Bolivia Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Bolivia pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Bolivia will include proof of current rabies and other vaccinations and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals eligible for these pet import requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs and cats, including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO BOLIVIA below.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinary authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or be licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Bolivia

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering COUNTRY NAME if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible for all costs involved.

Bolivia Pet Import Requirements

Step 1: Pet Microchip

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, your country of origin may require a microchip if your pet will be returning after visiting Bolivia.

Although it is not required, all pet dogs and cats entering Bolivia should be identified with a microchip in accordance with the procedures in the country of origin. The most accepted form of identification is a 15-digit pet microchip that meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer’s or your government’s database.

If microchipped, all documents should reflect the microchip number. You can provide a microchip scanner that will read your pet’s microchip.

Step 2: Vaccinations

All cats and dogs over 3 months of age must be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to entering Bolivia for both primary and booster vaccinations. Multi-year rabies vaccinations are not accepted.

The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp:

• a rabies certificate or
• government-issued vaccination booklet or
• EU Pet Passport

Note: Rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.

Other Vaccinations

Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis, depending on the rabies status of your country. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia.

All vaccinations should be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the origination country.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires the test.

A rabies titer test is not required for dogs and cats entering Bolivia from any country; however, this test may be required to return to your origination country. In these cases, it is easier to have the test done before traveling. Samples should be processed at approved laboratories.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are required prior to entering Bolivia with products approved in the country of origin. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue a record of treatment. Pets should always be inspected for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, prior to any international travel.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued in the country of origin, including the following information:

A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete the veterinary health certificate for Bolivia shortly prior to travel.

Most countries, including Bolivia, require that this certificate be endorsed by the government agency responsible for the import and export of animals in the country of origin.

Step 6: Import Permit

An import permit is not required for pet dogs and cats entering Bolivia with their owners. Commercial imports will require an import permit.

Other Information

Breeds Banned by Bolivia

Bolivia does not publish a list of banned breeds. Importers are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Bolivia by Air

Pets must enter Bolivia by air at the El Alto International Airport, located 8 miles from La Paz. Pets can enter Bolivia in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo, according to airline pet policies. The owner should be present at customs clearance.

In all cases, pets must travel in a pet carrier or pet crate that is in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?

Importers should inform veterinary officials in advance, as they will need to be available to check your pet and its pet passport documentation after landing.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of any signs of illness that can be transmitted to humans when evaluated at the entry airport. Importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing at this time if the health of your cat or dog is not acceptable.

Importing Other Animals to Bolivia

All pets other than cats and dogs (ferrets, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, etc.) will need an import permit and health certificate to enter Bolivia. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications.

Over 180 nations participate in and enforce CITES rules and protections.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Read more about CITES

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Bolivia?

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Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified, and we do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.

Current Information

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 or
• return your pet to the country of origin, or
• euthanize your pet.

We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Bolivia pet import requirements.