Pet travel from the United States to Colombia
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
- Pet Travel Guidance for Pets Traveling to Another Country From the United States
- In Spanish (En Español): Guía de viaje para mascotas que viajan a otro país desde Estados Unidos
- In Chinese (用中文（表達): 宠物出国旅行指南
- Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling With Your Pet
Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type
Colombia will reject pets that do not meet the requirements of the posted health certificate. Personal pet dogs or cats do not need an import permit.
Dogs and cats must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services within 10 days of travel. The rabies vaccination certificate must accompany your pet and the health certificate to Colombia.
Your pet must travel with at least one photocopy of the original health certificate.
The health certificate does NOT need to be signed by a Notary Public, nor does it need to be stamped by the Colombian Consular office.
International Health Certificate (274.25 KB)
NOTE: AS OF MARCH 9, 2017, COLOMBIA HAS BANNED THE IMPORTATION OF ALL BIRDS FROM LINCOLN COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
Pet birds must be accompanied by an import permit issued in advance by Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA).
Upon arrival into Colombia, the birds will undergo home quarantine for at least 21 days under the supervision of a veterinarian from ICA.
International Health Certificate (160.86 KB)
An import permit is required for the importation of all pets into Columbia. 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). Contact Information: INSTITUTO COLOMBIANO AGROPECUARIO Ica · Carrera 41 No. 17 – 43 · Phone (57 1) 3323700 / 2884800 BOGOTA – COLOMBIA http://www.ica.gov.co/?lang=en-US
Countries Participating in the European Union
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Northern Ireland*
Norway**
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland**
* Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (UK), but will continue to follow European Union (EU) requirements even though the UK is no longer part of the EU.
** Norway and Switzerland are not part of the EU but have adopted EU legislation for import of most species of live animals.
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.
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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