Bringing a pet to Vanuatu

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Vanuatu has strict pet import requirements that vary depending on the rabies risk of the origin country. All dogs, cats, and ferrets need microchipping, rabies vaccination, and a rabies titer test if coming from a high-risk country. There is no mandatory quarantine for pets meeting all entry conditions, but advance permits and health certificates are required.

Requirements for your pet

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

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 in the US, DEFRA in the UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (administered after microchip, valid at least 21 days before travel)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Vaccination records for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus (recommended)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, shipping crate ~$100-400, airline pet fee ~$200-800. Confirm current prices with your vet and the airline.

Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old at rabies vaccination, and the vaccine must be given at least 21 days before travel. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent 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 (e.g., USDA APHIS in the US, DEFRA in the UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (administered after microchip, valid at least 21 days before travel)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Vaccination records for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus (recommended)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, shipping crate ~$100-400, airline pet fee ~$200-800. Confirm current prices with your vet and the airline.

Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old at rabies vaccination, and the vaccine must be given at least 21 days before travel. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent 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 (e.g., USDA APHIS in the US, DEFRA in the UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (administered after microchip, valid at least 21 days before travel)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Vaccination records for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus (recommended)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, shipping crate ~$100-400, airline pet fee ~$200-800. Confirm current prices with your vet and the airline.

Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old at rabies vaccination, and the vaccine must be given at least 21 days before travel. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country.

Frequently asked questions

No. Vanuatu does not require a rabies titer (FAVN) test for dogs from any country. A valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel is sufficient.
No. There is no mandatory quarantine for dogs that meet all entry requirements (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate).
Vanuatu does not specify a strict limit for non-commercial pet imports, but bringing more than 2-3 dogs may trigger commercial import regulations. Check with the Vanuatu Department of Biosecurity if you plan to bring more than two dogs.
No. Vanuatu does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service dogs. All dogs must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements.
Your dog must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of rabies vaccination, and the vaccine must be given at least 21 days before travel. In practice, the dog will be at least 15 weeks old on arrival.
That depends on the airline. Most international carriers allow small dogs (under 8 kg including carrier) in the cabin on flights to Vanuatu, but larger dogs must travel as checked baggage or cargo. Check with your airline for specific size and crate requirements.
No. Vanuatu does not require an import permit for dogs. The key documents are the health certificate endorsed by the origin country's veterinary authority and the rabies vaccination certificate.

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

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
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-40. No titer test or permit fees for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Vanuatu Biosecurity.

No quarantine for cats from rabies-free origins. Microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccination.

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
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-40. No titer test or permit fees for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Vanuatu Biosecurity.

No quarantine for cats from low-risk origins. Rabies vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before travel.

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 an approved facility in Port Vila. Owner pays all costs. Quarantine period may be extended if paperwork incomplete.
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation
  • FAVN titer test result (OIE-approved lab)
  • Import permit from Vanuatu Biosecurity

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-40, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit ~$50-100, quarantine fees ~$15-30 per day. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Vanuatu Biosecurity.

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

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Vanuatu does not set a strict numeric limit for non-commercial pet imports, but if you bring more than 2 cats, authorities may treat the shipment as commercial, requiring additional permits and fees. For clarity, contact Vanuatu Biosecurity directly.
No. Vanuatu does not recognise emotional support animals or service cats as exempt from standard import requirements. All cats must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and quarantine rules as pet cats.
Most airlines flying to Vanuatu (e.g., Air Vanuatu, Qantas, Fiji Airways) accept cats as checked baggage in the cabin hold, provided the carrier fits airline size/weight limits. For larger cats or if the airline restricts pets, cargo is the alternative. Confirm with the airline at booking.
There is no official minimum age set by Vanuatu, but the rabies vaccination requires the kitten to be at least 12 weeks old, and the 21-day wait after vaccination means the kitten will be at least 15 weeks old at travel. For high-risk origins, the FAVN test adds another 30 days, so minimum age is about 19 weeks.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. If it expires en route, you risk quarantine or denial of entry. Plan travel so the certificate remains valid until you clear customs in Port Vila.
No. Cats from rabies-free origins do not need an import permit. Only cats from high-risk origins require a permit from Vanuatu Biosecurity. Low-risk origins also do not need a permit.
No. Mandatory quarantine for cats from high-risk origins must be served at an approved facility in Port Vila. Home quarantine is not permitted. Cats from free or low-risk origins have no quarantine requirement.

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

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 vaccine given at or after 12 weeks of age and at least 21 days before arrival
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Vanuatu Biosecurity Authority.

No rabies titer test, import permit, or quarantine required 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 vaccine given at or after 12 weeks of age and at least 21 days before arrival
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Vanuatu Biosecurity Authority.

No rabies titer test, import permit, or quarantine required 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 vaccine given at or after 12 weeks of age and at least 21 days before arrival
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Vanuatu Biosecurity Authority.

No rabies titer test, import permit, or quarantine required for ferrets from high-risk origins.

Frequently asked questions

No. Vanuatu does not require a rabies titer test (FAVN) for ferrets, regardless of origin country rabies status.
No. Vanuatu does not impose any quarantine for ferrets arriving from any origin tier.
Vanuatu does not specify a strict limit for non-commercial pet movement, but carrying more than 2-3 animals may trigger commercial import rules. Confirm with the Vanuatu Biosecurity Authority before travel.
No. Vanuatu does not recognise emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard import requirements. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate rules.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Vanuatu.
Yes, but the rabies vaccine cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, so the ferret would not meet the vaccination requirement until it is at least 15 weeks old (12 weeks + 21-day wait). Unvaccinated ferrets may be refused entry.
No. Vanuatu does not require an import permit for ferrets from any origin tier.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. Import permits must be obtained from Vanuatu's Department of Livestock and Quarantine Services at least 30 days before travel.

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