Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to Wallis and Futuna with your dog or cat is not something to be taken lightly. The territory is officially rabies-free and highly protected from a health standpoint, which imposes a long, strict, and sometimes confusing import process for owners. Between the requirements from New Caledonia, mandatory quarantine, veterinary certificates, and local formalities, you should plan for at least five months of preparation before your companion can join you in Wallis and Futuna.
This guide details the procedures, constraints, and key points to watch out for to successfully complete your project, while preserving the health of your pet and that of the local wildlife in the archipelago.
Understanding the Health and Geographical Context
Wallis and Futuna is an isolated French overseas collectivity in the heart of the Pacific, composed of Wallis (Uvea), Futuna, and the uninhabited island of Alofi. The human population is modest, the environment is still preserved, and most agricultural production is for self-consumption. This setup explains the very high level of protection against imported animal diseases.
Health studies confirm the absence of rabies and major Category A epizootics (OIE) in the territory. However, some diseases are present: in dogs (Ehrlichia canis transmitted by the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick, and canine parvovirus) and in pigs (leptospirosis and trichinosis). Preserving this relatively favorable health status is a major priority for local veterinary services.
This is why Wallis and Futuna has modeled its system on that of New Caledonia, which is also classified as rabies-free, by imposing a mandatory stopover in Nouméa and strict quarantine before any arrival in the archipelago.
A Two-Part Process: New Caledonia, then Wallis and Futuna
Importing a dog or cat to Wallis and Futuna takes place in two major, inseparable sequences. The first concerns entry into New Caledonia and quarantine in Païta; the second manages the transfer from Nouméa to Wallis and Futuna.
This general process can be summarized as follows:
| Step | Location | Main Actors | Key Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Health Preparation and File | Country of Origin | Attending Veterinarian, National Veterinary Authorities | Begins ≥ 5 months before departure |
| 2. Import to New Caledonia | Nouméa | DAVAR–SIVAP, DDPP, Airline | Travel + Arrival Inspection |
| 3. Quarantine | Païta (Nouméa) | Jean Vergès Animal Quarantine, SIVAP | ≈ 10 days |
| 4. Wallis and Futuna File | During Quarantine | SIVAP Wallis and Futuna (BIVAP), DAVAR | Rapid Permit Processing |
| 5. Final Treatments + Certificate A & B | Nouméa | Private Veterinarian + Official DAVAR Veterinarian | Within 3 days before the flight |
| 6. Flight Nouméa → Wallis | Nouméa / Wallis | Airline (Aircalin), Veterinary Services | < 3 h flight |
Each step corresponds to a set of documents, deadlines, and medical requirements that we will detail.
Plan Ahead: A Project to Start at Least Five Months Before Departure
The authorities recommend starting the process at least five months before the intended travel date for the animal. This timeline is explained by several combined factors: the delay between the rabies vaccination and the blood draw for the serology test, laboratory analysis time, obtaining import permits, booking quarantine and flights, and then the deadlines imposed for final antiparasitic treatments.
The rabies vaccination schedule is not just a recommendation, but a structural necessity. Any delay, even on a single step like receiving a titer result outside the prescribed deadlines, can compromise the entire procedure and force you to restart it partially or completely.
Step 1: Veterinary Prerequisites for New Caledonia
Entry into New Caledonia is the cornerstone of the process, as Wallis and Futuna has chosen to align with this protocol. All animals with a final destination of Wallis and Futuna must therefore fully comply with New Caledonian rules.
Identification: Tattoo Accepted, Microchip Strongly Advised
For New Caledonia, marking by microchip is not technically mandatory: a legible tattoo is accepted. However, many countries of origin now require identification by a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 transponder, and this solution remains the safest for the international readability of documents.
It is therefore reasonable, especially in case of transits or a future return to the European Union, to have a compliant microchip implanted. The number must appear on all certificates, test results, and permits.
Mandatory Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats
The required vaccination protocols are precise. For dogs, authorities require protection against rabies, but also against a comprehensive set of canine diseases.
| Species | Required Vaccines (New Caledonia) |
|---|---|
| Dog | Rabies, Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough) |
| Cat | Rabies, Coryza (Calicivirus + Viral Rhinotracheitis), Panleukopenia, Chlamydia |
The booster shots must be valid at the time of entry into New Caledonia and not expire within 30 days of arrival.
Rabies Serology: A Pivotal Part of the File
Even though rabies is absent from Wallis and Futuna as well as New Caledonia, a rabies antibody titer test is required for animals coming from countries not classified as rabies-free. The blood sample must be taken more than three months before the transport date, but less than one year before entry.
The blood analysis (FAVN test) must be performed by an authorized laboratory and within the strict deadlines imposed. A test performed outside the regulatory windows can invalidate the import file, which underscores the importance of establishing a precise timeline with your veterinarian.
Antiparasitic Treatments and Screening Tests
Prophylaxis against parasites (internal and external) takes place in two stages, with additional requirements for dogs.
Within 30 days before the flight to Nouméa, a first series of treatments is administered against internal parasites (nematodes, cestodes) and external parasites (fleas, ticks). For dogs, a battery of screening tests is added:
– Canine Ehrlichiosis
– Canine Brucellosis
– Leptospirosis (if the dog is not vaccinated)
– Leishmaniasis
– Canine Babesiosis and Babesia gibsoni
Then, within the four days before departure, a second series of antiparasitic treatments is performed. It is also within this timeframe that the veterinarian finalizes the Veterinary Certificate for Importation into New Caledonia.
Veterinary Certificate and Validation by the DDPP
The “Veterinary Certificate for Importation” is first completed by the attending veterinarian, then endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the country of origin (in France, the DDPP – Departmental Directorate for Population Protection). This official validation is essential to give regulatory value to the document.
Without this stamp, the animal may be refused entry, placed in extended quarantine, or subjected to costly, or even radical, measures upon arrival.
Day of Departure: Approved Crate and Official Sealing
In addition to paperwork compliance, the physical transport of the animal must comply with IATA standards (International Air Transport Association). The crate must provide enough space for the animal to stand up, turn around, and lie down, with adequate ventilation.
On the day of departure, an approved veterinarian seals the crate and records the seal number on the veterinary certificate. This detail formalizes the health security chain: the animal arriving in the quarantine zone is precisely the one that was checked and vaccinated.
The journey to Nouméa can take around twenty hours, with possible layovers. A prior consultation with a veterinarian is recommended to assess stress management, hydration, and, if necessary, the advisability of a mild sedative, always under strict medical supervision.
Step 2: Mandatory Quarantine in New Caledonia
All animals destined for Wallis and Futuna go through the “Jean Vergès” animal quarantine in Païta, near Nouméa. This stay is approximately ten days. Even an animal from a rabies-free country and perfectly vaccinated does not escape it: it is a systematic requirement.
Quarantine serves to observe the animal after travel, check for the absence of contagious diseases, re-verify its documents, and calmly prepare for the next steps of the procedure to Wallis and Futuna.
During this period, it is important to remain reachable and to simultaneously finalize the future Wallisian import permit.
Step 3: Preparing Entry to Wallis and Futuna During Quarantine
While your companion is under observation in Païta, you must initiate the procedures specific to Wallis and Futuna. These are managed by the local SIVAP, often referred to by the acronym BIVAP for the biosecurity aspect.
Applying for an Import Permit from the SIVAP of Wallis and Futuna
The first essential document is the import permit issued by the SIVAP of Wallis and Futuna. The application is made by submitting a specific form, dated (version 09/06/2019), to the dedicated email address:
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
