Are you a Lebanese UAE resident with a furrbaby? It’s now possible to take them on vacation to Beirut!
Update (September 2022)
Unfortunately, Etihad Airlines increased the cost of flying with your pet in cabin from $200 to $1,500 (yes, you read it correctly!) which makes it unaffordable for most of us. Please join me in reaching out to Etihad by sending an email to feedback@etihad.ae to raise your voice about the unrealistic updated prices which is 7 times more expensive than the average market price.
Many people think that taking your pet with you as you travel is a hassle. It’s true. However, it has become easier to take your furrbaby in cabin between Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — if they weigh less than 8Kgs (so cute!) and are older than sixteen weeks.
I have completed two roundtrips from UAE to Lebanon successfully. During both trips, I was approached by pet parents or friends of pet parents for questions and advice about the process, conditions, costs, and risks. For this reason, I am writing this article aiming to help anyone who does not want to leave his/her pet behind while on vacation in Lebanon.
The reason why most people are not aware of the possibility is for the simple reason it was not allowed to bring pets in cabin to UAE before November 2021. The only possible way was by shipping them as cargo which is both risky and expensive. However, Etihad Airlines allowed passengers to bring dogs and cats in cabin as of November 2021.
Important: while you may be able to take your pet from UAE to other countries via several airlines, the only way to arrive to the UAE with a pet in cabin is via Etihad Airlines which is only available in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
General Pet-related Prerequisites
- The pet must be inspected by a veterinarian to advise if the pet is fit for travel as some pet breeds or pets with certain illnesses might suffer from unfortunate events during travel.
- The pet must have been administered a rabies vaccination shot not less than 21 days prior to travel date and not more than 12 months prior to travel date. You should have the vaccination certificate including the vaccine’s manufacturer, batch number, and expiration date.
- Other vaccinations are required (and usually recommended regardless of travel) to be made once in a lifetime and are mentioned in this MOCCAE document.
- The pet must be microchipped.
- The pet must have a vaccination book which is also sometimes referred to as a passport.
- The pet should have a travel bag that meets the airline requirements. For example, on Etihad Airlines, the pet travel bag or kennel must not exceed 40 x 40 x 22cm (L x W x H) to fit under your seat or 50 x 43 x 50cm (L x W x H) if you will purchase an adjacent seat for your pet.
Process
In the following sections I describe the overall process and steps required to travel with your pet assuming you are a UAE resident and you are starting your trip from the UAE.
From UAE to LEB
For the route of UAE to Lebanon, you have two options. You can fly with Etihad Airlines from Abu Dhabi or you can fly with Middle East Airlines from Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH). The process differs slightly between both options.
- Option 1: via Etihad Airlines
- Arrange for an appointment with your vet so they check your pet and provide you a fit-to-fly certificate.
- Submit a request for a veterinary health certificate for exporting or re-exporting live animals via the website or mobile app of the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MOCCAE). (see image below)
After you fill out the e-form and make the payment (100 AED), you will need to go with your pet for a physical examination at one of the MOCCAE centers whereby a ministry vet will inspect the pet and validate the documents and then issue the export certificate.
Make sure to save the export certificate as you will need it on your way back to UAE.
3. Book your ticket with Etihad Airlines.
4. Submit a booking form at this link at least seven days before your flight to make sure your pet has a slot on this journey. Etihad Airlines team will then reach out to you to approve your request and ask you to make the payment by credit card over the phone.
5. On the day of travel, make sure to print all documents so you have them ready at check-in. At the check-in counter, they will (1) weigh your pet with the bag and (2) validate your documents.
6. When you arrive in Lebanon, and according to my experience, you are not required to do anything for the import process at the airport in Beirut — as long as you have your pet traveling in cabin and not as manifested cargo. You will pass by the Lebanese Customs and then collect your bag and leave to your home.
- Option 2: via Middle East Airlines
If you are a resident of Dubai like me, you might find the MEA route a more practical and cheaper option for several reasons. First, DXB is easier and cheaper to reach than AUH. Second, the pet in cabin fare is usually less expensive (it varies based on the pet weight though). Third, the actual flight duration is currently shorter which makes it less stressful for yourself and your pet.
Steps 1-2: same as in option 1.
3. Book your ticket with Middle East Airlines.
4. Call MEA support center to request to fly with a pet in cabin and they will assist you to complete the process and to make the payment. You can check this link to find the MEA contact number based on your location.
Steps 5–6: same as in option 1.
From LEB to UAE
The only available airline option for this route is via Etihad Airlines as stated earlier.
Required Medical Treatments
To import a dog or cat into the UAE, you need to give your pet two treatments within 10 days prior to travel date.
- Anti-external parasites using (Fipronil or Permethrin)
- Deworming (Anthelmintic) using (Praziquantel)
The vet should mention the date of each treatment and vaccine on the vaccination book and sign and stamp; otherwise it will not be accepted.
Process
- Arrange for an appointment with your vet so they check your pet and provide you a fit-to-fly certificate as well as the treatments mentioned in the previous section along with the updated signed and stamped vaccination book.
- Submit a request for Import of pets (cats/dogs) via the website or the mobile app of MOCCAE and make the payment of 200 AED. Make sure you mention that your pet is a UAE resident. You will receive the import approval on the portal and you can download a soft copy of the certificate from the attachments section.
If you do not mention in the import consignment form that your pet is a UAE resident, you will be required to make a rabies titre test to prove that your pet has rabies antibodies.
3. Book your ticket with Etihad Airlines.
4. Submit a booking form at this link at least seven days before your flight to make sure your pet has a slot on this journey. Etihad Airlines team will then reach out to you to approve your request and ask you to make the payment by credit card over the phone.
5. Submit all required paperwork including the Lebanese government vet health certificate and UAE health certificate within 5 days before the travel date. I recommend reaching finishing the paperwork 4–5 days before your travel so you can get the approval from Etihad in time as their response time is 3 days. I also recommend that you talk to the health official and make sure they will be available to complete the paperwork in the right time frame. There are also experienced Lebanese agents such as Mr. Ali Assaad (961 78 853 482) who can help you get the paperwork done.
Note: Etihad Airlines may inform you when you email them as in step 5 that the UAE Health Certificate is missing. You need to tell them that you can only share it 24 hours prior to travel and ask them to approve your request in the meantime. Do not wait to submit your request to Etihad until all papers are done as they will most probably reject your request. Make sure you have your pet’s slot reserved and then you can complete your papers as you progress.
6. Scan all your documents including the UAE Health Certificate (or annex), export certificate, import certificate, vaccination book, fit-to-fly certificate, and airlines ticket and have them ready on your laptop or phone as you need to submit them when you arrive to the airport in Abu Dhabi.
7. On the day of travel, make sure to print all documents so you have them ready at check-in. At the check-in counter, they will (1) weigh your pet with the bag (2) validate your documents and (3) ask you to sign a document related to pet travel and responsibilities.
8. When you arrive in the airport at Abu Dhabi, and after you collect your baggage, you need to go to the Customs offices where people claim goods. You can ask any security official for requesting release of pet and they will guide you to the right office.
9. Log in to the MOCCAE website or mobile app and go to the open request related to the pet import. Click on the button of initiate release request. (see image below) This step will cost you 500 AED if you are importing a dog or 250 AED if you are importing a cat. You can also do this step anytime you arrive to the airport.
10. Fill in the required fields and attach all required scanned documents. (see image below)
Hints:
- Bill of lading is the booking reference
- Carrier is the flight number
11. The UAE Customs officials will call the airport vet to inspect your pet and she will guide you to finalize the process.
That will be the whole process for traveling with your pet from UAE to Lebanon and back to UAE. I hope you found this article helpful and I wish you a great time with your furrbaby in Lebanon.
Tousalo bessalemeh!
