IMPORTATION OF ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS INTO THE RSA

Application for a permit

• Application for a permit must be completed at least 30 days prior to intended date of importation and be sent to the Director Veterinary Services either by ordinary mail or by fax:
  
  The Director Veterinary Services
  Private Bag x 138
  Pretoria
  0001
  Fax number +27 (0) 12 329 8292

The application form can be obtained from the permit office at telephone number +27 (0) 12 319 7414/7514/7415

The importer should make sure that the exporter is advised of the relevant conditions of import so that they can comply with them. This can be done by asking for a specimen copy of the permit from the permit office.

Importation of animals and animal products

In terms of the Animal Disease Act, 1984, a veterinary import permit is required for the importation of all animals and animal derived products as well as any infectious and contagious thing. Applications should be submitted as prescribed above.

The importer should be in possession of a South African Veterinary Permit before the animals or the products are shipped from the exporting country.

An original Veterinary Health Certificate completed in English and satisfying all the conditions stipulated on the South African Permit must be obtained from the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country before the animal or products are shipped.

In-transit movement of animals or animal products

All parties wishing to move animals and animal products in-transit through the RSA must be in possession of an in-transit permit which is obtainable from the permit office and the application form must be completed and returned to the Director Veterinary Services either by mail or by fax. On application for the transit permit a copy of the permit from the importing country should accompany the application form. If the animals or products are in-transit by road or rail all our import requirements should be complied with before the animals or products are released. If in-transit by air and the animal or products do not leave the international ground complying with our requirements will not be necessary.

Quarantine.

Horses, birds, cattle, sheep and goats from countries overseas, dogs from certain countries overseas(1) and Mozambique; cattle, sheep and goats from some neighbouring countries(1) have to go into the official quarantine station.

• Kempton Park Quarantine Station
  Mudfish Drive no. 3
  Bonaero Park
  Extension 3
  Tel. No. (011) 973-2827
  
  
• Durban Quarantine Station
  18 Stanger Street
  Durban
  Tel. No. (031) 337-4346
  
  
• Milnerton Quarantine Station
  Bosmandam Road
  Sanddrift
  Milnerton
  Tel. No. (021) 551-2050

In cases where quarantine is required the Quarantine Officer will arrange the reservation for accommodation at the Quarantine Station and must complete the applicable part of the application form.

An Indemnity Declaration (in respect of imported animals or birds undergoing quarantine) must also be completed and attached to the application form. This Indemnity Declaration can also be obtained from the Permit Office.

There are private quarantine facilities(2) which are authorised to quarantine birds, reptiles and game imported into the country. If the importer wants to use any of these facilities the applicable part of the application form should be completed by the State Veterinarian of the area.

Registration by Livestock Improvement

Written authorisation by the Registrar of Livestock Improvement, Private Bag x 250, Pretoria, 0001, is required in terms of the Livestock Improvement Act, 1977, for the importation of animals and animal products of genetic or reproductive value, viz. semen, embryos, eggs etc.

• Please phone the permit office or one of the quarantine stations to check if you need to put the animals into quarantine.
• A list of these can be obtained from the permit office

APPLICATION FORM TO IMPORT ANIMALS OR ANIMAL PRODUCTS INTO THE RSA (NOT SUBJECT TO QUARANTINE)

PERSONAL DETAILS

• Name and Surname:
• Postal Address & tel. number:
• Postal code:

IMPORT DETAILS

• The number of and /or species and /or class of animals/ animal products sought to be imported
• The country and port of origin.
• The port or airport or place from which the animal/products will be loaded.
• The port, airport or place in the Republic through which the animals/products will be imported.
• Purpose for which the animals/products are to be imported.
• Full address of immediate destination in the Republic after off-loading.
• The date of embarkation of the animals/products for the Republic - month and year.

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