Pet travel from the United States to Nicaragua

Last Modified: March 26, 2024

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

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

The requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the provided health certificate./ Los requisitios para viajar con su mascota(s) estan descrito en el certifiicado de salud. 

International Health Certificate for Dogs from the U.S. to Nicaragua (87.89 KB)

Additional Information/ Informacion Adicional

  1. The health certificate does NOT need to be signed by a Notary Public, nor does it need to be stamped by the Nicaraguan Consular office./ El certificado zoosanitario no necesita la firma de un notario público ni necesita el endoso del Consulado de Nicaragua.
  2. Animals exported in commercial lot numbers must be accompanied by an import permit. Personal pet dogs or cats do not need an import permit, but a quarantine permit which must be obtained at the Nicaraguan ports of entry upon arrival./ Exportaciones comerciales de animales deben llegar acompañadas de un permiso de importación. Perros y gatos personales no necesitan un permiso de importación pero si de un permiso de cuarentena que puede ser adquirido en los puertos de entrada a Nicaragua.
  3. The rabies vaccination certificate should accompany the health documents./ El certificado de vacunación de la rabia debe acompañar a los documentos sanitarios originales.

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: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

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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).