Export Live Animals to South Africa
Summary of Requirements
An import permit must be obtained from the Republic of South Africa, and space must be reserved at the official quarantine station.
- Bovine - Semen - Health Certificate (61.69 KB) - April 2004
- Bovine - Embryos - Health Certificate (117.31 KB) - August 2013
Due to the HPAI outbreak, the South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has imposed trade restrictions on the import of U.S.-origin day-old chicks and hatching eggs from the following States:
- Arkansas (effective November 28, 2025)
- California (effective November 7, 2023)
- Colorado (effective December 24, 2025)
- Delaware (effective December 26, 2025)
- Georgia (effective October 7, 2025)
- Florida (effective December 1, 2025)
- Idaho (effective September 16, 2025)
- Illinois (effective February 7, 2025)
- Indiana (effective September 22, 2025)
- Iowa (effective September 17, 2025)
- Kansas (effective November 26, 2025)
- Kentucky (effective November 20, 2025)
- Maryland (effective December 4, 2025)
- Michigan (effective September 21, 2025
- Minnesota (effective August 31, 2025)
- Mississippi (effective January 15, 2026)
- Missouri (effective December 14, 2025)
- Montana (effective August 24, 2025)
- Nebraska (effective December 13, 2025)
- New Jersey (effective date TBA)
- New York (effective November 24, 2025)
- North Carolina (effective November 2, 2025)
- North Dakota (effective December 1, 2023)
- Pennsylvania (effective January 10, 2024)
- South Carolina (effective February 5, 2026)
- South Dakota (effective March 11, 2022)
- Tennessee (effective December 3, 2025)
- Texas (effective November 20, 2025)
- Utah (effective September 10, 2025)
- Vermont (effective November 15, 2025)
- Washington (effective September 22 2025)
- Wisconsin (effective February 9, 2026)
Import permits from the Republic of South Africa are required for live poultry, birds, day-old chicks, and hatching eggs.
- Poultry - Day-Old Chicks - Health Certificate (52.35 KB) - July 2016
- Poultry - Hatching Eggs - Health Certificate (57 KB) - July 2018
APHIS-Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required for the following certificates:
- Salmonidae Fish Ova (76.24 KB) - September 2018
- Guidance Information for Completing Salmonidae Fish Ova Certificate (335.03 KB) - March 2019
Porcine - Semen - Health Certificate (244.01 KB)- September 2024
Example of Import Permit (185.5 KB) - August 2011
South African import permits are required prior to APHIS endorsement of veterinary health certificates.
- * Birds - Captive Bred (non-poultry, not pigeons) - Health Certificate (173.03 KB) - July 2023
- Reptiles - Health Certificate (29.71 KB) - October 2018
- Vultures - Health Certificate (96.52 KB) - November 2019
- Rodents - Zoo or Captive Bred Commercial Movement - Health Certificate (147.21 KB) - April 2020
- Red Pandas - Health Certificate (170.83 KB) - March 2021
- Kinkajous (Honey Bears) - Health Certificate (170.43 KB) - March 2021
- Lagomorphs (Rabbits, Hares, Pikas) - Health Certificate (161.14 KB) - March 2022
- * Pigeons - Racing Only - Health Certificate (128.68 KB) - December 2022
Taking a Pet to Another Country?
If your species is not listed, the requirements for that species are not known. Exporters who want to ship livestock or germplasm whose requirements are not listed above should have the importer or buyer in the destination country apply for an import permit at the appropriate ministry. This import permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.
Need Help?
USDA-Accredited Veterinarians
Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for animals (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments); issuance of health certificates; and status updates on certificate endorsement
Live Animal Industry Team
APHIS Veterinary Services' Industry Team offers commodity-specific expertise for live animal exports. Use the dropdown to contact us with questions about endorsing export health certificates.
Tips for Exporters and Accredited Veterinarians
Endorsement Services
- No in-person or drop-off services.
- For fastest processing, have your accredited veterinarian submit certificates through VEHCS.
- Routine APHIS VEHCS processing services are staffed Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time (CT), excluding Federal holidays. The time listed in VEHCS reflects GMT.
- Paper certificates are discouraged but may be mailed to one of our two paper endorsement offices (see addresses below).
Status Updates
Endorsement offices cannot confirm delivery or provide status updates. For updates:
- Contact your accredited veterinarian (they can check VEHCS status).
- Use your mail tracking number.
Important Tips
- Ensure accuracy and submit documents as early as possible within the allowed timeline of the destination country to avoid delays.
- Use overnight or Saturday delivery when mailing.
Mailing Addresses
- USDA-APHIS
Attn: VETS
920 Main Campus Dr., Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27606 - USDA-APHIS
Attn: VETS
10365 Old Placerville Rd., Suite 210
Sacramento, CA 95827