Pet travel from the United States to Saudi Arabia
Welcome! This page will guide you through the rules and requirements for traveling internationally with your pet.
Before You Start the Process
Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
With help from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, you can learn more about your destination country's entry requirements for pets, including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments. We recommend creating a schedule to make sure you meet all requirements within the specified timeframe.
Gather This Information for Your USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
- The type of pet traveling
- The destination country
- If applicable, countries where your pet will stop (for customs clearance or upon leaving the airport or seaport) on the way to the destination country
- The date of departure from the United States
- Whether the pet will be traveling alone, as cargo, or with a person in the cabin of the plane
- Note: If you're traveling with a pet bird or exotic animal, you may need to work with additional agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1.41 MB) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Read These Resources
- Pet Travel Guidance for Pets Traveling to Another Country From the United States
- In Spanish (En Español): Guía de viaje para mascotas que viajan a otro país desde Estados Unidos
- In Chinese (用中文（表達): 宠物出国旅行指南
- Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling With Your Pet
Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type
- Dogs are not generally allowed to be imported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) except for hunting, guarding and guides for the disabled.
- All dogs traveling must have an import permit issued by the KSA Ministry of Agriculture. U.S. travelers/importers should provide all information of their pets and flight details to their Saudi sponsor who should apply for an import permit from the KSA Ministry of Agriculture.
- The USDA APHIS endorsed veterinary health certificate and a "certificate of origin" (obtained from the KSA Ministry of Agriculture) must accompany the dog during travel.
- The “certificate of origin” does NOT need to be attested to by the Saudi Arabian Embassy in the U.S. prior to travel.
- The KSA import permit, endorsed health certificate, and “certificate of origin” must be obtained prior to travel, but the import permit and “certificate of origin” do not need to be presented to USDA APHIS for endorsement.
- Additional requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the health certificate.
Veterinary Health Certificate (82.84 KB)
An electronic version of this certificate is also available within VEHCS.
- All cats traveling must have an import permit issued by the KSA Ministry of Agriculture. U.S. travelers/importers should provide all information of their pets and flight details to their Saudi sponsor who should apply for an import permit from the KSA Ministry of Agriculture.
- The USDA APHIS endorsed veterinary health certificate and a "certificate of origin" (obtained from the KSA Ministry of Agriculture) must accompany the dog during travel.
- The “certificate of origin” does NOT need to be attested to by the Saudi Arabian Embassy in the U.S. prior to travel.
- The KSA import permit, endorsed health certificate, and “certificate of origin” must be obtained prior to travel, but the import permit and “certificate of origin” do not need to be presented to USDA APHIS for endorsement
- Additional requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the health certificate.
Veterinary Health Certificate (82.84 KB)
An electronic version of this certificate is also available within VEHCS.
For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially informed by the foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We recommend that you contact a government official of the country you are traveling to for more information.
Country of Destination Contact Information
Countries Participating in the European Union
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Northern Ireland*
Norway**
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland**
* Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (UK), but will continue to follow European Union (EU) requirements even though the UK is no longer part of the EU.
** Norway and Switzerland are not part of the EU but have adopted EU legislation for import of most species of live animals.
Important Travel Considerations
If you are transiting (passing through) the European Union:
If your pet is traveling through (transiting) a country in the European Union (EU) on the way to a third, non-EU country, you will also need a transit health certificate for your pet for the EU. The transit health certificate will be the same as if your pet’s final destination was the EU country. Use the information and steps above under “Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type” to determine which health certificate should be used. View a list of EU countries.
Considerations for airline travel:
Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies and requirements for transporting pets. Check with your airline or shipping representative to determine what requirements they may have.
Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?
View the Requirements
ALERT: Read the CDC Notice of Temporary Suspension of Dogs Entering the United States From Countries Classified as High Risk for Dog Rabies.
Information for Accredited Veterinarians
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