Pet travel from the United States to Aruba

Last Modified: March 26, 2024
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Welcome! This page will guide you through the rules and requirements for traveling internationally with your pet.

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Before You Start the Process

Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

With help from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, you can learn more about your destination country's entry requirements for pets, including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments. We recommend creating a schedule to make sure you meet all requirements within the specified timeframe.

Gather This Information for Your USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

  • The type of pet traveling
  • The destination country
  • If applicable, countries where your pet will stop (for customs clearance or upon leaving the airport or seaport) on the way to the destination country
  • The date of departure from the United States
  • Whether the pet will be traveling alone, as cargo, or with a person in the cabin of the plane
  • Note: If you're traveling with a pet bird or exotic animal, you may need to work with additional agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1.41 MB) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read These Resources

Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type

As of October 7th, 2016, Aruba requires additional certification statements for New World Screwworm, which have been added to the health certificate available below (Step 4).

AVID brand or ISO compatible microchips are required 
- If your pet has a microchip type other than an AVID or ISO compatible chip, your pet must travel with a microchip scanner capable of reading your pet’s microchip

  • Pets that will be under 3 months of age at the time they travel to Aruba do not need to be vaccinated for rabies.
    • A statement reading, “too young for rabies vaccination” should be included on the health certificate.
  • Pets over 3 month of age must be vaccinated against rabies and travel with a rabies vaccination certificate that contains the following information:
    • Name, lot number, and expiration date of the vaccine
    • Date of current vaccination (must be given at least 1 month prior to traveling to Aruba)
    • Name, address, phone number and signature of the veterinarian that gave the rabies vaccination
  • The dog/cat must have been in the United States or Aruba continuously for the 6 months preceding the date of export
    OR
  • If the dog/cat is younger than 6 months, it must have been born and lived continuously in the United States at the date of export
    OR
  • Written exemption from the above by the Head of the Veterinary Service of Aruba
    • The Veterinary Service of Aruba may be reached by telephone at: +297 5850400 or +297 522 4310; by FAX at: +297 5851828 or email vetservice@dvg.aw.
  • Must be issued within 2 weeks (14 days) of arrival into Aruba by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian
  • After issuance, the Health certificate will need to be endorsed (counter-signed) by an USDA Endorsement Office. 

Health certificate for Dogs and Cats (150.85 KB)

  • The health certificate and related documentation must be approved by the Director of the Veterinary Service of Arubabefore the animals are shipped to Aruba.
    • The Veterinary Service of Aruba may be reached by telephone at: +297 5850400 or +297 522 4310; by FAX at: +297 5851828 or email vetservice@dvg.aw.

To take your pet bird to Aruba you will need the following:

  • CITES-listed birds must be bred in captivity (not wild-caught) and have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.
  • In order to import pet birds into Aruba, you must have your pet bird’s health certificate and related documentation approved by the Director of the Veterinary Service of Aruba before the animals are shipped to Aruba.
    • The Veterinary Service of Aruba may be reached by telephone at: +297 5850400 or +297 522 4310; by FAX at: +297 5851828 or email vetservice@dvg.aw.

Requirements for sending exotic pets to Aruba:

  • You will have to obtain an import permit for your exotic pet to determine what will be required for it to travel to Aruba.
    • To apply for an import permit, contact: The Veterinary Service of Aruba may be reached by telephone at: +297 5850400 or +297 522 4310; by FAX at: +297 5851828 or email vetservice@dvg.aw.
  • Aruba considers the following when evaluating import permits for exotic animals that do not naturally occurring on the island:

1. The intrinsic value of the animal should not be jeopardized. 
2. Public health should not be endangered in any way. 
3. The risk of the animal being/becoming an invasive species must be zero.

  • You must have your exotic pet’s health certificate and/or related documentation approved by the Director of the Veterinary Service of Aruba before the animals are shipped to Aruba.
    • The Veterinary Service of Aruba may be reached by telephone at: +297 5850400 or +297 522 4310; by FAX at: +297 5851828 or email vetservice@dvg.aw.

For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially informed by the foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We recommend that you contact a government official of the country you are traveling to for more information.

Country of Destination Contact Information

World Organisation for Animal Health: Members

U.S. Department of State: Foreign Embassies and Consulates

Important Travel Considerations

If you are transiting (passing through) the European Union:

If your pet is traveling through (transiting) a country in the European Union (EU) on the way to a third, non-EU country, you will also need a transit health certificate for your pet for the EU. The transit health certificate will be the same as if your pet’s final destination was the EU country. Use the information and steps above under “Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type” to determine which health certificate should be used. View a list of EU countries.

Considerations for airline travel:

Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies and requirements for transporting pets. Check with your airline or shipping representative to determine what requirements they may have.

View additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS endorsement of international health certificates.


Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?

View the Requirements

ALERT: Read the CDC Notice of Temporary Suspension of Dogs Entering the United States From Countries Classified as High Risk for Dog Rabies.

 

Information for Accredited Veterinarians

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For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Digital endorsement ACCEPTED

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Save Time and Money With VEHCS!

USDA-accredited veterinarians can submit health certificates for electronic signature through VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System).