El Salvador Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill El Salvador pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the 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 El Salvador passport will include proof of rabies and other vaccinations, an import permit 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. These regulations do not include the import of wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.

Pets in El Salvador

Pet ownership in El Salvador is evolving, reflecting broader social and cultural changes. While dogs and cats remain the most common pets, interest in birds, fish, small mammals, and even reptiles is growing. Traditionally, animals in El Salvador were kept for practical purposes such as guarding property, hunting, or controlling pests. Dogs and cats were often working animals rather than pets. Increasing urbanization and exposure to global cultures are shifting attitudes towards pets. More Salvadorans are viewing pets as integral parts of their lives and family.

Limited access to veterinary services in rural areas poses a challenge for pet owners. Urban areas have better access but still face constraints in advanced veterinary care. For this reason, pet owners should be aware that advanced tests and treatments required to transport their pet to other international destinations from El Salvador may be limited.

Pet-Friendly Airlines Flying to El Salvador

Major commercial airlines that offer service to pets flying to Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport in El Salvador including American Airlines, Avianca, Copa, Delta and Volaris.

Flights to El Salvador should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

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. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.

Quarantine for Pets Entering El Salvador

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.

El Salvador Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to import a pet to El Salvador 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. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, 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 to import a pet to El Salvador, it is strongly 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.

If your pet does not have a registered microchip, make sure your pets are wearing tags that identify them and have contact information for the owner.

Step 2: Vaccinations

Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering El Salvador.

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 should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza according to their country’s disease status.

Cats must be vaccinated against panleukopenia not less than 30 days prior to travel and not more than 6 months prior to travel.

All vaccinations can be recorded on the pet 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 should be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. This test is not required to enter El Salvador 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 El Salvador 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 should your pet be returning.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

A ticks and tapeworm treatment is required prior to entering El Salvador and should be administered by a licensed veterinarian shortly prior to travel.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate (also known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) issued in the country of origin, including the following information:

Within 10 days of travel, an export health certificate must be completed. Although it is not required, we recommend that the authority of your country responsible for the import and export of animals endorse the forms. Endorsement may also be required as a part of export procedures in your country.

Related: Pet Health Certificate for El Salvador

Step 6: Import Permit

Importers must apply for an Import Permit for your pet from the Animal Quarantine Department in San Salvador. There is a minimal fee involved.

Other Information

Breeds Banned by El Salvador

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

Entering El Salvador by Air

Pets entering El Salvador by air can do so via Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport located about 50 km from San Salvador. Pets can arrive in the cabin, checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies.

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?

All pets transiting the European Union are subject to additional requirements.

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 El Salvador

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 El Salvador. 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 the Required Forms for El Salvador?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Paraguay at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.

Here’s what is included in the Paraguay pet passport package:

• Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to El Salvador from any country available in six languages
• Required Vaccinations and Intervals
• ISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip Information
• Import Permit Application & Instructions
• Export Permit Instructions
• Parasite Treatments
• IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
• Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
• Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
• FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions

Also included at no additional cost:

• Veterinary Health Certificate for El Salvador (US/Canada)
• Inoculation Certificate
• Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to El Salvador?

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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 here 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 El Salvador pet import requirements.