Bringing our dogs and cats to Colombia is a pretty easy process. Traveling with pets from Colombia may be a bit trickier though depending on your country of destination. Here’s what you need to know before traveling with our lovely felines and canines:

Prepare the following before traveling with pets from Colombia

  • Original health certificate from a COMVEZCOL-accredited veterinarian or zootechnician
  • Photocopy of the health certificate
  • The date of issue should be no more than five calendar days before your departure
  • Internal and external antiparasitic treatment at least five days before your departure
  • Original vaccination certification (should specify the name of the product, lot number, date of vaccination and its validity)
  • Photocopy of vaccination certification
  • Check the destination country’s vaccination requirements (usually at least 21 days before the date of travel and 30 days for the USA)
  • Dogs and cats under 6 months of age should have an HDX or FDXcompatible microchip for identification
  • Make sure the microchip number is registered in the Sanitary Inspection Certificate by ICA*
  • Debit/credit card for paying the ICA fee as they do not accept cash (47,311 COP for normal hours and 70,966 COP outside of normal business hours as of September 2019)
  • If you’re traveling outside of normal business hours, make sure to check with an ICA representative at the airport you’re flying from. Click here to see the list

*ICA: Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario 

Specific requirements by various countries when traveling with pets from Colombia

The above section shows us the basic requirements of Colombia when traveling with pets. However, some countries may be stricter and have more specific requirements. Here’s some of them:

traveling with pets from colombia

  • Australia: Unfortunately, Australia doesn’t allow the entry of pets (dogs and cats) from Colombia
  • Brazil: Get an apostille of the Sanitary Inspection Certificate from ICA should
  • USA: The health certificate should certify that the pet is free of the Cochliomyia hominivorax  parasite  (bovine worm borer)
  • USA: Rabies vaccination for dogs and cats at three months of age
  • Japan and China: Request authorization from their Official Veterinary Service (ICA equivalent) prior entry
  • EU, the UK, and Switzerland: The pets should have a microchip that complies with ISO 11784 with HDX or FDX-B technology, and can be read with a reading device compatible with ISO 11785
  • EU, the UK, and Switzerland: Rabies vaccination at three months of age
  • For a list of requirements from other countries, click here.

Recommended airlines when traveling with pets to Colombia

Although bringing pets from Colombia can be a relatively easy process, doublecheck the required documents with your airline. Expats have had good experience with the following airlines. Click the link to see their guidelines for traveling with pets.

 

I hope your travel with your pets has been smooth-sailing. Let us know about your experience in the comments!

 

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