DIY route to bringing pets to Ireland without an Agent
Doing the DIY route can save you money, and it’s pretty straight forward. Pets travel either in the Airplane cabin (size dependent) or the Airplane hold. They would not travel cargo as that option would require a clearing agent and this is where you save on costs.
Below is my experience with bringing Holly, my Jack Russell cross Yorkie, on the same flight, travelling in the hold. We travelled Cape Town-Amsterdam-Dublin with KLM.
First task was to confirm what is required from Ireland to bring pets from South Africa HERE
From the above link, these are the most crucial to note:
- Your pet must be accompanied by original paperwork
- You must provide advance notice of your intention to bring your pet to Ireland. This must be done via email and to the airport of entry that you will take into Ireland.
From the above link, this is the process to be followed, in this specific order, to be compliant:
- Pet must be microchipped.
Day 1 – I went to our local vet and advised I would be taking Holly with me to Ireland. Our vet’s advice was to have the microchip inserted and return the next day for the vaccines just to be extra safe in that Ireland would see that the microchip was done BEFORE the rabies shot.
I was given a Virbac registration form that showed Holly’s microchip number, all her details and all my details as the owner. The microchip number was also inserted into her vet vaccine card.
Cost: R220
- A valid rabies vaccination.
Day 2 – I returned to my local vet and Holly was given her yearly injection and rabies vaccine. The details of these vaccines were inserted into her vet vaccine card.
Cost: R645
- Bloods drawn for titre test.
The suggestion on the above link is to wait 30 days to have bloods drawn from your pet, our vet’s advice was to wait 32 days to be safe. As we were in Ireland on a short visit when the 32 days had arrived, we only went for the bloods when we returned, which was 9 days later.
Day 41 – Holly had blood drawn, and I requested our vet to have the bloods sent to Germany for testing. This would ensure a faster turnaround time than South Africa.
We received Holly’s bloods test back in 2 weeks. Holly had passed the blood test and we were given the certificate to reflect this.
Cost: R 1 963
- Quarantine: 90 days from the day bloods are drawn at the vet.
Again, the suggestion on the link is to wait 90 days before travelling with your pet, but I decided to wait 92 days to ensure compliance.
Day 133 - Holly completes quarantine in SA, 2 days after we received our visa for Ireland.
Cost: R0
- Permission from airline to travel with pet in cabin, or, in the hold
Day 135 - 6 days before our flight I requested permission for Holly to travel on the flight with us to Ireland with KLM. This was granted, but only for flights out of Cape Town. Air France and Lufthansa would also permit me to fly with my pet in cabin, or in the hold.
HERE is the link with requirements for pet cabin bags in the aircraft and for pet cages for the hold
Cost: Dog crate for hold: R 900
Cost: Flight for Holly: EUR 300 / R 4800
- Notice of Holly’s arrival to Dublin airport
Day 135 – emailed pThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to give notice of Holly’s arrival into Dublin airport (as per information on link at top of page).
They will require an “advance notice” form you, which can be found HERE
- EU Certificate Forms and Deworming
Day 140 – visit to our local vet to complete the EU certificate and to administer the deworming tablets for Holly as per Ireland’s requirements.
The deworming table can only be administered 24-120 hours before your arrival in Ireland.
The EU certificate (which is actually a form) can be found HERE
Cost: R300
- State Vet Health Check Certificate
Day 140 - Visit to the state vet to apply for certificate
They require the EU certificate completed by your vet, the Pet vaccine book, Titre test certificate and microchip registration details.
Please ensure that all details on the Health Certificate matches that of the EU certificate form and information on your pet’s vet vaccine card, titre test and microchip form.
Cost: R160
- Compliance Check
Upon arrival into Ireland, you would report to the special baggage area where your pet will be brought to you and you will meet with the compliance inspectors. They will go through all your paperwork with you and, once satisfied, will clear your pet for Ireland. You will be required to pay EUR50 via credit card only, for this compliance check.
Cost: EUR50 / R 800
Notes:
Points 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 and their associated costs need to be done regardless if you are following the DIY route or if you are going through an agent.
Total of these costs are R 4 800.00
Point 5 is the cost I incurred for Holly’s crate and flight ticket on DIY route.
This fee of R 4 988.00
Total cost of DIY process: R 9 788.00
Important links:
#MapMyMove- Our coaching Services - Confused or lost and need some direction, book a session with us to help untangle the confusion and work out your route of immigration
Getting to know Ireland before you land (Blog)
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