Bonaire Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Bonaire 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 Bonaire will include import permit, proof of microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, rabies titer test 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 BONAIRE below.

No pets are permitted to enter Bonaire from any Central or South American country, with the exception of Suriname.

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 Bonaire

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

Bonaire Pet Import Requirements

Step 1: Pet Microchip

All pet dogs and cats entering Bonaire must be 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

All cats and dogs over three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to entering Bonaire for both primary and booster vaccinations. Multi-year rabies vaccinations are not accepted.

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. Vaccinations against hepatitis, parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis are optional but recommended.  Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia.

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 must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires the test.

Dogs and cats entering Bonaire from any country classified by the European Union as an unlisted country must have a rabies titer test with acceptable results. The date the test was administered must be at least three months prior to entry. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are recommended prior to entering Bonaire 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 Bonaire shortly prior to travel.

Most countries, including Bonaire, 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

An import permit is not required for pet dogs and cats entering Bonaire with their owners. Commercial imports will require an import permit.

More Information

Breeds Banned by Bonaire

Bonaire does not publish a list of banned breeds. Importers are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Bonaire by Air

Pets must enter Bonaire by air at the Flamingo International Airport in Kralendijk. Pets can enter Bonaire in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as 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 Bonaire

All pets other than cats and dogs (ferrets, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, etc.) will need an import permit and health certificate to enter Bonaire. 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

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Bonaire?

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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 Bonaire pet import requirements.