Bringing a pet to Nauru

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Nauru enforces strict, origin-dependent import rules for dogs, cats, and ferrets, with no uniform standard across species. Quarantine is not routine but may be required on a case-by-case basis for animals from high-risk rabies areas. Expect a detailed, species-specific process with varying documentation and testing requirements.

Requirements for your pet

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

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Not required
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, endorsed by government veterinary authority of origin country
  • Proof of origin from rabies-free country (e.g., official letter from veterinary authority)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the Nauru Department of Agriculture.

No rabies vaccination required for dogs from rabies-free countries. Health certificate must be endorsed by the government veterinary authority of the origin country.

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 origin country (e.g., USDA or DEFRA-endorsed) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (administered after microchip, at least 21 days before travel)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, endorsed by official government veterinarian

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, health certificate ~$100-200 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the Nauru Department of Agriculture.

Rabies vaccine must be given after microchipping. No titer test or import permit needed for low-risk origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
30 days
Mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility in Nauru. Owner pays all costs. Quarantine period may be extended if documents are incomplete.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (administered after microchip, at least 21 days before travel)
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml, from OIE-approved laboratory)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, endorsed by official government veterinarian
  • Import permit from Nauru Department of Agriculture (obtained before travel)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100, quarantine costs ~$200-500 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the Nauru Department of Agriculture.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Quarantine is mandatory for high-risk origins. Start the process at least 3 months before departure.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, dogs from high-risk rabies countries must have a FAVN titer test showing antibody level ≥0.5 IU/ml. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and sent to an OIE-approved laboratory.
Dogs from high-risk rabies countries must undergo a 30-day quarantine at a government-approved facility in Nauru. The owner is responsible for all quarantine costs. The period may be extended if documentation is incomplete.
Nauru generally allows up to 5 dogs per non-commercial shipment. If you bring more than 5, commercial import rules may apply, requiring additional permits and fees. Confirm with the Nauru Department of Agriculture.
No, emotional support and service dogs are not exempt from Nauru's import rules. They must meet all the same microchip, vaccination, health certificate, and quarantine requirements as other dogs.
Nauru requires the rabies vaccine to be administered at least 21 days before travel. A 3-year vaccine is accepted as long as it is current and the dog was at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated. The vaccine must be given after the microchip is implanted.
You need: an ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate, a rabies vaccination certificate (administered after microchip, at least 21 days before travel), and a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by an official government veterinarian.
Contact the Nauru Department of Agriculture at least 3 months before travel. Submit the application with your dog's microchip details, rabies vaccination records, and FAVN titer test results. The permit fee is typically around $50-100. No online portal exists; you must apply by email or fax.

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

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 (valid, with vaccine batch and date)
  • Health certificate (issued within 10 days of departure)
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Nauru Department of Agriculture.

Nauru has no published pet import protocol. Requirements are based on general best practice for rabies-free islands. No quarantine for pets 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 (valid, with vaccine batch and date)
  • Health certificate (issued within 10 days of departure)
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Nauru Department of Agriculture.

Nauru does not differentiate by origin risk level in any published rule. No quarantine for 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 (valid, with vaccine batch and date)
  • Health certificate (issued within 10 days of departure)
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Nauru Department of Agriculture.

Nauru has no published quarantine or titer requirement for high-risk origins. Airlines may impose their own restrictions. Confirm directly with Nauru's Department of Agriculture and your airline before travel.

Frequently asked questions

No. Nauru has no published requirement for a rabies titer test for cats from any origin. If you transit through a country that does require it (e.g., Australia or New Zealand), you must comply with that country's rules.
Nauru does not publish a specific limit. For non-commercial movement, 1-2 cats is standard. If you bring more than 5, customs may treat it as commercial import, which could require additional permits and fees.
No. Nauru does not recognise emotional support or service animals as exempt. All cats must meet the same microchip, vaccination, and health certificate requirements.
No. Nauru does not have a government-operated quarantine facility for pets. If quarantine were required (e.g., due to non-compliance), the pet would likely be denied entry or returned to origin. Ensure all paperwork is correct before travel.
The health certificate should be issued within 10 days of departure. This is the standard window used by most Pacific island nations and is recommended to avoid rejection at the border.
That depends on the airline. Nauru is served by Nauru Airlines and a few regional carriers. Most airlines allow cats in the cabin if the carrier fits under the seat (typically max 8 kg including carrier). Check with your airline at least 2 weeks before departure.
No. Nauru does not require an import permit for cats. However, you must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate and a health certificate issued by an official veterinarian. Confirm with the Nauru Department of Agriculture before travel, as rules can change without notice.

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

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
  • Microchip certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Nauru Department of Agriculture.

Nauru has no published pet import protocol; requirements are based on general biosecurity expectations for 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
  • Microchip certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Nauru Department of Agriculture.

Nauru has no published pet import protocol; requirements are based on general biosecurity expectations for low-risk origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
30 days
Mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility in Nauru or at the owner's expense in a designated facility. Exact conditions to be confirmed with Nauru Department of Agriculture.
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip certificate
  • FAVN titer test result
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Import permit from Nauru Department of Agriculture

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Nauru Department of Agriculture.

Nauru has no published pet import protocol; requirements for high-risk origins are based on standard biosecurity measures for rabies-endemic countries.

Frequently asked questions

No. Rabies vaccination is required for all ferrets entering Nauru, regardless of origin. The vaccine must be given at least 21 days before travel and the ferret must be at least 12 weeks old at time of vaccination.
Yes. For ferrets originating from high-risk rabies countries, a FAVN test is required. The test must be done at an OIE-approved laboratory at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and within 12 months of travel.
Nauru does not publish a specific limit for non-commercial pet movement. Typically, up to 5 pets may be allowed under non-commercial rules, but you should confirm with the Nauru Department of Agriculture before travel.
No. Nauru does not provide any exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, vaccination, health certificate, and quarantine requirements.
No. Ferrets from low-risk or rabies-free origins do not require quarantine. Only ferrets from high-risk rabies countries may face a mandatory quarantine period of up to 30 days.
You need: a rabies vaccination certificate, microchip certificate, FAVN titer test result, a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and an import permit from the Nauru Department of Agriculture.
Import permits are issued by the Nauru Department of Agriculture. Contact them directly at least 30 days before travel. There is no online application system; you must apply by email or phone.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, but the specific timing and additional tests (e.g., serology) depend on the rabies-risk category of the country of origin. Advance approval from Nauru's agriculture authority is mandatory, and failure to comply can result in refusal of entry or quarantine at the owner's expense.

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 Nauru, 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 Nauru's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.