Animal Diseases Act
In terms of the Animal Diseases Act (Act No. 35 of 1984), and the Meat Safety Act (Act No. 40 of 2000), all South African citizens may import animals and/or animal-derived products, which are considered to be safe, into South Africa. Importation is subject to compliance with the relevant import requirements, as stipulated on the veterinary import permit.
What are animal products?
Animal products or animal-derived products are made of or contain animal material. Examples are milk, cheese, meat, biltong, skins, furs, game trophies, animal feed containing animal material, vaccines as well as medicines made from animal material and laboratory samples of animals.
Import requirements
Certain import requirements have to be met when you want to import animals and/or animal products into the country. These requirements are aimed at preventing the introduction of exotic (foreign) diseases into South Africa. This is done in order to protect the national animal (and human) population, as well as our export markets. For certain products other government authorities have their own import requirements which must be complied to, for example meat is also controlled by the Directorate Veterinary Services, which will evaluate the slaughtering procedures and abattoirs of the exporting country.
Rules for importation
• Each consignment of animal and/or animal products for importation into South Africa must be accompanied by:
- An original veterinary import permit, issued by the National Directorate Veterinary Services
- An original health certificate, duly completed in English and in accordance with the requirements of the import permit, and signed (in blue ink) by the competent veterinary authority of the exporting country.
Please note: faxes, photostat, carbon or other copies will not be acceptable.
• All conditions of the veterinary import permit must be complied with and it is the responsibility of the importer.
How to apply for a veterinary import permit
• You must fill in an application form.
• Get the correct application form at your local state veterinary office, an approved port of entry into South Africa (see page 3) or the National Directorate Veterinary Services in Pretoria, telephone number (012) 319 7514.
• A tariff is payable per permit for each consignment.
• The completed application form can be faxed to (012) 329 8292 or 319 7492 or posted to the Subdirectorate Import and Export Control, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001.
• The application must be submitted to the Pretoria office at least 4 to 6 weeks before the proposed import.
| Other authorities to be contacted | Tel. no. |
| Domestic animals, embryos and semen | |
| (a) Registrar Livestock Improvement and Brands | (012) 319 7448 |
| (b) Subdirectorate Import and Export Control (D:VS) | (012) 319 7514 |
| Cats and dogs | |
| (a) Subdirectorate Import and Export Control (D:VS) | (012) 319 7514 |
| Game, game products and reptiles | |
| (a) Subdirectorate Import and Export Control (D:VS) | (012) 319 7514 |
| (b) Department of Nature and Environmental Conservation of the relevant Province | |
| Fresh meat (domestic animals, poultry and birds) | |
| (a) Subdirectorate Import and Export Control (D:VS) | (012) 319 7514 |
| (b) Directorate Veterinary Services | (012) 319 7514 |
| (c) Board on Tariffs and Trade | (012) 310 9791 |
| Dairy products | |
| (a) Subdirectorate Import and Export Control (D:VS) | (012) 319 7514 |
| (b) Board on Tariffs and Trade | (012) 310 9791 |
| Live poultry, birds (excluding game birds) and eggs | |
| (a) Subdirectorate Import and Export Control (D:VS) | (012) 319 7514 |
| (b) Registrar Livestock Improvement and Brands | (012) 319 7448 |
| Game birds | |
| (a) Subdirectorate Import and Export Control (D:VS) | (012) 319 7514 |
| (b) Department of Nature and Environmental Conservation of the relevant Province | |
| Pet foods | |
| (a) Subdirectorate Import and Export Control (D:VS) | (012) 319 7514 |
| (b) Registrar Act No. 36/1947 | (012) 319 7000 |
| (c) Board on Tariffs and Trade | (012) 310 9791 |
| Biologicals | |
| (a) Medicines Control Council | (012) 312 0000 |
| (b) Subdirectorate Import and Export Control (D:VS) | (012) 319 7514 |
| (c) Registrar Act No. 36/1947 | (012) 319 7000 |
| (d) Registrar Act No. 101/1965 | (012) 312 0000 |
| Stock remedies | |
| (a) Registrar Act No. 36/1947 | (012) 319 7000 |
D:VS = Directorate Veterinary Services
Illegal importation
Any consignment of animals and/or animal products imported into South Africa without an original veterinary import permit can be regarded as an illegal importation.
NB: The veterinary import permit must be issued before the consignment leaves the exporting country.
Consequences of illegal importation
Various measures can be taken against illegal imports, depending on the type of import, including:
• refusal of entry and detaining of the illegal consignment
• an order will be served on the importer to remove the consignment from South Africa or the consignment will be destroyed
• prosecution of the importer can be instituted.
The Act makes provision for the following:
- first conviction: a fine of up to R4 000 or imprisonment for a period of up to 2 years, or both
- second conviction: a fine of up to R8 000 or imprisonment for a period of up to 4 years, or both
- third or subsequent conviction: imprisonment without the option of a fine
- if it can be proven that the importation constituted an animal disease risk, the Act makes provision for (first offence) imprisonment for a period of up to 7 years.
Approved ports of entry
Animals or animal products may be imported at the following approved ports of entry:
• Airports:
- Johannesburg International
- Cape Town International
- Durban International
• Harbours:
- Cape Town
- Durban
- Port Elizabeth (only selected products)
• Border posts with neighbouring countries:
- Namibia (Nakop and Vioolsdrif)
- Botswana (Ramatlabama)
- Zimbabwe (Beit Bridge)
- Swaziland (Golela and Oshoek)
- Mozambique (Komatipoort—Lebombo)
Flow chart of the process
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If you want further information on the importation of animals and/or animal products into South
Africa, you can enquire at the Subdirectorate Import and Export Control in Pretoria at tel: (012) 319 7514, Directorate Veterinary Services |
2001
Compiled by Directorate Communication, Department of Agriculture
in cooperation with
Directorate Veterinary Services
Printed and published by Department of Agriculture
and obtainable from
Resource Centre, Directorate Communication, Private Bag X144, Pretoria 0001, South Africa