Trinidad and Tobago Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Trinidad and Tobago 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 a microchip, a current rabies vaccination, a rabies titer test, parasite treatments, and a 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.

Pets in Trinidad and Tobago

This country has a vibrant pet culture, supported by veterinary services, pet care facilities, and active animal welfare organizations. Dogs are generally required to be on a leash in public areas, except in designated off-leash zones.

Pet ownership regulations include mandatory vaccinations and licensing for dogs. There is a good network of veterinary clinics throughout Trinidad and Tobago, offering a range of services.

Stray dogs and cats are a significant issue in some areas, so pet owners should be sure that their pets are protected from contagious diseases when importing them to Trinidad and Tobago.

Flying a Pet to Trinidad and Tobago

There are several commercial airlines that serve pets flying to Piarco International Airport including: Air Canada, American, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Copa and KLM.

Flights to Trinidad and Tobago 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 Trinidad and Tobago

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.

All steps required to import a pet dog or cat to Trinidad and Tobago must be completed in the country of origin. Complete steps 1-7 in the order given.

Step 1: Country Classifications

Trinidad and Tobago recognize countries as Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3. Dogs and cats from Category 1 countries are not subject to current rabies vaccination (step 3) or a rabies titer test (step 4) according to their regulations.

Category 1 Countries

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Austria, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bonaire, Cayman Island, Channel Islands, Curacao, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, French Polynesia, Germany, Great Britain, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Portugal, Sabo, Saint Eustatius, Singapore, St Barthelemy, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Martin, St Vincent, Sweden, Switzerland and Vanuatu.

Category 2 Countries

American Samoa, Andorra, Argentina, Ascention Island, Azores, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, British Virgin Island, Canada, Canary Islands, Chile, Croatia, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Fiji,
Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greenland, Guam, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Latvia,
Lithuania, Mayotte, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Northern Mariana, Norway, Poland, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Ruissian Federation, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St Helena, St Martin, St Pierre & Miquelon, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, US Virgin Islands, United States (mainland).

Category 3 Countries

All countries not classified as Category 1 or Category 2.

Dogs or cats must have been born in or continuously lived in one of these countries for a minimum of 6 months prior to traveling to Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for this category.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import regulations for Trinidad and Tobago

Step 2: Pet Microchip

The first step to importing a dog, cat, or ferret to Trinidad and Tobago is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can either bring your own microchip scanner.

A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a 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 database in your country.

Step 3: Vaccinations

Unless entering Trinidad and Tobago from a Category 1 Country (see step #7), your pet must be vaccinated for rabies between 6 months and 12 months prior to entering the country.

If your dog or cat is currently vaccinated for rabies but not microchipped, it will need to be re-vaccinated according to instructions above after a microchip is implanted.

In either case, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

Other Vaccinations

Dogs entering Trinidad and Tobago from any country should be vaccinated against canine parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis according to disease status of the country of origin.

Cats entering Trinidad and Tobago from any country should be vaccinated against feline calicivirus, panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline leukemia according to disease status of the country of origin.

Step 4: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires this test.

A rabies titer test is not required to enter Trinidad and Tobago from Category 1 countries. Pets entering Trinidad and Tobago from Category 2 or 3 countries listed in step 1 must have proof of a rabies titer test administered no sooner than 1 month after the rabies vaccination. (Have your veterinarian scan your pet’s microchip prior to
taking the test.) Samples must be processed at approved laboratories.

Step 5: Import Permit

An import permit from the Chief Veterinary Officer must be applied for at least 1 week in advance for Category 1 countries and 1 1/2 months in advance for Category 2 countries. The permit must be filed 5 months in advance for pets entering Trinidad and Tobago from Category 3 countries.

Step 6: Parasite Treatments

A treatment for internal and external parasites is required for cats and dogs shortly prior to entering Trinidad and Tobago from all countries. Dogs must also be tested for Brucella canis.

Step 7: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires a health certificate in their pet import regulations, and Trinidad and Tobago is no exception. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number and species.

After the vaccinations and titer test are completed, a licensed veterinarian in the origination country must then complete the health certificate for Trinidad and Tobago 7 days prior to travel. After issuance, the certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the country of origin responsible for the import and export of live animals.

For pets entering from rabies-free countries (step 1), health certificates must contain a statement that your dog or cat has been in your country of origin for 6 months prior to export and that there have been no incidents of rabies among un-quarantined animals in your country for the past 24 months.

More Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Trinidad and Tobago

Puppies and kittens cannot be vaccinated for rabies until they reach 3 months of age. They must be fully vaccinated for rabies and conform to all requirements listed here before importing to Trinidad and Tobago.

Entering Trinidad and Tobago by Air

All pets can enter Trinidad and Tobago via Piarco International Airport. Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo according to airline pet policies.

The Veterinary Division must be given at least 24 hours’ notice of the confirmed arrival date, time, airline or vessel, and port of entry. This will facilitate unnecessary delays and avoid detention of animal(s) for veterinary clearance at the port of entry.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Trinidad and Tobago. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Trinidad and Tobago

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination but will have to meet other requirements and must have an import permit and a health certificate to enter Trinidad and Tobago. 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: Learn more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Trinidad and Tobago?

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

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Here’s what is included in the Trinidad and Tobago pet passport package:

Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Trinidad and Tobago from any country available in six languages
ISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip Information
Required Vaccinations and Intervals
Rabies Titer Test Instructions
Approved Laboratories
Health Certificate Information
Import Permit Application and 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 Trinidad and Tobago (US/Canada)
Inoculation Record
Microchip Certificate
Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Trinidad and Tobago?

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Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified. 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 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 at your expense or
Euthanize your pet.

We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Trinidad and Tobago pet import requirements.