Requirements for
importing/exporting
cats and dogs to
Costa Rica
TO BRING YOUR DOG OR CAT INTO
COSTA RICA FROM THE UNITED STATES
The dog or cat must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) and Veterinary Services (VS). That endorsement must be made by the APHIS Veterinary Services office in the State where you live. Contact information can be found at the Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home/), then click on “Travel with my pet” on the right side (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/).
Veterinary Certificate Requirements:
Must be issued by the Official Veterinary Services or by the Competent Health Authority of the country of origin. It is recommended to use an International Certificate (APHIS FORMA 7001) for small animals.
Certificates must be numbered consecutively; each sheet must be signed and stamped.
The certificate must state the existence of attachments and their number, duly signed and stamped on the letterhead of the Competent Authority.
The International Veterinary Certificate must be in Spanish language and if not, it must be accompanied by an original official translation into Spanish certified by the Competent Authority.
The health certificate must be duplicated.
The health certificate does not have to be signed by a Notary Public, nor stamped by the Costa Rican Consular Office.
Animals exported in large commercial quantities must be accompanied by an Import Permit. Personal pets (dogs or cats) do not need an Import Permit.
The official rabies vaccination certificate must accompany the health documents and is valid for the vaccination period (1 to 3 years).
The dog/cat's supporting documentation will be checked upon arrival in Costa Rica.
Information to be included in the International Veterinary Certificate:
Dog/cat information: breed, sex, color, date of birth and animal identification number (if owned).
Name and address of the exporter.
Name and address of consignee.
Means of transport.
Name and signature of the Official Veterinarian, stamp of the Competent Authority and date of issue.
Vaccination requirements:
The domestic canine/feline underwent a clinical examination by an authorized veterinarian. This examination must be performed two weeks prior to shipment.
The animal was treated within fifteen (15) days prior to export with medications for external and internal parasites, ensuring that it is free of ticks and other external and internal parasites. The date of application, commercial brand, lot number, and active ingredient of the treatments must be indicated.
Domestic canines were vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis.
Domestic cats were vaccinated against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia.
Dogs and cats older than three months must have been vaccinated against rabies. This vaccination must be valid on the day of entry into the country. The international veterinary certificate must include the date of vaccination against rabies, commercial brand, manufacturer laboratory, lot number and expiration date of the vaccine.
Puppies (dogs and/or cats) under three months of age should not be vaccinated against rabies; however, the vaccination schedule must be certified according to age and species.
There are two (2) ways to introduce pets (dogs and cats) into Costa Rica:
Pets that enter with the owner in the cabin or as "baggage" on the same flight and enter the baggage claim area: these animals require the above documentation.
Depending on the length of stay in Costa Rica, pets entering Costa Rica from the US may or may not need additional documentation to leave Costa Rica and return to the US.
If the pet enters Costa Rica and stays longer than the validity of the U.S. Health Certificate.
U.S. Health Certificate (30 days per APHIS Form 7001) or rabies certificate, then that pet will need a valid Costa Rican Health Certificate or vaccination certificate to leave.
If the pet leaves during the period of validity of the U.S. Health Certificate and rabies certificate, then that pet will need a valid Costa Rican Health Certificate or vaccination certificate to leave.
U.S. Health Certificate and the rabies certificate, then that is all that is required to leave Costa Rica.
If dogs and cats entering Costa Rica for commercial reasons, or are being shipped as cargo, or the owner has two or more large breed dogs, the animals will go directly to a customs warehouse and will need all of the previously mentioned documentation, in addition to requiring an Import Permit (a Sanitary Health Permit) from the Animal Quarantine Offices (SENASA- Animal Quarantine Department), as well as the need to complete the necessary customs formalities (all of that is done through a customs broker).
The Import Permit costs approximately $20.
It is important that you contact the airline for additional requirements.
BRINGING YOUR DOG OR CAT FROM COSTA RICA TO THE U.S.:
You will need a Certificate of Good Health from your Costa Rican veterinarian and an export authorization issued by the Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture (specifically SENASA - Department of Animal Quarantine).
It is recommended that your Costa Rican veterinarian take care of all the necessary authorizations with the Ministry of Agriculture to obtain the export authorization. The Ministry (SENASA - Animal Quarantine) is located in Barrial de Heredia, Jardines del Recuerdo, 2 kilometers west, 400 meters south, Heredia. Telephone: 2260-8300 ext. 2024 or 2093 or 2260-9046.
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MSc KRISTI
PENLAND M.
ATENCIO H.
Lic. LUIS FELIPE
GAMBOA C.
Licda. YANCY GABRIELA
ARAYA P.
ELIZABETH
BARRANTES E.
Licda. DANIELA
BERROCAL H.
ZUÑIGA A.
BEITA DINARTE
MSc KRISTI
PENLAND M.
ATENCIO H.
ELIZONDO A.
FELIPE
GAMBOA C.
GABRIELA
ARAYA P.
ZUÑIGA
Licda. DANIELA
BERROCAL H.
ELIZABETH
BARRANTES E.
BEITA
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