Saint Barthélemy Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Saint Barthélemy 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 Saint Barthélemy will include proof of a microchip and current vaccinations, parasite treatments, and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Whatever you call this beautiful island, Saint Barthélemy, St. Barths (French) or St. Barts (English), it is truly a jewel of an island and a very popular destination. This a French-speaking Caribbean Island renowned for its picturesque beaches, luxury yachts, and high-end dining. This island, part of the French West Indies, combines French sophistication with the laid-back charm of the Caribbean. As it is an overseas collectivity of France, it has adopted EU legislation for the import of pets.

Animals Eligible for These Import 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 5th generation removed from the pedigree, cannot be imported under these regulations. Service and emotional support animals are subject to all regulations listed here.

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 When Entering Saint Barthélemy

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

Saint Barthélemy Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Saint Barthélemy must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

Step 1: Pet Microchip

To import your pet dog or cat to Saint Barthélemy, it must first be identified with a 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 11784 or Annex A of 11785. The microchip number should be reflected on all documentation. If your pet’s current microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer’s or government’s database.

Microchip numbers must be recorded on all documentation required in your pet’s passport to enter Saint Barthélemy.

Step 2: Vaccinations

ll cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 21 days and 12 months prior to entering Saint Barthélemy. If entering the island from a high-rabies country, the vaccination must be more than 30 days prior to the administration of a rabies titer (serology) test (step 3).

Multi-year rabies vaccines can be administered as boosters, and the validity date must be signed and stamped by both the administering veterinarian and a government veterinarian on the health certificate (step 6).

The administering veterinarian should either issue a rabies certificate or record vaccination information in a government-issued vaccination booklet or EU Pet Passport, sign, and stamp.

Other Vaccinations

Vaccinations are essential for the health and well-being of both dogs and cats. They help protect against a variety of infectious diseases, some of which can be serious or even fatal. They are a part of any good health veterinary regiment and must be administered at specific intervals so they are affective when entering Saint Barthélemy.

All vaccinations can be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) with information including vaccine manufacturer, date of administration, date of validity and lot number (if applicable).

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test is required to enter Saint Barthélemy from any high-rabies country. Blood samples should be processed at an EU-approved laboratory.

Note that rabies titer test results are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination (rabies certificate, government-issued vaccination booklet, or EU Pet Passport).

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered prior to entering Saint Barthélemy.

The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are required.

The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide include a pet health certificate in their import regulations, and Saint Barthélemy is no exception. A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate within 3 days of entry.

The health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number. Your veterinarian must state that:

• Your pet is fit to travel.
• Your pet is not originating from an area that is under restrictions for rabies.
• Your pet is displaying no symptoms of any contagious diseases.

After issuance, the health certificate must be certified (endorsed) by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Saint Barthélemy

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens can enter St Barts at eight weeks of age from Metropolitan France or French Overseas departments and territories (except for French Guiana). Puppies and kittens over 12 weeks of age must be microchipped and vaccinated for rabies.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to Saint Barthélemy

Mixes of the following breeds are banned from import to St Barts: Staffordshire terrier, American Staffordshire terrier (Pitbulls), Mastiff (Boer bulls) and Tosa. The following breeds that are registered by the American Kennel Club as well as dogs related to Rottweilers is possible under special rules: Staffordshire terrier, American Staffordshire terrier (Pitbulls), Mastiff (Boer bulls) and Tosa is possible, under special rules.

Entering Saint Barthélemy by Air

Pets can arrive in Saint Barthélemy in the cabin or as checked baggage or air cargo at via Gustaf III Airport, according to airline pet policies.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?

Flights to Saint Barthélemy should be direct or transit through a listed third country (step 1) or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted third country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

If your pet is flying privately or commercially and changing airline companies in Saint Martin, your pet will need to conform to pet import requirements for this country including an import permit.

Related: Pet import requirements for Saint Martin

Notice should be given to veterinary officials at the airport so they will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing, especially if arrival is outside of normal business hours.

If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. Further examination and treatment by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health.

Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like Saint Barthélemy, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Saint Barthélemy

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination; however, may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Saint Barthélemy. 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)

Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and it is even more important if it is a turtle or parrot.  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.

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

Related: Read more about CITES

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Saint Barthélemy

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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, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Saint Barthélemy pet import requirements.