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Pet Regulations for Entry into Various Countries
Customs/Quarantine Pet Restrictions
| Important note: The information below is to be used as a general guideline.
Before you travel, always confirm the pet travel regulations with the appropriate embassy
or consulate office, and the airline on which your dog will be traveling. |
Airline Info: Some airlines
require a Certificate of Health from a veterinarian within 10 days of any travel
date (traveling both to and from the U.S.). This means that U.S. residents returning
to the U.S. might need to get a Certificate of Health from an international vet if
you stay in the foreign country for more than 10 days. For more info, look here. |
Click on a country/continent for detailed information.
Canada
Carribean
Europe
Great Britain/England
Israel
Japan
Mexico
South America
United States
Countries/Islands To Avoid
For countries not listed here, try the Embassy
page .
Canada
Entry and Re-Entry into
Canada from the U.S.A.
Customs Information for Traveling Between the
United States and Canada
If you will be traveling between the United States
and Canada, identification for Customs and Immigration is required.
U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling across the border need the
following:
People
- Proof of citizenship such as your passport or a
certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county
or state/province where you were born.
- Photo identification such as a current valid
driver's license.
- People with children need to bring their child's
birth certificate. Single parents, grandparents or guardians
traveling with children often need proof or notarized letters from
the other parent authorizing travel.
Dogs
- Dogs must be free of evidence of diseases
communicable to humans when possibly examined at the port of entry.
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate (including
an expiration date usually up to 3 years from the actual vaccine
date and a veterinarian's signature). If no expiration date is
specified on the certificate, then the certificate is acceptable if
the date of the vaccination is not more than 12 months before the
date of arrival. The certificate must show that the dog had the
rabies vaccine at least 30 days prior to entry.
- Young puppies must be confined at a place of the
owner's choosing until they are three months old, then they must be
vaccinated. They must remain in confinement for 30 days after the
vaccination.
Carribean
Aruba
We still need to confirm this policy which states: Valid Rabies
& Health Certificate required. No pets allowed from South &
Central America.
Bonaire
We still need to confirm this policy which states: Valid Rabies & Health
Certificate required.
Caicos Islands
We still need to confirm this policy which states: To bring your pet you require
a veterinary certificate stating that the animal is in good health and has had a
rabies vaccination. A public health inspector will examine the animal upon arrival.
Guadeloupe
We still need to confirm this policy which states: Cats & dogs above the
age of 3 months are admitted temporarily as pets, on presentation of a certificate
of origin & good health or a certificate of anti-rabies inoculation, issued by
a licensed veterinarian from the country of shipment.
Punta Cana
We still need to confirm this policy which states: Minimum requirements are
that the Department of Animal Health be presented with a Rabies vaccination certificate
indicating that the inoculation was given 30 days prior to the animals arrival in
the country and a Health Certificate issued not more than 15 days prior to the animals
arrival in the country. If these requirements are not met, the animal will be quarantined
from 8 to 30 days depending on its country of origin.
St. Barts
We still need to confirm this policy which states: Dogs & cats over three
months old are allowed in temporarily with certificates of origin & good health
(or anti-rabies inoculation) issued by a licensed veterinarian from country of shipment.
St. Maarten/St. Martin
We still need to confirm this policy which states: Animals are admitted temporarily
with the following papers: a current health certificate (must be dated no more than
10 days prior to departure);Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days
before entering St. Martin and the rabies shot given in the last 12 months.
Carribean Countries To Avoid (see below)
(Because of Long Quarantines, Lengthy Processes or Tough Restrictions)
Europe
Britain
Effective December 11, 2002 the Pet Travel Scheme has been
extended to include the U.S. and Canada. But before you hop on a
plane with your dog see our discussion on the rules. Click
here to read about taking your dog to the United Kingdom
(England).
France
Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before entering France and
the rabies shot must have been given in the last 12 months. A valid rabies vaccination
certificate needs to accompany the animal. Also required is a Certificate of Health
from a veterinarian within 5 days of any travel date (traveling both to and from
France). This means that French residents returning to the France might need to get
a Certificate of Health from an international vet if you stay in the foreign country
for more than 5 days.
Source: Embassy of
France in Washington, D.C., USA
Italy
Pets are allowed to enter only if they are in good health and vaccinated against
rabies.
Source: Italian Embassy
in Washington, D.C., USA
Switzerland
Dogs and cats entering the customs territory of Liechtenstein/Switzerland from
abroad must have a certificate from a veterinary surgeon testifying that the animal
has been immunized against rabies. The vaccination must have been given at least
30 days before crossing the frontier and may not be more than one year old.
Source: Entry
and Customs Regulations
Israel
Import of animals accompanied by owners:
Pet dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and rodents which are not considered wildlife, up
to two of each type, accompanied by their owners, are exempt from a Veterinary Import
Permit provided that
- A Veterinary Health Certificate, issued by a government veterinary officer in the
country of origin within 7 days prior to export is attached, stating that the animals
were examined, found healthy, free from infectious and contagious diseases, and that
a declaration has been received from the owner stating that the animals have been
in his/her possession for at least the last 90 days.
- An international certificate of vaccination stating that the dogs or cats have
been vaccinated against rabies, not more than a year and not less than a month prior
to shipment to Israel.
- Dogs and cats, younger than 3 months will not be admitted. Following details of
every import of animals must be notifies to the Ramla Quarantine Station at least
48 hours prior to arrival to Israel, Fax No. 972-8-9229906: owner, animal species,
age, flight No. and approximate time of arrival. Animals arriving in good health
and properly certified will generally not be quarantined.
Quarantine - Unaccompanied animals, or such which require an import permit, shall
be quarantined in an official quarantine station for a period of 8 days or as decided
upon by the Director.
Source: Israel Customs
and VAT
Japan
All dogs and cats entering Japan from the United States must be quarantined for
at least 14 days. Also, all dogs and cats must be accompanied by two documents issued
by licensed veterinarians in the U.S. They are:
-A health certificate stating that the dog or cat is not infected or is not suspected
of being infected with rabies. For dogs the certificates must show that the dog is
not infected or is not suspected of being infected with Leptospirosis. No dog will
be allowed to enter Japan without a Health Certificate.
- A rabies inoculation certificate stating the date and type of rabies vaccination
administered. To minimize the quarantine period, the pet should be given a rabies
shot at least 30 days before the petís arrival (see the table below). In addition,
please ensure that the vaccination period does not expire before the petís arrival.
If the vaccine has an immunity period of more than one year then the certificate
should state its duration.
If you are bringing a pet into Japan, then you'll need to read Japan's
official "Guide to The Animal Quarantine Service".
Mexico
U.S. 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 veterinarin 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,
hepatitis, pip 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.
Source: U.S. Bureau
of Consular Affairs
South America
Brazil
Pets (dogs, cats, birds) may enter Brazil only upon presentation of the following
documents, duly authenticated by the Consular Service:
- sanitary certificate (for pets) issued by a veterinary and duly stamped by USDA,
dated within one week prior to pets' departure;
- rabies vaccination, as applicable.
Sanitary certificates must also certify that, up to 40 days prior to boarding, no
contagious disease had been detected in the place of origin. Admittance of animals
other than dogs, cats and pet birds require prior approval by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Source: Brazilian
Embassy in Washington, D.C.
United States
Hawaii (different from the rest of the U.S.) (see
below)
United States - Including US Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St.
John, St. Thomas) and Puerto Rico - But Not Including Hawaii
- (For Hawaii See below) Pets taken out
of the United States and returned are subject to the same requirements
as those entering for the first time.
Customs Information for Traveling Between the
United States and Canada
If you will be traveling between the United States
and Canada, identification for Customs and Immigration is required.
U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling across the border need the
following:
People
- Proof of citizenship such as your passport or a
certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county
or state/province where you were born.
- Photo identification such as a current valid
driver's license.
- People with children need to bring their child's
birth certificate. Single parents, grandparents or guardians
traveling with children often need proof or notarized letters from
the other parent authorizing travel.
Dogs
- Dogs must be free of evidence of diseases
communicable to humans when possibly examined at the port of entry.
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate (including
an expiration date usually up to 3 years from the actual vaccine
date and a veterinarian's signature). If no expiration date is
specified on the certificate, then the certificate is acceptable if
the date of the vaccination is not more than 12 months before the
date of arrival. The certificate must show that the dog had the
rabies vaccine at least 30 days prior to entry.
- Young puppies must be confined at a place of the
owner's choosing until they are three months old, then they must be
vaccinated. They must remain in confinement for 30 days after the
vaccination.
US Virgin Islands - Many dogs and cats run free on the island,
so keep a sharp eye on your pet. Don't leave your pet tied in the open
alone.
Hawaii - In general, pets must be
in quarantine for 5-120 days. A new program recently began , called
the 5-Day-Or-Less Program, allows for short quarantines of up to 5 days
if a host of requirements are met. Please note that it takes at least
120 days before entry into Hawaii to meet the requirements. For more
information click
here.
Source: U.S.
Customs and Centers
for Disease Control
Countries/Islands
with more difficult entry requirements that may take a long time to
meet. Failure to meet these requirements exactly will result in
quarantine of your pet.
Anguilla
(Located in the Carribean) |
A license granted under the Animals Importation Ordinance is required. The animal
has to originate from an approved country (rabies-free country, like the UK) and
an up to date health certificate issued by a qualified veterinary surgeon should
be produced on arrival and certified by the Director of Agriculture (809-497-2615). |
Antigua
(Located in the Carribean) |
No pets allowed except coming from an approved quarantined area. |
Bahamas
(Located in the Carribean) |
To bring a dog into the Bahamas requires an import permit obtainable from the Department
of Agriculture, phone (242) 325-7502. To obtain a permit, send your name, address,
phone number, age of dog, sex of dog, breed of dog and $10 U.S. dollars. For an extra
$5 they will fax the import permit to you. Mail the information and money to The
Department of Agriculture, PO Box N3028, Nassau, Bahamas. It can take up to 2 months
for the permit, so plan ahead! Additionally, if you are coming from the US or Canada,
you will need a veterinary health certificate issued 48 hours before embarking and
a valid certificate of rabies vaccination for either the one year rabies vaccine
(given to the animal at least one month before arrival, and not more than 10 months
before arrival), or the three year rabies vaccine (given to the animal at least one
month before arrival, and not more than 34 months before arrival).
Source: Department of Agriculture, Nassau, Bahama, Phone 242-325-7502. |
Barbados
(Located in the Carribean) |
An import permit (and 6 month quarantine) must be obtained before the entry into
Barbados of all pets. Dogs and cats can be imported by permit (without quarantine)
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. |
| Hawaii |
In General, pets must be in quarantine for
5-120 days. A new program recently began , called the
5-Day-Or-Less Program, allows for short quarantines of up
to 5 days if a host of requirements are met. Please note
that it takes at least 120 days before entry into Hawaii
to meet the requirements. For more information click
here. |
| Jamaica |
We need to find the official requirements but have heard they either don't allow
dogs or require that pets must be in quarantine for 6 months. |
| Republic of Ireland (Ireland) |
New Information! See our
discussion at this link |
St. Kitts / Nevis
(Located in the Carribean) |
Pets must be in quarantine for 6 months & arrive with certificates of inoculations.
There is no quarantine station locally. |
St. Lucia
(Located in the Carribean) |
Dogs not allowed - no quarantine facilities. |
St. Vincent
(Located in the Carribean) |
We need to find the official requirements but have heard they either don't allow
dogs or require that pets must be in quarantine for 6 months. |
| UK (England, Great Britain) |
New Information! See our
discussion at this link |
|
