UAE Pet Import Guide

Shipping a Pet to the United Arab Emirates from the United States

The United Arab Emirates enforces pet import regulations administered by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). Dogs and cats entering the UAE -- whether your destination is Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or another emirate -- must meet microchip, vaccination, import permit, and USDA-endorsed health certificate requirements before travel.

The Pet Porters manage the complete UAE relocation process -- from microchip verification and vaccination coordination through MOCCAE import permit application, USDA health certificate endorsement, and airline cargo booking through Emirates SkyCargo or other approved carriers. With preparation timelines typically running 6-10 weeks, the UAE is one of the more accessible international pet destinations compared to Japan, Australia, or South Korea.

Pets that meet all MOCCAE requirements are released to their owners after veterinary inspection on arrival. No titer test and no mandatory quarantine are required for most compliant pets entering the UAE from the United States.

Request a UAE Pet Shipping Quote
UAE Pet Import At a Glance
  • ISO microchip (before vaccination)
  • Valid rabies vaccination (21+ days before travel)
  • Core vaccinations for dogs and cats
  • Parasite treatments documented on health certificate
  • MOCCAE import permit secured before departure
  • USDA-endorsed health certificate (within 10 days)
  • No titer test required
  • No mandatory quarantine if compliant
6-10
Weeks prep
No
Titer test
No
Quarantine*

*If all MOCCAE requirements are fully met

Breed Restrictions -- Important: The UAE prohibits the import of certain dog breeds considered dangerous. Restricted breeds typically include Pit Bulls, American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Mastiffs, and several other breeds depending on the emirate. Breed restriction lists can vary between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Contact us with your dog's breed before beginning preparation to confirm eligibility for UAE entry.
Emirate-Specific Requirements: While MOCCAE sets federal UAE pet import standards, individual emirates -- particularly Dubai (Dubai Municipality) and Abu Dhabi -- may have additional local registration requirements after arrival. Most pets entering the UAE arrive through Dubai International Airport (DXB) via Emirates SkyCargo. We verify emirate-specific requirements for your specific destination before every booking.

Planning Timeline

UAE Pet Transport Timeline

The UAE is one of the more accessible international pet destinations. The main variables are whether vaccinations are current and how quickly the MOCCAE import permit is processed.

Pet Has Current Vaccinations

If your pet is already microchipped with an ISO chip and has current rabies and core vaccinations on record, the timeline focuses on the import permit and health certificate.

  • 6-8 Wk.Apply for MOCCAE import permit
  • 4-6 Wk.Permit issued and confirmed
  • 10 DaysHealth certificate from USDA-accredited vet
  • ASAPUSDA APHIS endorsement submitted
  • TravelPet departs -- MOCCAE inspection at DXB
Pet Needs Vaccinations Updated

If your pet needs a rabies vaccination or core vaccine updates, allow additional time before the import permit application and health certificate.

  • 10 Wk.ISO microchip implanted (if needed)
  • 10 Wk.Rabies vaccination + core vaccines administered
  • 7 Wk.21-day post-vaccination wait completes
  • 6-8 Wk.MOCCAE import permit application submitted
  • 10 DaysHealth certificate + USDA APHIS endorsement
  • TravelPet departs -- MOCCAE inspection at DXB

Step-by-Step Requirements

UAE Pet Import Requirements -- In the Correct Sequence

Each step must be completed in order. The MOCCAE import permit must be secured before the health certificate is issued. Documentation errors may result in your pet being held at the airport on arrival.

1
ISO Microchip -- Must Come First

All dogs and cats must be implanted with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip before any rabies vaccinations are administered. UAE veterinary authorities scan the microchip on arrival to verify your pet's identity against all import documentation.

If your pet has a non-ISO microchip (common with older US-implanted chips), a second ISO-compliant chip must be implanted. All subsequent vaccinations must occur after the new ISO chip is in place. The microchip number must appear identically on every document in the import file.

Do This First Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. Confirm ISO compatibility at your first vet visit -- non-ISO chips are not accepted at UAE customs.
2
Rabies Vaccination 21+ Days Before Travel

A valid rabies vaccination administered after microchipping is required for all dogs and cats entering the UAE. The vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel and must remain valid through the date of arrival.

  • Must be administered after the ISO microchip is implanted
  • Must be given at least 21 days before departure
  • Must be current and valid at the time of arrival in the UAE
  • Must be documented with vaccine name, manufacturer, batch number, and expiration date
  • Booster vaccinations kept current within the manufacturer's licensed interval do not restart the 21-day wait
Validity at Arrival Confirm your pet's rabies vaccination will still be valid on your arrival date in the UAE -- not just when the health certificate is issued. An expired vaccine on arrival means your pet will be held.
3
Core Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats

In addition to rabies, dogs and cats must be vaccinated against common infectious diseases. All vaccinations must be current and documented with product name, batch number, and expiration date.

Dogs -- Required Vaccinations
  • Canine Distemper
  • Canine Parvovirus
  • Canine Adenovirus / Hepatitis
  • Parainfluenza
  • Leptospirosis
Cats -- Required Vaccinations
  • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
  • Feline Calicivirus
  • Feline Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
4
Parasite Treatments

Pets traveling to the UAE must receive veterinary-administered treatments for internal and external parasites before departure. All treatments must be documented on the official USDA health certificate.

  • External parasites: Treatment for ticks and fleas
  • Internal parasites: Treatment effective against roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms
  • Must be administered by a licensed veterinarian
  • Product name, active ingredient, batch number, and treatment date must be recorded on the health certificate
Timing Coordinate parasite treatments at your pre-travel veterinary visit when the health certificate is completed -- within 10 days of departure.
5
MOCCAE Import Permit Required Before Health Certificate

Before your pet can travel to the UAE, an official import permit must be issued by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). This permit confirms that your pet meets all UAE health and identification requirements and must be secured before the health certificate is finalized.

  • Application submitted through the MOCCAE digital services portal or via a licensed agent
  • Requires microchip number, vaccination records, and proposed travel itinerary
  • Permit is typically valid for 30 days from issue date -- travel must occur within this window
  • Processing typically takes 1-3 weeks -- apply early to allow time for corrections
  • The Pet Porters coordinate the permit application and track approval on your behalf
Apply Early
The import permit must be in hand before the health certificate is issued. Apply at least 4-6 weeks before your planned departure to allow processing time.
6
USDA-Endorsed Veterinary Health Certificate

Within 10 days of departure, a USDA-accredited veterinarian must examine your pet and complete an official international health certificate confirming your pet meets all UAE import requirements. The MOCCAE import permit must already be in hand before the certificate is finalized.

The certificate must include:

  • ISO microchip number matching all prior documentation
  • Rabies vaccination date, product name, batch number, and expiration date
  • Core vaccination records for dogs or cats
  • Parasite treatment details and dates
  • MOCCAE import permit number
  • Statement that the pet is clinically healthy and fit for travel

After the veterinarian signs the certificate, it must be submitted to a USDA Veterinary Services office for federal endorsement. The endorsed original must accompany your pet to the UAE.

USDA Endorsement Processing typically takes 1-3 business days. Submit immediately after the vet signs -- the 10-day validity window runs from the vet exam date.
7
Airline Cargo Booking & MOCCAE Arrival Inspection

Most pets traveling from the United States to the UAE arrive at Dubai International Airport (DXB) via Emirates SkyCargo or at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) via Etihad Cargo. Pets travel as manifest cargo in climate-controlled holds.

  • Emirates SkyCargo is the primary carrier for pet cargo into Dubai
  • Etihad Cargo serves Abu Dhabi on select US routes
  • Pets travel in IATA-compliant kennels in temperature-controlled cargo holds
  • MOCCAE veterinary staff inspect microchip, documentation, and health certificate on arrival
  • Pets meeting all requirements are released to their owners or relocation agents after clearance
  • After arrival, local registration with Dubai Municipality or Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) may be required
Primary Entry Points Dubai International Airport (DXB) via Emirates SkyCargo is the most common entry point. Abu Dhabi (AUH) via Etihad Cargo is available for Abu Dhabi destinations.

Common Questions

UAE Pet Transport FAQ

No -- the UAE does not require a rabies antibody titer test for pets traveling from the United States. A valid rabies vaccination administered after microchipping, combined with the MOCCAE import permit and USDA-endorsed health certificate, is sufficient for UAE entry. This makes the UAE significantly more accessible than Japan, Australia, or South Korea, which all require titer testing.
There is no mandatory quarantine for pets entering the UAE from the United States, provided all MOCCAE requirements are met. Pets with a valid ISO microchip, current vaccinations, MOCCAE import permit, and properly endorsed USDA health certificate are released to their owners after the MOCCAE arrival inspection. Pets with incomplete or incorrect documentation may be held at the airport facility pending resolution, at the owner's expense.
Yes -- the UAE prohibits the import of certain dog breeds considered dangerous or aggressive. Restricted breeds typically include Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Mastiffs (including Bull Mastiff and Neapolitan Mastiff), Wolf hybrids, and several others. Breed restriction lists can vary between emirates and may be updated. Contact us with your dog's breed before beginning preparation to confirm eligibility for UAE entry and identify any emirate-specific restrictions at your destination.
The MOCCAE import permit is an official authorization issued by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirming that your pet meets UAE health and identification requirements and is approved to enter the country. It is applied for through the MOCCAE digital services portal and typically requires your pet's microchip number, vaccination records, and proposed travel dates. Processing typically takes 1-3 weeks. The permit is valid for 30 days from issue and travel must occur within that window. The Pet Porters coordinate the permit application and track approval on your behalf.
The federal MOCCAE import requirements apply across all emirates. However, Dubai and Abu Dhabi each have local municipal registration requirements after your pet arrives. Dubai requires pets to be registered with Dubai Municipality within a set period of settling in. Abu Dhabi requires registration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). Breed restriction lists may also differ slightly between emirates. We verify destination-specific requirements before every booking.
Emirates SkyCargo is the primary carrier for pet cargo traveling to Dubai (DXB) from the United States. Etihad Cargo serves Abu Dhabi (AUH) on select US routes. Both airlines operate dedicated live animal programs with climate-controlled cargo holds and trained animal handling staff. Pets travel as manifest cargo -- not in-cabin or as checked baggage. The Pet Porters coordinate airline booking, IATA-compliant kennel preparation, and pre-departure logistics for all UAE-bound pet shipments.
Other International Destinations
European Union

No titer test -- 6-8 week timeline, no quarantine if compliant. 27 member states covered.
South Korea

FAVN titer test required but no 180-day wait -- 3-6 month timeline.
All Destinations

View pet import requirements for all countries and regions we serve worldwide.
Regulatory Notice: UAE pet import regulations are subject to change without notice. MOCCAE, Dubai Municipality, and Abu Dhabi ADAFSA may update breed restrictions, vaccination requirements, permit procedures, or documentation formats at any time. Always verify current requirements with MOCCAE, the USDA, and your airline before beginning the relocation process. This guide reflects general requirements as of publication and may not include the most recent regulatory updates. The Pet Porters verifies all current requirements before every booking.

Ready to Move Your Pet to the UAE?

Tell us your destination emirate, your pet's breed, and current vaccination status. We will confirm breed eligibility, apply for your MOCCAE import permit, build a preparation timeline, and manage every step from your home in the United States to arrival at Dubai or Abu Dhabi.