News: Foreign Countries

International Pet Travel: Taking Your Pet Animal to a Foreign Country

If you are taking a pet to another country (permanently or for a visit), contact that country's consulate or embassy for information about any requirements that you must meet. A list of consulates can be found at Foreign Consular Offices in the United States

Many countries require your pet to have an International Health Certificate (APHIS FORM 7001 - "United States Interstate & International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals") to be completed by the APHIS accredited veterinarian who certifies animal health status, conducts tests, and records test results for the individual animals being exported.

Completed and signed international health certificates for the export of animals from the United States must be endorsed by a Veterinary Services area office in order to be valid. To obtain the USDA endorsement of an international health certificate or any other documents relating to traveling with your pet, the documents must be completed by an APHIS Accredited Veterinarian.

The APHIS Area Office for your state can assist you with your questions relating to traveling with your pet, help you locate an Accredited Veterinarian, and inform you of the fee(s) for the USDA endorsement(s). You should check with your current Veterinarian to determine if he/she is an APHIS Accredited Veterinarian.

You can locate veterinary services offices in your state at VS Area Offices the US

International Animal Export Regulations & List of Countries
Since export requirements frequently change, obtain the current export requirements from the Veterinary Service office in your area before travel.

Importing Pets: Regulations, Customs and Pet Quarantine Restrictions

Anguilla
Pets are allowed to enter with a permit. Any questions or inquiries should be directed to the Agriculture Department: Telephone: 264-497-2615.

Antigua and Barbuda
All pets entering Antigua & Barbuda must be accompanied by a valid Import License issued in advance by the Veterinary & Livestock Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Antigua & Barbuda. Please contact us at 268-460-1759 (tel./fax), vld@ab.gov.ag, or Veterinary & Livestock Division, P.O. Box 1282, St. John's, Antigua for your specific import requirements.

Australia
Quarantine is mandatory for all animals entering Australia. Minimum 30 days quarantine in Australia for pets arriving from the US. If you want to import a cat or dog into Australia or are returning to Australia with your pet, you need to apply with AQIS at least five months prior to departure. AQIS officers will assess your application and – provided your pet meets the conditions –grant you an import permit. You will need an import permit to book your pet into an AQIS-approved post-arrival animal quarantine station. There are currently three post-arrival quarantine stations suitable for dogs and cats in Australia – Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Barbados
An import permit must be obtained before the entry into Barbados of all pets. Dogs and cats can be imported by permit directly from the following countries: the UK, The Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, St. Kitts/Nevis, Antigua, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. Cats and Dogs originating from any other countries must undergo six month quarantine in Great Britain after which time an import permit can be secured.

Belgium
There is no quarantine to bring a pet cat or dog to Belgium.

Belize
Dogs and cats can be brought into Belize without quarantine. Owners must get a certificate from a veterinarian after an examination not more than 48 hours before to shipment stating that the animal is free from infectious diseases and has been vaccinated for rabies not less than one month and no more than six months before departure. Bringing a pet into the country falls under live animal importation and is regulated by the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA). Domestic pets are allowed to enter the country provided their owners have a valid import permit, international veterinary certificate, a valid rabies vaccination certificate, and that their pets have been inspected by a quarantine officer.

Bermuda
All animals arriving in Bermuda must be accompanied by an Import Permit that was issued in advance by the Department of Environmental Protection, together with an original of a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian of the country from which the animal is coming to Bermuda. The health certificate and veterinary statements must be issued within 10 days before the animal's arrival in Bermuda, must be dated, must show the name, address and phone number of the veterinary facility, and must be signed by a licensed veterinarian. You must provide evidence that your animal complies with all of import requirements before an Import Permit will be issued. Certain dog breeds may be prohibited.

British Virgin Islands
Dogs and cats are permitted entry only after the Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Division issues an import permit. The BVI is a Rabies free territory and in order to protect against the spread of this disease, there are regulations that address pets coming in from countries that are known to have outbreaks of Rabies, such as the U.S. mainland and Canada. Of note is that Caribbean nations such as Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the U.S. Virgin Islands are Rabies-free. Find the correct forms in a downloadable form at:www.britishvirginislands.com/ntk_permitspet.htm
For more information, call the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Division, at: (284) 495-2532.

Canada
Pet cats and dogs can be imported into Canada for any period of time without quarantine from any country; however, there are different requirements for cats entering from either rabies-free countries or from those countries that Canada does not consider to be free of rabies.
Pet cats and dogs must be accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate, which is issued by a licensed veterinarian(2), in either English or French and which clearly identifies the cats or dogs and states that they are currently vaccinated against rabies. This certificate should identify the animal as in breed, colour, weight, etc., and indicate the name of the licensed rabies vaccine used (trade name), including serial number and duration of validity (up to three years).
Canadian Customs does not require you to have a health certificate for your pet, but if the animal is travelling to Canada by air, the commercial airline may require a health certificate. Contact your airline for additional information on their requirements.

Ontario Canada Pit Bull Ban

Cayman Islands
All dogs and cats entering the Cayman Islands must be accompanied by an import permit issued by the Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture. Application forms are available from: Veterinary Services, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 459 G.T., Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I. Tel: 345-947-3090.

Costa Rica
Dogs and cats entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, and endorsed by a Veterinary Service (VS) veterinarian. The examination for the certificate must be conducted within the two weeks prior to travel to Costa Rica.

European Union (EU) Member States (except for Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdon
Pet dogs, cats, and ferrets traveling from the US to member states of the EU other than Ireland, Sweden and the UK are required to have a Veterinary Certificate. This certificate must be accompanied by supporting documentation, originals or certified copies, of the vaccination record and, for dogs and cats, the blood test result, both bearing the animal's microchip number. Veterinary Certificate Form (EC) No 998/2003. Dogs, cats and ferrets meeting the necessary requirements may move between EU Member States if they are accompanied by an EU pet passport. All Member States recognise this document.

Honduras
Dogs and cats must be accompanied by veterinarian health certificate issued at point of origin, and an import permit from the "Direccion General de Ganaderia y Veterinaria" (General Direction for Cattle Breeding and Veterinary Services). Dogs also require an additional rabies vaccination certificate and distemper and hepatitis certificates. The entry permit can be arranged upon arrival.

Hong Kong
Quarantine for pets varies from 0-6 months subject to their history and vaccination records. You may bring your cat, dog or bird into Hong Kong with a minimum amount of fuss if you are coming from a Category I or Category II country. Animals from a Category III country must go through quarantine at the owner's expense. For importing your pets to Hong Kong, you need to obtain in advance a special import permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. It usually takes 5 working days to process the application from the date of receipt of permit fee to the date of issue, subject to provision of all required information. Overseas applicants may nominate a person or agent in Hong Kong to apply for the permit on their behalf to minimise inconvenience and to expedite urgent applications.

India
Domestic pets like dog, cat, birds, etc. can be brought in by tourists of whether foreign or Indian origin but import of animals or birds is governed by strict health certificate regulations, which should be fulfilled. Clearance of one dog and other domestic pets, like cats and birds in a limited number may be allowed without Import Trade Control restrictions on furnishing the following health certificate to the customs authorities: A health certificate from a veterinary officer authorised to issue a valid certificate by the Government in the country of export to the effect that the dog imported is free from Aujossky's disease, Distemper, Rabies, Leishmaoiasis and Leptospirosis and in the case of cats from Rabies and Distemper. In the case of import of dogs and cats originating from countries where Rabies infection is known to exist, health certificate containing a record of vaccination, vaccine used, brew of the vaccine and the name of the production laboratory and to the effect that the dog/cat was vaccinated against Rabies more than one month, but within 12 months prior to actual embarkation with nervous tissue vaccine or within 36 months with chicken embryo both the vaccines having previously passed satisfactory potency tests. In the case of parrots, a certificate to the effect that the parrots were subjected to a compliment fixation test of psittacosis with negative results within 30 days prior to actual embarkation.

Ireland

Japan: Dogs and cats from Designated Regions -- Taiwan, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, UK (Great Britain & Northern Ireland only), Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Guam
On arrival in Japan, dogs and cats must undergo import quarantine for a set period to screen out rabies (and in the case of dogs, rabies and leptospirosis), depending on conditions. Furthermore, in order to check whether they have contracted the diseases in isolation from other animals or humans, the animals are held in the quarantine facilities of the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS). Please bear in mind that even when a long quarantine period is necessary, quarantine cannot be allowed at any place other than the premises of AQS.
When trying to import dogs or cats, you must submit advance notification of the planned date of arrival, number of animals and other items to the Animal Quarantine Service which has jurisdiction over your intended port of arrival at least 40 days prior to arrival in Japan. Please note that you may be requested to change the date or place of import depending on the availability situation of quarantine facilities at the Animal Quarantine Service.
For a dog or cat from a designated region (rabies-free country or region), if you have a certificate for the animal issued by the responsible government agency of the country of export containing necessary information such as the microchip number for individual identification, the quarantine period will be completed within 12 hours.

Japan: Dogs and cats from regions other than the Designated Regions
On arrival in Japan, dogs and cats must undergo import quarantine for a set period to screen out rabies (and in the case of dogs, rabies and leptospirosis), depending on conditions. Furthermore, in order to check whether they have contracted the diseases in isolation from other animals or humans, the animals are held in the quarantine facilities of the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS). Please bear in mind that even when a long quarantine period is necessary, quarantine cannot be allowed at any place other than the premises of AQS.
When trying to import dogs or cats, you must submit advance notification of the planned date of arrival, number of animals and other items to the Animal Quarantine Service which has jurisdiction over your intended port of arrival at least 40 days prior to arrival in Japan. Please note that you may be requested to change the date or place of import depending on the availability situation of quarantine facilities at the Animal Quarantine Service.
If you have a certificate for the animal issued by the responsible government agency of the country of export containing necessary information such as the microchip number for individual identification, dates of rabies vaccinations and rabies antibody levels as well as stating that the animal underwent 180 days wait in the country of export, the quarantine period will be completed within 12 hours. In all other cases the quarantine period will be up to 180 days.

Latvia
Upon bringing animals into Latvia, it is necessary to have a health certificate on hand, issued by an official veterinarian of the respective country.

Mexico
US visitors to Mexico may bring a dog or cat by presenting the following certificates at the border: a pet health certificate signed by a registered veterinarian in the United States and issued not more than 72 hours before the animal enters Mexico; and a pet vaccination certificate showing that the animal has been treated for rabies, distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis. Certification by Mexican consular authorities is not required for the health or vaccination certificate. A permit fee is charged at the time of entry into Mexico.

New Zealand
Live animals may not enter New Zealand without meeting specific conditions. These will depend on the type of animal and country of origin. Entry conditions are described in the appropriate Import Health Standard (IHS) for the animal you wish to import. A Permit to Import may be required and animals may have to undergo Post Entry Quarantine at a MAF approved facility. Some animals may be prohibited due to their protected status (see the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). If your animal does need to be quarantined you must, before applying for a Permit to Import, contact a quarantine facility in New Zealand to reserve a space for your animal(s). When you book a space the quarantine facility will send you a letter of confirmation, and this must be included with your permit application.

Singapore
To import your pets (e.g. dogs, cats, ornamental birds, rabbits, guinea pigs etc), you must first obtain an import permit from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) within 30 days prior to the date of arrival. Application for the permit can be made with the online form.

South Africa
The following documents are required:
* The original veterinary import permit issued by the Directorate of Animal Health in South Africa.Application to Import Pets to South Africa
* A valid rabies certificate obtained at least 30 days prior to your departure. This certificate should not have been obtained more than 12 months or less than 30 days prior to exporting. The vaccine used must be a strain of anti-rabies conforming to a potency standard recognized by the World Health Organization.
All dogs, cats, reptiles, primates imported into South Africa need to have been implanted with a microchip.

St. Lucia
Pets must have a Veterinary Import Permit before they may enter St. Lucia. This may be arranged for by contacting the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Department. They must also adhere to the following requirements: • The cat/dog must be electronically identifiable by having had an acceptable type of microchip implanted. Microchips must conform to ISO standard 11784.
• The cat/dog must be vaccinated against rabies at or over three months of age using inactivated and adjuvant vaccine approved by the veterinary authority of the exporting country.
• A blood test must be carried out not less than 30 days after the date the vaccination was done.
• The blood sample must be sent to an approved laboratory facility. The veterinary authority of the exporting country must accredit the laboratory. In order to qualify for permission, the blood test must show rabies and antibody trait equal or more than 0.5 IU/ml.
• Once permission has been granted, the cat/dog would be able to travel into St Lucia, 180 days (6 months) after the date the blood sample was taken.
• The cat/dog must be treated no more than 48 hours before entry into St Lucia with a preparation for the treatment of ticks and fleas and with an anthelmintic preparation.

Switzerland
A veterinary rabies vaccination certificate is compulsory, stating that the vaccination took place at least 30 days and no longer than one year before crossing the border. The 30-day waiting period need not be observed if there is proof of revaccination.
Importing pets to Switzerland

Trinidad and Tobago
All animals and animal products enteringTrinidad and Tobago must do so under the conditions of an import permit, which must be applied for well in advance of travel to Trinidad and Tobago. Persons should be aware that it might take several months for pets to qualify for entry into Trinidad and Tobago. Dogs and cats from the following countries are allowed direct entry into Trinidad and Tobago without having to go into quarantine or to have rabies vaccination or serum antibody testing: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Dominica Great Britain (United Kingdom), Jamaica, Luxemburg, Malta, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Sweden.

United Kingdom (UK)
The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is the system that allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet the rules. It also means that people in the UK can take their dogs, cats and ferrets to other European Union (EU) countries, and return with them to the UK. They can also, having taken their dogs, cats and ferrets to certain non-EU countries, bring them back to the UK without the need for quarantine. The rules are to keep the UK free from rabies and certain other diseases.
Dogs, cats and ferrets may only enter the UK under PETS from EU and certain non-EU countries. They must not have been to any unlisted countries in the 6 calendar months before entering or re-entering the UK. Listed Countries
Pets entering the United Kingdom from any country that does not fall under PETS are required to spend six months in quarantine in the United Kingdom.
The European regulation which sets the rules for dogs, cats and ferrets to travel between European Community countries and intothe Community from other countries also covers the movement of other pet animals such as pet rabbits and rodents.

Importing Pet Birds to the UK
Pet birds may be imported from either EU or third countries subject to certain conditions.

United States (including US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico but not Hawaii)
CDC regulations govern the importation of animals and animal products capable of causing human disease. Pets taken out of the United States are subject upon return, to the same regulations as those entering for the first time.
The CDC does not require general certificates of health for pets for entry into the United States. However, health certificates may be required for entry into some states, or may be required by airlines for pets. You should check with officials in your state of destination and with your airline prior to your travel date.
Proof of Rabies Vaccination:
Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the United States. These requirements apply equally to service animals such as Seeing Eye dogs.
Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the United States. However, some states require vaccination of cats for rabies, so it is a good idea to check with state and local health authorities at your final destination.
Importation of Unvaccinated Dogs
Dogs not accompanied by proof of rabies vaccination, including those that are too young to be vaccinated (i.e. less than 3 months of age), may be admitted if the importer completes a confinement agreement and confines the animal until it is considered adequately vaccinated against rabies (the vaccine is not considered effective until 30 days after the date of vaccination).
Restricted Animals
Monkeys and other nonhuman primates may not be imported as pets under any circumstances. Importation for permitted purposes is strictly controlled through a registration process.

United States - Hawaii
Dogs and cats meeting specific pre and post arrival requirements may qualify for 5-Days–Or-Less quarantine or direct release at Honolulu International Airport after inspection. Dogs and cats not meeting all of the specific 5-Day-Or-Less program requirements must be quarantined for up to 120 days upon arrival In Hawaii.

U.S. State and Territory Animal Import Regulations