Export Live Animals to Colombia
Live Animal Export Country Requirements
Summary of Requirements
Colombia requires that all animal shipments, except pet dogs and cats, be accompanied by an import permit issued in advance by Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA).
Colombia will reject animal shipments without import permits.
Note: Colombia requires prior approval of U.S. facilities or farms by ICA before the importation of animals and germplasm is permitted into Colombia (with the exception of pet dogs and cats). In each section below are the required forms/questionnaires (also known as "Guidance Documents") that are to be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and sent to the Colombian importer, who then submits the forms to ICA for approval prior to export.
Note: Effective immediately, Colombia will not accept mares transported in the last third of pregnancy.
Note: Effective immediately, due to the presence of contagious equine metritis (CEM) in the State of Arizona, Colombia is suspending the importation of horses from that State. APHIS will not endorse health certificates for horse exported from Arizona.
- Horses - Protocol (26.1 KB)- December 2010
- Horses - Formulary to Qualify the Farm for Equine Genetic Improvement - Guidance Document (66.7 KB) - December 2003
- Equine - Semen - Protocol (85.41 KB) -June 2014
- Horses - For Winter Equestrian Festival - Health Certificate (268.09 KB) -February 2013
- Horses - Temporary Export for Competition - Health Certificate - October 2017
- Horses - Temporary - Returning to Colombia after Stay in the US - Health Certificate (325.56 KB) -July 2018
- Horses - Temporary Export for Competition - Health Certificate - October 2017
- Horses - Bolivarian Games - Health Certificate (191.1 KB)-June 2022
- Cattle - Breeding - Protocol and Health Certificate (471.51 KB)-January 2016
- Note: Colombia will test animals for bluetongue upon arrival. Animals testing positive will be rejected for import.
- Bovine - Embryos - Formulary to Qualify the Embryo Collection Unit for Genetic Improvement - Guidance Document (71.81 KB) - December 2003
- Bovine - Embryos - Health Certificate: Under negotiation, exporters may use the terms of import permits for shipping at their own risk.
- Bovine - Semen - Protocol and Health Certificate: Under negotiation, exporters may use the terms of import permits for shipping at their own risk.
- Bovine - Semen - Collection Center for Genetic Improvement - Guidance Document (72.09 KB) -December 2003
Note: Effective December 24, 2003, sheep from the United States are banned due to a risk of BSE.
- Caprine - Semen - Protocol - Under Negotiation
- Ovine - Semen - Protocol - Under Negotiation
- Small Ruminant - Semen - Registration Form for Exporters (132.18 KB) -January 2017
Note: Colombia has prohibited the export of swine and swine semen from the United States.
- Swine - Breeding - Health Certificate - Available Upon Request (Contact: LAIE@usda.gov)
- Swine - Formulary to Qualify the Farm for Genetic Improvement (68.19 KB)-December 2003
- Swine - Semen - Under negotiation
- Poultry - Hatching Eggs and Day-old Chicks - Addendum (1.02 MB) - February 2024
- Note: Shipments of hatching eggs and day-old chicks to Colombia require a VS Form 17-6 (937.87 KB) with the above addendum attached. This addendum contains the necessary health certification statements for import into Colombia.
APHIS Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required for aquatic animals, aquatic worms, and tilapia.
- Aquatic Animals - Exhibition - Protocol (19.06 KB) - October 2008
- Aquatic Worms (Polychaete Worms) - Health Certificate (62.79 KB)-June 2008
- Tilapia - Health Certificate (379.99 KB) -June 2019
- Laboratory Mice - Health Certificate (74.89 KB) -September 2013
- Dromedaries - Protocol (29.75 KB) - February 2008
- Otters - Health Certificate - September 2017
- Wallabies - Protocol (22.1 KB)-October 2006
- Non-Domestic Birds - Health Certificate (395.62 KB) - March 2020
- Wild Dogs - Protocol (213.88 KB) - August 2020
- Zoo Bovinae - Health Certificate (231.14 KB) -November 2022
- Note: Effective February 16, 2024, USDA cannot provide endorsement of the above certificate's Certification Statement 1 regarding U.S. freedom from Theileriosis without a waiver to this statement issued by the competent animal health authority of Colombia.
- Zoo Mammals - Health Certificate - March 2023
Taking a Pet to Another Country?
If your species is not listed, the requirements for that species are not known. Exporters who want to ship livestock or germplasm whose requirements are not listed above should have the importer or buyer in the destination country apply for an import permit at the appropriate ministry. This import permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.
Need Help?
USDA-Accredited Veterinarians
Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for animals (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments); issuance of health certificates; and status updates on certificate endorsement.
APHIS Endorsement Offices
APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services (VETS) offers commodity-specific expertise for exporting animals. Use the dropdown to contact us with questions about endorsing health certificates. For quickest help, see tips for exporters and accredited veterinarians.