Bermuda Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Bermuda 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 Bermuda will include import permit, proof of microchip, current rabies and other vaccinations, 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 BERMUDA 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 Bermuda

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Bermuda 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.

Bermuda Pet Import Requirements

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

Step 1: Pet Microchip

The first step to importing a pet dog or cat to Bermuda is to have it 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.

All documents must reflect the microchip number. If your pet is microchipped and the pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, the importer can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s 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

Your dog or cat must have had two vaccinations for rabies, one after the age of 3 months and the other between 6 and 12 months after the first vaccination. The primary vaccination must be given to your pet not less than 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to your arrival in Bermuda. A three-year vaccination is accepted as long as it is administered within 12 months of travel.

Rabies vaccination is not required for dogs and cats entering from a rabies-free country such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Jamaica, although it is never advised for pets who have not been vaccinated for rabies to travel internationally.

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 vaccinations.

Other Vaccinations

At approved intervals prior to import:

• Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza.
• Cats must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia.

All vaccinations should be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5).

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination.

Although this test is not required to enter Bermuda, pets traveling internationally from countries with a high risk of rabies should be accompanied by the results of this test. Generally, the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) test is preferred as it is accepted by all countries requiring the test.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for external parasites are required prior to entering Bermuda 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:

A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete the Pet Health Certificate for Bermuda within 10 days of entry.

Most countries, including Bermuda, 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

Pet owners must file the application for an import permit issued by the Bermuda Department of Environmental Protection not less than 10 days prior to arrival. Without the permit, your dog and cat will be denied entry and returned to the country of origin, as there are no quarantine facilities in Bermuda.

The application should be faxed to assure speedy delivery. A permit will be faxed back to you with 2 to 3 working days.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Benin

Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. Unvaccinated puppies and kittens can enter Bermuda only after conforming to the regulations listed here. The minimum age for import is 10 months unless arriving from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Jamaica or Australia.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned by Bermuda

The following breeds or their crosses are not permitted entry to Bermuda:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Bulldog
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Argentine Mastiff (Dogo Argentino)
• Boerboel
• Brazilian Mastiff (Fila)
• Cane Corso,
• Presa Canario
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Tosa Inu
• Wolf and Wolf Hybri.

The followed breeds or their crosses will be restricted, require an application and must demonstrate exceptional
circumstances for the importation to Bermuda:

• Akita
• Australian Cattle Dog
• Belgian Malinois
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Bull Terrier
• Bull Mastiff
• Chow Cho,
• Doberman Pinscher
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• German Shepherd
• English Mastiff
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Rottweiler
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Entering Bermuda by Air

Pets must enter Bermuda by air at the L.F. Wade International Airport. 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 Bermuda

Ferrets are not permitted to enter Bermuda from any country. All pets other than cats and dogs (ferrets, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, etc.) will need an import permit and health certificate to enter Bermuda. 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 Bermuda?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Bermuda at minimal cost.

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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 Bermuda pet import requirements.