Import of dogs, cats or ferrets

There are common requirements for import of dogs, cats and ferrets within the EU and from certain third countries in close relation with the EU. In this text, those countries are called EU-related countries. A list of the EU-countries and the EU-related countries is found to the right.

Please observe that special requirements apply for import of dogs, cats and ferrets from Norway to Sweden. Norwegian dogs, cats and ferrets need to be ID-marked and have an EU-passport. There is no need for a vaccination against rabies or any special documents. Therefore, there is no lower age limit for when dogs, cats and ferrets which are born in Norway can be brought to Sweden.

The trade requirements described below apply to

• Animals with the purpose of being sold or brought to a new owner. As long as the animal moves to reach its new owner, the requirements of trade apply. This is regardless of whether the transaction has been performed or not.
• Animals which travel to the same destination as the owner but cannot travel within 5 days before or after the owner. Independent of whether this movement is conducted through a handling agent or as freight.
• Groups of more than five animals which are not going to take part in shows, competitions or sports events, or train for such events, or are less than six months old.

1. The animal must be ID-marked

You must start with having the animal ID-marked with an ISO-microchip.  However, if your animals was tattooed before 3 July 2011, it does not need to be microchipped.

If the animal is checked at the border and the ID-number cannot be read, the animal may be rejected.

2. The animal must have a valid vaccination against rabies

Primary vaccination

The animal must have a valid vaccination against rabies. The very first vaccination which builds up the defence is called a primary vaccination and consists of one or two shots. The animal must be ID-marked and at least twelve weeks old to have its primary vaccination. You must use an approved rabies vaccine.

After the primary vaccination you must wait 21 days before you are allowed to travel with your animal.

Example: Vaccination with one shot on 1 January = the animal may travel on 22 January.
Example: Vaccination with two shots on 1 January and 1 February = the animal may travel on 22 February.

Revaccination

If you want to travel more than once with your animal, you will need to revaccinate your animal regularly. How often your animal needs to be revaccinated varies between the vaccine brand and how it is registered in different countries. When the animal is vaccinated, the veterinarian fills in the data in the passport and notes the validity time registered in the country where the vaccination is given. You must follow the revaccination intervals registered in the passport, which means you must have the animal revaccinated at the latest on the last date of validity stated in the passport. If the animal is vaccinated within the validity period, the waiting period of 21 days between vaccination and travel does not apply.

Delayed revaccination

If an animal is revaccinated after last validity date of the latest rabies vaccination, the revaccination will be equal to a primary vaccination. In this case a new waiting period of 21 days applies before the animal is allowed to travel again.

3. The animal must have an EU-passport

The animal must have an EU-passport where the veterinarian notes the microchip number and the rabies vaccination.

4. The animal must be examined and have a trade certificate from TRACES

Clinical examination

The animal must be examined by an authorised veterinarian within 48 hours before dispatch. The most convenient solutions is to ask an official veterinarian to both examine the animal and issue the trade certificate at the same time.

Trade certificate from TRACES or on form E9.206 (or an equal form)

You need to get an official veterinarian to check the data in the EU passport and notify the transport of the animal in the TRACES system. During this procedure, a trade certificate is created and printed from the TRACES notification system. An official veterinarian is a veterinarian appointed by the government to issue export certificates. If the veterinarian prefers to issue the certificate separately, form E9.206 or an equivalent form must be used. The form can be ordered via the link to the right.

If the exporting country does not accept forms from other countries, the country may create its own certificate from the template available in the EU decision. Contact the Swedish Board of Agriculture's Customer Service and you will get a link to the relevant decision via email.

The certificate is valid for ten days.

5. The animal must be reported to customs when passing the border

The animal must enter Sweden at a customs station, where you must report to a customs officer that you are bringing a pet animal.

When the animal is in Sweden

If you buy a dog from another EU country or a third country with a close relation to EU you must remember to register your dog in the in the dog register of the Swedish Board of Agriculture at the latest four weeks after import.

If you buy an animal that has been brought in from another country, the import documents that are mentioned on these pages should accompany the animal. You should therefore be given all the necessary original documents at the same time as the ownership and the responsibility of the animal is transferred to you. This is important to be able to show that the animal has been brought into Sweden according to legislation, among other things.