Cats to South AfricaPet transport
Taking Cats to South Africa
Moving a cat to South Africa from the UK takes careful planning.
You’ll need to ensure the import permit is approved before travel and that the veterinary paperwork is completed correctly. Plus, your cat’s flight has to be booked as manifested cargo.
Transfur Animals has been arranging international cat transport for over 20 years. Our experienced UK cat shipping team can help ease your load by managing the process on your behalf.
If you’ve already started pet relocation to South Africa and need someone to take over, we can step in at any stage.
Ready to explore...
What Do I Need to Do Before Flying My Cat to South Africa? 
1. Get your cat microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip
2. Make sure your cat has a valid rabies vaccination after microchipping
3. Apply for a South African import permit before travel
4. Arrange a DEFRA export health certificate before your cat leaves the UK
5. Book an appointment with an Official Veterinarian close to departure
6. Check your cat’s microchip, vaccination record and travel documents all match
7. Book your cat’s flight as manifested cargo
8. Arrange customs clearance before your cat arrives in South Africa
South Africa sets strict deadlines for cat relocation, including vaccinations, paperwork and vet checks, with one missed window delaying the whole move. Our cat shipping team handles the schedule for you, so your vet knows exactly what’s required and your cat’s documents are ready before they fly.
Please note: Cats travelling to South Africa cannot fly in the cabin or as excess baggage. They must travel as manifested cargo into a main South African airport, such as Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban, depending on the route and final destination.
1. Get your cat microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip
2. Make sure your cat has a valid rabies vaccination after microchipping
3. Apply for a South African import permit before travel
4. Arrange a DEFRA export health certificate before your cat leaves the UK
5. Book an appointment with an Official Veterinarian close to departure
6. Check your cat’s microchip, vaccination record and travel documents all match
7. Book your cat’s flight as manifested cargo
8. Arrange customs clearance before your cat arrives in South Africa
South Africa sets strict deadlines for cat relocation, including vaccinations, paperwork and vet checks, with one missed window delaying the whole move. Our cat shipping team handles the schedule for you, so your vet knows exactly what’s required and your cat’s documents are ready before they fly.
Please note: Cats travelling to South Africa cannot fly in the cabin or as excess baggage. They must travel as manifested cargo into a main South African airport, such as Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban, depending on the route and final destination.
Flying Cats to South Africa – What We Do:
| What We Handle ✓ | What That Means For You ➡ |
|---|---|
| Import permit application | Submitted on your behalf, so you do not have to deal with the forms yourself |
| Document checks | We check your cat’s microchip, vaccination and travel details before paperwork is finalised |
| Export health certificate | We coordinate the Official Veterinarian appointment and DEFRA paperwork |
| Flight booking | Your cat’s flight is booked through an approved cargo route into South Africa |
| IATA-compliant travel container | Supplied or checked by us to make sure it meets airline requirements |
| Customs clearance | Arranged before arrival to help avoid delays when your cat lands |
| UK home to airport collection | Available if you need help getting your cat to the airport |
| Onward travel in South Africa | We can help arrange transport to your final destination after clearance |
Ready to explore...
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Experience & Reputation
+10,000 pets transfered worldwide
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Travel Crate & Pet Safety
Ensure pet's comfort & well-being
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Global Compliance
Expert handling of all paperwork
Why Choose Transfur Animals?
20+ years arranging international cat transport from the UK
Experienced with the additional planning often needed for nervous or indoor cats
Help preparing your cat for crate travel and a long-haul flight
Import permits, paperwork and airline bookings managed on your behalf
Transparent quotations with no hidden extras
Dedicated support from the same team member throughout your cat’s move
Let’s Relocate Your Cat to South Africa
Call us on 01403 212 900 or request a quote online and one of our cat shipping team members will talk you through moving cats to South Africa from the UK.