Federal veterinary office FVO
Federal veterinary office FVO
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Dogs, cats, ferrets from third countries (pets)
Pets are animals which are kept out of interest in the animals or as household companions. They accompany their owners or persons acting on behalf of the owners. Pets are not to be sold or passed on to new owners.
Commercial imports can not be done by travellers.
You want to bring along your dog or cat for holidays abroad? Before you leave you have to make some arrangements regarding identification (chipping), rabies vaccinations and pet ID. An online tool of the Swiss federal veterinary office gives you all the help you need.
Basic principles of bringing dogs, cats and ferrets as pets into Switzerland
The following document provides the essential information about how to bring dogs, cats and ferrets as pets from third countries into Switzerland. It also refers to complementary pages of the FVO Website and further documents. It is recommended to study the document carefully.
Travelling with pets - dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries
Last modification: 20.02.2012 | Size: 128 kb | Type: PDF
Last modification: 20.02.2012 | Size: 128 kb | Type: PDF
Inspection on entry into the country
The inspection is usually carried out by Customs.
If the animals do not meet the conditions for imports or cannot present all the documents needed, the animals are sent for further investigation to the border veterinary inspection office in the freight area of the airport.
The animals are transported to the freight area in Zurich by a private company, and the importer is billed for the transport. At present it costs a further CHF 130.--.
The required inspection of the animals is only carried out during the normal opening hours of the inspection office concerned (for opening hours of the Border Veterinary Service, see box "Further information > List of Swiss border inspection posts). In the case of arrivals outside these times, the animals are taken to the animal room of the inspection office and not checked until the next working day.
Imports of dogs with docked ears and / or cropped tail are prohibited
Limited numbers coming from third countries
Who brings along 6 or more cats, dogs and ferrets or other pets is no longer considered as travelling with pets but as commercial importer. Conditions see:
Importation of pets travelling alone and thus unaccompanied as air freight
In case a pet (dog, cat, ferret) cannot travel accompanied, it is possible to import it as air freight. Then other conditions have to be fulfilled.
Rabies
The list of countries "rabies" indicates, which third countries are:
- Countries with low risks of rabies or
- Rabies risk countries
What has to be done regarding rabies vaccinations is described in detail in the document "Travelling with pets - dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries".
List of countries "rabies" - as at 16.02.2012
Last modification: 16.02.2012 | Size: 87 kb | Type: PDF
Last modification: 16.02.2012 | Size: 87 kb | Type: PDF
Approved countries of origin
Imports of dogs, cats and ferrets deemed „pets" are in principle possible from all countries.
Application form for import at Swiss airports
Check-in for pets
Please note the absolute importance that, if your pet has to fly in hold instead of in the passenger cabin, it must be checked in as "AVI in Hold" or „excess baggage". This makes it clear to everyone involved (airline staff, border veterinary inspectors, customs) that the animal arrives accompanied by you. Provided the documents requested are in order, you can enter the country together with your pet once you have passed the customs barrier.
However, if the animal travels with a separate air waybill (AWB), it is regarded as cargo when it arrives at the airport and will be taken to the animal room. This means added expense and lost time for you.
The airline bears the organizational responsibility for this procedure, and the owner of the animal should make sure the animal is checked-in properly: i.e. "AVI in Hold" or „excess baggage".
The Border Veterinary Service and the FVO cannot take any responsibility for the booking or for coordination duties.
Model of the required veterinary certificate
Malaysia, Australia
Take note of the supplementary conditions for imports and re-imports of dogs and cats from Malaysia and cats from Australia - supplementary certificates are required.
Conditions for imports of dogs and cats from Malaysia and Australia
Last modification: 17.08.2010 | Size: 21 kb | Type: PDF
Last modification: 17.08.2010 | Size: 21 kb | Type: PDF
2006/146/EC certain protection measures with regard to dogs and cats coming from Malaysia (Peninsula) and Australia
Last modification: 05.04.2006 | Size: 43 kb | Type: PDF
Last modification: 05.04.2006 | Size: 43 kb | Type: PDF
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