South Africa
How long you can stay, how long your vehicle can, and what your dog or cat needs to cross. Every rule links to the official source.
- Last checked 28 Sep 2026
Your rules for South Africa
You · American passport
Usually up to 90 days
Visa-free for short stays. Keep inside the limit and you don't need a visa.
dha.gov.za · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your vehicle · United States plates
180 days
Its 180 days are shared across the Southern African Customs Union, so driving into another member country doesn't restart them.
sars.gov.za · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your dog or cat
Start at least 60 days out
DALRRD import permit, microchip, rabies 30 days-12 months, five blood tests within 30 days, heartworm treatment, and an official certificate within 10 days. See the steps
aphis.usda.gov · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026
Watch South Africa.
We'll email you if South Africa's rules change for your American passport, United States plates or your pet. That's the only email you'll get.
What your pet needs to cross into South Africa.
Do these in order. Miss one and your pet can be held at the border.
- Before you go
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
Have a vet implant an ISO microchip and record the number on every document.
- On or after the microchip
Rabies vaccination
Vaccinate against rabies with an inactivated vaccine after the microchip is in place.
- At least 30 days after the rabies shot
Wait 30 days after rabies vaccination
Entry is only allowed once at least 30 days have passed since the rabies vaccination.
- On or after the rabies shot
Rabies shot not older than 12 months at entry
The rabies vaccination must have been given no more than 12 months before entry; re-vaccinate if it will be older.
- On or after the health certificate
Government endorsement of the certificate
Have the health certificate endorsed/stamped by the government veterinary authority of the country you leave from.
- Still valid the day you arrive
Rabies vaccine still valid on arrival
Your pet's rabies vaccine must still be valid on the day you cross. Check the 'valid until' date on the vaccination record and book a booster before it runs out.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Brucella canis blood test (dogs only)
Blood test (SAT or RSAT) for Brucella canis, negative, at a government/government-authorised lab.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Trypanosoma evansi tests (CATT + Giemsa smear) (dogs only)
Card agglutination test for T. evansi and an ear-margin Giemsa blood smear, both negative.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Babesia tests (smear + B. gibsoni IFAT) (dogs only)
Giemsa blood smear free of Babesia and IFAT for Babesia gibsoni negative.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Heartworm test + monthly prevention (dogs only)
Microfilaria filtration test for Dirofilaria immitis negative; then treat with milbemycin, ivermectin, moxidectin or selamectin from the test until export, and continue for 6 months after arrival (carry the supply).
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Leishmania test (dogs only)
IFAT, ELISA, direct agglutination or Western blot for Leishmania, negative.
- Within 28 days before you arrive
Veterinary import permit
Apply for an import permit from the Department of Agriculture (DALRRD) Directorate Animal Health, Pretoria before travel; carry the original with the pet.
- Within 10 days before you arrive
Vet exam within 10 days of departure
A vet must examine the pet and find it healthy within 10 days before travel.
- Within 10 days before you arrive
Official health certificate
Get the destination's health certificate signed by an official (government-authorised) vet; it is valid for 10 days.
- At the border
Inspection at a designated port of entry (dogs only)
Enter only through a designated port (OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka airports; Durban, Gqeberha, Cape Town harbours; or designated land borders) where state vets inspect the documents.
aphis.usda.gov · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026. The app works these dates backward from your travel day and reminds you.
Every passport in South Africa
| Passport | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Visa-free | Usually up to 90 days | dha.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Visa-free | Usually up to 90 days | dha.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Visa-free | Usually up to 90 days | dha.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Visa-free | Usually up to 90 days | dha.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Visa-free | Usually up to 90 days | dha.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Visa-free | Usually up to 90 days | dha.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Visa-free | Usually up to 90 days | dha.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Visa-free | Usually up to 90 days | dha.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
Every registration in South Africa
| Registered in | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | 180 days, shared across the Southern African Customs Union | sars.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | 180 days, shared across the Southern African Customs Union | sars.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | 180 days, shared across the Southern African Customs Union | sars.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | 180 days, shared across the Southern African Customs Union | sars.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | 180 days, shared across the Southern African Customs Union | sars.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | 180 days, shared across the Southern African Customs Union | sars.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | 180 days, shared across the Southern African Customs Union | sars.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Carnet, or a local permit or bond | 180 days, shared across the Southern African Customs Union | sars.gov.za · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
A plain-language summary of the official rules, checked on the date shown. It isn't legal advice, and the officer at the desk always has the final word.
Planning a South Africa leg?
We'll count it for you.
BorderRunner turns these rules into your exact exit date, for you, your vehicle and your dog, and reminds you well before it's close. The first week is on us.
