Here's what I wish someone had told me about Vanuatu: it runs a strict island quarantine and bans several dog breeds. Cooper's Pacific move only worked because the health certificate and breed check were handled months ahead. Start with the official animal health certificate and the banned-breed list, and Vanuatu becomes a long but predictable timeline to plan.
Bringing a pet to Vanuatu requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
How Vanuatu handles your pet Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
Hold & cargo policy Cargo: Crate must have/be IATA-compliant, live-animal label The animals must be transported in accordance with the recommendations for Transport of Live Animals of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal… verified 2026-07-15 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yesresults New ticket Required Documents 1 Animal health certificate from exporting country 2 Comments about requirements New tick Treatment 000 - No concession 001 - Industrial Concessio verified 2026-07-08 Microchip · Required ✓ YesNotes for official veterinarians / government-approved veterinarians At each visit for export treatment, examination and/or testing, the dog’s microchip must be scanned and confirmed as correctly recorded on all… verified 2026-07-21 Quarantine · Type post-arrival quarantine _____ Product and dose (anti -cestode) ____________________________________________________ OR (c) completed post-arrival quarantine in Australia/New Zealand on ……../……../…….within five (5) days of the date of scheduled d eparture. verified 2026-08-14 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesAfter clearance the consignment must enter quarantine as described below. 9. verified 2026-08-04 Quarantine · Duration 28 days The consignment is to remain isolated in post-entry quarantine in a BV approved aquarium facility for 28 days. verified 2026-08-13 Quarantine · Pre-approval required ✓ YesEvery person entering Vanuatu, from another country and who has any animal or animal product in his possession shall, at the port of entry, produce to a quarantine officer any documents required to be provided under the… verified 2026-08-04 Import permit · Required ✓ Yesndow Team 2 Biosecurity Vanuatu 3 Comments about contacts New ticket Results 4 expand_more expand_less Payment receipt - Biosecurity 3 Animal Product Import Permit 3 Live Animal permit 3 Animal Import Conditions 3… verified 2026-08-04 Import permit · Issuing authority Department of Biosecurity Vanuatu Contact the Department of Biosecurity Vanuatu for information regarding the importation of animals into Vanuatu from Australia. verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Issuer Official Veterinarian Each consignment must be accompanied by a Veterinary Certificate signed by an Official Veterinarian of the exporting country. verified 2026-08-14 Health certificate · Required ✓ Yest Import Permit 3 Live Animal permit 3 Animal Import Conditions 3 Comments about results New ticket Required Documents expand_more expand_less Animal health certificate from exporting country 2 Comments about… verified 2026-08-08 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ YesEach animal must be accompanied by the International Animal Health Certificate detailed in Appendix 2, attached, signed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country. verified 2026-07-15 Other vaccinations · Distemper ✓ Yesvaccinated against distemper verified 2026-07-20 Other vaccinations · Adenovirus ✓ YesVaccination against distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, heartworm, leptospirosis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2 and canine parainfluenza is recommended but not mandatory for importation… verified 2026-07-15 Other vaccinations · Parvovirus ✓ YesVaccination against distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, heartworm, leptospirosis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2 and canine parainfluenza is recommended but not mandatory fo verified 2026-07-15 Other vaccinations · Leptospirosis ✓ YesVaccination against distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, heartworm, leptospirosis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2 and canine parainfluenza is recommended but not mandatory for importation… verified 2026-07-15 Other vaccinations · Parainfluenza ✓ YesVaccination against distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, heartworm, leptospirosis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2 and canine parainfluenza is recommended but not mandatory for importation… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks vaccination must be given at 12 weeks of age or older The products in the consignment do not contain any substances harmful to human health… verified 2026-07-20 Tapeworm treatment · Required ✓ Yesregistered for the control of nematodes and cestodes. verified 2026-07-15 Tapeworm treatment · Window max hours before arrival 120 which was given within five (5) days of the scheduled date of export verified 2026-07-15 Tapeworm treatment · Window min hours before arrival 60 …indicated amount of time: 10°C - 22°C for >140 days; 35°C for 28 days; 44°C for 6 days; 50°C for 48 hours; 60°C for 8 hours; 70°C for 210 verified 2026-07-26 Other rules Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedAn import permit is required. Contact the Department of Biosecurity Vanuatu for information regarding the importation of animals into Vanuatu from Australia. verified 2026-07-15 Dangerous breeds banned ✗ YesAppendix 1 DECLARATION BY OWNER OR EXPORTER OF DOGS BEING CONSIGNED TO VANUATU I, __________________________________________________ (BLOCK LETTERS) , the owner* / exporter of the animal described as follows: Breed:… verified 2026-07-15 Breed restrictions apply ✗ YesAppendix 1 DECLARATION BY OWNER OR EXPORTER OF DOGS BEING CONSIGNED TO VANUATU I, __________________________________________________ (BLOCK LETTERS) , the owner* / exporter of the animal described as follows: Breed:… verified 2026-07-15 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Crate must have/be IATA-compliant, live-animal label The animals must be transported in accordance with the recommendations for Transport of Live Animals of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal… verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Crate must have/be live-animal label nal des Epizooties (OIE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal regulations as appropriate. The animals must be transported direct without contact with any animal not of equivalent certified… verified 2026-07-15 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yesresults New ticket Required Documents 1 Animal health certificate from exporting country 2 Comments about requirements New ticket Cost expand_more expand_less verified 2026-07-08 Import permit copy required ✓ YesEmail biosecurity@vanuatu.gov.vu Note Where an importing country issues an import permit, the exporter must ensure the animal meets any requirements in the permit. verified 2026-07-15 Government endorsed cert required ✓ YesEach animal must be accompanied by the International Animal Health Certificate detailed in Appendix 2, attached, signed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country. verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Type quarantine station …biological product or related article or may order their detention on the vessel or in a quarantine zone or quarantine station as necessary or as required under regulations or instructions; (b) a qu verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesEvery person entering Vanuatu, from another country and who has any animal or animal product in his possession shall, at the port of entry, produce to a quarantine officer any documents required to be provided under the… verified 2026-08-04 Quarantine · Pre-approval required ✓ Yesproduct in his possession shall, at the port of entry, produce to a quarantine officer any documents required to be provided under the conditions of the provisional import permit (1) Any person who intends to import or… verified 2026-07-20 Import permit · Required ✓ Yesndow Team 2 Biosecurity Vanuatu 3 Comments about contacts New ticket Results 4 expand_more expand_less Payment receipt - Biosecurity 3 Animal Product Import Permit 3 Live Animal permit 3 Animal Import Conditions 3… verified 2026-08-04 Import permit · Issuing authority Department of Biosecurity Vanuatu Contact the Department of Biosecurity Vanuatu for information regarding the importation of animals into Vanuatu from Australia. verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Issuer an Official Veterinarian Each consignment must be accompanied by a Veterinary Certificate signed by an Official Veterinarian of the exporting country. verified 2026-08-14 Health certificate · Required ✓ Yest Import Permit 3 Live Animal permit 3 Animal Import Conditions 3 Comments about results New ticket Required Documents expand_more expand_less Animal health certificate from exporting country 2 Comments about… verified 2026-08-08 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ YesEach consignment must be accompanied by a Veterinary Certificate signed by an Official Veterinarian of the exporting country. verified 2026-08-04 Other vaccinations · Feline calicivirus ✓ Yesvaccinated against feline calicivirus verified 2026-07-20 Other vaccinations · Feline herpesvirus ✓ YesThe cat described above was: (a) vaccinated against feline panleucopenia virus on: ..................................................... (Date) AND (b) vaccinated against feline calcivirus and feline herpesvirus 1 on:… verified 2026-08-13 Other vaccinations · Feline panleukopenia ✓ YesThe cat described above was: (a) vaccinated against feline panleucopenia virus on: ..................................................... (Date) AND (b) vaccinated against feline calcivirus and feline herpesvirus 1 on:… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ Yesst 14 days and not more than twelve months prior to export. The minimum period of 14 days does not apply in the case of revaccination Health requirements Health certificate Appendix 2 INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH… verified 2026-08-15 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks vaccination must be given at 12 weeks of age or older verified 2026-07-20 Other rules Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedAn import permit is required. Contact the Department of Biosecurity Vanuatu for information regarding the importation of animals into Vanuatu from Australia. verified 2026-07-15
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day 0 arrive at customs
Breed restrictions
Banned breeds: Pit bull terrier verified 2026-08-13
Vanuatu requires each animal to be accompanied by the International Animal Health Certificate, signed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country. Have the certificate completed and officially signed before travel, and confirm it matches the appendix format the authority specifies. An unsigned or non-official certificate is not accepted at the Vanuatu border.
Vanuatu bans several dog breeds, including the Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario, and Japanese Tosa. Confirm the dog is none of these before booking, since a banned breed is refused at entry. Owners of similar-looking mixed breeds should carry a veterinary breed statement to prevent a dispute.
Frequently asked
Does my pet need a microchip for Vanuatu? Yes. Vanuatu requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid. What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
The consignment must remain isolated in post-entry quarantine at an approved facility for 28 days. Budget for those 28 days of facility boarding and veterinary observation, and request current rates before booking. Confirm the facility's approval status in advance, since only an approved quarantine site satisfies the requirement and avoids a costly re-arrangement.
Vanuatu is a long game: the endorsed health certificate, the banned-breed check, and a 28-day quarantine all need early handling. Start months ahead and it stays under control. Put your dates into a Pawgo plan and let the personalized plan schedule the certificate, breed check, and 28-day quarantine so the timeline holds together before departure.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
