What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Antigua and Barbuda 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 Antigua and Barbuda will include import permit, proof of microchip, Animals eligible for these pet import requirements
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 ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA 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 Antigua and Barbuda
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Antigua and Barbuda 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.
Antigua and Barbuda Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Antigua and Barbuda pet import requirements must be completed in the country of origin. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
Step 1: Pet Microchip
Pet dogs and cats must first be microchipped with a 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with ISO standard 11784 or Annex A to standard 11785 to import a pet to Antigua and Barbuda. Pets may enter from a rabies-infected country such as the United States or Canada, North, Central and South American Countries, USVI, British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Hispanola, St Martin, Montserrat, Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao or any country that does not maintain strict entry control requirements for imported pets.
If your pet’s microchip is not ISO compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.
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.
Step 2: Vaccinations
All cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Antigua and Barbuda. The administering veterinarian should issue either
- A rabies certificate or
- A government-issued vaccination booklet or
- An EU Pet Passport
After issuance, the veterinarian should sign and stamp all entries.
Other vaccinations
Dogs should be tested for Ehrlichia and Lyme disease. Cats should be tested for FIP, FeLV, and FIV. Results must be submitted with the import permit.
Dogs must be vaccinated against diseases such as distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Cats must be vaccinated for feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia.
Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It should be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Samples must be processed at a laboratory approved by the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH).
The titer test is not required when entering Antigua and Barbuda from a country that is recognized by the WOAH as rabies-free and maintains strict control over the import of rabies-carrying animals.
Note that the results of a rabies titer test do not substitute for proof of rabies vaccination. Both will be required.
Step 4: Import Permit
An import permit from the Veterinary and Livestock Division is required for pet dogs and cats entering Antigua and Barbuda with their owners. Importers should apply at least 2 weeks in advance for the permit.
Step 5: Parasite Treatments
Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered shortly prior to entering Antigua and Barbuda. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a signed and stamped record of treatment.
Step 6: Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate, including:
- owner’s information
- origination and destination details and
- details of your pet and
- vaccinations and treatments and
- veterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export.
Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Depending on the country of origin, additional details and treatments must be listed.
A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the veterinary health certificate for Antigua and Barbuda within 7 days of entry.
The health certificate must clearly identify your pet and include its microchip number. A governmental veterinarian must state that your pet is fit to travel and is not originating from an area that is under restrictions for rabies.
After issuance, the certificate must be certified (endorsed) by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
Other information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Anguilla
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to three months of age. They must be vaccinated after 3 months of age and wait for 30 days before travel. Antigua and Barbuda will not accept a pet that is not vaccinated for rabies.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned by Anguilla
Any dog of the Pitbull breed or a cross of this breed is not permitted to land in Antigua and Barbuda. Any dog resembling this breed must be accompanied by a certification from a recognized kennel club confirming that the dog is not of a Pit Bull breed.
Entering Antigua and Barbuda by Air
Pets entering Antigua by air must enter at the V.C. Bird International Airport in St. John’s. Pets can enter Antigua and Barbuda in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo, according to airline pet policies. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
Importers must notify the Veterinary & Livestock Division of the pet’s arrival 48 hours ahead of arrival. This will allow for inspection of your pet and its pet passport documentation. There is a fee for the inspection. Animals are also subject to import tax.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport.
If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.
Importing Other Animals to Antigua and Barbuda
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination but will need an import permit and a current health certificate to enter Antigua and Barbuda. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination. Contact us for an agent reference if needed.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case.
Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.
Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database
Related: Read more about CITES
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Antigua and Barbuda?
Have a comment about importing a pet to Antigua and Barbuda? Post it below and be published! You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
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 Antigua and Barbuda pet import requirements.
Leave a Reply