Bahamas Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill the Bahamas 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 the Bahamas will include an import permit, proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, 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, and rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO THE BAHAMAS below.

Note: No pets will be permitted to enter the Bahamas from either Cuba or Haiti. Dogs and cats must be a minimum of six months of age prior to entering the Bahamas.

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 is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering the Bahamas

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering the Bahamas 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, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible for all costs involved.

Bahamas Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to the Bahamas pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

Step 1: Pet Microchip

Your pet must be identified prior to entering the Bahamas in accordance with your origination country’s procedures. The most accepted form of identification is with a 15-digit pet microchip, which 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.

A licensed 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 between 30 days and 10 months prior to entering the Bahamas for primary vaccinations, and booster vaccinations must be administered prior to the expiration of the previous vaccination.

The administering veterinarian should issue, sign and stamp:

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

Other Vaccinations

Dogs must be vaccinated against canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, hepatitis (adenovirus), and parvovirus. Cats must be vaccinated against feline panleukopenia, leukemia, calicivirus, pneumonitis, and viral rhinotracheitis. All vaccinations should be recorded on the pet health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the originating country. All vaccinations must remain current while visiting the Bahamas.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test is not required to enter the Bahamas 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 the Bahamas with products approved in the origination country. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue a record of treatment. Pets should always be inspected for parasites prior to any international travel.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require that an original health certificate issued in the origination country accompany every pet during transport. The health certificate should include the following information at a minimum:

A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete the veterinary health certificate for the Bahamas within 48 hours of entry.

The Bahamas do not require that this certificate be endorsed by a government agency; however, owners should verify that endorsement is not required during export procedures of the origination country.

Step 6: Import Permit

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas requires that importers obtain an import permit prior to entry. The issuance of the permit can take 6-8 weeks without expedited services.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to the Bahamas

Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to three months of age. The minimum age of import is 6 months. Puppies and kittens should be microchipped and fully vaccinated for rabies prior to entering the Bahamas.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned by the Bahamas

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas prohibits the import of Pit Bulls, Presa Canario, Cane Corso, American Bulldog, and Staffordshire Terrier. Cats prohibited from import are Savannah, Chausie, and Bengal.

Entering the Bahamas

All live animals entering the Bahamas by air must do so at either:

• Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau or
• North Eleuthera Airport in Eleuthera or
• Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport.

There will be a customs duty at the point of entry.

Dogs and cats can fly to the Bahamas in the cabin, as checked baggage or 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?

Your pet will need to visit a licensed veterinarian in the Bahamas for an examination within 48 hours of arrival.

Pets entering the Bahamas by sea should have an import permit, IMP1(B) form, proof of rabies vaccination, and a health certificate available for customs agents. Customs is available at major ports.

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.

If domestic dogs and cats are not free of any signs of illness that can be transmitted to humans when evaluated at the entry airport, then importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing.

Dog Licenses in the Bahamas

All dogs entering the Bahamas meeting certain conditions below must be licensed within 48 hours of entry. Conditions are either:

• the dog will remain in the Bahamas for 28 days or more or
• the dog will have multiple entries to the Bahamas during the year or
• the dog’s owner is a resident or a property owner in the Bahamas.

This is required for all dogs, whether arriving by air or sea.

Exporting Pets from the Bahamas

All pets leaving the Bahamas after a stay of more than 6 days must have a health exam and an export permit.

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 the Bahamas?

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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 Bahamas pet import requirements.