Bringing a pet to Tuvalu

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Tuvalu is an extremely isolated island nation with very limited veterinary infrastructure and no dedicated animal quarantine station. Pet import rules are strict in practice: expect a government-issued import permit, advance notice to the Agriculture Department, and a health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian. The lack of facilities means officials can impose ad-hoc conditions or refuse entry if paperwork is incomplete. Rules do not meaningfully differ by origin country's rabies status on paper, but enforcement is case-by-case and every case is reviewed individually.

Requirements for your pet

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

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

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

No known breed-specific bans or restrictions for dogs entering Tuvalu. However, brachycephalic breeds (e.g. pugs, bulldogs, boxers) may be refused carriage by airlines serving Funafuti due to heat and cargo stress — check with Fiji Airways or any other carrier. Tuvalu has no formal breed legislation.

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Tuvalu Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, at least 21 days post-vaccination)
Official health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian within 10 days of travel
Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
Recent internal and external parasite treatment record (within 14 days of travel)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally. Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, import permit fee may be ~$50–150, parasite treatment ~$30–60. Air cargo to Funafuti is expensive and limited; expect $500–1500+ depending on origin and carrier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Tuvalu Department of Agriculture.

Even for 'free' origin countries, Tuvalu requires an import permit. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel. No quarantine station exists, so if officials require quarantine it will be arranged ad hoc and at owner's cost. Rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel; the vaccine must be a recognised inactivated or recombinant product.

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

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Tuvalu Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, at least 21 days post-vaccination)
Official health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian within 10 days of travel
Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
Recent internal and external parasite treatment record (within 14 days of travel)

Rough budget

Same requirements as free tier. Tuvalu does not currently require a rabies titer test for low-risk origin countries, but because there is no quarantine facility, officials may request additional proof of rabies immunity on a case-by-case basis. Apply for the import permit at least 6 weeks ahead.

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

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Tuvalu Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, at least 21 days post-vaccination)
FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
Official health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian within 10 days of travel
Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
Recent internal and external parasite treatment record (within 14 days of travel)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally. Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$150–300, import permit fee may be ~$50–150, parasite treatment ~$30–60. Air cargo to Funafuti is expensive and limited; expect $500–1500+ depending on origin and carrier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Tuvalu Department of Agriculture.

High-risk origin countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) must provide a valid FAVN titer test. Tuvalu has no quarantine station, so if the titer test is not accepted or paperwork is incomplete, the dog may be refused entry or held at the owner's expense in a private facility. Start the process at least 3–4 months before travel to allow time for titer testing and permit issuance.

Frequently asked questions

Tuvalu does not publish a specific limit, but in practice the Department of Agriculture treats each import as a separate case. For more than 2–3 dogs, you will likely be asked to provide additional justification and may be subject to commercial import rules. Contact the Department directly before planning to bring multiple dogs.

No. Tuvalu does not recognise any exemption for emotional support or service animals. All dogs, regardless of function, must meet the same import requirements: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and import permit. Airlines may also have their own policies, but the destination country does not waive veterinary rules.

No. Tuvalu has no dedicated animal quarantine facility. If quarantine is deemed necessary by the Department of Agriculture, it will be arranged on a case-by-case basis, often at the owner's expense in a private facility or with a local veterinarian. In most cases, dogs with complete paperwork are not quarantined.

A FAVN or RFFIT test from an approved laboratory showing at least 0.5 IU/ml is required. The test must be done at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. The result must be valid at the time of travel — typically within 12 months. Plan for at least 3–4 months from vaccination to travel.

Allow at least 4–6 weeks for the permit to be processed. Applications are handled by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. There is no online application system; you will need to contact them directly by email or phone. Delays are common due to limited staffing.

Fiji Airways operates the main route from Nadi to Funafuti, typically twice weekly. Dogs travel as manifest cargo, not in the cabin. You must book cargo space in advance and provide a copy of the import permit and health certificate. Brachycephalic breeds may be refused. Expect cargo fees of $500–1500+ depending on weight and origin.

Yes. An ISO 11784/11785 microchip is required. The microchip number must appear on the health certificate and import permit. If your dog was vaccinated before microchipping, the rabies vaccination may not be considered valid — ensure the microchip is implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccine.

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

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 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 Tuvalu Department of Agriculture
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

Rough, approximate ranges only: import permit ~$50-100 USD, microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test or quarantine fee applies for this tier. Confirm current fees with Tuvalu Department of Agriculture and a local vet.

Tuvalu requires an import permit for all cats. Cats must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met.

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 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 Tuvalu Department of Agriculture
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

Tuvalu does not differentiate between low-risk and free origins for cats. Import permit, microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate are mandatory. No quarantine required.

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 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 Tuvalu Department of Agriculture
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN/RFFIT) result ≥0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel
International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

Rough, approximate ranges only: import permit ~$50-100 USD, microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250. No quarantine fee applies. Confirm current fees with Tuvalu Department of Agriculture and a local vet.

For cats from high-risk rabies countries, Tuvalu requires a rabies titer test in addition to the standard requirements. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Apply in advance to the Tuvalu Department of Agriculture. Allow at least 4-6 weeks for processing. The permit must accompany the cat.

No. Tuvalu does not require quarantine for cats if all import conditions are met. There is no quarantine facility in Tuvalu, so any non-compliant animal may be refused entry or returned.

Rabies vaccination is mandatory. It must be administered at least 21 days before travel. Other vaccinations (e.g., feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis) are not required by Tuvalu but are recommended for your cat's health.

Tuvalu does not specify a maximum number of cats for non-commercial import. Each cat requires its own import permit and documentation. If you are bringing more than a few cats, contact the Department of Agriculture to confirm whether commercial import rules apply.

No. Tuvalu does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All cats must meet the same import requirements: import permit, microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and titer test if from a high-risk country.

Cats from countries considered high-risk for rabies must have a rabies titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be done at least 30 days after rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. This is not required for cats from low-risk or free countries.

The international health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Tuvalu. It must be endorsed by a government veterinarian or an accredited veterinarian authorized by the origin country's veterinary authority.

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

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: 4 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Tuvalu Department of Agriculture
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of internal and external parasite treatment within 14 days of travel

Rough budget

Rough estimate only; confirm current fees with Tuvalu Department of Agriculture and a local vet. Import permit ~$50–150 USD, health certificate ~$100–200 USD, microchip ~$30–50 USD, parasite treatment ~$20–50 USD. No titer test or quarantine fee applies for this tier.

Ferrets are not listed as prohibited animals in Tuvalu, but import is at the discretion of the Department of Agriculture. A permit must be obtained before travel. No quarantine station exists in Tuvalu; pets are cleared at the port of entry in Funafuti. Tuvalu is rabies-free, so strict compliance is enforced.

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 national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 4 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Tuvalu Department of Agriculture
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of internal and external parasite treatment within 14 days of travel

Rough budget

Tuvalu does not differentiate between low-risk and free origins for ferrets; requirements are the same as the free tier. A permit must be obtained before travel. No quarantine station exists in Tuvalu; pets are cleared at the port of entry in Funafuti. Tuvalu is rabies-free, so strict compliance is enforced.

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 national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 6 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Tuvalu Department of Agriculture
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN/RFFIT) result from an approved laboratory, showing ≥0.5 IU/ml
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of internal and external parasite treatment within 14 days of travel

Rough budget

Rough estimate only; confirm current fees with Tuvalu Department of Agriculture and a local vet. Import permit ~$50–150 USD, health certificate ~$100–200 USD, microchip ~$30–50 USD, rabies titer test ~$100–250 USD, parasite treatment ~$20–50 USD. No quarantine fee applies because Tuvalu has no quarantine station.

Additional requirement: rabies titer test. The test must be done at least 90 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. No quarantine station exists in Tuvalu; pets are cleared at the port of entry in Funafuti. Tuvalu is rabies-free, so strict compliance is enforced. Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries may face additional scrutiny or be denied entry at the discretion of the Department of Agriculture.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but it is not straightforward. Tuvalu does not have a published pet import scheme for ferrets. You must apply for an import permit from the Tuvalu Department of Agriculture before travel. The permit is issued at the discretion of the Director of Agriculture. Ferrets are not on any prohibited list, but because Tuvalu is rabies-free, the authorities are very cautious. Start the process at least 3–6 months before you plan to travel.

Tuvalu does not publish a specific limit for non-commercial pet ferrets. In practice, the Department of Agriculture assesses each application individually. If you are bringing more than 2–3 ferrets, expect the shipment to be treated as commercial and subject to additional requirements, including a veterinary import licence and possibly a quarantine period. Confirm the current policy directly with the Department of Agriculture before making any travel plans.

No. Tuvalu does not recognise emotional support animals or service animals as exempt from veterinary import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must meet the same import conditions: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and import permit. There is no waiver for service animals. If you travel with a ferret, it must comply fully.

No. Tuvalu has no animal quarantine station. Pets are inspected on arrival at Funafuti International Airport by a biosecurity officer. If the animal does not meet all entry requirements, it may be refused entry and returned to the origin country at the owner's expense. There is no facility to hold the animal in quarantine.

Rabies vaccination is mandatory. The vaccine must be given when the ferret is at least 12 weeks old, and you must wait at least 21 days after vaccination before travel. The vaccination must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Other vaccinations (e.g., distemper) are not required by Tuvalu but are recommended for the ferret's health. Keep a signed vaccination certificate from your vet.

It depends on the rabies risk of the country you are travelling from. If you are coming from a high-risk rabies country (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a rabies titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) is required. The test must be done at least 90 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. If you are coming from a low-risk or rabies-free country, the titer test is not required.

You need: (1) an import permit from the Tuvalu Department of Agriculture, (2) a rabies vaccination certificate, (3) an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, (4) proof of ISO microchip, and (5) proof of internal and external parasite treatment within 14 days of travel. For high-risk origins, also a rabies titer test result. All documents should be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.

Good to know

Tuvalu has no published pet-import regulation online. All pet imports are handled by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries under the Ministry of Natural Resources. Contact them directly before booking travel. There is no quarantine station on Funafuti; if quarantine is required, it is usually arranged at the owner's expense in a private facility or the pet may be refused. Air service to Funafuti is limited (Fiji Airways from Nadi, twice weekly) and pets travel as manifest cargo — book well in advance.

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