Import of dogs, cats and ferrets

Dogs, cats and ferrets may only be imported from listed third countries and territories.

In Annex VIII of regulation 2021/404 you may find the table of listed on countries and territories regarding dogs, cats and ferrets.

The table in Annex VIII is divided into columns, which it is important to know the meaning of.

Columns 1 and 2 provide information about the country or territory in question from which dogs, cats and ferrets can be imported.

Column 5 is important in relation to the animal health requirements and is therefore described in more detail below.

Columns 7 and 8 may be relevant. It concerns whether a country has been temporarily suspended and later re-approved to be listed. If there is a date in column 7, but not a date in column 8, dogs, cats or ferrets cannot be imported from the country.

About Switzerland

Switzerland is listed in the table of Annex VIII. However, Switzerland is not considered a third country in relation to the movement of dogs, cats and ferrets.

For movement of dogs, cats and ferrets to or from Switzerland, please refer to the pages on movement within the EU:

Go to Movement of dogs, cats and ferrets within the EU

Import of dogs, cats or ferrets is allowed if the animals are being dispatched from their establishment of origin to the EU without passing through other establishments, before they arrive at their place of destination.

Assembly centers and animal shelters for dogs, cats and ferrets

Consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets from more than one establishment of origin may be imported into the EU if the animals in the consignment have been subjected to a single assembly in the third country or territory or zone of origin and if the following conditions are met:

• The assembly took place at an approved and listed establishment (assembly center).
• The assembly at the assembly center lasted no longer than six days.
  • If there is a requirement for samples for testing prior to dispatch to the EU, the stay at the assembly center can be extended by the time frame required by the testing.
• The animals must have arrived in the EU within a period of ten days from the date of dispatch from the establishment of origin.

Likewise, the import into the EU of consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets is permitted if the consignment is sent from an animal shelter that is approved in the third country or territory of origin and entered on a list.

Lists of approved companies in third countries can be found in the Commission's TRACES system.

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be individually identified with an injectable transponder (microchip), prior to the import to the EU.

Rabies vaccination

Dog, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies:

• They must be at least 12 weeks at the time of vaccination.
• On the day of dispatch to Denmark at least 21 days must have passed since the end of the primary vaccination against rabies.
• A certified copy of the vaccination information must be attached to the animal health certificate accompanying the consignment.

Additional requirements for rabies antibody titration testing

If in column V of the table of countries in Annex VIII of EU Regulation 2021/404 next to the third country or territory is stated 'rabies antibody titration test', the animals must, in addition to the rabies vaccination, also have undergone a rabies antibody titration test before they may be imported into Denmark.

The blood sample is taken during a period starting at least 30 days after the date of the primary vaccination, within an ongoing valid vaccination series, and ending 3 months before the health certificate is issued.

The sample must have been tested at an EU-approved laboratory:

Find an approved laboratory

The result must be at least 0,5 IU/ml.

Inspection prior to loading for dispatch

Consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets must be subject to a clinical inspection carried out by an official veterinarian in the country of origin within a period of 48 hours prior to the time of loading for dispatch to the EU.

Exception for dogs, cats and ferrets intended for a confined establishments or quarantine establishments

As an exception, the importation of consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets intended for a confined establishments or approved quarantine establishments and which do not meet the requirements regarding, for example, vaccination against rabies, is permitted, provided that such consignments are intended for direct import either to a confined establishments or approved quarantine establishments in the Member State of destination.

Consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets must be accompanied by an animal health certificate when imported from the third country or territory.

It is model CANIS-FELIS-FERRET, which must be used. It is found in Regulation 2021/403. In Regulation 2020/2235, there are instructions on how it must be completed.

The certificate must be issued by an official veterinarian of the country of dispatch.

Certified copies of documentation for identification, vaccination against rabies, as well as other animal health requirements, e.g. rabies antibody titration test, must be attached to the certificate.

Consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets that are imported from third countries and are destined for a confined establishment in Danmark must remain at that confined establishment for a period of at least 60 days after the date of their import into the Union.

Consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets destined for direct import into an approved quarantine establishment must remain at that establishment for at least six months from the date of their arrival in case of non-compliance with the requirements for rabies virus vaccination.