Bringing a pet to Namibia

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Namibia requires a DVS import permit, ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination and an official veterinary health certificate for dogs. There is no routine long-stay quarantine for compliant pets, but entry conditions vary by origin country and a rabies titre test may be required. Rules are enforced at Hosea Kutako International Airport and at land borders.

Requirements for your pet

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

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 competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Namibia does not maintain a national breed ban for dogs. However, airlines serving Windhoek (including Air Namibia's successor carriers, Ethiopian, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa and South African Airways) apply their own restrictions on brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, boxers and Boston terriers, and on snub-nosed dogs travelling as cargo in hot months. Check the operating carrier's live-animal policy separately from the Namibian import rules.

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS)
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Microchip certificate or record showing ISO 11784/11785 chip
Proof of origin / owner's passport and travel itinerary

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~US$30–50, rabies vaccination ~US$20–40, health certificate ~US$100–200, DVS import permit fee typically under US$50 but confirm with DVS, and any courier/agent fees. Prices vary by origin country and clinic.

Even for origins Namibia treats as rabies-controlled, a DVS import permit is required before the dog travels. The permit is usually valid for a limited window (commonly 30–90 days) — do not apply too early. Confirm the exact validity with DVS when the permit is issued.

Apply / official dog 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 competent authority (e.g. USDA APHIS-endorsed vet for the US, DEFRA/APHA for the UK) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS)
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Microchip certificate or record showing ISO 11784/11785 chip
Proof of origin / owner's passport and travel itinerary

Rough budget

Most European countries, the US, UK, Japan and Australia fall into this tier for Namibia. A DVS import permit is still required. If the dog is transiting a high-risk country en route, tell DVS at permit application — transit can change the conditions.

Apply / official dog 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 competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS)
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
FAVN rabies antibody titre test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Microchip certificate or record showing ISO 11784/11785 chip
Proof of origin / owner's passport and travel itinerary

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~US$30–50, rabies vaccination ~US$20–40, FAVN titre test ~US$100–250 plus shipping to an approved lab, health certificate ~US$100–200, DVS import permit fee typically under US$50 but confirm with DVS. Total commonly US$300–600 per dog depending on origin.

Origins CDC flags as high-risk for dog rabies (much of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, parts of Eastern Europe) face the full package: permit, microchip, rabies vaccination, FAVN titre and a recent health certificate. There is no routine 6-month quarantine for compliant pets, but DVS can order quarantine or refuse entry if the titre, permit or certificate is missing or out of date. Start the process at least 4 months before travel.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) issues a permit to import for dogs, and you must have it before the dog travels. Apply through DVS in Windhoek, usually 4–8 weeks ahead of travel, and note that the permit is typically valid for a limited window (commonly 30–90 days) — confirm the exact dates on your permit. Arriving without a permit risks refusal of entry or quarantine at your expense.

At least 21 days before arrival in Namibia, and the dog must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. The vaccination must be recorded in a certificate with the vaccine name, batch number, date and vet's signature. If your dog was vaccinated years ago, check the booster is current — an expired rabies vaccination is treated as no vaccination.

It depends on where you are travelling from. Dogs coming from origins Namibia treats as rabies-controlled (most of Europe, the US, UK, Japan, Australia) generally do not need a FAVN test. Dogs from high-risk origins — much of Africa, Asia, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe — typically do, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml and the blood sample drawn at least 90 days before travel. DVS confirms the requirement when it issues your import permit, so do not assume either way.

There is no routine quarantine for a dog with a valid DVS permit, current rabies vaccination, microchip and a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. Quarantine or refusal of entry can be ordered if documents are missing, the rabies vaccination has lapsed, or the dog shows signs of illness on arrival. Plan to arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) during veterinary office hours so a veterinary officer can clear the dog.

Namibia generally treats a small number of pets accompanying a traveller as a non-commercial movement — commonly up to 3 dogs per person — but the DVS import permit is the controlling document and it will state how many animals are covered. If you are bringing more than a few dogs, or any dog for sale, breeding or resale, expect commercial import conditions, additional testing and a different permit. Confirm the current cap with DVS before booking.

No. Namibia does not exempt assistance dogs, guide dogs or emotional-support animals from the import requirements — the same DVS permit, microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate and (where applicable) FAVN titre apply. Some airlines allow an assistance dog in the cabin rather than as cargo, but that is a carrier policy and does not change the veterinary import rules. Declare the dog to the veterinary officer on arrival like any other pet.

The veterinary officer at the port of entry can detain the dog, order quarantine at an approved facility at the owner's cost, or refuse entry and require the dog to be returned or re-exported. There is no grace period and no on-the-spot fix for a missing permit or an expired rabies vaccination. Carry the originals — not scans — of the DVS permit, rabies certificate, FAVN result (if required), microchip record and health certificate, and keep a copy with the carrier.

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

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 (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No import permit or titer test required. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services.

Cats from rabies-free countries need a microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. No titer test or quarantine.

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 (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Cats from low-risk countries need a microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. No titer test or quarantine.

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 (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
Veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. No quarantine fee if conditions are met. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services.

Cats from high-risk rabies countries require an import permit, a FAVN rabies titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml), and a 90-day waiting period after the titer test before travel. No quarantine if all conditions are met. Obtain the import permit before travel.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Namibia does not explicitly cap the number of pets for non-commercial import, but if you are bringing more than 5 cats, the shipment may be considered commercial and require additional permits and inspections. For 1-5 pets, the standard non-commercial rules apply. Confirm with Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services if you plan to bring more than 5.

No. Namibia does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All cats must meet the same import requirements: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and for high-risk countries, a titer test and import permit. Airlines may have their own policies, but the country's veterinary regulations apply equally.

A FAVN test must be performed at least 90 days after the rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. The result must be ≥0.5 IU/ml. The test must be done at an approved laboratory (e.g., Kansas State University for the US). The 90-day wait is mandatory; there is no quarantine if the test is passed.

Yes, if your cat is coming from a high-risk rabies country (e.g., most of Africa, Asia, Middle East, South America). The permit is issued by Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services and must be obtained before travel. For free and low-risk countries, no import permit is required.

The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of import: it must have been administered at least 21 days before travel and not more than 12 months before travel. If the vaccination is older than 12 months, a booster is required. The cat must be at least 3 months old at the time of vaccination.

Yes. All cats entering Namibia must be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, and the microchip number must appear on all documentation. If your cat does not have a microchip, it must be implanted prior to vaccination.

No quarantine is required for cats entering Namibia, provided all import conditions are met (microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and for high-risk countries, titer test and import permit). If the cat arrives without proper documentation, it may be quarantined at the owner's expense or refused entry.

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

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 veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS)
Veterinary health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 12 months, administered at least 21 days before travel)
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Import permit ~NAD 300–600 (USD 20–40), health certificate ~USD 100–200, microchip ~USD 30–50, rabies vaccination ~USD 20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Namibian DVS.

Ferrets are not listed as exempt species; an import permit is required for all ferrets entering Namibia. The permit application must be submitted to the DVS at least 14 days before travel. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. Rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel and be valid for the entire journey. No quarantine is required for ferrets from free-tier origins.

Apply / official ferret 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 veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS)
Veterinary health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 12 months, administered at least 21 days before travel)
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Same requirements as free-tier origins. Ferrets from low-risk countries do not need a rabies titer test. The import permit must be obtained before travel; processing takes at least 14 days. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. No quarantine on arrival.

Apply / official ferret 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 veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS)
Veterinary health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 12 months, administered at least 21 days before travel)
FAVN rabies titer test result from an OIE-approved laboratory (≥0.5 IU/ml, test at least 90 days before travel)
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Import permit ~NAD 300–600 (USD 20–40), health certificate ~USD 100–200, microchip ~USD 30–50, rabies vaccination ~USD 20–50, FAVN titer test ~USD 100–250. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Namibian DVS.

Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries must have a valid FAVN titer test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 90 days before travel. The import permit application must include the titer test result. No quarantine is required on arrival if all conditions are met. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes. All ferrets entering Namibia require an import permit issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS). Apply at least 14 days before travel. The permit is valid for 30 days from issue. Fee is approximately NAD 300–600 (USD 20–40).

Your ferret must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel, with a vaccine valid for at least 12 months. The vaccination certificate must show the date, vaccine brand, batch number, and veterinarian's signature. For high-risk origins, a FAVN titer test of ≥0.5 IU/ml is also required, taken at least 90 days before travel.

No. Ferrets from low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia, most of Europe) do not need a rabies titer test. Only ferrets from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) must have a FAVN test result of ≥0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 90 days before travel.

Namibia does not set a specific numerical limit for non-commercial pet ferrets, but imports are assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you are bringing more than 5 ferrets, the shipment may be considered commercial and require additional permits and veterinary inspections. Contact the DVS in advance for guidance.

No. Namibia does not exempt emotional support or service animals from import regulations. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must meet the same requirements: import permit, health certificate, rabies vaccination, and microchip. There is no waiver for service animals.

The veterinary health certificate must be issued within 10 days before arrival in Namibia. It must be endorsed by a government veterinarian in the origin country. The certificate must state that the ferret is free from infectious diseases and has been vaccinated against rabies.

No. Namibia does not require quarantine for ferrets that meet all import conditions (valid import permit, health certificate, rabies vaccination, and titer test if from a high-risk country). However, if documents are incomplete or the ferret shows signs of illness on arrival, it may be detained or refused entry.

Good to know

Import conditions are set by Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform. A permit to import is generally required and is issued by DVS before travel; the permit application confirms the specific conditions for the origin country. Pets are normally cleared at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH); other ports of entry may not have a veterinary officer on duty, so confirm the entry point in advance. Rabies is present in Namibia, so vaccination is non-negotiable.

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