Guide to the Conditions and Procedures for the Entry and Import of Pets into Egypt: Cairo Airport Papers, Customs Clearance, and the Truth of Quarantine

Guide to the Conditions and Procedures for the Entry and Import of Pets into Egypt: Cairo Airport Papers, Customs Clearance, and the Truth of Quarantine (2026)

Returning to the Arab Republic of Egypt with your pet (dogs or cats) is a great concern for thousands of families and expatriates residing in the Arab Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar) or the countries of Europe and North America, whether returning for an annual vacation or permanent stability. Most of the concerns revolve around rumors circulating about imposing a mandatory quarantine and detaining the pet at the airport, imposing exaggerated customs duties, or refusing the animal entry and deportation on the same plane.

In this practical reference guide from the daily follow-up and field reception processes of the Alfares Pets team, we present to you the comprehensive guide toProcedures and conditions for the entry and import of pets into EgyptThrough Cairo International Airport (CAI) and Egyptian airports, with a complete refutation of the myth of veterinary detention, clarifying the mandatory documents issued by the country of take-off, the steps of rapid release, and the service of reception and direct delivery to your doorstep in any governorate.

Table of Contents

• 1. Official requirements for the entry of dogs and cats into the Arab Republic of Egypt
• 2. Mandatory documents required from the country of departure (Gulf, Europe, and America)
• 3. The reality of quarantine at Cairo Airport: Is the pet booked or released immediately?
• 4. Veterinary and Customs Release and Inspection Steps within the Arrival Terminal
• 5. Official Government Fees for Veterinary Detection and Release at Cairo Airport (2026)
• 6. Access routes: In the cab (PETC), registered luggage (AVIH), or air cargo (Cargo)
• 7. Airport-to-Door Service
• 8. Table of Comparison of Travel Requirements to Egypt by Country of Departure
• 9. Frequently asked questions about dropping pets off in Egypt

1. Official requirements for the entry of dogs and cats into the Arab Republic of Egypt

The General Authority for Veterinary Services of the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture regulates the entry of live animals with passengers; the Egyptian regulation is flexible and clear as long as the basic preventive standards are met:

• Minimum legal age:The puppy or cat must be at least3 months (12 weeks)On the date of arrival; to ensure he receives the rabies vaccine and the lapse of the immune activation period.
• ISO Microchip:A prerequisite that conforms to the international specifications (ISO 11784/11785) consisting of 15 numbers, and is proven by its number and the date of its implantation within the health book and government certificates.
• Virtual Clinical Safety:The animal must be completely free from any symptoms of infectious epidemics or skin diseases, and able to move normally.
• Non-requirement of prior import permission for personal animals:The traveler arriving with their personal pet (one or two animals maximum) as accompanying luggageDoes not need to obtain a prior commercial import permit from Egypt, but is satisfied with the health certificate issued by the state from which it comes. To review the entire global ecosystem, browseGlobal Reference Guide for Shipping Animals from EgyptHe

2. Mandatory documents required from the country of departure (Gulf, Europe, and America)

In order for your pet to pass the Cairo Airport Veterinary Quarantine without delay, you must take with you the following original official documents issued by the country of departure:

1. Official Government Veterinary Health Certificate:
   • From Saudi ArabiaAn official veterinary health certificate issued and stamped by the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (or through the Nama platform).
   • Oh, he's from the Emirates. Yeah.Approved veterinary health certificate issued by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).
   • From KuwaitAn official health certificate from the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fisheries.
   • From the United States and Canada:An international health certificate approved and stamped by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA Endorsed) or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
   • EU+ countriesEU Pet Passport or officially approved veterinary certificate.
   • Certificate Validity PeriodMust not be older than the date of issue10 to 14 daysMax. before boarding.
2. Pet Passport:Including the schedule of vaccines with their dates, batch numbers, seal and signature of the treating veterinarian:
   • Rabies Vaccine:Mandatory, given not less than 21 days before travel and not more than one year.
   • Basic Combined Vaccines:Octagonal/hexagonal dog vaccination (DHPPiL) and quadricat/triple cat vaccination (Tricat/Quadricat).
3. Treatments for modern parasites:Proof of dosing the pet with intestinal anthelmintics, tick insects and fleas during the few days preceding the trip.

3. The reality of quarantine at Cairo Airport: Is the pet booked or released immediately?

There is a false rumor that any animal coming to Egypt is held in quarantine for weeks; the legal and factual fact is:

There is no mandatory quarantine or isolation of pets at Cairo International Airport at all, as long as the animal is accompanied by its official veterinary certificate and valid vaccination book.

Veterinary release procedures take place immediately upon the arrival of the aircraft inside the arrival hall, and the traveler receives his dog or cat to leave the airport directly with him within15 to 30 minutesThe rare cases in which the veterinary quarantine may intervene are the arrival of an animal without any health certificates, or the presence of serious epidemiological symptoms that require examination and temporary medical isolation until its safety is verified.

For official opening hours and inspection sections, seeCairo International Airport Veterinary Quarantine GuideHe

4. Veterinary and Customs Release and Inspection Steps within the Arrival Terminal

Once your flight lands at Cairo Airport (Terminal 1, 2, or 3), follow these steps in order:

1. Pet Pickup:
   • If Passenger in Cabin (PETC): stays with you after disembarking from the aisle.
   • If traveling in the AVIH: The box is picked up from the Oversized Baggage area adjacent to the luggage belts.
2. Go to the veterinarian's office in the hall:Before passing through customs gates, head to the Veterinary Quarantine Office located inside the Arrivals Terminal.
3. Preview and Slide Matching:The veterinarian reads the chip number of the optical sensor and matches it with the notebook and health certificate, with a quick virtual examination of the dog's or cat's vital signs.
4. Payment of Fees and Receipt of Release Permit:The prescribed official administrative fees shall be paid, and the doctor shall issue an immediate veterinary release permit (exit permit).
5. Customs transit:It passes the box through the customs inspection device or the customs gate and submits the veterinary release permit to the customs officer, after which it is launched directly outside the airport terminal.

5. Official Government Fees for Veterinary Detection and Release at Cairo Airport (2026)

Fees for the entry of pets into Egypt are symbolic and determined by official ministerial decisions:

• Fees for inspection and detection in veterinary quarantine:Official government fees range betweenEGP 150-300per head and paid with an official government receipt in the airport terminal.
• Custom:Egyptian Customs does not impose customs duties or taxes on personal pets accompanying the traveler (up to a maximum of 2 animals for personal, non-commercial use).
• Animals coming as independent air cargo (Manifest Cargo):It is subject to air waybill procedures and customs clearance fees at the goods village, which requires an approved customs extract to finish the release papers and receive the pet.

6. Access routes: In the cab (PETC), registered luggage (AVIH), or air cargo (Cargo)

Alefik's route to Egypt depends on your chosen airline policy:

1. In-Cabin PETC Travel

The most comfortable option for cats and small dogs; your pet will board the plane with you in a matching canvas bag with a total weight not exceeding 8 kg. Review trip details forConditions and price of animal travel on EgyptAirHe

2. Travel as AVIH Checked Baggage

For medium weights and large dogs, the pet travels on the same journey as you inside a certified rigid thermally compressed plastic cage. Be sure to purchase a travel cage that conforms to global standards viaIATA Animal Travel Box Selection GuideHe

3. Unaccompanied Cargo

If the pet travels alone without an accompanying passenger; he arrives at the air cargo terminal and the Cargo Village at Cairo International Airport (Cargo Village), and our team there handles all administrative and health clearance procedures on your behalf.

7. Airport-to-Door Service

Because the journey is arduous and the coincidence of your arrival with your luggage and family members is a great logistical burden, we save inAlfares PetsIntegrated reception and release service:

• Field representative in the airport lounge:Our authorized representative is available in front of the arrival gates to help you pick up the box from the luggage area, complete all veterinary inspection procedures and pay the fees without any stress to you.
• Customs Clearance of Cargo Shipments:Complete the customs release procedures from the goods village and receive the animal immediately and provide water and food to it in an air-conditioned and comfortable environment.
• Air-conditioned transport fleet for all governorates:Transfer the pet from Cairo Airport directly to your home in Alexandria, Giza, Tanta, Mansoura, Sharqia, or Upper Egypt governorates with dedicated and safe cars viaAnimal transportation and delivery service between governoratesHe

8. Table of Comparison of Travel Requirements to Egypt by Country of Departure

If you are planning to return and travel again outside Egypt after your vacation, you can review the screening requirements atAlfares Pets Certified Veterinary Clinic, and stepsExtraction and clearance of pet travel papers in EgyptHe

9. Frequently asked questions about dropping pets off in Egypt

Does Cairo Airport require Rabies Titer Test for cats and dogs?

No, Egyptian veterinary quarantine authorities do not require rabies serum efficacy analysis (RNATT) for the entry of animals coming from abroad, and only vaccinate the applicable rabies and government health certificate from the country of take-off (Note: analysis is required if you plan to bring your pet back to Europe or America).

How many animals is a traveler allowed to enter without a commercial registration?

The traveler is allowed to enter with a maximum of one or two pets as a personal use and acquisition exempt from import licenses, and in excess may be treated as a commercial import and subject to prior approvals from the General Authority for Veterinary Services.

What happens if the rabies vaccination expires while the animal is outside Egypt?

The animal must be re-vaccinated with the rabies vaccine in the country of residence at least 21 days before traveling to Egypt, as any animal vaccinated is prohibited from entering a few days before the flight.

Can the Alfares Pets team pick up the pet from the Cargo Village at Cairo Airport and deliver it to me?

Yes, our customs brokers handle all veterinary quarantine transactions and receive the release permit from the cargo village for cargo shipments, and receive the pet and transport it by an air-conditioned car equipped to any address you specify in Egypt immediately.

Safe and convenient home access for your pet with Alfares Pets

Your return to Egypt should be a happy and relaxed moment free from worrying about the fate of your dog or cat in the arrivals halls. With the proper arrangement of the certificate of the country of departure, the experience of passing through Cairo Airport becomes easy and lightning that takes only a few minutes.

atAlfares PetsWe stand by your side from the moment you book your ticket abroad. We review with you your country's certificates to ensure that they match, arrange for you a field reception service in the arrival hall at Cairo International Airport, and provide air-conditioned transport vehicles to transport you and your family to your door in complete peace and comfort. Reach out to us before your trip to arrange your pet's arrival with the highest levels of professionalism.

Contact Alfares Pets Animal Reception and Shipping

To arrange a Cairo Airport pickup or customs clearance for your shipment, we are happy to hear from you directly:

• WhatsApp Number: +20 102 224 2946
• E: info@alfares-pets.com
• Website alfares-pets.com