Pet Microchip

Your pet must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner. Ask your veterinarian to scan your pet's microchip after it is implanted.

Your pet's microchip number must be present on all documentation required to enter Jamaica.

Vaccinations

After being microchipped, your dog or cat must be vaccinated for rabies before entering Jamaica. If your pet is not currently vaccinated for rabies, and your pet is over 12 months old, the vaccination must be administered between 3 months and 12 months of entering Jamaica. (see step #10 for puppies and kittens.) The 3 year rabies vaccination is not accepted. Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies within 12 months of entering Jamaica.

Your dog must be vaccinated for Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola within 30 days of transport.

Dogs must be vaccinated against canine distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis and parainfluenza more than 14 days before transport.

Cats must be vaccinated against feline herpesvirus 1, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia virus, feline leukemia virus (kittens) more than 14 weeks before transport.

Dogs must be tested against coccidiosis and treated if required between 21-30 days of transport.

Dogs must be tested against Leishmaniosis within 45 days of export unless the exporting country is free from Leishmaniosis.

Dogs must be tested for Brucella Canis within 45 days of transport.

Dogs must have an inspection for any venereal tumours within 48 hours of transport.

Dogs must be examined within 48 hours of transport and found to be free of any evidence of canine influenza.

Rabies Titer Test

A rabies titer test (FAVN) is required and must be administered more than 3 months and less than 12 months prior to entering Jamaica. The test should be administered more than 30 days after a primary rabies vaccination. The blood sample must be processed at an OIE/WHO approved laboratory. Have your veterinarian scan your pet's microchip before the test is given.

Import Permit

You must file an Preliminary Application Form for pre-acceptance once steps 1-3 are completed. No further tests or treatments should be administered until this form is approved. Your cat or dog must then have a Veterinary Import Permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture when entering Jamaica from any country. All supporting documentation must be endorsed and submitted with the import permit application. It is good for 3 months after issuance.

Pet Health Certificate

Within 10 days of travel, a licensed veterinarian in the origination country issues the pet healthh certificate for Jamaica in English. This health certificate must be signed by a government licensed veterinarian as well as well as the agency in the government responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Countries that Jamaica considers as rabies-free. All dogs and cats entering Jamaica must have proof of residency in one of these countries for 6 months prior to entering Jamaica.

Pets may only enter Jamaica from the following countries: Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Ascension Islands, Austria, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus (South), Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Guadeloupe, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St Helena, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Maarten, St Martin, St Pierre & Miquelon, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, US Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Vatican City State and Wallis & Fortuna.

Quarantine

According to their regulations, all pets entering Jamaica are subject to 14 days of quarantine at the National Quarantine Facility, Plumb Point. However, where the inspector determines that the dog or cat is of good health and free from symptoms of infectious or contagious diseases, the inspector may permit the dog or cat to enter the Island or require the dog or cat to undergo post-entry quarantine for a period of not less than fourteen days.

In the case of a service dog or a dog or cat traveling under an approved pet travel scheme from the European Union, the inspector may permit the dog or cat to be transported to a place approved by the inspector subject to such terms and conditions as the inspector considers necessary.

Entering Jamaica by Air

Notice must be provided twice to the Director of Veterinary Services both 3 weeks and 72 hours prior to arrival in Jamaica. A notification form must be completed at least 72 hours before arrival.

Pets must enter Jamaica in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo through Kingston except by authorized under law by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Pets not arriving during normal business hours (8:30AM - 5:00PM Monday - Thursday and 8:30AM - 4:00PM Friday) or on weekends or holidays will incur extra fees. Your pet will be examined by a veterinary official, and must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Pets transiting Jamaica must get prior approval from the Veterinary Services Division. Pets must not clear security or customs.

Puppies and Kittens

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Jamaica. Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age and cannot enter Jamaica for a minimum of 180 days after rabies vaccination. They must be microchipped prior rabies vaccination and conform to all regulations stated above.

Banned Breeds

Jamaica does not permit the import of the following breeds or their crosses: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa or Pit Bull Terrier. Hybrid breeds such as Savannah cats or wolves are also not permitted.

Export Requirements

In order to depart Jamaica for any country, all dogs must be fully vaccinated with the vaccine for DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvo, and Parainfluenza). Rabies vaccination and cat vaccination requirements are dependent on the import requirements of the importing country and do not apply for the United States. (although rabies vaccinations are always recommended as the US is not rabies-free.)

Within 10 days of departing Jamaica, all cats and dogs must be treated for internal and external parasites with an approved anti-parasitic product within 10 days of the scheduled appointment with the government veterinary officer.

All dogs and cats leaving Jamaica must have a veterinary health inspection issued by a licensed veterinarian in Jamaica within 10 days of export. Within 48 hours of export, your pet must be inspected by the Government Veterinary officer together with all import documentation for the destination country. After this visit, you will need to obtain an export license from the Trade Board in Kingston. There is a fee of J$5,000 for this license. You must keep your pet isolated from other animals until departure.

Other Animals

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Jamaica 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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