Pet Travel From the United States to Aruba

Last Modified: December 03, 2024

Electronic Signature and Digital Endorsement ACCEPTED

For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Digital endorsement ACCEPTED

USDA-accredited veterinarians can electronically issue health certificates and use VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System) to submit them to USDA for digital endorsement.

USDA can digitally endorse the health certificate and return it electronically.

What This Means for You

Accredited Veterinarians: Use the links below to access or get help with VEHCS. Learn more about how to issue export health certificates.

Animal Owners/Shippers: The endorsed health certificate can be printed out directly from VEHCS and does not have to be mailed back to you. The printed, endorsed health certificate must accompany the animal(s) during shipment or travel.

VEHCS Help | VEHCS Guide (7.58 MB) | VEHCS Login

Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type

Carefully read ALL of the requirements related to your pet on this page.

This page provides the most recent entry requirements and can change without notice.
It is the responsibility of the veterinarian to make sure the pet has met all health requirements of the destination country before issuing a health certificate.
Failure to meet the requirements may result in problems gaining certificate endorsement or difficulties upon arrival in the destination country.
Health certificates must be legible, accurate, and complete.

Pet Dogs and Cats

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).

STEP 1: Micro Chip

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

STEP 2: Rabies Vaccination

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

STEP 3: Residency Requirements

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.

STEP 4: Health Certificate

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)

STEP 5: Important Notes

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.

Pet Birds

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.
- To check whether an animal is listed under CITES you can visit http://www.cites.org/ or contact the CITES Management Authority for Aruba at vetservice@dvg.aw
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.

Exotic Pets (other than birds)

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.

Other Pets

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

Considerations for airline travel and cruises:

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.

Learn how you can improve the safety of dogs and cats during air travel.

View additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS endorsement of international health certificates (239.52 KB).

If pets or support animals accompany you on a cruise, you must comply with entry rules for every country or port where your pet or support animal exits the ship.

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

View APHIS Requirements

ALERT: If you're traveling with a dog, be aware that the CDC has additional requirements for bringing a dog into the United States. You must follow CDC's requirements, or your dog will not be allowed to enter the United States.

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.

Need Help?

Read an overview of the process for taking your pet to another country and related resources.

View frequently asked questions about traveling with your pet.

Still Have Questions?

All Contacts

Looking for Another Country?

Find your destination country requirements by using the dropdown menu below. If your country is not listed in the menu, visit Pet Travel: Unknown Requirements.