What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Sri Lanka 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 an import permit, proof of microchip, rabies vaccination, blood tests (dogs), parasite treatments and international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
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.
Note that dogs and cats can be imported to Sri Lanka from countries that are free from rabies according to regulations below. If your country does not have this designation, the origin of your pet must be from an area free from rabies quarantine restrictions and not within a radius of 15.5 miles (25 km) from the nearest known case of rabies that was reported at any time within 6 months before travel.
Pets in Sri Lanka
As a predominantly Buddhist country, there is a cultural inclination towards compassion for animals, influencing pet care and treatment practices.
Dogs are very popular pets across Sri Lanka, often kept for companionship and security. Local mixed breeds are common, though purebreds are also seen, especially in urban areas. Cats are particularly valued for their independence and ability to control pests like mice and rats. Parrots, pigeons, and other birds are kept both for their beauty and their ability to mimic sounds. Birds are a common sight in many Sri Lankan households; however, they are difficult to import requiring an import permit and quarantine.
Access to veterinary services is relatively good in urban areas but can be limited in rural regions. Stray dogs and cats are a significant issue, particularly in cities. There are various initiatives to manage stray populations through spaying/neutering and adoption programs. Pet owners should always protect themselves and their pets from stray animals as they are oftentimes unvaccinated for contagious animal diseases.
Flights to Sri Lanka
Commercial airlines providing services for pets flying to Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) are Aeroflot, Air India, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Emirates, Flydubai, Gulf Air, IndiGo, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines.
Flights to Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka
All cats and dogs will be subject to 30 days of home quarantine even 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.
Sri Lanka Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to import a dog or cat to Sri Lanka 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. Firstly, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Secondly, 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.
Your pet must 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 entering Sri Lanka. All documentation must 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
All cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 11 months prior to entering Sri Lanka. 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
Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus (DHLP) between 21 days and 10 months of import. For dogs under 6 months of age, a booster must be administered more than 14 days from the primary vaccination.
Cats must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia ((TRICAT/ FVRCP) between 30 days and 10 months of import. For cats under the age of 6 months, a booster vaccination must be administered more than 14 days from the primary vaccination.
Veterinarians must record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination country.
Step 3: Blood Tests
Sri Lanka does not require a rabies titer test for cats and dogs from any country. However, the results of the following blood tests must be administered. Samples can be processed at any approved laboratory in the country of origin within 30 days of import.
Dogs: negative tests for Heartworm Antigen, Heartworm Microfilaria, and Leishmaniasis.
Government veterinarians should endorse blood test results when the health certificate is endorsed. If the exporting country can attest that the country is free of the above diseases, a statement as such must be recorded on the heath certificate and the requirement is waived.
Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.
Step 4: Import Permit
Pet owners must apply for an Import Permit from the Department of Animal Production and Health at least 2 weeks prior to your pet entering Sri Lanka. Once approved, it is good for 90 days. If importing 3 or more personal pets, an Import Control License will be required.
Step 5: Parasite Treatments
According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites must be administered within fourteen days prior to entering Sri Lanka.
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 recommended, but not required.
The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.
Step 6: 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, blood tests 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.
The health certificate must indicate that your pet must have been born in or resided in the exporting country for a minimum of 6 months prior to transport. If incidents of rabies have been reported in your pet’s country, your pet must live in an area free from quarantine restrictions
for rabies and not within a radius of 25 km from the nearest known case of rabies for a minimum of 6 months immediately prior to transport.
Your dog must not have been in contact with any animal showing signs of infectious or contagious disease including Aujeszky’s disease, Filariasis, Leptospirosis, rabies, Canine distemper, Infectious hepatitis, Canine parvovirus infection, and Dermatomycosis for a period of 3 months prior to transport.
Your cat must not have been in contact with any animal showing signs of rabies, Aujeszky’s disease, Filariasis or Leptospirosis for a period of 3 months prior to transport.
A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate within 10 days of entry.
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.
More Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Sri Lanka
Puppies and kittens should not receive rabies vaccinations before 3 months of age. They can enter Sri Lanka with the dam’s proof of rabies vaccination according to these regulations. Proof of age should be provided.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned from import to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.
Entering Sri Lanka by air
Pet dogs and cats entering Sri Lanka by air should do so via Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) in Katunayake. Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo. Note that pets arriving as air cargo will be subject to a hefty import tax.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
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.
Notice should be given to veterinary officials at least 2 days in advance so they will be available to inspect your pet upon landing. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport and will be re-exported if parasite blood tests are not negative. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed
veterinarian may be required at your expense.
Veterinary officials may require quarantine inspection or home quarantine of up to 30 days when entering Sri Lanka regardless of the country of origin or whether regulations are adhered to.
Importers will need to carry a personal letter stating the pet’s market value or a document that proves it such as an invoice. On the other hand, importers may provide this information on the Health Certificate.
Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like Sri Lanka, 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 COUNTRY NAME. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.
Importing other pet animals to Sri Lanka
Birds entering Sri Lanka will need an import permit. Quarantine in an approved facility is required and tests will be performed which must prove negative for Avian influenza and Newcastle diseases among others. Birds cannot be exported from the country.
Exotic pets will not be permitted entry. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
Exporting resident pets from Sri Lanka
If your pet is visiting Sri Lanka and leaves during the period of validity of the Certificate of Health created in the U.S. or your country and the rabies vaccine has not expired, then no additional paperwork will be required.
If your pet resides in Sri Lanka and you want to export it from the country, then you will need a Certificate of Good Health from your
veterinarian in Sri Lanka and an export authorization issued by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Agriculture. The authorization will be good for 30 days and there is a fee involved. It will take several working days to process it.
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
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Sri Lanka?
Have a comment about importing a pet to Sri Lanka? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
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 Sri Lanka pet import requirements.
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