Bringing a pet to Zambia

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Zambia requires an import permit, a rabies vaccination certificate, and a consular-legalised health certificate for dogs. There is no routine quarantine and no published high-risk origin list, so the same core rules apply whether the dog comes from the UK, the US or Thailand. The consular legalisation step is the most common point of failure. Start paperwork 6–8 weeks before travel and confirm current fees and forms with Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services.

Requirements for your pet

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

Microchip

Not required

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Licensed veterinarian, endorsed/legalised by the origin government veterinary authority and the Zambian consulate/embassy · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Zambia does not maintain a national breed ban list for dogs. Practical restrictions come from airlines: several carriers flying into Lusaka (including some via Johannesburg or Nairobi) refuse brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs, boxers, Boston terriers, Persian-type cats) in the hold, and some refuse snub-nosed dogs entirely on long-haul sectors. Confirm with the specific carrier at booking; the breed restriction is the airline's, not Zambia's.

Documents checklist

Zambia DVS import permit (apply in advance)
Rabies vaccination certificate (batch number, date, vet stamp)
International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Consular-legalised veterinary certificate
Airline AWB / pet booking confirmation

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally. Import permit ~US$50–150, consular legalisation ~US$50–200 depending on embassy, health certificate ~US$100–250, rabies vaccination ~US$20–60. Microchip and FAVN titer are not required for Zambia.

No quarantine on arrival for a healthy, correctly documented dog. Dogs from EU/San Marino/Andorra-type origins still need the Zambian import permit — there is no EU-equivalence waiver.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip

Not required

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Licensed veterinarian, endorsed by the origin's national veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS, DEFRA, CFIA) and legalised by the Zambian embassy/consulate · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Zambia DVS import permit
Rabies vaccination certificate (≥30 days, ≤12 months old)
USDA APHIS / DEFRA / equivalent endorsed health certificate
Consular-legalised veterinary certificate
Airline AWB / pet booking confirmation

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally. Import permit ~US$50–150, USDA/DEFRA endorsement ~US$40–120, consular legalisation ~US$50–200, health certificate ~US$100–250, rabies vaccination ~US$20–60. FAVN titer not required for Zambia.

US, UK, EU, Japan, Australia and similar origins follow the same route as free-tier origins — the only practical difference is which authority endorses the health certificate before consular legalisation.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip

Not required

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Licensed veterinarian, endorsed by the origin's national veterinary authority and legalised by the Zambian embassy/consulate · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Zambia DVS import permit
Rabies vaccination certificate (≥30 days, ≤12 months old)
Endorsed international health certificate
Consular-legalised veterinary certificate
Airline AWB / pet booking confirmation

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally. Import permit ~US$50–150, consular legalisation ~US$50–200, health certificate ~US$100–250, rabies vaccination ~US$20–60. A FAVN titer, if you choose to run one, is ~US$100–250 plus shipping.

Zambia does not publish a CDC-style high-risk origin list and does not impose quarantine on dogs from Thailand, Russia, most of Africa or South Asia. Expect the same documents as low-risk origins; the extra friction is usually at the airline check-in desk, not at Zambian immigration.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

No. Zambia does not require a rabies neutralising antibody titre test for dogs, regardless of whether you are coming from the UK, the US, Thailand or Nigeria. The requirement is a current rabies vaccination given at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before arrival, documented with the vaccine batch number. If your airline or your vet insists on a FAVN test anyway, budget 4–6 weeks for the result and roughly US$100–250 plus courier costs.

No routine quarantine. A healthy dog with a valid Zambian DVS import permit, a rabies certificate and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival clears at Lusaka (LUN) or Ndola (NLA) without being held. Quarantine would only be imposed if the animal arrives sick, without documentation, or if a veterinary officer at the port of entry decides the paperwork is invalid — in that case the dog may be held at the owner's expense until the documents are resolved.

Apply to the Department of Veterinary Services under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock before you book the flight. Processing typically takes 5–15 working days, and the permit is usually valid for 30–90 days, so time the application to your travel date. You will need the dog's microchip or tattoo number (if any), rabies vaccination details, and the intended port of entry. Fees are in the region of US$50–150 — confirm the current amount and bank details directly with DVS, as payment methods change.

Yes, in practice. The health certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by your national veterinary authority (USDA APHIS in the US, DEFRA/APHA in the UK, or the equivalent), and then legalised by the Zambian embassy or consulate in your country. Skipping the consular legalisation step is the single most common reason dogs are held at Lusaka. Allow 5–10 working days for legalisation and budget roughly US$50–200 depending on the embassy.

Zambia's non-commercial pet allowance is generally treated as up to 5 dogs per travelling owner. Beyond that, the shipment is assessed as a commercial import and needs additional DVS veterinary import authorisation, often a livestock/animal-products import licence, and in some cases a clearing agent. If you are moving a breeding kennel or more than five dogs, contact DVS in Lusaka before you book anything.

No. Zambia does not exempt assistance dogs, guide dogs or emotional-support animals from the import permit, rabies vaccination or health certificate requirements. The dog still needs the DVS permit, a valid rabies vaccination at least 30 days old, and a legalised health certificate. Airlines may allow an assistance dog in the cabin rather than the hold, but that is an airline policy and does not change Zambian entry requirements.

The veterinary officer at the port of entry can refuse entry, order the dog held at your expense, or require return to the origin. There is no on-the-spot fix for a missing import permit or an unlegalised health certificate. Carry the original permit, the original rabies certificate and the original legalised health certificate in hand luggage — not in checked baggage — and have digital scans as backup. If something is missing, contact DVS before departure rather than after landing.

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

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-origin pets, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 30 days and not more than 12 months at time of entry)
International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Import permit from Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS)
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Rough estimate only; verify locally. Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit fee ~$50-150, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test or quarantine costs apply in this tier.

Zambia requires an import permit for all cats. The permit is issued by the Director of Veterinary Services and is valid for 30 days from date of issue. Rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel and not more than 12 months before. A health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. No quarantine is required for cats from rabies-free countries, but the animal must be declared at the port of entry.

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-origin pets, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 30 days and not more than 12 months at time of entry)
International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Import permit from Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS)
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Rough estimate only; verify locally. Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit fee ~$50-150, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test or quarantine costs apply in this tier.

Same requirements as for rabies-free countries: import permit, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and microchip. No quarantine. The cat must be declared at the port of entry. Zambia does not require a rabies titer test for cats from low-risk countries.

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-origin pets, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 30 days and not more than 12 months at time of entry)
FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an OIE-approved laboratory
International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Import permit from Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS)
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Rough estimate only; verify locally. Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-150, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No quarantine costs apply in this tier.

For cats from high-risk rabies countries, Zambia requires a rabies titer test (FAVN) in addition to the standard requirements. The titer test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and show a minimum of 0.5 IU/ml. The test result is valid for 12 months. No quarantine is required, but the cat must be declared at the port of entry. The import permit must be obtained before travel.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Zambia does not explicitly cap the number of cats for non-commercial import, but if you are bringing more than 5 cats, they may be considered a commercial import and require additional permits and veterinary inspections. For 1-5 cats, the standard non-commercial rules apply. Always confirm with Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) before travel.

Yes, an import permit is required for all cats entering Zambia, regardless of the origin country's rabies status. Apply to the Director of Veterinary Services at the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in Lusaka. The permit is typically valid for 30 days from issuance, so time your application accordingly.

Yes. If your cat is coming from a country classified as high-risk for rabies (e.g., most of Africa, Asia, Middle East, South America), Zambia requires a rabies titer test (FAVN) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be done at least 30 days after rabies vaccination and at an OIE-approved laboratory. The result is valid for 12 months. The test must be completed at least 90 days before travel.

No. Zambia does not require quarantine for cats entering with a valid import permit, rabies vaccination certificate, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test. However, the cat must be declared at the port of entry and may be subject to inspection by a veterinary officer.

The international health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Zambia. It must be signed by an official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian for US-origin pets) and include details of the cat's rabies vaccination and microchip.

No. Zambia does not exempt emotional support or service animals from the standard import requirements. All cats, including service animals, must have an import permit, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and microchip. The same rules apply; there is no special exemption.

Zambia requires an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. If your cat has a non-ISO microchip (e.g., AVID 9-digit), you should bring your own scanner or consider re-microchipping to ISO standard before travel to avoid issues at the border.

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

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

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Proof of ISO microchip (or legible tattoo if microchip not available)
Import permit from Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only, verify locally: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, import permit fee ~$50–150 (Zambia DVS), rabies vaccination ~$20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services.

Ferrets are not listed as exempt species under Zambia's animal health regulations. An import permit from the Director of Veterinary Services is mandatory for all ferrets, including from rabies-free countries, and must be obtained before travel. Ferrets are considered 'other carnivores' and are subject to rabies vaccination and health certification. No quarantine is required if all documents are in order, but the Director may impose quarantine on a case-by-case basis.

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 competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Proof of ISO microchip (or legible tattoo if microchip not available)
Import permit from Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services

Rough budget

Same requirements as for rabies-free origins. Zambia does not currently differentiate between rabies-free and low-risk countries for ferret imports. An import permit is required. No quarantine if documents are complete, but the Director of Veterinary Services may impose quarantine if there are concerns about disease status.

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 competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
FAVN/RFFIT rabies antibody titre test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
Proof of ISO microchip (or legible tattoo if microchip not available)
Import permit from Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only, verify locally: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit fee ~$50–150 (Zambia DVS), rabies vaccination ~$20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services.

For high-risk rabies countries, Zambia requires a rabies antibody titre test (FAVN) in addition to vaccination. The test must be done at least 90 days before travel. No quarantine is required if all documents are in order, but the Director of Veterinary Services may impose quarantine on a case-by-case basis. Ferrets from high-risk countries may face additional scrutiny.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Zambia does not publish a specific numeric limit for ferrets, but non-commercial imports are generally limited to a small number of personal pets (typically up to 5 animals). If you are bringing more than 5 ferrets, the shipment may be classified as commercial, requiring additional permits and veterinary inspections. Confirm with Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services before travel.

No. Zambia does not exempt emotional support or service animals from import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must meet the same rabies vaccination, health certificate, and import permit requirements. There is no special lane for assistance animals.

Yes, if your ferret is travelling from a high-risk rabies country (e.g., most of Africa, Asia, Middle East, South America). The FAVN test must be done at least 90 days before travel and show a titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml. For rabies-free or low-risk countries, a titer test is not required.

Your ferret must be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination and the vaccine must be valid for at least 21 days before travel. The rabies vaccination certificate must be current (not expired) at the time of entry.

Yes. Zambia requires permanent identification. An ISO 11784/11785 microchip is preferred. If your ferret was microchipped before rabies vaccination, the microchip number must be on the vaccination certificate. If no microchip is available, a legible tattoo may be accepted, but this is at the discretion of the Zambian veterinary authorities.

You must apply for an import permit from Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) before travel. The permit application typically requires a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate, and details of the animal. Processing can take 2–4 weeks. The permit is valid for a limited period (usually 30–60 days) and must accompany the ferret. Fee is approximately $50–150.

No quarantine is required if all import documents (rabies vaccination, health certificate, import permit, and titer test if applicable) are complete and valid. However, the Director of Veterinary Services reserves the right to quarantine any animal on arrival if there are concerns about disease status or document irregularities. In practice, quarantine is rare for compliant ferrets.

Good to know

Zambia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, is the competent authority for pet imports. The import permit and the health certificate are the two documents that cause most refusals at Lusaka (LUN) and Ndola (NLA); airlines will not board a dog without the permit number. Rabies vaccination must be given at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel, and the certificate must show the vaccine batch number and the veterinarian's signature and stamp. Zambia does not maintain a published high-risk/low-risk origin list, so the same rules are applied to all origins.

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