🇦🇪 Pet Import to United Arab Emirates

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) administers all pet imports into the United Arab Emirates under Federal Law No. 18 of 2022 on the Possession of Dangerous Animals and Cabinet Decision No. 22 of 2001 on Importation of Animals. Owners must obtain a mandatory import permit through the MOCCAE eServices portal (Falcon eClearance) at least five working days before travel; no walk-in or day-of applications are accepted. Every pet must carry an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip implanted before any vaccinations are recorded. Rabies vaccination must be administered after microchipping, at least 30 days but no more than 12 months before the travel date. Pets arriving from countries not classified as rabies-free must also present a FAVN (fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation) rabies antibody titer result of ≥0.5 IU/ml from an OIE-accredited laboratory. An official animal health certificate — completed and endorsed by a government-authorised veterinarian in the country of origin — is required and must be issued within 10 days of travel. Compliant pets face no quarantine period, but all animals undergo a customs and veterinary inspection at the cargo terminal on arrival; fees typically start at AED 1,000 and vary by species and emirate. UAE federal law and Dubai and Abu Dhabi municipality regulations impose an outright import ban on numerous breeds including pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, rottweiler, doberman pinscher, mastiff, Presa Canario, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, and more than 16 additional listed breeds. Personal imports are capped at two pets per traveller; larger numbers require a commercial import licence. Exotic and wild species are heavily regulated under CITES conventions and UAE federal wildlife law, with most requiring special permits or being prohibited entirely. Pre-arrival cargo booking with the airline's freight desk is essential as capacity is limited.