What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Belize 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 Belize will include import permit, 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, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO BELIZE 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 Belize
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Belize 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.
Belize Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Belize pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
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. Secondly, 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, a microchip may be required if your pet is returning to its origination country.
Although not required, it is recommended to have your pet 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.
If microchipped, all documents should reflect the microchip number. If you want to be sure that veterinary inspectors can read your pet’s microchip, you can provide a microchip scanner that will read the microchip.
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 imported to Belize that are over three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days prior to entering Belize. Multi-year rabies vaccinations are not recognized unless administered within 12 months of import.
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 must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and leptospirosis. Cats must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.
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 should be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
This test is not required to enter Belize from any country; however, all pets originating in countries classified as having a high risk of rabies should always travel with a rabies titer test.
Step 4: Parasite Treatments
Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are required within 30 days of entering Belize 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:
- 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 clearly 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 Pet Health Certificate for Belize within 14 days of entry.
Most countries, including Belize, 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
You must file for an import permit before importing your pet to Belize. After your veterinarian has completed the import permit form, you will send it to the Agriculture Department of Belize. They will approve the form and fax it back to you. You will a fee for this service. Failure to file an import permit will result in a fine and may result in your pet being placed in quarantine upon entry.
More Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Belize
Unvaccinated puppies and kittens will be confined at home until such time that they are old enough for rabies vaccination (three months). They will also be confined at home for 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned by Belize
Belize does not publish a list of banned breeds. Importers are responsible for their pet’s behavior.
Entering Belize by Air
Pets must enter Belize via Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville. Pets can enter as in-cabin, checked baggage, or 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 Belize
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and 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 Belize. 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
Need More Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Belize?
Visit PetTravelStore.com for further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Belize are available at minimal cost.
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Belize?
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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 Belize pet import requirements.
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