What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Saipan 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 will include proof of microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, parasite treatments, titer test and international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
Saipan is the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth in the Western Pacific. It has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging between 24°C (75°F) to 31°C (88°F) year-round. The rainy season is typically June to November and the dry season is December to June.
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.
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 Saipan
Unless your pet is a 6-month resident of a country that the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) classifies as rabies-free (Hawaii, Guam, Australia, New Zealand and the British Isles), there will be 120 days of quarantine imposed on your pet at approved quarantine facilities in either Hawaii, Guam or Saipan.
Saipan Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Saipan pet import regulations 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. Third, most countries require that pets be microchipped and compliant microchips may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country.
Although it is not required that your dog or cat be microchipped to enter Saipan, microchipping is required to enter Hawaii or Guam if that is where your pet’s quarantine will be served. Your pet should be identified with a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to getting a rabies vaccination. All documentation should reflect the microchip number.
If your pet’s 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. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.
Step 2: Vaccinations
Your dog, or cat must have been vaccinated at least twice in its lifetime for rabies and those vaccinations must be more than 90 days apart. The latest vaccination must have done between 90 days and 12 months prior to arrival in Hawaii, Guam or Saipan. Two original copies of vaccination certificates must accompany your pet to Saipan.
The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin:
- a rabies certificate
- a government-issued vaccination booklet or
- an EU Pet Passport
Other Vaccinations
Proof of other vaccinations are required at scheduled intervals prior to import: canine distemper; parvovirus, Infectious canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough).
Cats must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, pneumonitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia.
Veterinarians must record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination country.
Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination.
A rabies titer test (FAVN) is required to enter Saipan. The blood test must be done not more than 36 months and
not less than 120 days prior to arrival in Guam or Hawaii. (Your pet’s microchip must be implanted prior to the titer test.
Have your veterinarian scan your pet’s microchip prior to the titer test.) If you are planning to enter Hawaii on the way to Saipan, be sure that the titer test submittal form indicates that results be sent directly to Hawaii and Saipan. The sample must be processed at Kansas State University or DOD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory in Texas.
Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.
Step 4: Parasite Treatments
No internal or external parasite treatment is required to enter Saipan; however, these treatments are required when entering Hawaii or Guam if that is where your pet’s quarantine will be served.
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.
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 require an original health certificate (sometimes known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for live animals entering their country. The certificate should include the following information:
- details of your pet and
- vaccinations and treatments and
- 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 properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate depending on the country of origin.
A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate in English or French. After issuance, the certificate must be endorsed by the governing authority of your country responsible for the import and export of live animals.
Related: Pet Health Certificate for Saipan
A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
Step 6: Entry Permit
Pet dogs and cats entering Saipan must submit a request for an entry permit from the Chief Veterinarian.
Other Information
Quarantine for Pets Entering Saipan
Unless your pet is entering Saipan from a country considered by WOAH to be rabies-free, your dog or cat will need to undergo at least 120 days of quarantine in Guam, Honolulu or at the As Perdido Animal Quarantine Facility on Saipan. Classification of import country will be determined at the time of import permit application.
Depending on the country of import, an option to serve 60 or the 120 days of quarantine at home may be offered.
Breeds Banned from Import to Saipan
Saipan does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.
Entering Saipan by Air
Pets must enter the country at the Saipan International Airport. Flights should be direct if possible. Other approved inspection points include Tinian – West Tinian Airport or San Jose Harbor in San Jose, Rota – Rota Airport or Seaport.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
Flights to Saipan 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.
Flights should be direct if the duration of the flight does not violate animal welfare laws. Layovers should be short and not involve a change in airline companies. If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply.
Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like Saipan, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport.
A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering Saipan. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.
Importing Other Pet Animals to Saipan
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 a health certificate to enter Saipan. 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 crucial 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 this is the case, importers will have to submit additional permit applications. The agency that issues these permits is responsible for the protection of wildlife in your country.
Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.
Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database
Related: Read more about CITES
Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Saipan?
Visit PetTravelStore.com to find further detail on permits, costs, tests and pet import requirements for Saipan. Unlimited email support is included.
Have Questions?
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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. To avoid these consequences, we suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Saipan pet import requirements.
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