Pet Relocation to Vanuatu

Who can bring a pet?

Apply to Biosecurity Vanuatu before arranging transport. The import permit is provisional and can be changed or cancelled if the source-country disease status changes. Confirm that a personal dog or cat from Indonesia is eligible and ask for the current permit conditions before paying for a flight.

Microchip

The published animal-import regulations do not give a universal microchip rule in the dog and cat clauses. Ask Biosecurity whether a chip is required for this permit and have any identification number recorded consistently on the official health certificate and airline documents.

Rabies vaccination

The published regulation requires the dog or cat to show no clinical sign of rabies at shipment and to have been kept since birth or for the preceding six months in the exporting country, where rabies was not officially reported during the previous two years. Confirm how Biosecurity applies this condition to Indonesia today.

Rabies titre test

The cited Vanuatu dog and cat clauses do not state a routine rabies titre threshold. Do not assume a titre can replace the required country-status attestation. Ask Biosecurity whether a test or additional certificate is now required for Indonesia.

Import permit

A live-animal import permit is required. Biosecurity’s published fee schedule lists a personal live-animal import permit fee, but verify the current fee and application process directly. The authority may add testing, treatment, quarantine or re-export conditions to the permit.

Government documents

The regulation requires an international animal health certificate. For dogs it records a veterinary exam within 24 hours of shipment, core vaccines given one to three months before shipping, parasite treatments within three days and the rabies/country-status attestation. Cats have their own clause; get the current certificate model from Biosecurity. Separately, when a pet actually leaves Indonesia, Barantin asks the sender to report the export through PTK Online and provide destination-required veterinary documents, vaccination records and, for dogs and cats, a protective rabies titre result. The pet is then presented at a designated exit point for quarantine inspection; an Animal Health Certificate is issued if requirements are met. If the final export is from a third country, use that country’s export certificate instead.

Quarantine and arrival inspection

Animals can remain under quarantine control until a Permit to Land or Quarantine Release is issued. The authority may require tests, treatment or detention, and the importer pays associated costs. Confirm the facility, expected period and release procedure in the written permit.

Airline requirements

There may be limited flight options and onward island transport. Confirm the exact port, arrival date, live-animal acceptance and Biosecurity inspection availability. Do not ship until the provisional permit is issued and the carrier confirms every leg.

Travel crate

The airline must accept a live-animal crate suitable for the pet and route. It should permit natural standing, turning and lying, with secure closure, ventilation and water. Check connection handling and any onward vessel transfer with the carrier and Biosecurity.

Timeline

The published dog clause includes a veterinary exam within 24 hours of shipment, core vaccinations one to three months before shipment and parasite treatments within three days. Add the permit decision, any current testing or quarantine requirements, official export certification and flight availability.

Cost factors

Expect permit and inspection charges, vet vaccines and treatments, export certificate, air freight, crate, handling, quarantine or testing if ordered and onward island transport. Vanuatu’s fee page lists separate live-animal personal import and post-entry quarantine fees; request the current total from Biosecurity.

Frequently asked questions

Can I send my pet to Vanuatu without an import permit?

No. Biosecurity Vanuatu requires a live-animal import permit, and the conditions may change before arrival.

Does Vanuatu require a rabies titre test?

The cited regulation does not state a routine titre threshold. Ask Biosecurity whether Indonesia’s current disease status requires a test or extra certificate.

How recent must the health examination be?

The published dog clause says a veterinary examination within 24 hours of shipment. Confirm the current certificate and timing for your pet in the permit.

Official sources

Checked against the linked official sources on 24 October 2026. Rules can change; verify again before preparing your pet.

Pet relocation from Indonesia to Vanuatu