Pet Passports - Pet Import Forms

What is a pet passport and why does your pet need one?

Every day, we have people asking us for a pet passport to take their pet into countries all over the world. The term was originally popularized in the European Union (EU) where it became an easy way for pets to travel within the countries of the EU. Now, all of the documentation required to enter any given country can be referred to as your pet's passport which, like your passport, will gain them entrance to a foreign country.

If your pet lived in Europe pet owners could get something called the EU Pet Passport that would contain your pet's health records and even their photo. However, the EU Pet Passport can only be issued by veterinarians inside the EU. Pets can travel freely in the EU with their pet passport without having to complete the Annex IV form for each country in the EU that they visit. Pets can also travel to and from other neighboring countries with their passports such as Andorra, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State. Additionally, pet passports issued in certain EU countries are honored in other autonomous countries that are associated with an EU country. Danish passports are honored in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. French passports are honored in French Guyana, Guadelopue, Martinique and Reunion. Spanish passports are honored in the Canary Islands, and Portuguese passports are honored in the Azores and Madeira. EU Pet Passports are also accepted in the United States and Canada.

Why is a pet passport important?

A pet passport is important because it allows you to group all required and vital information about your pet in one place and make it convenient for officials at the border to verify your pet's health and inoculation records.

Creating your own pet's passport

Your veterinarian can help to create a passport for your pet to enter almost any country in the world. For example, If you are from the United States and are visiting most European Union countries with your pet, then the pet passport will consist of the following:

• The Annex IV for the point of entry (first) country you will be visiting (they are all different) completed by your veterinarian and certified by the State USDA veterinarian.
• Your pet's rabies certificate which must be attached to the endorsed Annex IV form. (Sometimes the inoculation record is referred to as the rabies certificate.)
• Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport Form attesting that your pet's transport does not involve sale or transfer of ownership. (Last page of the EU Health Certificate)

If you are visiting one of the countries of the United Kingdom countries (England, Scotland or Wales), Northern Ireland or Finland, Malta, or Ireland, your dog will need proof of a tapeworm test to complete the pet passport.

Countries other than the European Union

All countries in the world will require proof of good health and a rabies certificate, although the rules for additional testing vary widely from country to country. You should have a Health Certificate completed by your veterinarian issued shortly prior to travel. This certificate is also referred to as a Veterinary Health or Sanitary Certificate.

Some countries require additional vaccinations and others require an import permit. You can find out the specific requirements for the country you plan to take your pet by visiting our pet import rules page for over 220 countries worldwide.

If you are interested in complete instructions and forms required for taking your pet to over 220 countries worldwide, you can find Pet Passports at our store. All countries are guaranteed to contain the latest information available.

Avoiding quarantine

The key to avoiding delays at the border and/or quarantine when traveling with your pet is to have your pet passport complete and accurate for the countries you are visiting. However, there are countries that will require quarantine regardless of adherence to their rules. Examples of this are Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, South Africa (certain countries), Fiji, Hong Kong, Singapore (certain countries) and others.

If you have questions, submit them to: info@pettravel.com.

Need More Information?

We have current and accurate information on traveling with your pet by air, sea or ground. Find more Pet Travel Information

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