What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Argentina 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 Argentina will include proof of a current rabies vaccination, parasite treatments and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements
Unless otherwise stated, these rules apply to the transport of domestic dog 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 ARGENTINA below.
Find a Licensed Veterinarian
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.
Quarantine for Pets Entering Argentina
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Argentina 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 all costs involved.
Argentina Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Argentina pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
Step 1: Pet Microchip
Your pet should be identified prior to entering Argentina in accordance with procedures in the country of origin. The most accepted form of identification is with a 15-digit pet microchip that meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. All documents must reflect the microchip number.
If your pet is microchipped and the pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip can be provided by the importer.
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 over 3 months of age must be vaccinated for rabies at least 21 days prior to entering Argentina for primary vaccinations. Exception: Pet dogs and cats entering Argentina from countries classified as rabies free by the World Organization of Animal Health do not require vaccination against rabies.
The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp:
- a rabies certificate or
- government-issued vaccination booklet or
- EU Pet Passport
Other Vaccinations
Although not required, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, hepatitis (two types), and parvovirus vaccinations should be administered to dogs. Panleukopenia, feline leukemia, and feline viral rhinotracheitis vaccinations should be administered to cats.
All vaccinations should be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the origination country.
Pets previously diagnosed with leptospirosis will not be permitted entry to Argentina.
Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test is not required to enter Argentina from any country. Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.
Step 4: Parasite Treatments
Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are required prior to entering Argentina with products approved in the country of origin. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment. Pets should always be inspected for parasites prior to any international travel.
Step 5: 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 your country must complete the veterinary health certificate for Argentina within 10 days of entry.
Most countries, including Argentina, require that this certificate be endorsed by the government agency responsible for the import and export of animals.
Step 6: Import Permit
Pet dogs and cats entering Argentina with their owners will not require an import permit. Exception: those pets entering from Africa and Asia. Commercial imports and other pet animals (see step 10) will also require an import permit.
More Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Argentina
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to three months of age. Unvaccinated puppies and kittens may enter Argentina with certification from the government agency in the exporting country attesting to the following:
- the age of your puppy or kitten and
- that no case of rabies has occurred within 90 days of travel.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned by Argentina
Argentina does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.
Entering Argentina by Air
Pets can enter Argentina via Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires. Dogs and cats can fly to Argentina 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 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 Argentina
All pets other than cats and dogs (ferrets, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, etc.) will need an import permit and health certificate to enter Argentina. These pets can only be imported from certain countries.
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 Argentina?
Have a comment about importing a pet to Argentina? Post it below, and we will respond. 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 Argentina pet import requirements.
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