Import and export licenses are required for domestic pets entering and leaving Nigeria. You should allow at least three months for the completion of the application process. If it is possible for you to visit the office, you can obtain a permit on the same day. It is important to follow the airline’s requirements for paperwork, containment, food and watering of any animal en-route.
Note: Parrots and other exotic animals are prohibited.
Applications for the import and export licenses should be sent to:
The Director, Federal Department of Livestock and Pest Control Service, Area 11 Garki, Abuja
When making an application, letter should contain the following information:
Species, name, age, sex, colour, breed, country of origin, proposed date of travel (entry/exit), port of embarkation/disembarkation, final destination (for export), means of transportation (e.g. air, sea, etc) and any distinguishing features of the animal.
The applicant will also need to attach
· a vaccination certificate for Rabies (good for one year)
· a current health certificate issued by a registered veterinary surgeon of the country of origin of the animal (valid for two weeks).
The import and export License will then need to be added to the vaccination certificate and health certificate for the airline transporting the animal. A clearance fee will be charged on arrival in Abuja.
When exporting pets, similar procedures apply. You should allow at least three weeks for completion of the paper work and physical examinations. In addition, be sure to make a reservation for the animal via the airline. There are different requirements and charges depending on if the animal is transported as excess baggage accompanying the passenger on the flight or as unaccompanied baggage/cargo. The weight of the dimensions of the containment (height, length, width) will be needed when making the reservation. Travellers are reminded that several countries (U.K, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia) require lengthy and stringent quarantine procedures on imported animals. Please note that it is also extremely difficult to export pets that are on the endangered species list. Specific permits are needed in these cases and some airlines will not transport them.
Animal & Animal Products Import-Export Requirements
IMPORT
Apply for import permit to the chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Area 11, Abuja.
Obtain import/export permit for wildlife subject to the acquisition of CITES permit from the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Notify Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) of import permit details.
Notify NAQS of the arrival date.
On arrival point of entry, make declaration of animal /animal product or consignment for NAQS inspection and certification.
Declaration should include the entire document accompanying the animal/animal product and consignment including Sanitary/Health certificate of the animal, documents of port of embarkment, port of disembarkment, country of export, country of destination, purpose of importation etc.
NAQS officer verifies the document and consignments as well as the status of animal & animal product at the point of entry.
On arrival at the port, NAQS officials conduct visual inspection of animal and animal products. Live animals are sent to the quarantine stations for observation and suspected animal products are lab tested. If satisfied, animal or animal products are released; otherwise animal or animal products are detained for further quarantine action.
Quarantine facilities where animals are sent to could be NAQS or owners’ facility where necessary laboratory checks and certification are carried out.
For live animals, they must be held for a reasonable quarantine period.
11) If the animal & animal product or consignment does not comply with the above, the importer will pay the appropriate user fees (calculated by NAQS) for further necessary quarantine action.
Where an animal is infected with a zoonotic disease, the animal could be seized for further necessary action or destroyed by NAQS at the importer’s expense.
EXPORT
Apply for export permit to the chief Veterinary officer (CVO), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
Notify Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) of Export Permit details.
Notify NAQS of the departure date for necessary quarantine measures before export at the quarantine facility before export, at the owner’s expense.
Declaration and animal / animal product or consignment at the point of exit for NAQS inspection and certification.
Declaration and verification should include all the documents accompanying the animal /animal product or consignment including Sanitary/health Certificate at the point of exit.
If the animal /animal product and consignment complies with the above, it will be allowed for exit otherwise, the following measures will apply:
a. Detention until all that is necessary is done
b. Refusal to be exported by NAQS
Pet Microchip
To enter Nigeria, your pet must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that has 15 digits and is non-encrypted. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.
Crates, carriers, passports, microchips and more at PetTravelStore.com
Vaccinations
Pet rabies vaccination
Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the country.
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Rabies Titer Test
Pets entering Nigeria should have a rabies titer test no sooner than 30 days after their primary vaccination.
Pet Insurance by Pet Plan
Pet Travel Transport can assist you with all services involved in safe transport of your pet
Health Certificate
Pet microchip
Within 48 hours of entry, USDA (or CFIA) accredited veterinarian must then complete the bi-lingual Veterinary Certificate for Nigeria for endorsement by the USDA or CFIA if traveling from the United States or Canada. If you are traveling from another country, the Governmental Authority should endorse the forms.
Passports & Instructions
Import Permit
pet passport forms
An approved import permit is required when entering Nigeria with a personal pet.
Ticks and Tapeworm Treatment
Tapeworm treatment
A ticks and tapeworm treatment is not required prior to entering Nigeria but is recommended due to availability of these products in the country.
Entering Nigeria by Air
Airplane
Pets must enter Nigeria via Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Pets can enter in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo.
Whenever you travel to a foreign country like Nigeria, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.
Banned Breeds
Banned Dogs in Nigeria
Nigeria does not publish a list of dangerous dog breeds.
Other Animals, Rabbits, Turtles, Other Animals
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Nigeria. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
CITES endangered turtle
If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. .
Need More Assistance?
Have a question about traveling with your pet?
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.
