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Traveling with pets (cat, dog, ferret)

The following information is only for the importation of 
cats, dogs & ferrets

As of October 01, 2012, you NO LONGER need to apply for an import or transit authorization from the FASFC for pet animals moving from a non-EC country to Belgium. The conditions for importing pet animals are laid down by the Regulation 998/2003 and the Royal Decree of 01/05/2006.

You can find more information on import conditions on the following websites: 

For all other pets, please consult the website(s) above. 

  
NEEDED for cats/dogs or ferrets:

1) Microchip + rabies shots:

The microchip (15 digits).

If you are traveling to a EU country and your pet has the 9 digit microchip, your pet will either need another 15 digit microchip OR you will need to bring your own scanner. (the 15 digit ISO microchip is fast becoming the world standard).In Europe, the standard pet microchip meets ISO standard 11784/17785 and is a 15 digit microchip operating at 134.2 kHz )

“Pet dogs, cats, and ferrets must be identified with a microchip compatible with ISO standard 11784 or 11785 or the appropriate microchip reader must be provided along with the pet. Microchip implantation must occur prior to rabies vaccination. Any rabies vaccination that occurs prior to microchip implantation is not considered valid regardless of whether the animal was up-to-date on its previous rabies vaccines. In this case, the animal must be revaccinated. 21 days must have elapsed after the first (primary) vaccination after implantation of the microchip before the animal is eligible to enter the European Union. A rabies vaccination is considered primary if either: (1) an animal was up-to-date on its rabies vaccination but vaccination occurred prior to microchip implantation, (2) vaccination was not carried out within the period of validity of a previous vaccination, or (3) the animal was vaccinated for the first time.“

2) The rabies vaccinations:

After the implant of the microchip and at least 21 days before traveling. (So at least 21 days - but  the “maximum” vaccination of a pet cannot exceed 3 years - otherwise the pet will need to get vaccinated again.) Also, if the shots were given before the implantation of the new microchip, your pet will need a rabies booster shot and again has to wait at least 21 days before traveling.

(A puppy has to be at least 3 months old before getting the vaccination and afterwards wait at least 21 days before travel) 

3) Veterinary certificate (within 10 days of travel):

If the veterinary is USDA accredited, his signature will suffice.

www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/ee_non_com_pets.pdf - less than 5 pets

Dogs, Cats, Ferrets - Health Certificate (Movement of no more than 5 non-commercial pet animals) - December 2011 (pdf 103kb)

www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/ee_com_pets.pdf - more than 5 pets

Dogs, Cats, Ferrets - Health Certificate (Movement of commercial of more than 5 non-commercial pet animals) - December 2011 (pdf 112kb)

  
4) NOTE: post-rabies/titillation test:

This is only needed if your pet is coming from a third world country… not if your pet is leaving from the US. (For example: If you came back from Africa… your pet would need it)

If there are any more questions, please contact M. Moelans or Mrs. Rixta Lycklama at the email address below. (They are the experts).

The Belgian Veterinary Services 
Food Safety Center (6th floor, office 04) 
Kruidtuinlaan 55 
1000 Brussel 
Belgium 
Tel.: 011.32.2.211.84.59 
Fax: 011.32.2.211.84.70 
E-mail: 

  • import@fasfc.be : with regard to import controls in Belgium; now managed by the " Thematic Control Unit Border Control Point " (TCU BCP).
  • export@fasfc.be : with regard to intra-community certification and exports to third countries, now managed by the "Notifications and Certification Cell" (CNC)"