Bringing your pet to United Arab Emirates
Pets need import permit, microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate. Entry through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah airports.
Health certificate
Official health certificate from government veterinarian within 10 days, endorsed by agriculture authority
Customs & arrival
Declaration to customs at airport. Import permit and health certificate inspected.
Required vaccinations
- Rabies — 30 days to 12 months before travel — Must be valid on arrival
Restricted & prohibited breeds
These breeds are restricted or banned from entering United Arab Emirates — talk to our team about alternatives if your pet is on this list:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- American Bully
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
Best practice tips
- Apply for permit 4-6 weeks ahead
- Check airline breed restrictions
- Ensure certificate properly attested
- Keep vaccination records accessible
Live pet transport prices to United Arab Emirates
| Route into United Arab Emirates | Airports | Options | From (1 pet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg → Ras Al Khaimah | JNB → RKT | 1 airline | from $1,732 |
| Johannesburg → Dubai | JNB → DXB | 7 airlines | from $1,940 |
| Johannesburg → Dubai | JNB → DWC | 2 airlines | from $1,949 |
| Johannesburg → Sharjah | JNB → SHJ | 2 airlines | from $1,949 |
| Durban → Dubai | DUR → DXB | 1 airline | from $2,094 |
| Cape Town → Dubai | CPT → DXB | 3 airlines | from $2,377 |
| Johannesburg → Abu Dhabi | JNB → AUH | 1 airline | from $3,433 |
Real prices from our live rate engine — for a medium dog (~40 kg chargeable), including documents. Your exact price depends on breed and crate size.
How the move works, step by step
- 1 · Instant quote. Enter your route and pet details online — you see the exact all-inclusive price in seconds, built from live airline rates.
- 2 · Documents & vet work. We prepare the health certificate, import permit and vaccination checks for United Arab Emirates, and book the vet appointments in the right order.
- 3 · Crate & flight. Your pet travels in an IATA-approved crate sized to their breed, in the pressurised, temperature-controlled hold of a pet-safe airline.
- 4 · Arrival & delivery. Our destination agent clears customs and can deliver your pet to the door — while you follow every step live in the FlyMyPet app.
How much does it cost to move a pet to United Arab Emirates?
International relocations to United Arab Emirates typically range from $1,732 on the cheapest live route–$6,000 depending on your origin city, the size of your dog or cat, the airline and optional services like door collection and delivery. Use our instant quote tool for an exact, all-inclusive price.
Frequently asked questions
Is quarantine required to bring a pet to United Arab Emirates?
No mandatory quarantine applies for compliant pets entering United Arab Emirates, provided every import requirement is met.
Does United Arab Emirates require a microchip for imported pets?
Yes — an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
What are the pet import requirements for United Arab Emirates?
Pets need import permit, microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate. Entry through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah airports.
How much does it cost to fly a pet to United Arab Emirates?
Most international pet relocations to United Arab Emirates range from about $1,500 to $6,000 depending on origin, pet size, airline and add-on services. FlyMyPet gives you an exact instant price online.
