Pet travel from the United States to Curacao

Last Modified: March 26, 2024
Print

Welcome! This page will guide you through the rules and requirements for traveling internationally with your pet.

Jump to Info for Accredited Veterinarians Jump to Info for Accredited Veterinarians

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

An Official International Health Certificate is required to travel with your dog or cat to Curacao. 

The Health Certificate must be issued by an accredited veterinarian; endorsed by an official government (USDA) veterinarian; and is valid for no more than 2 (two) weeks.

  • The animal must be vaccinated against Rabies at the age of at least 12 weeks with an inactivated vaccine at least 21 days but not longer than 12 months to 36 months (as registered by the manufacturer) prior to departure.
    • The importation of animals younger than 15 weeks is not permitted
  • The animal must be identified by means of an ISO (International Standards Organization)-microchip (mention the number and date of the application on the health certificate).
  • The animal must be free of any ecto parasites. Therefore it should be treated with an systemic/oral or topical ectoparasite product as instructed by the manufacturer, that has a long lasting persistent efficacy of at least 28 days​, 14 days prior to departure (mention the date and the product used on the health certificate). 
  • The animal must be free of any endo parasites. Therefore it should be treated within 14 days prior to the departure with a registered medicine as instructed by the manufacturer (mention the date and the product used on the health certificate). 
  • After treatments the animal must be kept free of any ecto and endo parasites.
  • The animal must be transported in a suitable kennel and according to IATA regulations.
  • The importation of a pit bull-terrier type dog is not permitted.

Official Health Certificate for Dogs and Cats (205.09 KB)

The requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the health certificate.

Veterinary Health Certificate for Birds (85.14 KB)

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

Orange Banner Country

For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

eauth logo

Save Time and Money With VEHCS!

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