Australia
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Certain dog breeds are not
permitted in Australia. Cats and dogs may be imported
from specific approved countries. Dogs and cats must
have been continuously living in the country of export for a
minimum of 6 months immediately prior to arrival in
Australia. An animal must be at least 12 weeks old at
the time of export. Female pets must not be more than
6 weeks pregnant nor be suckling young at time of export.
Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip. Dogs must
be vaccinated against distemper, infectious hepatitis,
canine parvovirus (parvo), para-influenza and Bordetella
bronchiseptica (kennel cough). Cats must have been
vaccinated against feline enteritis (feline panleucopenia,
feline distemper), rhinotracheitis and calicivirus.
Blood tests may be necessary. Your pet will not be
allowed to enter Australia without a valid AQIS (Australian
Quarantine and Inspection Services) permit to import.
There is no quarantine if your pet is traveling to Australia
from New Zealand, Norfolk Island, or the Cocos (Keeling)
Islands. Pets from other countries will be quarantined
for a minimum of 30 days and up to 120 days depending on the
country of export. People wishing to have their pets
accommodated at an Australian animal quarantine station
should apply for an import permit at least 5 months in
advance of anticipated departure. An import permit does not
guarantee a space at an animal quarantine station. For
more information contact AQIS Animal Programs via Email: animalimp@aqis.gov.au
Bahamas
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Cats and dogs require a specific import
permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry
(Nassau). This permit requires a $10 processing fee may take up to 10 weeks to obtain. In addition to
the import permit, a certificate of proof of recent rabies
vaccination (which needs to have been administered at least
1 month prior to your arrival into the Bahamas, but not more
than 10 months prior), and a
veterinary health certificate issued within 48 hours of your
arrival into the Bahamas. Your pet must also be at
least 6 months of age.
For additional information contact: Director, Department of
Agriculture, P.O. Box n - 3704, Nassau, Bahamas.
Phone: (242) 325-7502
Brazil
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Dogs and cats may enter Brazil only upon presentation of
an International animal health certificate, issued in the
area of origin of the animal, and authenticated by the
Brazilian Consular Service. Sanitary certificate(s) for pets
must be issued one week before boarding by a licensed
veterinarian affirming that the animal is in good health and
declaring that 40 days before boarding no contagious disease
was detected in animal's area of origin. For cats and dogs,
also obtain an anti-rabies vaccination certificate. The shot
must have been applied not less than 30 days and not more
than a year before the trip. Animals less than four months
of age are exempt of vaccination. Next, you must
obtain the endorsement from the “U.S. Department of
Agriculture” on the sanitary certificate(s). Please
note: The endorsement from the “U.S. Department of
Agriculture” expires 10 days after it is issued.
Finally, you must bring the certificate(s), duly endorsed by
the “U.S. Department of Agriculture”, to the Brazilian
Consulate for legalization.
Canada
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Pet cats less than three
months of age can enter Canada for any period of time
without vaccination, quarantine, or certification. Domestic
cats three months of age and older can be imported into
Canada for any period of time without quarantine from any
country; however, there are different requirements for cats
entering from either rabies-free countries or from those
countries that Canada does not consider to be free of
rabies.
Pet dogs can enter Canada
for any period of time (permanent stays, temporary visits,
or in transit visits) from any country without quarantine.
Because rabies is a federally regulated disease affecting
dogs, Canada's import requirements take into consideration
the rabies status of the country of export. A current
health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian in
either English or French and dated within 10 days prior to
departure to Canada must accompany pet stating that the
veterinarian has examined the dogs and is satisfied that the
pets are not less than eight (8) weeks of age at the time of
examination, are free of any clinical evidence of disease,
were vaccinated not earlier than at six (6) weeks of age for
distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza virus,
and can be transported to Canada without undue suffering by
reason of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or any other
cause. Pets
must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to humans
when possibly examined at the port of entry. Pet inspection
fees are $30.00 + tax for the first animal in the shipment,
and $5.00 + tax for each additional animal in the shipment.
France return
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For dogs, cats, and ferrets: each family
is limited to 5 animals. Every animal must be at least 3
months old (or must accompany the pet's mother). For
identification purposes, a microchip (standard ISO
11784/11785) or a tattoo is required. If the microchip's
standard is different, you must bring your own scanner in
order to read the microchip. Every animal must have a valid rabies vaccination (if it
is the first rabies vaccination for the pet, you must wait
30 days before departure). Also required is a
Certificate of Health from a veterinarian within 5 days of
any travel date (traveling both to and from France).
This health certificate will be valid for 4 months after
signature by an official veterinarian (certified by the
USDA) or endorsement by the competent authority (USDA).
Hawaii
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Hawaii
requires that all live animals shipped or brought into the
state have health and rabies inoculation certificates dated
no more than ten days before travel begins. All cats
and dogs are subject to a 120-day quarantine in Hawaii. If
specific pre- and post-arrival requirements are met, your
pet may qualify for a shorter (30-days or less) quarantine.
Hawaiian quarantine facilities are located in Honolulu.
Costs are charged to the pet owner and must be paid in full
upon arrival. Please contact the
State
of Hawaii Department of Agriculture for additional
information regarding pet quarantines.
Ireland
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Dogs and cats may be imported into Ireland
only if they have been microchipped, vaccinated for rabies,
and then been bloodtested after the rabies vaccination
and microchipping at least six months before entry (the pet
must have a result greater than 0.5 IU/ml). Pets must
also be treated for tick and tapeworm between 24 and 48
hours before departure and have a Veterinary Certificate
(the new EU Veterinary Certificate is recommended) issued or
endorsed by the competent authority in the country of
origin. The pet must also be accompanied by the owner
(or person acting on their behalf) on an approved carrier
into Ireland. For additional information contact the
Department of Agriculture & Food Agriculture House,
Kildare Street, IRL Dublin 2. Tel +353 1 607 2827.
E-mail: pets@agriculture.gov.ie
Israel
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Pet
dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and rodents which are not
considered wildlife, up to two of each type, accompanied by
their owners, are exempt from a Veterinary Import Permit
provided that 1)A Veterinary Health Certificate, issued by a government
veterinary officer in the country of origin within 7 days
prior to export is attached, stating that the animals were
examined, found healthy, free from infectious and contagious
diseases, and that a declaration has been received from the
owner stating that the animals have been in his/her
possession for at least the last 90 days. 2) An international certificate of vaccination stating that
the dogs or cats have been vaccinated against rabies, not
more than a year and not less than a month prior to shipment
to Israel. 3) Dogs and cats, younger than 3 months will not be admitted.
The following details of every import of animals must be
sent to the Ramla Quarantine Station at least 48 hours
prior to arrival to Israel, Fax No. 972-8-9229906: owner,
animal species, age, flight No. and approximate time of
arrival. Animals arriving in good health and properly
certified will generally not be quarantined. For
additional information contact: State of Israel, Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development. Veterinary Services and
Animal Health. P.O.B 12. Beit-Dagan. 50250.
Italy
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Italy requires the
bi-lingual European Union form 998 veterinary certificate
for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering their country.
Pets must be identifiable by a clearly readable tattoo or an
electronic identification system (transponder/microchip),
which provides the pet owner’s name and address. Pets
must accompany their owners and also have proof of recent
vaccination against rabies. All animals must be in
good health at the time of arrival into Italy. Italy
requires a muzzle and a leash for dogs led in public places
and public transportation (article 83 of D.P.R. 320/54 of
the Veterinary Police Regulations).
Japan
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Cats and dogs must have a micro-chip that meets ISO Standard
11784 and 11785. Japan enforces a mandatory quarantine
on all pets entering their country. The duration of
this quarantine may last from hours to months depending on
whether the pet being imported is from a rabies-free country
or not. Other than Hawaii, the United States is not
considered to be a rabies-free country. According to
Japan's AQS (Animal Quarantine Service), "When trying to
import dogs or cats, you must submit advance notification of
the planned date of arrival, number of animals and other
items to the Animal Quarantine Service which has
jurisdiction over your intended port of arrival at least 40
days prior to arrival in Japan... if you have a certificate
for the animal issued by the responsible government agency
of the country of export containing necessary information
such as the microchip number for individual identification,
dates of rabies vaccinations and rabies antibody levels as
well as stating that the animal underwent 180 days wait in
the country of export, the quarantine period will be
completed within12 hours. In all other cases the quarantine
period will be up to 180 days." Note that you may be
requested to change the date or place of import depending on
what quarantine facilities at the Animal Quarantine Station
are available. Importers of dogs are required to
register their dogs under the Rabies Prevention Law and may
need to take the Import Quarantine Certificate to the local
authorities of the destination of the dog. Please
contact Animal Quarantine Service for more information.
(Country code: 81) Animal Quarantine. Address:11-1,
haramachi, isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 235-0008 JAPAN
Phone:045-751-5921, FAX:045-754-1729. Also the
Yokohama Head Office telephone number is 81-45-751-5921
Mexico
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Mexico has no quarantines for healthy dogs and cats.
You may bring a maximum of 2 pets into Mexico. If you
want to enter the country with any more than two pets you
would require permission, which could be obtained from the
Mexican consulate nearest you. U.S. visitors to Mexico
may bring dogs or cats by presenting the following
certificates at the border: 1) A pet health certificate
signed by a registered veterinarian in the United States and
issued not more than 72 hours before the animal enters
Mexico; and 2) a pet vaccination certificate showing
that the animal has been treated for rabies, hepatitis, pip
and leptospirosis. A permit
fee is charged at the time of entry into Mexico.
You may bring pet birds into Mexico, but,
have difficulty returning to the U.S. with them.
Hence, you may want to consider leaving your birds at home.
Certification by Mexican consular authorities is not
required for the health or vaccination certificate. To
reach the "Dirección General de Inspección Fitozoosanitaria"
in Mexico City, Tel. 011-52-55-5571-3124 Fax
011-52-55-5784-3231.
Switzerland
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Dogs and cats may be imported into Switzerland without a
permit. A border veterinary inspection is not required for
animals that are accompanied, except when more than three
animals are imported together. Pets are not usually
quarantined upon their arrival to Switzerland. A
veterinary rabies vaccination certificate is compulsory,
stating that the vaccination took place at least 30 days and
no longer than one year before crossing the border. The
30-day waiting period need not be observed if there is proof
of revaccination. The certificate must be written in either
German, French, Italian or English and contain the following
information:
* Name and address of
animal owner
* Description of the animal (breed, sex, age, color)
* Confirmation that the animal was submitted to a veterinary
examination prior to vaccination and found in good health
* Date of rabies vaccination, type of vaccine used, name of
manufacturer and batch number
* Signature of the veterinarian.
Note: The importation of dogs with clipped ears and/or
cropped tails is prohibited if the animals are less than
five months old. Young dogs belonging to foreign owners,
however, are admitted for temporary importation.
To contact Switzerland's Federal Veterinary
Office: Schwarzenburgerstrasse 161, 3097 Liebfeld-Berne,
Tel.: (+41) (0)31 323 85 02
United Kingdom
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The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is the system
that allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets from certain
countries to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they
meet the rules. (Please keep in mind that In Great
Britain, it is illegal to possess certain types of
"dangerous" dogs.) Here is a link the Defra website
with additional information:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm
Returning to the United
States with a pet after being abroad
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(Information is from the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
If you plan to take your pet abroad or import
one on your return, please get a copy of the CBP brochure
Pets and Wildlife. You should also check with state, county,
and local authorities to learn if their restrictions and
prohibitions on pets are stricter than federal requirements.
Importing animals is closely regulated for public health
reasons and also for the well being of the animals. There
are restrictions and prohibitions on bringing many species
into the United States.
Cats must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to
humans when they are examined at the port of entry. If the
cat does not seem to be in good health, the owner may have
to pay for an additional examination by a licensed
veterinarian. As a rule, both cats and dogs must be free of
fleas and ticks, and have a health certificate that was
issued by the country of residence.
Dogs must also be free of evidence of diseases that could be
communicable to humans. Puppies must be confined at a place
of the owner’s choosing, which can be a private residence,
until they are three months old and then they must be
vaccinated against rabies. The puppy will then have to stay
in confinement for another 30 days following the
vaccination.
Dogs older than three months must get a rabies vaccination
at least 30 days before they come to the United States and
must be accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination
certificate if coming from a country that is not
rabies-free. This certificate should identify the dog, show
the date of vaccination, the date it expires (there are
one-year and three-year vaccinations), and be signed by a
licensed veterinarian. If the certificate does not have an
expiration date, CBP will accept it as long as the dog was
vaccinated 12 months or less before coming to the United
States. Dogs coming from rabies free countries do not have
to be vaccinated.
Birds may be imported as pets as long as you comply with
APHIS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife requirements. These
requirements may include quarantining the birds at one of
the three APHIS' Animal Import Centers at your expense. You
must make advance reservations at the quarantine facility.
If you intend to import a bird, call APHIS’ National Center
for Import and Export at (301) 734-8364 for more
information.
In any case, birds may only be imported through ports of
entry where a USDA port veterinarian is on duty; and you
must make arrangements in advance to have the bird examined
by a USDA port veterinarian at the first U.S. port of entry.
There is a minimum user fee for this service of $23.00 based
on an hourly rate of $76/hour. For more information, contact
the USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services, National Center for
Import and Export (NCIE), 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD
20737; call (301) 734-8364; or visit the APHIS web site at
www.aphis.usda.gov/travel/pets.html ( APHIS Travel Web
(Pets) ) .
Other common pets such as rabbits, ferrets, hamsters,
gerbils, and guinea pigs may be imported if they are in good
health. The importation of reptiles and invertebrates is
restricted, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service for additional guidance. Most species of snails are
not admissible. Contact APHIS for additional information.
