Pet Travel From the United States to El Salvador

Last Modified: June 05, 2024

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.
     

Dogs and cats traveling to El Salvador must have an import permit issued by the General Direction of Plant and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of El Salvador. The import permit can be obtained either prior to travel or at the moment of its arrival at the port of entry.

The requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the provided health certificate.  The health certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian. USDA endorsement is NOT required. Los requisitos para viajar con su mascota a El Salvador están descritos en el certificado de salud provisto. El certificado de salud debe ser expedido por un veterinario licenciado. No se require que el USDA endose el certificado.

International Health Certificate (42.42 KB) / Certificado Veterinario de Salud

 Additional Information Información adicional

  1. The accompanying health certificate should be made out at least in duplicate. / El certificado de salud bede ser emitido en duplicado. 
  2. The rabies vaccination certificate should accompany the health documents. / El certificado de vacunación contra la rabia debe acompañar a los documentos de salud. 
  3. Personal pet dogs and cats must obtain a quarantine permit at the port of entry upon arrival in El Salvador. / Perros y gatos personales necesitan un permiso de cuarentena que debe ser adquirido en el puerto de entrada a El Salvador 

    Animals exported in commercial lot numbers must be accompanied by an import permit issued by the General Directorate of Plant and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of El Salvador. The import permit can be obtained either prior to travel or at the moment of its arrival at the port of entry. / Exportaciones comerciales de animals deben estar acompañadas de un permiso de importación expedido por la Dirección General de Sanidad Vegetal y Animal, Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería. 

  4. The health certificate does NOT need to be signed by a Notary Public, nor does it need to be stamped by the El Salvador Consular office. / El certificado de salud no necesita la firma de de un notario público, ni necesita el endoso del Consulado de El Salvador.

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?

Still Have Questions?

USDA-Accredited Veterinarians

Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for pets (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.

Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

USDA Endorsement Offices

Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for questions about endorsing a health certificate for pets. 

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.