Chile Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Chile 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 Chile will include proof of current rabies vaccination, parasite treatments and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Regulations

Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. Wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, cannot be imported under these regulations. The import of these animals will require advance permission from the Division for the Protection of Renewable Natural Resources.

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 handles the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Chile

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

Chile Pet Import Requirements

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

Step 1: Pet Microchip

Your pet dog, cat or ferret should be identified prior to entering Chile even though this form of pet identification is not required. 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.

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 or your government’s database.

Step 2: Vaccinations

All dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated for rabies at least 21 days prior to entering Chile for primary vaccinations. Exception: Pets entering Chile with a serology test administered between 3 and 24 months of import proving acceptable levels of protection against rabies.

The administering veterinarian should issue, sign and stamp:

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

Other Vaccinations

All dogs and cats must be vaccinated against the following diseases:

• canine distemper (also for ferrets)
• canine hepatitis
• canine leptospirosis
• canine parvovirus
• feline viral rhinotracheitis
• feline panleukopenia
• feline leukemia

Dogs should be inspected for any signs of Leptospirosis and noted as such on the pet health certificate (step 5).

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test is not required to enter Chile from any country; although they are accepted as proof of immunity against rabies (see notes above).

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are required prior to entering Chile with products approved in the origination country. 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:

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

Most countries, including Chile, 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 Chile with their owners will not require an import permit. Owners of ferrets will require special permission. See Importing Other Animals to Chile below.

More Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Chile

Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. Owners of unvaccinated puppies and kittens should contact the Ministry of Agriculture for guidance and permission.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy

Breeds Banned by Chile

Chile does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Chile by Air

If entering Chile by commercial airline, Santiago International Airport at Pudahuel located 15 km northwest of downtown Santiago is the common commercial entry point.

Dogs and cats can fly to Chile 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?

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 Chile

For the import of ferrets, a letter to the head of the Division for the Protection of Renewable Natural Resources is required at least 60 days prior to import. Additionally, a specific health certificate will be required. Both documents must be presented to the SAG Central Parts Office in Santiago.

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination; however, they may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Chile. 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 and enforce CITES rules and protections.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Read more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Chile?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for further detail on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Chile. Unlimited email support for you and your veterinarian is included.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Chile?

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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 Chile pet import requirements.