Emergency Number: 0242649497 | vsd@mofa.gov.gh

Import Requirements

We facilitate the safe and legal trade of animals and animal products by enforcing national and international regulations.

IMPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR LIVE ANIMALS

(LIVESTOCK, POULTRY, GAME AND RESORT ANIMALS, PET ANIMALS, WILDLIFE, ETC.)

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1. All imported animals must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate duly signed by an official veterinarian from the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country.

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2. Where there are disease situations of concern, all imported animals must submit a laboratory test report on the specified diseases to the Veterinary Services Department of Ghana before an import permit is issued.

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3. If the required listed disease(s) is not prevalent in the exporting country, a laboratory test must still be conducted to confirm a negative status.

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4. All laboratory test reports are valid for 31 days. If this period elapses, the applicant must re-run the laboratory test before an import permit may be issued.

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5. The turnaround time for the issuance of veterinary import permits is 72 working hours (3 working days), excluding weekends and public holidays in Ghana.

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6. Fees and charges apply for all import permit issuances by the Veterinary Services Department. Additional charges, such as veterinary inspection fees, sample collection fees, and penalties for violating import procedures, may be applied upon arrival at veterinary entry posts across the country.

REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF DOGS

All importers of dogs into Ghana must provide test results for the following diseases and vaccination records before a permit is issued:

Disease

Test Required

Brucella canis

Serum agglutination, Giemsa smear, or RT-PCR

Trypanosoma evansi

Card agglutination test and/or Giemsa smear

Babesia gibsoni

Giemsa smear

Dirofilaria immitis

Microfilaria filtration test or Knott test

Leishmania spp.

Indirect fluorescent antibody test, ELISA, or direct agglutination test

Importers must ensure all test results are negative before a permit is issued.

Only original copies of laboratory reports will be accepted. The laboratory may also send a copy directly to the Chief Veterinary Officer of Veterinary Services via email: vsd@mofa.gov.gh.

Proof of vaccination against the following diseases is required. All vaccinations must be at least one month old and valid for 12 months before departure:

  1. Canine Distemper
  2. Hepatitis
  • Parvovirus
  1. Leptospira canicola and Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae
  2. Parainfluenza
  3. Rabies
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF HORSES

Importers must provide test results and vaccination records for:

  1. Contagious Equine Metritis
  2. Dourine
  • Equine Encephalomyelitis
  1. Equine Infectious Anemia
  2. Equine Piroplasmosis
  3. Equine Rhinopneumonitis
  • African Horse Sickness
  • Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis
  1. Equine Viral Arteritis
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF ANTELOPES

Local Requirements:

  1. Importers must have a certified quarantine facility
  2. Provide details on animal quantity, arrival date, and shipment mode

International Certification:

  1. The animal must be treated for ectoparasites and endoparasites
  2. Must test negative for Heartwater, Tick-borne diseases, and other blood parasites
  3. Show no clinical signs of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
  4. Be vaccinated against Anthrax
  5. Test negative for Tuberculosis (TB)
  6. Be quarantined for at least 15 days before shipment
  7. Accompanied by CITES and veterinary health certificates
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF GIRAFFES/ZEBRAS
  1. Local Requirements:
  2. Importers must have a quarantine facility
  3. Provide shipment details (quantity, date, port of arrival, mode of transport)
  4. Veterinary Requirements:
  5. Animals must come from premises free of Contagious Equine Metritis, Dourine, Equine Encephalomyelitis, Equine Infectious Anemia, African Horse Sickness, Equine Viral Arteritis, Equine Rhinopneumonitis, Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis, and Anthrax
  6. Must be vaccinated for Tetanus and Influenza
  • Test negative for Babesia, Piroplasmosis, and Trypanosomiasis
  1. Be quarantined for at least 45 days before export
  2. Examined within 48 hours before export and found free from infectious diseases
  3. Be transported in a clean, disinfected condition
  • Accompanied by CITES and veterinary health certificates
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF PIGS

Must test negative for:

  1. Atrophic Rhinitis
  2. Porcine Brucellosis
  3. Enterovirus Encephalomyelitis
  4. Transmissible Gastroenteritis
  5. Swine Vesicular Disease
  6. Classical Swine Fever
  7. African Swine Fever
  8. Swine Erysipelas
  9. Be free of ticks
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF CATS
  1. All importers of cats must provide a health attestation report and vaccination records before a permit is issued.
  2. Vaccination records should include:
  3. Feline Panleukopenia
  4. Calicivirus
  • Rhinotracheitis
  1. Rabies
  2. The cat must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate signed by an official veterinary surgeon from the country of origin.
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF FELIDS

Importers must provide a health attestation report and vaccination records before a permit is issued.

Required Tests:

  1. Rabies (Neutralization test)
  2. Brucellosis (Serum agglutination test)
  3. Complete blood chemistry and biochemistry

Required Vaccinations/Treatments:

  1. Rabies (Killed vaccine – Name and Manufacturer required)
  2. Canine Distemper, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Hepatitis, Leptospira, Adenovirus Type 2 (Name and Manufacturer required)
  3. Treatment for ectoparasites and endoparasites

Health Information:

  1. The country of origin must be free from Rabies, Canine Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospira, and Hepatitis
  2. The animal must be quarantined for 30 days
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF MONKEYS

The monkey must:

  1. Be quarantined for at least 40 days under state veterinary supervision
  2. Be examined before shipment and show no signs of ill health
  • Originate from a facility free of infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., Marburg Virus, Ebola, Hepatitis)
  1. Be vaccinated against Rabies within 72 hours before shipment
  2. Have a negative TB test within 30 days before export
  3. Be treated against ectoparasites and endoparasites before shipment
  • Be clinically healthy and fit for transport
  • Be transported in a disinfected cage meeting IATA animal welfare regulations
  1. Be accompanied by CITES and a veterinary health certificate
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF GOATS AND SHEEP

Must test negative for:

  1. Caprine Arthritis/Encephalitis
  2. Contagious Agalactia
  • Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia
  1. Infection with Chlamydophila abortus
  2. Maedi-Visna
  3. Brucellosis
  • Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)
  • Scrapie
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF CATTLE

Must test negative for:

  1. Bovine Babesiosis
  2. Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis
  • Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  1. Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia
  2. Hemorrhagic Septicemia
  3. Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis
  • Lumpy Skin Disease
  • Theileriosis
  1. Trichomonosis
  2. Bluetongue
  3. Rift Valley Fever
  • Brucellosis
  • Bovine Anaplasmosis
  • Enzootic Bovine Leukosis

GUILDELINES FOR VETERINARY IMPORT APPROVAL FROZEN MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS

Procedures for Veterinary Import Permit

  1. Importers must submit an application for a veterinary import permit, specifying the import requirements for food of animal origin.
  2. The Minister of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) must approve the application letter for the veterinary import permit.
  3. The approval letter must be submitted online via the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) to the Director of the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) for evaluation, ensuring compliance with the requirements.
  4. Specific requirements depend on the type of consignment/product and the country of origin.

The following documents are required:

  • Original Veterinary Health Certificate from the exporting country.
  • Copy of the Bill of Lading.
  • Proof of payment of the approved fees.

The Chief Veterinary Officer grants online approval for the specified consignment/product.

Upon importation, inspection procedures commence at the ports until clearance is granted.

Samples shall be taken from consignments for laboratory analysis to verify compliance with safety and health standards.

NOTE:

For live animals, veterinary drugs and biologicals, feed and feed additives, dairy and dairy products, apply directly to the Chief Veterinary Officer at the following address before importing: 

Address:

The Chief Veterinary Officer

Veterinary Services Department

Box M161

Accra-Ghana

Subject: Application for Import Approval to Import (Specify Veterinary Product):

S/NO
Product: [Specify]
Quantity: [Specify]
Origin: [Specify]

S/NO Product: [Specify] Quantity: [Specify] Origin: [Specify]
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A. REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF FROZEN MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS

Every consignment must be accompanied by an original Veterinary Health Certificate, completed in English and endorsed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country’s veterinary administration.

The certificate must confirm the following:

  1. The premises or area of origin are free from disease restrictions as per WOAH standards.
  2. The meat is obtained from livestock/poultry:
  3. Kept for at least three months and found clinically free of infectious or contagious diseases.
  4. Hatched, reared, and slaughtered in the country of origin.
  5. Not sourced from flocks culled for disease control.
  6. Derived from establishments regularly monitored for Salmonella spp., with no evidence of Salmonella Enteritidis or Salmonella Typhimurium.
  7. Slaughtered, processed, and packed under government veterinary supervision.
  8. Bacteriologically tested and confirmed free of Salmonella.
B. REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF DAY-OLD CHICKS

Each consignment must be accompanied by an original Veterinary Health Certificate, signed by an official veterinarian, confirming:

  1. Inspection within 24 hours prior to export, showing no clinical signs of disease
  2. Originating from flocks free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease within 10 km for the last 90 days
  • Free from Salmonella Pullorum/Gallinarum and Mycoplasma Gallisepticum for 90 days prior to egg collection
  1. Free from clinical signs of Fowl Cholera and Fowl Pox
  2. Hatched from eggs from farms subjected to regular health control
  3. Vaccinated per WOAH recommendations
C. REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF HATCHING EGGS

Each consignment must be accompanied by an original Veterinary Health Certificate, confirming:

  1. The eggs were inspected within 24 hours before export and found free from poultry diseases.
  2. The hatchery of origin has been free of highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease within a 10 km radius for the past 90 days.
  • Approval is granted only for one consignment.
D. REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF FEED ADDITIVES
  1. The product/feed additives must not originate from areas under veterinary restrictions.
  2. They must be produced and packed in an establishment approved for export by the competent authority.
  • The products must not contain harmful materials and must be safe for animal consumption.
  1. The use of mixed meat and bone meal is not prohibited.
E. REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS

Each consignment must be accompanied by an original Veterinary Health Certificate duly completed in English and endorsed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country. The certificate must confirm:

  1. The animals producing the milk:
  2. Do not originate from farms under disease restrictions per OIE standards.
  3. Are kept in TB- and Brucellosis-free certified farms.
  4. The processing facilities are approved for export by the veterinary authority of the exporting country.
  5. The dairy factory meets export standards.
  6. The milk is heated to temperatures that destroy pathogenic organisms.
  7. The products are free of harmful substances and safe for human consumption.
LIST OF ITEMS REQUIRING VETERINARY IMPORT APPROVAL AND PERMIT
  1. Frozen Meat and Poultry Products
  2. Livestock (Live)
  3. Poultry (Live)
  4. Animal Feed (Complete)
  5. Feed Additives
  6. Dairy Products
  7. Veterinary Biologicals
  8. Veterinary Drugs
  9. Veterinary Equipment
  10. Pet Animal
  11. Exotic Birds
  12. Wildlife Animals
LIST OF VETERINARY ITEMS QUALIFYING FOR TAX EXEMPTION
  1. Feed Additives
  2. Dairy Products
  3. Veterinary Biologicals
  4. Veterinary Drugs
  5. Veterinary Equipment
PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR TAX EXEMPTION

Importers must apply to the Honourable Minister of MOFA for tax exemption.

Attach the following consignment documents:

  1. Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
  2. Proforma Invoice
  3. Packing List
  4. Certificate of Origin

      For further inquiries, please contact the following desk officers:

      KIA

      Officer In-Charge: +233 277418064

      Tema Port

      Officer In-Charge, Tema Port: +233 557269909

      Import

      Desk Officer, Import: +233 242649497

      Export

      Desk Officer, Export: +233 26837303

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