Import Permit

Colombia does not require an import permit for personal pets entering with their owners from any country; however, pets arriving to Colombia in the cargo hold must register with the Colombia Agriculture Institute.

Pet Microchip

Colombia does not require that your pet be identified with a pet microchip, but it is strongly recommended that you microchip your pet with a 15 digit ISO 11784 compliant pet microchip.

The microchip should be implanted by your veterinarian, veterinary hospital or trained nurse. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions how to register your pet's information in the manufacturer database.

Vaccinations

To enter Colombia, your cat or dog must be vaccinated for rabies more than 21 days prior to travel and before the vaccination expires.

Cats should be vaccinated against Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus. Dogs must be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parvovirus. Vaccination against leptospirosis is recommended but not required. If entering from a country outside the Andean Community, you pet should also be vaccinated against Parainfluenza and Coronavirus.

Pet dogs and cats whose rabies vaccination was not administered in the origination country must comply with home quarantine during which time a rabies vaccination will be administered by a licensed private veterinarian.

A blood titer test is not required to enter Colombia from any country.

Ticks and Tapeworm Treatment

Before your dog or cat can enter Colombia, it must have an internal and external parasite treatment. Actually, it is highly recommended that your pet be on a flea and tick prevention program prior to entering Colombia.

Pet Health Certificate

Within 10 days of travel, a licensed veterinarian in the origination country must then complete a veterinary pet health certificate (original and a copy). The certificate must 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 rabies certificate should accompany the health certificate for endorsement.

Entering Colombia by Air

Pets can enter the country at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota or the José María Córdova International Airport in Medellin during normal business hours. Pets can arrive in the cabin, checked baggage or air cargo. Those pets entering Colombia as accompanied checked baggage or air cargo must register with Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA).

When landing, you will collect your pet and head to ICA office in the airport where they will examine your pet and its documentation (which should be originals). There is a small fee for this service.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry. If your pet is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the owner's expense.

Puppies and Kittens

Puppies and kittens over 4 months of age entering Colombia are subject to rabies vaccination requirements per step #2. There are no vaccination requirements for puppies or kittens under 4 months of age. Home quarantine will be required in this case.

Banned Breeds

Imports of specimens of canine breeds Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Mastiff, Rottweiler or any crosses or hybrids of these breeds are not permitted to enter Colombia.

Exporting Pets Living in Colombia

All resident pets leaving the Colombia must have relevant paperwork required for the destination country. Additionally, no more than 3 days before traveling, pets must have a pre-travel examination by a licensed veterinarian and also received treatment against internal and external parasites. When the veterinarian's health certificate is provided, an export certificate will be issued that is good for 72 hours from the time of issuance.

Other Animals

All other animals will also require an Import Permit to enter Colombia. Birds will be subject to 21 days of home quarantine. Invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Colombia. 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 2:00 PM EST.

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