What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Colombia 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 Colombia will include proof of current rabies vaccination and other vaccinations, and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin.
Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements
Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats, including service and assistance dogs and cats. Wolf hybrids and Savannah and Bengal cats, unless at least 5th generation removed from the pedigree, 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 COLOMBIA below.
Find a Licensed Veterinarian
Before beginning any pet export procedure, owners, agents, or anyone transporting a pet should ensure that their veterinarian is licensed by the governing authority in their country that is responsible for the movement of live animals. This veterinarian should administer all vaccinations and treatments, as well as issue all required documentation.
Quarantine for Pets Entering Colombia
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Colombia 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.
Colombia Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Colombia 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. Firstly, 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.
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 over three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies at least 21 days prior to entering Colombia.
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, and parvovirus according to their country’s disease status. Vaccination against leptospirosis is recommended but not required.
Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.
All vaccinations can be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the origination country.
Pet dogs and cats whose rabies vaccination was not administered in their country of origin must comply with home quarantine
during which time a rabies vaccination will be administered by a licensed private veterinarian.
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 Colombia 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. Additionally, as Colombia is classified by the World Organization of Animal Health as a high-rabies risk country, this test may be required for your pet to return to your country.
Step 4: Parasite Treatments
Before your dog or cat can enter Colombia, it must have an internal and external parasite treatment administered by a licensed veterinarian. Actually, it is highly recommended that your pet be on a flea and tick prevention program prior to entering Colombia.
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
- details of your pet
- vaccinations and treatments
- 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 a veterinary health certificate for Colombia within 10 days of travel. The original and one copy must travel with your pet and be available to veterinary inspectors at entry.
Most countries, including Colombia, 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 pets entering Colombia from any country with their owner.
Other Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Colombia
Puppies and kittens over 4 months of age entering Colombia are subject to rabies vaccination requirements per step 2. There are no vaccination requirements for puppies or kittens under 4 months of age. Home quarantine will be required in this case.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned by Colombia
Imports of the canine breeds Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Mastiff, Rottweiler, or any crosses or hybrids of these breeds are not permitted to enter Colombia.
Entering Colombia by Air
Pets can enter Colombia by air at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota or the José María Córdova International Airport in Medellin during normal business hours. Pets can arrive in the cabin, checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies.
Those pets entering Colombia as accompanied checked baggage or air cargo must register with the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA).
In all cases, pets must travel in a pet carrier or pet crate that is in accordance with the policies set by the International Air Transport Association.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?
When landing, you will collect your pet and head to the ICA office in the airport, where they will examine your pet and its documentation (which should be originals). There is a small fee for this service.
Importers should inform veterinary officials in advance. 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 contagious diseases when evaluated at the entry airport. Importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing if the health of your cat or dog is not acceptable.
Importing Other Animals to Colombia
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination; however, they will have to meet other requirements. They should have an import permit and health certificate to enter Colombia. 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 Colombia?
Have a question about importing a pet to Colombia Post it below and be published! You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
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 the Colombian pet import requirements.
Leave a Reply