Jamaica Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Jamaica 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 passport to enter Jamaica will include proof of a microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, two permits to import, rabies titer test results, landing form, and an international 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 dog 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, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO JAMAICA below.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, owners, agents, or anyone transporting a pet should confirm 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 Jamaica

There will be a mandatory period of 14 days of quarantine for your pet when entering Jamaica, even if the regulations listed here are met. More information below. 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.

Jamaica Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog or cat to Jamaica must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-9 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: Country Classifications

Jamaica classifies countries into two categories depending on their rabies status.* Pets must be born in and continuously resided in a Category 1 country for 6 months prior to import.

Category 1 – Rabies-Free Countries:

Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Ascension Islands, Austria, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus (South), Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Guadeloupe, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St Helena, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Maarten, St Martin, St Pierre & Miquelon, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, US Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Vatican City State and Wallis & Fortuna.

Category 2 – All other countries:

Pets from any other country not listed above will not be permitted import to Jamaica.

Step 2: Pet Microchip

The first step to importing a pet dog or cat to Jamaica from any country is to have it 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 identified with a non-compliant microchip, you can provide a microchip scanner that will read your 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 3: Vaccinations/Treatments

All cats and dogs over three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies before entering Jamaica. If your pet is not currently vaccinated for rabies and your pet is over 12 months old, the vaccination must be administered between 3 months and
12 months of entering Jamaica. (see step #9 for puppies and kittens.) The three-year rabies vaccination is not accepted. Your pet
must be vaccinated for rabies within 12 months of entering Jamaica.

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 rabies exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.

Other Vaccinations

Dogs must be vaccinated against the following diseases at various intervals: distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and parainfluenza. Cats must be vaccinated against: feline herpesvirus 1, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia virus, feline leukemia virus (kittens).

Dogs must be tested against and treated for the following diseases (if necessary) at various intervals: coccidiosis, Leishmaniosis, and Brucella Canis.

All vaccinations, tests, and treatments should be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the origination country.

Step 4: 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 (FAVN) is required and must be administered more than 3 months and less than 12 months prior to entering Jamaica. The test should be administered more than 30 days after a primary rabies vaccination. The blood sample must be processed at an OIE/WHO approved laboratory. Have your veterinarian scan your pet’s microchip before the test is given.

Step 5: Preliminary Application

Importers must file a Preliminary Application Form for pre-acceptance once steps 2-4 are completed.
No further tests or treatments should be administered until this form is approved.

Step 6: Parasite Treatments

Before your dog or cat can enter Jamaica, it must be treated twice against internal parasites by a licensed veterinarian. The treatments must be at least 14 days apart with the second treatment administered within 7 days of transport.

Two treatments against external parasites must be administered by a licensed veterinarian 14 days apart with the second treatment within 48 hours of transport.

Step 7: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued in the country of origin, including the following information:

Within 10 days of travel, a licensed veterinarian in the origin country issues the pet health certificate for Jamaica in English. This health certificate must be signed by a government licensed veterinarian as well as well as the agency in the government responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Dogs must be inspected for venereal tumors and signs of canine influenza within 48 hours of transport.

Step 8: Import Permit

Your cat or dog must then have a Veterinary Import Permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture when entering Jamaica from any country. All supporting documentation must be endorsed and submitted with the import permit application. It is good for 3 months after issuance.

Step 9: Quarantine

According to their regulations, all pets entering Jamaica are subject to 14 days of quarantine at the National Quarantine Facility at Plumb Point. However, where the inspector determines that the dog or cat is of good health and free from symptoms of infectious or contagious diseases, the inspector may permit the dog or cat to enter the Island or require the dog or cat to undergo post-entry quarantine for a period of not less than fourteen days.

In the case of a service dog or a dog or cat traveling under an approved Pet Travel Scheme from the European Union, the inspector may permit the dog or cat to be transported to a place approved by the inspector subject to such terms and conditions as the inspector considers necessary.

Other Information

Dog Breeds Banned by Jamaica

Jamaica does not permit the import of the following breeds or their crosses: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, or Pit Bull Terrier. Hybrid breeds such as Savannah cats or wolves are also not permitted.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Jamaica

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Jamaica. Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age and cannot enter Jamaica for a minimum of 180 days after rabies vaccination. They must be microchipped prior to the rabies vaccination and conform to all regulations stated above.

Importing a Pet to Jamaica by Air

Notice must be provided twice to the Director of Veterinary Services,, both 3 weeks and 72 hours prior to arrival in Jamaica. A notification form must be completed at least 72 hours before arrival.

Pets must enter Jamaica in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo through Kingston except by authorized under law by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Pets not arriving during normal business hours (8:30AM – 5:00PM Monday – Thursday and 8:30AM – 4:00PM Friday) or on weekends or holidays will incur extra fees.

Your pet will be examined by a veterinary official, and must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Pets must travel in a pet crate that is in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?

Importers must provide prenotification to the County Veterinarian in advance. They will need to be available to check your pet and its pet passport documentation after landing. There is a fee for this service.

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 if the health of your cat or dog is not acceptable.

Pets transiting Jamaica must get prior approval from the Veterinary Services Division. Pets must not clear security or customs.

Exporting a Pet from Jamaica

In order to depart Jamaica for any country, all dogs must be fully vaccinated with the vaccine for DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza). Rabies vaccination and cat vaccination requirements are dependent on the import requirements of the importing country and do not apply for import to the United States.

Note: The vaccine for rabies is not available in Jamaica. It is recommended to import dogs and cats to the United States to receive this vaccination as it is required to import a pet to most other countries worldwide.

Within 10 days of departing Jamaica, all cats and dogs must be treated for internal and external parasites with an approved anti-parasitic product within 10 days of the scheduled appointment with the government veterinary officer.

All dogs and cats leaving Jamaica must have a veterinary health inspection issued by a licensed veterinarian in Jamaica within 10 days of export. Within 48 hours of export, your pet must be inspected by the Government Veterinary officer together with all import documentation for the destination country. After this visit, you will need to obtain an export license from the Trade Board in Kingston. There is a fee of J$5,000 for this license. You must keep your pet isolated from other animals until departure.

Importing Other Animals to Jamaica

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have an import permit and a health certificate to enter Jamaica. 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 Jamaica?

Further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Jamaica are available at minimal cost. Unlimited email support for you and your veterinarian is included.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Jamaica?

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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 Jamaican pet import requirements.