Vanuatu is one of those destinations where the quarantine requirement catches people off guard, so let's get you ahead of it. Cooper has taught me that the earlier you map out the timeline, the calmer the whole move feels. Vanuatu asks arriving dogs to complete a supervised isolation period after landing, and that shapes everything before it. Start here, work backward, and you'll walk in prepared instead of scrambling at the last minute.
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. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
Health & documents
Other rules
The health certificate for Vanuatu is not a standard vet form. Each animal must travel with the International Animal Health Certificate from Appendix 2, signed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country. Book an appointment with a government-authorized official vet, not just any clinic. Confirm the vet holds official endorsement authority before the visit. Bring the exact Appendix 2 template so it is completed correctly.
Vanuatu bans specific breeds from entry. The prohibited list includes the Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario, and Japanese Tosa. Check whether any of these breeds appear in the dog's documented lineage before booking travel. Dogs matching a banned breed will be refused entry. Verify breed identification on paperwork matches what authorities will accept at arrival.
Frequently asked
- 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.
Vanuatu requires 28 days of post-entry quarantine at a BV approved facility. The consignment stays isolated for the full period after arrival. Budget for 28 days of facility fees when planning the move. Reserve a place at an approved facility ahead of departure. Add these 28 days to the arrival timeline so onward plans account for the isolation window.
Moving to Vanuatu takes patience, but thousands of dogs have made this exact trip and settled in happily on the other side. Break it into steps, tackle one requirement at a time, and lean on people who've done it before. When you're ready to map the real dates and paperwork for your own dog, build a personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder. It turns this long checklist into a clear, dated path you can actually follow.
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.