About applying for animal and genetic material import permit

Apply for a permit with the Registrar of Animal Improvement to import animals or genetic material to South Africa. You must apply 30 days before you import.

If you are importing an animal, you must have a:

• Certificate from a recognised registrar in the country where you are importing the animal from. The certificate must indicate a DNA blood type of the animal and the animal profile. Should you fail to get this certificate, you will be liable to take the imported animal for DNA testing in South African. You must test it with 30 days after arrival.

If you are importing and embryo, you must have a:

• DNA certificate of the animal that used for fertilisation of that embryo.

If you are importing genetic material, you must get a:

• Genetic material import agent to collect the genetic material. You cannot collect the genetic material yourself. The agent must pack, label and mark the genetic material.
• DNA certificate and full details of each animal that the genetic material was begotten. You must get the certificate from a recognised registrar in the country where you are importing the genetic material.
  

If you are importing poultry or fertile eggs, you must write a motivation letter to the Director: Veterinary Services. Your letter must state reasons why you want to import eggs and poultry into South Africa. You must get a:

• Certificate from the foreign supplier of the poultry or eggs. The certificate must confirm the generation status of those eggs and poultry.

From the port of entry, the poultry and eggs will be transported under the supervision of a veterinarian or in a vehicle sealed by a state veterinarian.

What you should do

• Apply 30 days before importing.

To import an animal, you must do the following:

• Get a DNA certificate from a recognised registrar in the country where you are importing the animal from.
• Download and fill in the application form below.
• Attach the DNA certificate (if you were able to get a certificate).
• Pay the prescribed fee to the Director General: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Standard Bank, Branch: Arcadia, Account no: 011219556m, Branch code: 000845/ 010845
• Post your application to: The Registrar of Animal Improvement, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001
  

To import an embryo, you must do the following:

• Contact a recognised registrar in the country where you want to import from.
• The registrar must give you a DNA certificate of the animal that used for fertilisation of that embryo. You cannot test the embryo in South Africa.
• Download and fill in the application form below.
• Attach the DNA certificate.
• Pay the prescribed fee to the Director General: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Standard Bank, Branch: Arcadia, Account no: 011219556m, Branch code: 000845/ 010845
• Post your application to: The Registrar of Animal Improvement, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001
  

To import genetic material, you must to the following:

• Hire a genetic material import agent to collet, label and mark the genetic material you want to import.
• Contact a recognised registrar in the country where you want to import from.
• The registrar must give you a DNA certificate and full details of each animal that the genetic material was begotten. You cannot test the genetic materials in South Africa.
• Download and fill in the application form below.
• Attach the DNA certificate.
• Pay the prescribed fee to the Director General: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Standard Bank, Branch: Arcadia, Account no: 011219556m, Branch code: 000845/ 010845
• Post your application to: The Registrar of Animal Improvement, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001
  

To import poultry or fertile eggs, you must do the following:

• Write a motivation letter to the Director: Veterinary Services.
• Your letter must state reasons why you want to import eggs and poultry into South Africa.
• Contact a the foreign supplier which you are buying the poultry or eggs from.
• The foreign supplier must give you certificate of the poultry or eggs confirming the generation status of those eggs and poultry.
• Download and fill in the application form below.
• Attach the motivation letter and the certificate from the foreign supplier.
• Pay the prescribed fee to the Director General: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Standard Bank, Branch: Arcadia, Account no: 011219556m, Branch code: 000845/ 010845
• Post your application to: The Registrar of Animal Improvement, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001.
  

How long does it take

It will take 30 days to process your application.

How much does it cost

R223

Forms to complete

(Forms are provided in PDF format. To open PDF documents, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 or higher installed on your computer.)

Application for the importation of animals and genetic material

Who to contact

National office

Tel: 012 319 7424/34
Fax: 012 319 7570/7425
City/town: Pretoria
Province: Gauteng
Physical address: Delpen Building, Cnr Annie Botha Avenue and Union Street, Riviera, Pretoria Postal address: The Registrar of Animal Improvement, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001