Changes in import rules for dogs and cats from 1 January 2012
Below you will find information concerning the changes which will be adopted 1 January 2012 concerning import of dogs and cats from outside EU and all travels with dogs and cats within the EU. The changes are listed according to country of export. A list of countries is found to the right.
The quarantine system will be replaced by rabies vaccination in combination with rabies antibody titre control, but please observe that the time for antibody control differs from the one used previously in Sweden for pets from EU. The waiting period between vaccination and antibody titre control will instead be placed after the antibody titre control, i.e between the control and import.
There are animals from non-listed countries outside the EU who already before 1 January 2012 comply with the new rules concerning id-marking, rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titre control. These animals may be brought to an official/authorised veterinarian on 1 January to get the veterinary certificate issued.
Basic changes: antibody titre control, deworming and quarantine
Import from EU member states and from listed countries outside the EU
- The demand for antibody titre control is abolished. The dog or cat must not be vaccinated against rabies until it is 3 months (90 days or 13 weeks) old, and it must not travel until 21 days have passed since the vaccination. Thus, you can import the animal when it is around 4 months old.
- The demand for deworming is abolished.
Import from non-listed countries outside the EU
The quarantine system will be replaced by rabies vaccination in combination with rabies antibody titre control, but please observe that the time for antibody control differs from the one used previously in Sweden for pets from EU. The waiting period between vaccination and antibody titre control will instead be placed after the antibody titre control, i.e between the control and import.
- The quarantine demand will be replaced by the following: microchip id-marking (or tattoo applied before 3 July 2011) + rabies vaccination + rabies antibody titre control (blood for titre control may be drawn in the period from 30 days after vaccination until last date of validity for the rabies vaccination) + a further minimum 90 days wait after the date of drawing blood for rabies antibody titre control + veterinary certificate issued by an official/authorised veterinarian.
- The demand for deworming is abolished.
Animals from non-listed countries outside the EU who comply with the new rules before 1 January 2012
There are animals from non-listed countries outside the EU who already before 1 January 2012 comply with the new rules concerning id-marking, rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titre control. These animals may be brought to an official/authorised veterinarian on 1 January to get the veterinary certificate issued.
Example 1: A Swedish dog has been id-marked, vaccinated against rabies in Sweden on 20 January 2011 (when being 3 months old), and has an approved rabies antibody titre in a sample drawn on 25 May 2011 and a passport. It complies with the old Swedish demands for dogs from EU member states. It then travels to China in October.
On 1 January 2012, this dog may travel to Sweden from China or any other non-listed country.
Example 2:
A Thai cat has been id-marked, vaccinated against rabies on 20 August 2011 (when being 3 months old) and has an approved rabies antibody titre in a sample drawn on 25 September 2011.
A Thai cat has been id-marked, vaccinated against rabies on 20 August 2011 (when being 3 months old) and has an approved rabies antibody titre in a sample drawn on 25 September 2011.
On 1 January 2012, more than 90 days have passed since the blood test for antibody control was drawn, and the cat can thus be brought to a thai official/authorised export veterinarian to have a veterinary certificate issued. It may then travel to Sweden.
Example 3:
A Swedish dog has been id-marked, vaccinated against rabies in Sweden on 12 November 2011 (when being 3 months old), and has an approved rabies antibody titre in a sample drawn on 12 December 2011 and a passport. It then travels to India.
A Swedish dog has been id-marked, vaccinated against rabies in Sweden on 12 November 2011 (when being 3 months old), and has an approved rabies antibody titre in a sample drawn on 12 December 2011 and a passport. It then travels to India.
On 1 January 2012, this dog may travel back to Sweden as the minimum 90 days wait does not apply for animals that have been prepared in an EU member state. A veterinary certificate is not needed as the dog has a passport.
Last updated: 2011-10-28
