Pet Microchip

To enter Sri Lanka, your dog or cat must be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 15 digit pet microchip. If your pet's microchip is not 15 digits, you can carry a microchip scanner.

Vaccinations

Your pet cat or dog must be vaccinated for rabies not less than 30 days and not more than 10 months prior to entering the country.

Your dog must have been vaccinated against Canine distemper, Infectious hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Canine parvo virus infection not less than 21 days and not more than 10 months immediately prior to entering Sri Lanka.

Cats must be vaccinated against Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calcivirus and Feline Panleukopenia not less than 30 days and not more than 10 months immediately prior to entry.

Rabies Titer Test

A rabies titer test is not required to enter Sri Lanka.

Pet Health Certificate

Within 10 days of entry, a licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the Veterinary Certificate for Sri Lanka. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

The health certificate must indicate that your pet must have been born in or resided in the exporting country for a minimum of 6 months prior to transport. If incidents of rabies have been reported in your pet's country, your pet must live in an area free from quarantine restrictions for rabies and not within a radius of 25 km from the nearest known case of rabies for a minimum of 6 months immediately prior to transport.

Your dog must not have been in contact with any animal showing signs of infectious or contagious disease including Aujeszky's disease, Filariasis, Leptospirosis, rabies, Canine distemper, Infectious hepatitis, Canine parvo virus infection, and Dermatomycosis for a period of 3 months prior to transport.

Your cat must not have been in contact with any animal showing signs of rabies, Aujeszky's disease, Filariasis or Leptospirosis for a period of 3 months prior to transport.

Import Permit

You must apply for an Import Permit from the Department of Animal Production and Health at least 2 weeks prior to your pet entering Sri Lanka. Once approved, it is good for 90 days.

Parasite Treatments

Before your cat or dog can enter Sri Lanka, it must found free of heartworm through blood testing within 30 days of entry unless a government veterinarian can attest the originating country is free of heartworm. It also must test negative for Babesiosis and Leishmaniasis.

Pets must also be treated for internal and external parasites within 10 days of entry.

Entering the Sri Lanka by Air

Pets should enter the Sri Lanka via Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.

Notice should be given to veterinary officials at least 2 days in advance so they will be available to inspect your pet upon landing. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport and will be re-exported if parasite blood tests are not negative. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Veterinary officials may require quarantine inspection or home quarantine of up to 30 days when entering Sri Lanka regardless of the country of origin or whether regulations are adhered to.

You will need to carry a personal letter stating your pet's market value or a document that proves it such as an invoice. Or, you may provide this information on the Veterinary Certificate.

All cats and dogs will be subject to 30 days of home quarantine.

Puppies and Kittens

In case of puppies under the age of 10 months, the rabies booster vaccine must be administered within 14 days interval from the primary vaccine. For kittens under the age of 6 months, the rabies booster vaccine must be administered within 14 days interval from the primary vaccine. Puppies and kittens should not receive rabies vaccinations before 3 months of age.

Banned Breeds

Sri Lanka does not publish a list of banned breeds.

Exporting Pets from Sri Lanka

If your pet is visiting Sri Lanka and leaves during the period of validity of the Certificate of Health created in the U.S. or your country and the rabies vaccine has not expired, then no additional paperwork will be required.

If your pet resides in Sri Lanka and you want to take it out of the country, then you will need a Certificate of Good Health from your veterinarian in Sri Lanka and an export authorization issued by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Agriculture. The authorization will be good for 30 days and there is a fee involved. It will take several working days to process it.

Other Animals

Birds entering Sri Lanka will need an import permit. Quarantine in an approved facility is required and tests will be performed which must prove negative for Avian influenza and Newcastle diseases among others. Birds cannot be exported from the country.

Exotic pets wil not be permitted entry. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Need More Assistance?

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.

 

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