It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the animal meets the importing country requirements.

An import permit is required.

Contact the Department of Biosecurity Vanuatu for information regarding the importation of animals into Vanuatu from Australia.

Email

biosecurity@vanuatu.gov.vu

Note

Where an importing country issues an import permit, the exporter must ensure the animal meets any requirements in the permit.
Biosecurity Vanuatu are implementing new health conditions and a new health certificate for export. They have advised that a transition period will apply with full implementation of the new health conditions and new health certificate on 30 May 2024. It is the responsibility of the exporter to use the appropriate health certificate as appended to the applicable import permit.

As importing country requirements may change without advice to the Department you should check the import documents and/or the country website carefully at the time of preparation for export.

Biosecurity Vanuatu are implementing new health conditions and a new health certificate for export. They have advised that a transition period will apply with full implementation of the new health conditions and new health certificate on 30 May 2024. 

During the transition period, the conditions in the import permit may require the previous health certificate to be used for the consignment (DOCX 28 KB​ | PDF 77 KB).​

During the transition period, the conditions in the import permit may require the new health certificate set out below to be used for the consignment. 

It is the responsibility of the exporter to use the appropriate health certificate as appended to the applicable import permit. ​

Health certificate

Appendix 2

VETERINARY HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR DOGS FROM AUSTRALIA

I, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… being an Official Veterinarian of the country of export hereby certify as follows:​

1. 1. ​Animal Identification​​
   
   I have identified the dog described as follows on …………………………………………………… (Date)
   

   Breed:	_______________________________________________
   Sex:	_______________________________________________
   Age:	_______________________________(years/months)
   Description (including colour):	_______________________________________________
   Microchip number:	​_______________________________________________

2. 1. Rabies Freedom
   
   In the period of two years preceding export, rabies has not been diagnosed in animals in the country of export;
   
   
3. 2. External Parasite Preparation
   
   DELETE EITHER (a) or (b): WHICHEVER DOES NOT APPLY
   
   
   1. (a) For NOT LESS than forty-five (45) days immediately before export, was treated by a government-approved veterinarian at the manufacturer’s recommended dose, with a topical ecto-parasiticide (a product that kills external parasites on contact and does not rely on the bite of an external parasite to be effective) highly effective in killing ticks, lice and fleas to provide continual protection against external parasites until the scheduled date of export:
      
      Product and Dose: _____________________________________Date:      /     /
      
      Product and Dose: _____________________________________Date:     /    /
      
      OR
      
      
   2. (b) Completed post-arrival quarantine in Australia and was treated either during or at the completion of post-arrival quarantine with a topical ecto-parasiticide highly effective in killing ticks, lice and fleas to provide continual protection against external parasites until the scheduled date of export:
      
      Product and Dose: ______________________________________Date:    /    /
   
   
4. 3. Internal Parasite Preparation
   
   DELETE EITHER (c) or (d) – WHICHEVER DOES NOT APPLY
   
   
   1. (c) Within fifty (50) days immediately before the scheduled date of export, was treated by
      
      a government-approved veterinarian, at the manufacturer’s recommended dose, twice with a product (or combination of products) registered for the control of nematodes and cestodes. The first treatment was administered at least two (2) weeks before a second treatment, which was given within five (5) days of the scheduled date of export
      
      Treatment date 1. ___________________________________________________________________________
      
      Product and dose (anti-nematode) __________________________________________________________
      
      Product and dose (anti-cestode) _____________________________________________________________
      
      Treatment date 2.​ ____________________________________________________________________________
      
      Product and dose (anti-nematode) ___________________________________________________________
      
      Product and dose (anti-cestode) ______________________________________________________________
      
      OR
      
      
   2. (d) is exempt from internal parasite treatment having completed post-arrival quarantine in Australia on     /     /     within seven (7) days of the scheduled date of export
   
   
5. 4. Blood Parasite Screening (Ehrlichia canis)
   
   Within twenty (20) days immediately before the scheduled date of export:
   
   
   1. (i) The dog was thoroughly examined and found to be free of external parasites (including ticks) [NOTE: If a viable tick is found at examination the external parasite preparation procedure (item 2a) must recommence and blood collection must be postponed for at least 21 days until the dog is examined and found to be free of viable ticks].
      
      
   2. (ii) a blood sample was collected on     /     /     and tested by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for IgG antibodies to Ehrlichia canis, with a negative result at a dilution of 1:40
   
   
6. 5. Was examined within five (5) days of departure and found to be free of clinical signs of disease and visibly free of ectoparasites (especially ticks).
   
   
7. 6. No bedding of plant or animal origin is accompanying this dog;
   
   
8. 7. For female dogs, after due enquiry I am satisfied that the female is not more than six weeks pregnant.

Notes for official veterinarians / government-approved veterinarians​

1. At each visit for export treatment, examination and/or testing, the dog’s microchip must be scanned and confirmed as correctly recorded on all documentation.
   
   
2. All export treatments, collection of specimens and examinations must be conducted by a government veterinarian or a government-approved veterinarian in Australia.
   
   
3. Laboratory testing must be conducted in an ISO accredited laboratory recognised by the Australian Government. A valid laboratory report must list the microchip number stated on the international health certificate, the date of blood sample collection for testing, the test method and result.
   
   
4. A separate certificate must be completed for each animal being exported.
   
   
5. Vaccination against distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, heartworm, leptospirosis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2 and canine parainfluenza is recommended but not mandatory for importation into Vanuatu. ​
   

1. Each animal must be accompanied by the signed declaration from the owner or exporter detailed in Appendix 1, attached.


2. Each animal must be accompanied by the International Animal Health Certificate detailed in Appendix 2, attached, signed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country.


3. Before unloading the animals on arrival, the Provisional Import Permit and the documents required in Appendices 1 and 2 will be inspected by the Veterinary Officer of the Vanuatu Livestock and Quarantine Department.


4. The animal must be consigned to Vanuatu by air as manifested cargo.


5. The actual date of embarkation and the Airline / Flight number must be advised to the Principal Veterinary Officer, Biosecurity Vanuatu, Private Mail Bag 9086, Port-Vila, Vanuatu Telephone (678) 33580, E-mail: biosecurity@vanuatu.gov.vu at the earliest opportunity and at least one working day before embarkation.


6. The animals must be transported in accordance with the recommendations for Transport of Live Animals of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal regulations as appropriate.


7. The animals must be transported direct without contact with any animal not of equivalent certified health status, from the port of departure in the exporting country to the port of entry in Vanuatu. Trans-shipment or offloading is permissible only in Australia, New Zealand or New Caledonia. In such circumstances the animals must remain in their cages and within the confines of the airport.


8. Females in advanced pregnancy or suckling young, and weaned puppies younger than sixteen weeks of age are ineligible for importation.


9. The animal(s) will be inspected and treated as necessary on arrival in Vanuatu by a Veterinary Officer and they may not leave the quarantine area of the airport until a Permit to Land (or Quarantine Order) has been issued by him/her.


10. Any animals imported into Vanuatu in contravention of any conditions of the Provisional Import Permit (of which this schedule forms a part) will be seized and may be destroyed or re-exported at the owner's expense.


11. The Provisional Import Permit is valid only for the importation/s specified in Appendix 1. Any change in details or circumstances must be notified to the Principal Veterinary Officer, who may endorse the Provisional Import Permit accordingly.


12. The Provisional Import Permit may be cancelled at any time before shipment should the animal health and quarantine status of the exporting country change.

Appendix 1

DECLARATION BY OWNER OR EXPORTER OF DOGS BEING CONSIGNED TO VANUATU

I, __________________________________________________ (BLOCK LETTERS),

the owner* / exporter of the animal described as follows:

declare that:

1. (a) the dog is not a part or pure breed of any of the following breeds of dog, which are prohibited to be imported into Vanuatu: Pit bull terrier or American pit bull terrier; Fila Brasileiro; Dogo Argentino; Presa Canario; Japanese Tosa
   
   Delete either (b) or (c) – whichever does not apply


2. (b) the dog has resided in Australia for at least six months prior to export, or since birth if less than six (6) months of age; OR


3. (c) the dog has not resided in Australia during the six months immediately before shipment but completed post-arrival quarantine in Australia/New Zealand on ………/………/………

Signature :____________________________________________ Date :____________________

(Owner / Exporter)*

Contact     e-m____________________________mob:____________________________

* Delete whichever is not applicable.

Note

A separate declaration must be completed for each animal being exported.

If your animal is returning to Australia, you should make yourself familiar with the Department’s requirements for importing live animals into Australia. This is important as your animal may have been exposed to diseases that do not occur in Australia.

Based on health conditions issued in February 2024 and importing country website and information.

Entry last reviewed 01 March 2024.​