Maputo
Customs and import to Maputo
When entering Mozambique, you will first need to present your pre-arranged visa to the customs official. It is only possible to buy a visa at the border if you are entering the country by air - and even then, it is increasingly likely that they will reject you.
At immigration, the officer will then provide you with a stamp that details how many days you are eligible to stay in the country. Typically, they give a period of 30 days for a regular entry visa. (There are additional details in the Passport, Visa and Permits section.)
You will be prohibited from bringing the following items into Mozambique:
- More than 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco
- More than 3/4L of spirits
- Arms and ammunition - unless you have a pre-arranged permit
- Drugs and narcotics
- Pornographic material
Bringing Pets into Mozambique
If you want to bring your pet to Mozambique, it can be done but takes planning and preparation. Taking your pet into another country usually includes:
- Microchipping - Used to verify a pet's identity. Microchips are not mandatory to enter Mozambique, but they are recommended.
- Import Permit - Issued by the Direccao Nacional dos Servicos de Veterinaria
- Vaccinations - Vaccinations range from country to country, but in general every pet older than 3 months must be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before arrival. However the vaccination cannot be older than 12 months from the date of arrival. Dogs may also get full shots for Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvo, and DHLPP. Cats may also be vaccinated against Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, and Panleukopenia.
- Certificate of good health - Issued by a vet in your home country after an exam. You will usually need to get an official form from the consulate or embassy of the country you are moving to. It is often available on-line from the customs website.
It is also important to consider what country you are bringing your pet from. Additional regulations may apply if you are coming from a country that is not designated as rabies free.
Transporting Pets into Mozambique
Some airlines allow pets to travel in an airplane's cabin, provided their cage is small enough to fit under your seat. Small birds may also be able to travel in the cabin, but tropical birds are usually not allowed.
If your pet's cage does not fit under your seat, you will have to ship it as checked baggage. Since the outside air temperature also affects the temperature in the cargo bay, airlines may restrict the transportation of pets during certain times of the year. Airlines have special requirements for containers in the cabin and cargo bay. Make sure you get detailed information from your preferred airlines before purchasing a cage or kennel.
Before leaving, acquaint your animal with the kennel or container. Add some familiar toys or some of your clothing items, so your pet has a sense of familiarity during the transport. Sedation of your pet during the trip is generally not recommended and should only be used as a last resort.
There are also pet relocation services that figure out all the details of the move. These services tend to be quite expensive, but take away the stress of doing it yourself. Air-a-pet is a Maputo-based pet transport company that can give more country-specific advice.
Quarantine
You do not need to quarantine your dog if you are moving to Mozambique and you meet the following criteria:
- Import Permit (acquired in advance from the Direccao Nacional dos Servicos de Veterinaria)
- Veterinarian Health Certificate issued in your home country
- Results of a rabies antibodies concentration measurements (titration)
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate for your dog, or for the mother of your dog if your dog is younger than 3 months.
- Proof of vaccinations for canine distemper, hepatitis, parovirus, lepospira, canicola and Leptospira icterohaemmorrhagiae and Parainfluenza
These regulations apply most frequently to dogs. If you are planning to import another species, you may need to adhere to additional regulations.
Custom's Resources
U.S. Citizens: The free pamphlet "Know Before You Go" at http://www.cbp.gov/ is very helpful. (Click on "Travel" and then click on "Know Before You Go! Online Brochure").
You can also contact:
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
1300 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20229
Tel. 877/287-8667
Canadian Citizens: "I Declare", issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (tel. 800/461-9999 in Canada, or 204/983-3500 ) is helpful.
Australian Citizens: A helpful brochure is available from Australian consulates or Customs offices called "Know Before You Go". Call the Australian Customs Service at tel. 1300/363-263, or log on to http://www.customs.gov.au/.
Update 15/06/2015
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