Movements of pets

1. Country and Establishment of Origin

The import of dogs, cats, and ferrets is permitted only from third countries listed in Annex VIII of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, as amended. If the country of origin of the animal appears on the list, import from that country is allowed.

The consignment of dogs, cats, and ferrets must be dispatched directly from the establishment of origin without passing through any other establishment.

By way of derogation from the above, a consignment may originate from more than one establishment of origin if the animals have undergone a single gathering at an approved assembly center in a third country that meets strict conditions (approval, record-keeping, maximum stay of 6 days, records of origin and transport).

A consignment may also be dispatched from a shelter if the shelter is approved by the competent authority of the third country, has a unique approval number, and is listed on the official register.

Animals must arrive in the EU within 10 days from the date of dispatch from the establishment of origin.

2. Identification

Animals must be individually identified by a microchip that complies with ISO standard 11784 and uses HDX or FDX-B technology, or the microchip must be readable by a device compatible with ISO standard 11785.

3. Rabies Vaccination

Animals must undergo vaccination against rabies virus infection under the following conditions:

• Animals must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination;
• Each subsequent booster must be administered within the validity period of the previous vaccination;
• The date of vaccination must not precede the date of microchip implantation;
• The vaccine must meet the requirements laid down in Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
• A certified copy of the vaccination details must be attached to the animal health certificate.

4. Veterinary Certificate

The consignment must be accompanied by an animal health certificate corresponding to the model set out in Article 19 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403, as amended, namely the CANIS-FELIS-FERRETS model in Chapter 38 of Annex II. The certificate must be endorsed by an official veterinarian of the third country and is valid for entry into the EU for 10 days from the date of issue.

5. Clinical Examination

Animals must undergo a clinical examination with negative results, carried out by an official veterinarian in the third country or territory of origin within 48 hours prior to loading for dispatch to the Union, to detect any signs indicative of disease.

6. Serological Testing

Dogs, cats, and ferrets entering the Union must undergo a valid test demonstrating a rabies antibody titre equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml, if required according to the list of third countries from which the import of dogs, cats, and ferrets into the Union is permitted. This information can be found specifically in column 5 of the table in Part 1 of Annex VIII to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, as amended.

The test must be performed on a sample taken no earlier than 30 days after the date of primary rabies vaccination and at least 3 months before the animal’s movement into the EU. The list of approved laboratories is available on the European Commission’s website.

The requirements for rabies antibody titration testing are set out in Annex XXI, point 1 of Regulation (EU) 2020/692, as amended.

7. Treatment against infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis

The Czech Republic does not require dogs, cats, or ferrets to be treated against infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis.

8. Official Control at Border Control Post

The consignment must be presented at the Border Control Post (BCP) when entrering into the EU for border veterinary control at an approved Border Control Post (BCP) authorized for the inspection of animals other than ungulates (category “O”). The list of Border Control Posts is available on the European Comission websites. In the Czech Republic, the designated point of entry is Václav Havel Airport Prague, where official control is carried out by the Border Control Post Prague-Ruzyně.

Border veterinary control is subject to a fee.

9. Consignment Notification

The operator responsible for the consignment must notify the arrival of the consignment to the competent BCP at least one working day before the expected arrival. The information is submitted via the TRACES system by completing the first part of the Common Health Entry Document “CHED-A”. More about the TRACES system and CHED notification can be found on our website:

• Official Controls and TRACES System
• Entry Documents

10. Place of Destination

After official control at BCP has been carried out in accordance with Article 19 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692, the consignment must be immediately transported directly to its establishment of destination in the Union (i.e., the place indicated in the CHED document). The locally competent Regional Veterinary Administration may carry out an inspection of the consignment at the place of destination.

Recommendation

The above-mentioned veterinary conditions for the import of dogs, cats, and ferrets into the EU concerning dispatch and identification, requirements for the country of origin, and rabies vaccination are based on Chapter 5 of Part II of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692, as amended, specifically Articles 73 to 76, where all details can be studied.

We recommend always communicating with the competent Border Control Post at the point of entry and following its instructions, as it decides on the release of the consignment into the Union. Information is also published on the official website of the European Commission.