HOW TO IMPORT A DOG INTO NIGERIA

Guidelines to Import dog to Nigeria

When you wish to bring a dog into Nigeria, you must follow certain restrictions and criteria. Similarly, exporting countries have their own set of laws and standards, which differ for every country. It is more difficult to bring dogs from certain nations than others due to intricacies in the restrictions that have been put in place.

Basically, you must guarantee that both the criteria of the country exporting the dog and the requirements of the country receiving the dog (Nigeria) are met.

General Guidelines to Import a Dog into Nigeria

Age of the dog: Each country has a different age limit for dogs that can be exported. Countries such as South Africa, for example, allow the shipment of dogs of any age, whereas dogs in Europe must be at least 4 months old to be transported.
Tests and Vaccination: Dogs must also be tested at a certain age, with different health test criteria.

Airline Regulations for Importing Dogs

It is necessary to conduct some study here because different airlines have varying rules regarding the carriage of animals:
Because of the risk of the dog dying, several airlines refuse to transport short-nosed dogs such as Frenchies, English bulldogs, and so on (from not being able to breathe properly).
Some airlines refuse to transport Pitbulls and Rottweilers, most likely because they are believed to be violent.
Certain airlines do not allow two dogs in the same crate, others only allow siblings, and still, others only allow one dog per crate.
Varying airlines have different box/crate requirements; for instance, Qatar Airlines would not accept a Rott in a plastic crate; only wooden and mesh boxes are permitted.

Procedures for Importing Dogs into Nigeria

After you’ve established the general requirements, these are the steps to take while importing your dog:
The first step is to select the dog breed you want to purchase.
Next, conduct research to identify the best country with importing requirements that you can meet.
Find a reputable breeder and ensure that the breeder can put you in touch with an agent who will manage a few of the paperwork and processing on your behalf.
Once you’ve discovered a breeder and chosen a puppy (videos, pictures, and other information on your dog are normally supplied to help you choose), you can apply for an importing permit from Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. It should be noted that some veterinarians can assist you in obtaining this permit.
A Serological test is one of the most important tests that must be performed before bringing a dog into Nigeria. Note that obtaining test results can be difficult.
Your dog must be dewormed, vaccinated with all necessary injections, and anti-rabies shots administered; all information about the dog is then sent down and utilized to apply for the import permit.
The import authorization expires in two weeks, so make sure you’re ready to ship the dogs by then.
Pay the breeder and agent—as straightforward as this process appears to be, it might be challenging due to the numerous limitations placed on money transfers from Nigeria to other nations. You must inquire with your bank about the best money transfer option.
Find the best airline to transport your dog and make sure you can meet all of the requirements.
When the dog arrives in Nigeria, you must pay for customs and quarantine. You can however hire an agent to assist you with the paperwork. If you don’t have an import permit, you’ll be fined.

Nigeria Pet Passport & Import Regulations

Entering Nigeria by Airplane — Pets such as dogs must enter Nigeria as checked baggage or aviation cargo via Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos or Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
When traveling to a foreign nation, such as Nigeria, it is usually a good idea to bring some type of identification confirming ownership of your pet.
Permit to Import — When entering Nigeria with a personal pet, a valid import permit is necessary.
Microchip — To enter Nigeria, your dog should initially be microchipped using an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that has 15 digits and is not encrypted. You can bring your own microchip scanner if your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compatible.
Vaccination — Your pet must be inoculated against rabies between 30 days and 12 months before entering the country. Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Canine Adenovirus, Canine Parainfluenza, and Canine Parvovirus are among the other immunizations available for dogs. Feline Distemper, Feline Herpes, and Calicivirus immunizations are also available for cats.