Ecuador Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Ecuador 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 resident pets. Your pet’s Ecuador passport will be comprised of proof of rabies and other vaccinations and an international export health certificate.

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 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 ECUADOR 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 Ecuador

Quarantine will not be imposed on your pet if the following regulations are met. Pets not meeting import regulations will be quarantined, returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer.

Ecuador Pet Import Requirements

All regulations required to import a pet to Ecuador must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

Step 1: Pet Microchip

To enter Ecuador, 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 Ecuador.

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, canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Dogs entering Ecuador from Australia n have a Microscopic Agglutination test in lieu of the leptospirosis test. Cats must 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. The date of the vaccination, type and brand of the product must be recorded on the health certificate.

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.

A rabies titer test is not required for pets entering Ecuador; however, it is advised that pets from Africa, Asia, Oceana, and Australia secure a rabies titer test.

Because Ecuador 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 Ecuador, it must have an internal and external parasite treatment administered by a licensed veterinarian within 21 days of import. Actually, it is highly recommended that your pet be on a flea and tick prevention program prior to entering Ecuador.

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 a health certificate within 10 days of travel. The original and one copy must travel with your pet and be available to veterinary inspectors at entry.

Related: Pet Health Certificate for Ecuador

Most countries, including Ecuador, 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 if your dog or cat is entering Ecuador by land or in the cabin of an aircraft. An import permit will be issued for dogs and cats entering Ecuador as air cargo after they are inspected. There is a fee for this service.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Ecuador

Puppies and kittens less than 4 months of age should be vaccinated for rabies and other diseases listed in step #2 prior to being imported to Ecuador. Rabies vaccinations should not be administered prior to 3 months of age.

Breeds Banned by Ecuador

Pitbull breeds are not permitted entry to Ecuador.

Entering Ecuador with a Pet

Pets may enter Ecuador via the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport in Guayaquil or Carlos Concha Torres Airport in Esmeraldas. Pet dogs and cats can also enter Ecuador by land at International Bridge Rumichaca at Carchi, Loja or El Oro.

Pets can arrive in the cabin, checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies.

It is strongly recommended to call the Ecuadorian Agency of Quality Assurance in Agriculture 72 hours in advance of arrival so there will be a veterinarian available at the time of clearance.

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.

Exporting Resident Pets

Pet owners planning to export their pets from Ecuador must have an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and a tapeworm treatment. The health certificate is valid for 7 days. There are additional requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets traveling to the European Union.

Importing Other Animals to Ecuador

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 Ecuador. 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 detailed pet import requirements and forms for Ecuador?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Ecuador at minimal cost. Unlimited email support for you and your veterinarian is included.

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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 Ecuador pet import requirements.