Permits and clearances
What the route requires, before you load
Animals cannot cross a district line, let alone a border, without permits and veterinary clearance, and a disease-control zone can close a route overnight. This page sets out what is normally required. It is the first page worth reading if you have never sold into the formal chain.
Guidance, not legal advice. This content is maintained by Chinyama and is general in nature. Requirements change, and they change fastest during a disease outbreak. Confirm with the veterinary authority named against your country before you move anything. Chinyama does not issue, procure or vouch for any permit, clearance or certificate, and does not act as your agent with any authority.
Requirements change, and disease control can close a route without notice.
By country
The cross-border routes
These are the routes that already run. Direction matters: the import permit is issued by the receiving country and must be in hand before the animals leave the farm.
The four things that stop a consignment
No tag, no sale
Traceability regimes such as the Botswana tagging system mean an untagged animal is effectively unsellable into the formal chain, whatever it weighs.
The zone is closed
Foot-and-mouth control can shut a route at short notice. Confirm zone status on both ends before you commit to a delivery date.
The permit is for a different route
A movement permit is issued for a stated route and stated dates. A change of either usually means a new permit.
The import permit came late
The receiving country issues it, and it is needed before departure, not on arrival at the border post.