Published in 2025 / Updated in 2026
Attention:
- A rabbit is not a rodent. It is a lagomorph. All requirements concerning rabbits are here.
- A ferret is not a rodent. It is exported with the same vaccinations as dogs.
- A meerkat is not a rodent. It is exported with dog vaccinations.
Rodents are prohibited from being imported into Egypt.
From August 21, 2024, the import and transit through the territory of Armenia of all types of rodents and primates is prohibited due to the monkeypox epidemic. The ban will remain in effect until clarification is provided by the WHO.
The following types of rodents are considered domestic animals:
Akomis (spiny mouse)
Degu
Decorative rat
Mastomys (Natal mouse)
Guinea pig
Decorative mouse
Gerbil
Djungarian hamster
Chinese hamster
Campbell’s hamster
Common hamster
Roborovski hamster
Syrian hamster
Chinchilla
If you have a wild rodent that is not a domesticated species, it may have different shipping requirements as wildlife shipping is regulated by CITES. You can find out if your pet is on the CITES list by entering the name of its species in Latin on this website.
Required documents:
1. Chipping
Rodents are implanted with a chip of the ISO 11784/11785 standard, which is smaller in size.
2. Health certificate
If you are travelling within the EU, you will need a rodent health certificate from your veterinarian, valid for 10 days to enter the EU and 4 months for onward travel.
3. Export health certificate
If you are travelling outside the EU, you will need an export health certificate.
The certificate is typically issued by a veterinarian authorized by the relevant governmental agency, such as the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in the US or the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in the UK.
The EHC is typically valid for a limited period (e.g., 14 days) from the date of issuance to the date of departure.
In the UK, you can apply for an export certificate online EHCs
4. Rodents are not vaccinated
5. Quarantine periods
Quarantine periods can be required for rodents arriving from outside the EU. For example, Great Britain requires a 4-month quarantine for rabbits and rodents entering from non-EU countries.
Consult Authorities:
Contact the relevant authorities in the destination country to inquire about import regulations for rodents.
Airline requirements for transporting rodents
Not all airlines accept rodents on board. In any case, it is better to check this directly with the airline’s support, because the conditions may change.
Airlines typically require rodents to be transported in secure, rigid containers with a locking mechanism to prevent escape.
Transport your rodent in a cage that has a sturdy frame and good ventilation.
Consider the weather conditions. In summer, you can put a light cloth on the bottom of the container. And in winter, you should use something that retains heat well so that the animal does not get too cold during the flight.
Remember that guinea pigs need to eat constantly, especially when they are nervous, so make sure to provide them with plenty of hay in their carrier.
After arrival, let the pet rest. Leave it in a quiet, dark place, pour clean, cool water and give it time to come to its senses and calm down.
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