How to import a pet to Rwanda

Rwanda allows cats and dogs to enter the country provided every step of the import process is completed in the origin country before the pet boards the plane. The chain of documents is strict but predictable: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, import permit, IATA crate, and an arrival inspection at Kigali International Airport.

The single most common reason imports fail isn’t a missing document — it’s the sequence. A rabies vaccination is only counted if it was administered at least 30 days before arrival; a health certificate is only valid for 10 days. Get the order wrong and you reset the clock.

Every dog or cat entering Rwanda needs the following paperwork:

• Import permitissued by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), through the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI). Apply via the Rwanda Trade Portal or directly through RAB’s inspection services.
• International veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origin country and endorsed by the government veterinary authority (USDA APHIS in the United States, APHA in the UK, the relevant TRACES-issued certificate in the EU). Must be issued within 10 days of travel.
• Proof of current rabies vaccination — between 30 days and 12 months old at the date of arrival. Pets under 3 months are not vaccinated, so wait until they are old enough plus the 30-day window before booking the flight.
• ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip. Not legally required for entry but strongly recommended — most destination countries will require it for onward travel and it simplifies airport identification.
• IATA-compliant travel cratesized to the pet’s height and length per IATA Live Animals Regulations. Required for cargo and most checked-baggage transit.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a fine of up to RWF 1,000,000 or a prison sentence of up to 6 months under Rwandan law, in addition to the pet being quarantined or returned.

A clean import to Rwanda can be done in 4–6 weeks if the pet is already microchipped and current on rabies. From a cold start (no microchip, no vaccinations), plan for 8–10 weeks.

• Week 1: Microchip if needed, primary rabies vaccination, book vet for health certificate window.
• Weeks 2–5: 30-day rabies wait. Apply for the RAB import permit (1–2 weeks turnaround). Order the IATA crate, let the pet acclimate to it. Book the airline cargo space.
• 10 days before flight: Final vet visit, health certificate issued, certificate endorsed by the government veterinary authority.
• Travel day: Crate, paperwork, and pet to the airport. Notify Kigali veterinary officials of the inbound flight so they can meet you on arrival.

All companion-animal imports must arrive at Kigali International Airport. Notify veterinary officials in advance so they’re available to inspect your pet at landing — without notice, the inspection can be delayed and your pet sits in the cargo facility longer than it has to.

On arrival, expect to present the import permit, the endorsed health certificate, the rabies certificate, and the crate. Once cleared, you (or your appointed relocation agent) can take the pet home directly.

Royal Pets Center handles the airport pickup and door-to-door delivery as part of our relocation service — useful if you’re arriving on a later flight than the pet, or you’d rather not deal with cargo facilities after a 14-hour journey.

Pet relocation pricing is dominated by the air cargo cost, which scales with the weight of the pet plus crate plus the route. As a working range:

• Small pet (under 8 kg combined) from EU/UK: USD 1,500–2,400 all-in.
• Medium pet (8–25 kg combined) from EU/UK: USD 2,400–3,500 all-in.
• Large pet (over 25 kg combined) from EU/UK: USD 3,500–5,500 all-in.
• From the USA, add roughly 20–35% for the longer flight and additional cargo handling.
• Within Africa (Kenya, South Africa, Uganda), the cargo cost drops sharply — total is often USD 800–1,800.

These are full-service ranges (paperwork, crate, cargo, customs, airport handover). DIY is cheaper if you have time and patience; getting one step wrong is usually more expensive than just hiring the help.

• Booking the flight before the permit. The RAB import permit can take longer than you expect — get the permit first, then book the cargo space against the permit dates.
• Vaccinating too late. The rabies shot must be at least 30 days old at arrival. Doing it the week before travel guarantees rejection.
• Wrong crate size. The pet must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down naturally. Airlines reject crates that are visibly too small at the cargo desk — even if you have all the paperwork.
• Skipping the government endorsement.A certificate signed by your private vet isn’t enough — it has to be counter-signed by USDA APHIS, APHA, or the EU equivalent. Build a buffer for this step.
• Not notifying Kigali on arrival. Without prior notice the inspecting vet might not be at the airport. Email RAB at least 48 hours before the flight.

If you’re moving to Rwanda with a pet, the cleanest first step is to confirm three things: your pet’s current rabies status (date and validity), microchip ISO compliance, and your origin country’s government endorsement process. Once those are clear, the rest is sequencing.

Royal Pets Center handles inbound and outbound relocations to and from Kigali end-to-end — paperwork, crates, cargo bookings, and airport handover. Send us your origin country, dates, and pet details on our pet relocation service page and we’ll come back with a timeline and quote within a day.