate and microchip record together.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the exporting country · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Kiribati MELAD / Division of Quarantine Services
Rabies vaccination certificate showing at least 21 days since the primary dose
FAVN rabies antibody test report (>=0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
Official government veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Proof of ISO microchip (or a compatible reader supplied by the owner)
Airline pet acceptance confirmation

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, health certificate ~$100-200, permit and courier fees ~$50-150, airline pet fee ~$200-600 depending on route. Confirm current prices with a local vet and with Kiribati MELAD before committing.

High-risk-origin dogs face the full documentation set: permit, microchip, rabies vaccination, and a passing FAVN titer. Kiribati has no routine quarantine kennel, so the titer and permit are the main safeguards; if the titer is below 0.5 IU/ml the animal will not be cleared. Start the process at least 4-6 months before travel.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Kiribati requires an advance import permit issued by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD) / Division of Quarantine Services, regardless of the rabies status of the origin country. Apply by email or through the Division before booking travel; there is no online portal and no published fee schedule, so ask for the current fee and processing time. Do not ship the dog until the permit is in hand.

Kiribati does not operate a routine quarantine kennel on Tarawa, so the standard requirement is 0 days of quarantine for a fully documented dog. However, if the dog arrives without a valid permit, without the required health certificate, or without the rabies titer result for high-risk origins, it can be held or refused entry at the owner's expense. There is no facility to board the dog long-term, so paperwork must be complete before departure.

It depends on where you are travelling from. Dogs from rabies-free origins (EU-equivalent) and most low-risk countries do not need a routine FAVN titer test, though the Division of Quarantine Services can ask for one case-by-case. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries (for example Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East) must have a FAVN or equivalent test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel, with the original laboratory report submitted with the permit application.

Kiribati does not publish a clear non-commercial pet cap, but in practice the Division of Quarantine Services treats more than 2-3 dogs per traveller as a commercial import and will require additional inspection, fees, and possibly a livestock import licence. If you are moving more than two dogs, contact MELAD before applying and expect the process to take longer than a single-pet permit.

No. Kiribati does not exempt emotional-support animals or service dogs from the standard import requirements. The dog still needs an import permit, a microchip, a current rabies vaccination, and an official veterinary health certificate, and high-risk-origin dogs still need the FAVN titer. Airlines may also have their own rules for cabin access, but that does not change the border requirements.

You need an official veterinary health certificate issued by a government veterinarian in the exporting country, dated within 10 days of arrival in Kiribati. The certificate must confirm the dog is free of infectious disease and fit to travel, and it should list the microchip number and rabies vaccination date. A certificate older than 10 days at the time of arrival will not be accepted.

Very few carriers serve Bonriki International Airport (Tarawa), and several refuse pets entirely on this route. Confirm in writing that the airline will accept your dog, whether it travels as checked baggage or cargo, and what crate and temperature rules apply. Do this before paying for the import permit, FAVN titer, or health certificate, because a carrier refusal can make the whole process useless. Expect airline pet fees in the range of $200-600 depending on the routing.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Kiribati.

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 or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by the Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD) – Biosecurity Division
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Recent negative faecal test for internal parasites (within 14 days of travel) – recommended but not always enforced

Rough budget

Rough estimate only; verify locally. Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, import permit fee ~$50–150 (payable to Kiribati Biosecurity). No FAVN titer test or quarantine cost applies for this tier.

Kiribati is rabies-free. Cats must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. An import permit must be obtained in advance from the Biosecurity Division of MELAD. No rabies titer test or quarantine is required if all documentation is complete and the cat is healthy on arrival. Cats must travel in an IATA-compliant carrier. Direct flights to Tarawa (Bonriki International Airport) are limited; transiting through rabies-affected countries may require additional documentation.

Apply / official cat import page

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 or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by the Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD) – Biosecurity Division
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Recent negative faecal test for internal parasites (within 14 days of travel) – recommended but not always enforced

Rough budget

Requirements match those for rabies-free countries. Kiribati does not require a rabies titer test for cats from low-risk countries. No quarantine is required if all documentation is complete and the cat is healthy on arrival. Cats must travel in an IATA-compliant carrier. Direct flights to Tarawa (Bonriki International Airport) are limited; transiting through rabies-affected countries may require additional documentation.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by the Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD) – Biosecurity Division
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
FAVN rabies titer test result from an OIE-approved laboratory (titre ≥0.5 IU/ml, test done at least 90 days before travel)
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Recent negative faecal test for internal parasites (within 14 days of travel) – recommended but not always enforced

Rough budget

Rough estimate only; verify locally. Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250 (plus shipping to OIE lab), import permit fee ~$50–150 (payable to Kiribati Biosecurity). No quarantine cost applies for this tier.

Cats from high-risk rabies countries must have a valid FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an OIE-approved laboratory, with the test performed at least 90 days before travel. Rabies vaccination must be current. No quarantine is required if all documentation is complete and the cat is healthy on arrival, but the 90-day wait after titer testing acts as a pre-export waiting period. Cats must travel in an IATA-compliant carrier. Direct flights to Tarawa (Bonriki International Airport) are limited; transiting through rabies-affected countries may require additional documentation.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes. All cats entering Kiribati require an import permit issued in advance by the Biosecurity Division of MELAD. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel. The permit is usually valid for a single entry and must accompany the cat. Fee is approximately $50–150; confirm current fees with MELAD.

It depends on the origin country. Cats from rabies-free or low-risk countries (e.g., EU, US, UK, Japan, Australia) do not need a titer test. Cats from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) must have a FAVN test from an OIE-approved laboratory showing a titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml, performed at least 90 days before travel.

Kiribati does not publish a specific limit for non-commercial pet imports, but in practice the Biosecurity Division treats up to 2–3 pets per traveller as non-commercial. Larger numbers may be considered commercial and require additional permits and inspections. Contact MELAD directly if you plan to bring more than 3 cats.

No. Kiribati does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All cats, regardless of role, must meet the same import requirements: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and import permit. If you are travelling with a service cat, you must comply fully with these rules.

Kittens must be at least 3 months (12 weeks) old at the time of rabies vaccination, then wait 21 days after vaccination before travel. So the minimum age at entry is 15 weeks (about 3.5 months). Kittens younger than this cannot meet the rabies vaccination requirement and are not permitted.

No, quarantine is not required for cats entering Kiribati, provided all import conditions are met: valid import permit, microchip, rabies vaccination (and titer test if from a high-risk country), and a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. On arrival, a biosecurity officer will inspect the cat and documents. If any requirement is missing, the cat may be quarantined at the owner's expense or refused entry.

You need an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. It must be signed by a government veterinarian or an accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's national veterinary authority. The certificate should state that the cat is in good health, free from infectious diseases, and has been vaccinated against rabies. Some veterinarians also include a statement about internal parasite treatment (within 14 days of travel), which is recommended but not always enforced.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Kiribati.

Microchip

Not required

Rabies vaccine

Not required

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Not required

Import permit

Not required

Rough budget

No official fees are published for ferret imports. If a discretionary permit is granted, costs may include private veterinary paperwork (roughly AUD 50–200, approximate) and any ad hoc permit fee set by the Ministry (amount unknown). Confirm all costs directly with the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development and a local veterinarian.

Kiribati has no published import scheme for ferrets. Ferrets are not recognised as domestic pets under the Kiribati Animal Health Act or biosecurity regulations. Import is at the discretion of the Director of Agriculture and may be refused. No rabies vaccination or microchip is legally required because no ferret import pathway exists.

Microchip

Not required

Rabies vaccine

Not required

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Not required

Import permit

Not required

Rough budget

No official fees are published. If a discretionary permit is granted, costs may include private veterinary paperwork (roughly AUD 50–200, approximate) and any ad hoc permit fee set by the Ministry (amount unknown). Confirm all costs directly with the Ministry and a local veterinarian.

No formal ferret import protocol exists. Kiribati's biosecurity focuses on agricultural pests and diseases, not pet ferrets. Travellers have reported that bringing ferrets is effectively prohibited or heavily restricted. Contact the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development before making any plans.

Microchip

Not required

Rabies vaccine

Not required

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Not required

Import permit

Not required

Rough budget

No published fees. If a discretionary permit is granted, costs may include private veterinary paperwork (roughly AUD 50–200, approximate) and any ad hoc permit fee set by the Ministry (amount unknown). Confirm all costs directly with the Ministry and a local veterinarian.

No ferret import scheme exists. High-risk origin does not change the absence of a formal pathway. Import is likely to be refused. If attempted, a permit from the Director of Agriculture may be required, but there is no guarantee. Rabies vaccination and titer testing are not required because there is no import process, but they may be requested on a case-by-case basis.

Frequently asked questions

Kiribati has no published import protocol for ferrets. The Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development does not list ferrets as permitted pets. Import is at the discretion of the Director of Agriculture and is often refused. Contact the Ministry directly before making any travel plans.

There is no legal requirement for rabies or other vaccinations because there is no ferret import scheme. If a special permit is granted, authorities may require a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and a health certificate. Confirm with the Ministry.

No. Kiribati does not mandate microchips for ferrets. There is no ISO 11784/11785 requirement because there is no formal import process. If a permit is granted, authorities might ask for identification, but this is not standard.

Kiribati does not define a non-commercial pet limit for ferrets. Because ferrets are not recognised as pets for import, any number would require special permission. In practice, bringing even one ferret is likely to be denied. Do not assume a limit of 5 like some countries; there is no such allowance here.

No. Kiribati does not recognise emotional support animals or service ferrets for import purposes. All animals are subject to the same biosecurity rules, and there is no exemption. You will need to follow the same (non-existent) import pathway as any other ferret.

There is no standard paperwork. If a special permit is granted, you may need a health certificate issued by a government veterinarian within 10 days of travel, and possibly a rabies vaccination certificate. These are not formal requirements because ferret import is not provided for in Kiribati law.

Kiribati has no animal quarantine facility for ferrets. If import were allowed, quarantine would likely be imposed at the discretion of the Director of Agriculture, but there is no published duration. In practice, quarantine is not offered, and import is usually refused.

Good to know

Kiribati's animal import rules are administered by the Agriculture and Livestock Division of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD). There is no published fee schedule or online application portal for pet permits; approval is handled case-by-case by email or through the Division of Quarantine Services. Air access is limited (Bonriki International Airport, Tarawa), and some carriers refuse pets on the route entirely, so confirm airline acceptance before paying for any veterinary work.

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 Kiribati, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).