Bringing Your Pet to Reunion: The Complete Import Guide

Hey, I'm Marco. I've flown with my 6kg French Bulldog Mochi to 12 countries across three continents, and I've learned the hard way that every destination has its own quirks. Reunion is no exception. Here's what you need to know to get your cat or dog there smoothly — and what nobody tells you until it's too late.

Quick Answer: Can You Bring Your Pet to Reunion?

Yes, both cats and dogs are allowed into Reunion as personal pets. But "allowed" doesn't mean "easy." You'll need proper documentation, vaccinations, and a microchip. The good news? If you follow the rules, there's no quarantine. The bad news? There are breed restrictions for dogs, and the paperwork timeline is tight.

The Breed Restriction Reality Check

Here's where I wish someone had told me this upfront: Reunion bans certain dog breeds outright. The banned breeds are:

  • Pit Bull (Category 1)
  • Boerbull (Category 1)
  • Tosa (Category 1)

If your dog is one of these breeds, Reunion will not let them in — period. No exceptions, no workarounds. Mochi is a French Bulldog, so we're safe, but I've seen travelers get to the airport only to discover their dog is banned. Check your dog's breed classification now, before you book anything. If you have a mixed breed, get written confirmation from your vet about the breed composition.

Cats have no breed restrictions in Reunion.

Your Preparation Timeline

6 Months Before Departure

Schedule a pre-travel vet consultation. Your vet needs to assess your pet's health and confirm they're fit to travel. This is also when you'll discuss vaccination timing and any breed documentation you might need. Don't skip this — airlines and customs won't accept a pet that looks unwell.

5 Months Before Departure

Get your pet microchipped if they aren't already. Reunion requires an ISO 11784/11785 microchip (the 15-digit international standard). If your pet has an older, non-ISO chip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner — which is a nightmare. Get the ISO standard chip now. The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination, so don't delay this step.

4 Months Before Departure

Administer the first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old. After this shot, you must wait 21 days before traveling — that's the industry standard waiting period. Mark this date on your calendar. Mochi's first rabies shot was the hardest part of the timeline to manage because I kept forgetting the 21-day countdown.

3 Months Before Departure

Confirm your pet's rabies vaccination is current and booster-eligible. Most pets need a rabies booster. Check with your vet about the booster schedule for your specific vaccine. This is also a good time to verify that Reunion doesn't require a titer test — we're still verifying this with Reunion's government veterinary authority, but most countries don't require one unless they're rabies-free (which Reunion is not).

2 Months Before Departure

Check if you need an import permit. We're still verifying whether Reunion requires one — contact Reunion's government veterinary authority directly. If a permit is required, the typical lead time is 30 days, so apply immediately. Better to apply and not need it than to miss the deadline.

1 Month Before Departure

Schedule your health certificate exam with your vet. The health certificate is valid for only 10 days, so you need to time this carefully. Book your appointment for 5–7 days before your flight, not earlier. The certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian and then endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS if you're in the US). This endorsement step takes extra time — sometimes 3–5 business days — so factor that in.

2 Weeks Before Departure

Confirm all documents are in order and get government endorsement of your health certificate. You should have your microchip number, vaccination records, and import permit (if required) ready to present. Double-check that your health certificate will still be valid on your travel date. I once had a certificate expire the day after my flight — talk about cutting it close.

1 Week Before Departure

Notify your airline that you're traveling with a pet. Most airlines require 48 hours advance notice. If you're flying with a service dog, give even more notice. Confirm your pet's carrier meets airline requirements and that your pet is comfortable in it. Mochi gets anxious in her carrier, so I started acclimating her weeks in advance.

Day of Departure

Bring all original documents in a folder you can access quickly. You'll need your pet's microchip number, vaccination records, health certificate, and import permit (if applicable). Have these ready for customs inspection. Don't pack them in checked luggage.

Documents Checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip (implanted before first rabies vaccination)
  • Current rabies vaccination certificate (booster if required)
  • Health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian
  • Government endorsement of the health certificate (from your country's veterinary authority)
  • Import permit (if required by Reunion — verify this)
  • Microchip registration paperwork with your contact details
  • Proof of microchip implantation date (must precede vaccination)
  • Airline pet travel form (if required by your carrier)

The Health Certificate: The Document That Trips Everyone Up

Here's what nobody tells you: the health certificate is not just a piece of paper your vet signs. It has to be endorsed by your government's veterinary authority after your vet issues it. In the US, that's USDA APHIS. In the UK, it's APHA. In Canada, it's CFIA. This endorsement step can take 3–5 business days, and you can't travel without it.

The certificate is valid for only 10 days from the date of issue. So if you get it endorsed on a Monday, you must travel by the following Monday. I learned this the hard way when my vet issued Mochi's certificate on a Friday, the government office was closed Saturday and Sunday, and by the time they endorsed it on Monday, I only had 6 days left. Stressful.

Pro tip: Schedule your vet exam for a Tuesday or Wednesday, not a Friday. This gives you the best chance of getting the government endorsement before the 10-day window closes.

Microchip Requirements: The Non-Negotiable Detail

Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip. This is the 15-digit international standard. If your pet has an older microchip that's not ISO-compliant, you have two options: get a new ISO chip implanted, or provide your own compatible scanner at customs. The first option is easier.

Critical timing rule: The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination. This is non-negotiable. If you vaccinate first and microchip second, your documentation will be rejected. I've seen this happen, and it's a nightmare to fix.

Rabies Vaccination: The 21-Day Waiting Period

After your pet receives their first rabies vaccination, you must wait 21 days before traveling. This is the industry standard. Your pet must also be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. If your pet is younger than 12 weeks, you'll need to delay the vaccination until they're old enough.

Mochi was vaccinated on a Tuesday, so I couldn't travel until the following Tuesday at the earliest. I booked my flight for the Wednesday after that, just to be safe. Don't try to game this timeline — customs will check the vaccination date against your travel date.

Quarantine: The Good News

If you have all your documentation in order — microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and government endorsement — Reunion does not require quarantine. You can take your pet straight home. This is huge. Some countries quarantine for 30 days or more, but Reunion doesn't, as long as you're compliant.

If your documentation is incomplete or invalid, quarantine may be required. We're still verifying the specific quarantine duration and facility requirements with Reunion's authorities, but the takeaway is: get your paperwork right, and you avoid quarantine entirely.

Import Permits: Still Verifying

We're still verifying whether Reunion requires an import permit for personal pets. Contact Reunion's government veterinary authority directly to confirm. If a permit is required, the typical lead time is 30 days. If it's not required, you've saved yourself a step. Either way, ask now, not two weeks before your flight.

Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals

If you have a trained service dog (guide dog, hearing dog, mobility dog), Reunion likely recognizes it. However, service dog status does not waive import documentation or quarantine requirements. Your service dog still needs a microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and government endorsement. You should also notify your airline at least 48 hours in advance.

Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not recognized for travel purposes by most countries, including Reunion. If your pet is an ESA, they'll be treated as a regular pet for import purposes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Microchipping after vaccination: Microchip first, vaccinate second. Always.
  • Getting the health certificate too early: It's only valid for 10 days. Schedule your vet exam for 5–7 days before departure, not earlier.
  • Forgetting the government endorsement step: Your vet signs the certificate, but the government has to endorse it. These are two separate steps. Budget 3–5 business days for endorsement.
  • Not checking breed restrictions: If your dog is a Pit Bull, Boerbull, or Tosa, Reunion will not let them in. Verify this before booking your flight.
  • Traveling with an expired rabies vaccination: The vaccination must be current. If it expired last month, you need a booster before traveling.
  • Not notifying the airline: Airlines require 48 hours advance notice for pet travel. Call them, don't assume they know.
  • Packing documents in checked luggage: Keep your pet's documents in your carry-on. You'll need them for customs inspection.
  • Assuming all vets know international pet travel rules: Some vets are great at this; others have no idea. Ask your vet if they've done international pet travel before. If they haven't, find one who has.

Brachycephalic Breeds: A Special Note for Flat-Faced Dogs

Mochi is a French Bulldog, which is a brachycephalic breed (flat-faced). If you have a brachycephalic dog, read our brachycephalic breed flying guide before booking your flight. Many airlines have restrictions on brachycephalic breeds due to heat and oxygen sensitivity. Some airlines won't fly them at all during summer months. This is separate from import requirements, but it's critical for your pet's safety.

Airline-Specific Requirements

Different airlines have different pet policies. If you're flying Air France or another carrier to Reunion, check their specific pet travel requirements. Some airlines require a pet health certificate from the airline itself, in addition to the government health certificate. Some have size or breed restrictions. Some require a pet carrier that meets specific dimensions. Don't assume all airlines follow the same rules.

Final Checklist Before You Travel

  • Microchip implanted and registered (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
  • Rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before departure
  • Health certificate issued by a licensed vet and endorsed by your government's veterinary authority
  • Import permit obtained (if required)
  • All documents in your carry-on, not checked luggage
  • Airline notified 48 hours in advance
  • Pet carrier airline-approved and pet acclimated to it
  • Breed verified as not banned in Reunion
  • Health certificate still valid on travel date (within 10 days of issue)

What We're Still Verifying

We're still verifying the following with Reunion's government veterinary authority:

  • Whether an import permit is required for personal pets
  • Specific quarantine duration and facility requirements (if documentation is incomplete)
  • Whether a rabies titer test is required
  • Specific approved ports of entry
  • Flea, tick, or internal parasite treatment requirements

Contact Reunion's government veterinary authority directly to confirm these details. Don't rely on assumptions or outdated information.

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This guide is based on verified data from official government sources and industry standards. Requirements change, so always confirm with Reunion's government veterinary authority before traveling.

Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 22, 2026