About
What you should do
How long does it take
How much does it cost
Forms to complete
Who to contact
Apply to import live animals, poultry and genetic material
If you want to import live animals, poultry and genetic materials such as semen and embryos into South Africa you must apply for a permit from the Registrar: Animal Improvement 30 days before the intended date of import.
You must also apply for a veterinary certificate from the Director: Animal Health.
What you should do
- Complete the following application forms:
- Application for the importation of animals and genetic material
- Application for the importation of poultry/eggs.
- To import an animal, you must do the following:
- Get a certificate from a recognised registrar in the country from which you will be importing the animal. The certificate must indicate the DNA blood type of the animal and the animal profile. Should you fail to get this certificate, you will be liable to take the imported animal for DNA testing in South Africa. You must test it within 30 days of its arrival South Africa.
- Get approval from the relevant South African Breeders' Society.
- Attach the DNA certificate to the approval form (if you were able to get a certificate).
- To import an embryo, you must do the following:
- Contact a recognised registrar in the country from which you intend to import.
- The registrar must give you a DNA certificate for the animal that was used for the fertilisation of that embryo. You cannot test the embryo in South Africa.
- Get approval from the relevant South African Breeders' Society.
- Attach the DNA certificate to the approval form.
- To import genetic material, you must do the following:
- Hire a genetic material import agent to collect, label and mark the genetic material you want to import.
- Contact a recognised registrar in the country from which you want to import.
- The registrar must give you a DNA certificate and full details of each animal from which the genetic material was obtained. You cannot test the genetic material in South Africa.
- Attach the DNA certificate.
- Approval from the relevant South African Breeders' Society.
- To import poultry or fertile eggs, you must do the following:
- Write a letter of motivation to the Director: Veterinary Services.
- Your letter must state reasons why you want to import eggs and poultry into South Africa.
- Contact the foreign supplier from which you intend buying the poultry or eggs.
- The foreign supplier must give you a certificate for the poultry or eggs confirming their generation status.
- Attach the letter of motivation and the certificate from the foreign supplier.
- If you are paying by cheque or postal orders, make it payable to the Director-General: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
- Payment can also be made at the offices of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (see the address below).
- Reference must be the importer's name and surname.
- In cases where you are applying for someone else, please make sure that you pay in the name of that person or the company's name.
- The Directorate: Animal Improvement will process your application and forward your import permit to the Director: Animal Health.
- Apply for a veterinary certificate from the Director: Animal Health, who can be reached at tel. (012) 319 7514.
- You have to present both permits to the Veterinary Officer at the port of entry, together with the original veterinary health certificate issued by the exporting country.
No application will be processed without proof of payment.
Note: From the port of entry, the poultry and eggs will be transported under the supervision of a veterinarian or in a vehicle sealed by a state veterinarian.
How long does it take
It will take 30 days to process your application.
How much does it cost
Forms to complete
Application for the importation of animals and genetic material
Who to contact
National office
Tel: 012 319 7424/34
Fax: 012 319 7570/7425
City/town: Pretoria
Province: Gauteng
Physical address: Delpen Building, Cnr Annie Botha Avenue and Union Street, Riviera, Pretoria.
Postal address: The Registrar: Animal Improvement, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001.
