Pet Regulations for Entry into Various Countries Customs/Quarantine Pet Restrictions Important note: The information below is to be used as a general guideline. Before you travel, always confirm the pet travel regulations with the appropriate embassy or consulate office, and the airline on which your dog will be traveling. Airline Info: Some airlines require a Certificate of Health from a veterinarian within 10 days of any travel date (traveling both to and from the U.S.). This means that U.S. residents returning to the U.S. might need to get a Certificate of Health from an international vet if you stay in the foreign country for more than 10 days. For more info, look here. Click on a country/continent for detailed information. Canada Carribean Europe Great Britain/England Israel Japan Mexico South America United States Countries/Islands To Avoid For countries not listed here, try the Embassy page . Canada Entry and Re-Entry into Canada from the U.S.A. Customs Information for Traveling Between the United States and Canada If you will be traveling between the United States and Canada, identification for Customs and Immigration is required. U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling across the border need the following: People - Proof of citizenship such as your passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state/province where you were born. - Photo identification such as a current valid driver's license. - People with children need to bring their child's birth certificate. Single parents, grandparents or guardians traveling with children often need proof or notarized letters from the other parent authorizing travel. Dogs - Dogs must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to humans when possibly examined at the port of entry. - Valid rabies vaccination certificate (including an expiration date usually up to 3 years from the actual vaccine date and a veterinarian's signature). If no expiration date is specified on the certificate, then the certificate is acceptable if the date of the vaccination is not more than 12 months before the date of arrival. The certificate must show that the dog had the rabies vaccine at least 30 days prior to entry. - Young puppies must be confined at a place of the owner's choosing until they are three months old, then they must be vaccinated. They must remain in confinement for 30 days after the vaccination. Carribean Aruba We still need to confirm this policy which states: Valid Rabies & Health Certificate required. No pets allowed from South & Central America.  Bonaire We still need to confirm this policy which states: Valid Rabies & Health Certificate required. Caicos Islands We still need to confirm this policy which states: To bring your pet you require a veterinary certificate stating that the animal is in good health and has had a rabies vaccination. A public health inspector will examine the animal upon arrival. Guadeloupe We still need to confirm this policy which states: Cats & dogs above the age of 3 months are admitted temporarily as pets, on presentation of a certificate of origin & good health or a certificate of anti-rabies inoculation, issued by a licensed veterinarian from the country of shipment.  Punta Cana We still need to confirm this policy which states: Minimum requirements are that the Department of Animal Health be presented with a Rabies vaccination certificate indicating that the inoculation was given 30 days prior to the animals arrival in the country and a Health Certificate issued not more than 15 days prior to the animals arrival in the country. If these requirements are not met, the animal will be quarantined from 8 to 30 days depending on its country of origin.  St. Barts We still need to confirm this policy which states: Dogs & cats over three months old are allowed in temporarily with certificates of origin & good health (or anti-rabies inoculation) issued by a licensed veterinarian from country of shipment.  St. Maarten/St. Martin We still need to confirm this policy which states: Animals are admitted temporarily with the following papers: a current health certificate (must be dated no more than 10 days prior to departure);Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before entering St. Martin and the rabies shot given in the last 12 months.  Carribean Countries To Avoid (see below) (Because of Long Quarantines, Lengthy Processes or Tough Restrictions) Europe Britain Effective December 11, 2002 the Pet Travel Scheme has been extended to include the U.S. and Canada. But before you hop on a plane with your dog see our discussion on the rules. Click here to read about taking your dog to the United Kingdom (England). France Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before entering France and the rabies shot must have been given in the last 12 months. A valid rabies vaccination certificate needs to accompany the animal. Also required is a Certificate of Health from a veterinarian within 5 days of any travel date (traveling both to and from France). This means that French residents returning to the France might need to get a Certificate of Health from an international vet if you stay in the foreign country for more than 5 days. Source: Embassy of France in Washington, D.C., USA Italy Pets are allowed to enter only if they are in good health and vaccinated against rabies. Source: Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C., USA Switzerland Dogs and cats entering the customs territory of Liechtenstein/Switzerland from abroad must have a certificate from a veterinary surgeon testifying that the animal has been immunized against rabies. The vaccination must have been given at least 30 days before crossing the frontier and may not be more than one year old. Source: Entry and Customs Regulations Israel Import of animals accompanied by owners: 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 - 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. - 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. - Dogs and cats, younger than 3 months will not be admitted. Following details of every import of animals must be notifies 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. Quarantine - Unaccompanied animals, or such which require an import permit, shall be quarantined in an official quarantine station for a period of 8 days or as decided upon by the Director. Source: Israel Customs and VAT Japan All dogs and cats entering Japan from the United States must be quarantined for at least 14 days. Also, all dogs and cats must be accompanied by two documents issued by licensed veterinarians in the U.S. They are: -A health certificate stating that the dog or cat is not infected or is not suspected of being infected with rabies. For dogs the certificates must show that the dog is not infected or is not suspected of being infected with Leptospirosis. No dog will be allowed to enter Japan without a Health Certificate. - A rabies inoculation certificate stating the date and type of rabies vaccination administered. To minimize the quarantine period, the pet should be given a rabies shot at least 30 days before the petís arrival (see the table below). In addition, please ensure that the vaccination period does not expire before the petís arrival. If the vaccine has an immunity period of more than one year then the certificate should state its duration. If you are bringing a pet into Japan, then you'll need to read Japan's official "Guide to The Animal Quarantine Service". Mexico U.S. visitors to Mexico may bring a dog or cat by presenting the following certificates at the border: - a pet health certificate signed by a registered veterinarin in the United States and issued not more than 72 hours before the animal enters Mexico; and - a pet vaccination certificate showing that the animal has been treated for rabies, hepatitis, pip and leptospirosis. Certification by Mexican consular authorities is not required for the health or vaccination certificate. A permit fee is charged at the time of entry into Mexico. Source: U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs South America Brazil Pets (dogs, cats, birds) may enter Brazil only upon presentation of the following documents, duly authenticated by the Consular Service: - sanitary certificate (for pets) issued by a veterinary and duly stamped by USDA, dated within one week prior to pets' departure; - rabies vaccination, as applicable. Sanitary certificates must also certify that, up to 40 days prior to boarding, no contagious disease had been detected in the place of origin. Admittance of animals other than dogs, cats and pet birds require prior approval by the Ministry of Agriculture. Source: Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C. United States Hawaii (different from the rest of the U.S.) (see below) United States - Including US Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas) and Puerto Rico - But Not Including Hawaii - (For Hawaii See below) Pets taken out of the United States and returned are subject to the same requirements as those entering for the first time. Customs Information for Traveling Between the United States and Canada If you will be traveling between the United States and Canada, identification for Customs and Immigration is required. U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling across the border need the following: People - Proof of citizenship such as your passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state/province where you were born. - Photo identification such as a current valid driver's license. - People with children need to bring their child's birth certificate. Single parents, grandparents or guardians traveling with children often need proof or notarized letters from the other parent authorizing travel. Dogs - Dogs must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to humans when possibly examined at the port of entry. - Valid rabies vaccination certificate (including an expiration date usually up to 3 years from the actual vaccine date and a veterinarian's signature). If no expiration date is specified on the certificate, then the certificate is acceptable if the date of the vaccination is not more than 12 months before the date of arrival. The certificate must show that the dog had the rabies vaccine at least 30 days prior to entry. - Young puppies must be confined at a place of the owner's choosing until they are three months old, then they must be vaccinated. They must remain in confinement for 30 days after the vaccination. US Virgin Islands - Many dogs and cats run free on the island, so keep a sharp eye on your pet. Don't leave your pet tied in the open alone. Hawaii - In general, pets must be in quarantine for 5-120 days. A new program recently began , called the 5-Day-Or-Less Program, allows for short quarantines of up to 5 days if a host of requirements are met. Please note that it takes at least 120 days before entry into Hawaii to meet the requirements. For more information  click here. Source: U.S. Customs and Centers for Disease Control Countries/Islands with more difficult entry requirements that may take a long time to meet. Failure to meet these requirements exactly will result in quarantine of your pet. Anguilla (Located in the Carribean) A license granted under the Animals Importation Ordinance is required. The animal has to originate from an approved country (rabies-free country, like the UK) and an up to date health certificate issued by a qualified veterinary surgeon should be produced on arrival and certified by the Director of Agriculture (809-497-2615). Antigua (Located in the Carribean) No pets allowed except coming from an approved quarantined area. Bahamas (Located in the Carribean) To bring a dog into the Bahamas requires an import permit obtainable from the Department of Agriculture, phone (242) 325-7502. To obtain a permit, send your name, address, phone number, age of dog, sex of dog, breed of dog and $10 U.S. dollars. For an extra $5 they will fax the import permit to you. Mail the information and money to The Department of Agriculture, PO Box N3028, Nassau, Bahamas. It can take up to 2 months for the permit, so plan ahead! Additionally, if you are coming from the US or Canada, you will need a veterinary health certificate issued 48 hours before embarking and a valid certificate of rabies vaccination for either the one year rabies vaccine (given to the animal at least one month before arrival, and not more than 10 months before arrival), or the three year rabies vaccine (given to the animal at least one month before arrival, and not more than 34 months before arrival). Source: Department of Agriculture, Nassau, Bahama, Phone 242-325-7502. Barbados (Located in the Carribean) An import permit (and 6 month quarantine) must be obtained before the entry into Barbados of all pets. Dogs and cats can be imported by permit (without quarantine) directly from the following countries: the UK, The Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, St. Kitts/Nevis, Antigua, St.Lucia and St. Vincent. Cats and Dogs originating from any other countries must undergo six month quarantine in Great Britain after which time an import permit can be secured. Hawaii In General, pets must be in quarantine for 5-120 days. A new program recently began , called the 5-Day-Or-Less Program, allows for short quarantines of up to 5 days if a host of requirements are met. Please note that it takes at least 120 days before entry into Hawaii to meet the requirements. For more information  click here. Jamaica We need to find the official requirements but have heard they either don't allow dogs or require that pets must be in quarantine for 6 months. Republic of Ireland (Ireland) New Information! See our discussion at this link St. Kitts / Nevis (Located in the Carribean) Pets must be in quarantine for 6 months & arrive with certificates of inoculations. There is no quarantine station locally. St. Lucia (Located in the Carribean) Dogs not allowed - no quarantine facilities. St. Vincent (Located in the Carribean) We need to find the official requirements but have heard they either don't allow dogs or require that pets must be in quarantine for 6 months. UK (England, Great Britain) New Information! See our discussion at this link