Colombia – Importing a Pet

Does Colombia allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

Bringing a pet to Colombia is an achievable undertaking — dogs, cats, and various other animals may enter the country provided that all relevant documentation is correctly prepared. The authority responsible for overseeing animal imports is the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA), Colombia’s national body for agricultural and livestock matters, which maintains inspection offices at all major international ports of entry.

Owners travelling with their own dogs or cats are not required to obtain an import permit. All other animal shipments — including those involving birds, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and similar species — must be accompanied by an import permit issued by the ICA prior to departure. This adds both complexity and additional preparation time for owners of non-standard pets.

Wolf hybrids, as well as Savannah and Bengal cats that are not at least fifth generation removed from their wild ancestry, are not admissible under standard pet import rules. Animals protected under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) are governed by entirely separate and considerably more restrictive controls. If your animal falls into an unusual or exotic category, contact the ICA well ahead of your planned travel date at ica.gov.co.

The prohibition on certain dog breeds is set out in Ley 1801 de 2016 (Código Nacional de Policía y Convivencia), Article 132. The breeds classified as potentially dangerous and barred from entry into Colombia are: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Argentine Mastiff, Brazilian Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Doberman, Japanese Mastiff Tosa, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Terrier, and any crossbreeds or hybrids involving these breeds. This approach is comparable in spirit to the UK’s Dangerous Dogs Act, which similarly targets specific breeds rather than applying a general size-based restriction. Any dog belonging to one of these breeds will be denied entry to Colombia regardless of how thorough the accompanying health documentation may be.

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to rabies vaccination requirements; however, they remain subject to other conditions, including the advance import permit and a health certificate. For pet birds specifically, an ICA-issued import permit must be obtained before travel, and upon arrival the birds will be placed in home quarantine for a minimum of 21 days under the supervision of an ICA veterinarian.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering Colombia?

Dogs and cats over three months of age must have received a rabies vaccination no fewer than 21 days before entering Colombia. This lead time is critical to plan around — one of the most common errors owners make is scheduling a vet appointment and booking flights without leaving adequate time between the rabies injection and the departure date. Colombia does not accept rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters as a substitute for proof of vaccination. Unlike Australia’s biosecurity framework, which mandates a rabies antibody titer test for many incoming animals, Colombia imposes no such additional requirement — a meaningful simplification for most pet owners.

For dogs, the required vaccinations extend beyond rabies alone. The health certificate must record the vaccine name, lot number, date of administration, and expiry date for the following conditions: Rabies, Distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis (canicola and icterohemorragiae), Parvovirus, Coronavirus, and Parainfluenza. Vaccination against leptospirosis is recommended though not strictly mandatory. Always confirm the current list of compulsory vaccines with the ICA directly, as requirements are subject to revision.

For cats, the required vaccinations cover Feline Panleukopenia, Calicivirus, and Feline Rhinotracheitis, in addition to the mandatory rabies vaccination for animals over three months of age. Colombia recognises vaccines as valid for three years, meaning recently administered vaccines that are still within their validity period will satisfy the requirements.

A rabies titer test is not required by Colombia, but all dogs and cats must have been treated for both internal and external parasites within the 60 days preceding arrival. Evidence of these treatments must appear on the health certificate to prevent delays during the ICA inspection. Antiparasitic treatment should ideally be carried out by a licensed veterinarian who can formally record the product name, dosage, and administration date, as these details will be certified within the health certificate documentation.

All dogs and cats must be free of any visible signs of contagious disease at the time of their entry inspection. Should the ICA veterinarian have concerns about an animal’s health status at the point of entry, further veterinary testing will be required at the importer’s expense. As of 2025, all specific vaccination requirements and timelines should be verified directly with the ICA before making travel arrangements, given that rules may be updated.

What is the application process for importing a pet into Colombia, and what paperwork is required?

All preparatory steps required to satisfy Colombia’s pet import conditions must be completed in the country of origin, and they must be carried out in the correct sequence. The following is a step-by-step guide for owners bringing a dog or cat into Colombia.

1. Microchip your pet (strongly recommended). While not a mandatory requirement for entry into Colombia, microchipping is strongly advised for identification purposes and for future international travel. Where possible, use an ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit chip, and ensure your contact details are registered with an internationally recognised database.
2. Bring vaccinations up to date. Confirm that your pet’s rabies vaccination has been given at least 21 days before the travel date, and that all other required core vaccines remain current. The administering veterinarian must record the vaccine name, batch number, administration date, and expiry on the vaccination certificate.
3. Administer antiparasitic treatment. Dogs and cats must be treated for both internal and external parasites within the 60-day window before arrival. This encompasses deworming as well as flea and tick control. All treatments must be formally documented on the health certificate.
4. Obtain a veterinary health certificate. A health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. This document confirms the animal’s identifying characteristics — including species, breed, sex, age, and coat colour — and certifies that the pet is free from infectious, contagious, and parasitic diseases and is in a condition suitable for transport. If you are travelling from a country that operates a national veterinary endorsement system, such as the USDA APHIS in the United States or the CFIA in Canada, the health certificate must be endorsed by the relevant authority prior to departure.
5. Register on SISPAP and apply for the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS). You must register as an ICA user; upon completing registration, you will receive login credentials by email. These are required to access the SISPAP system and submit an application for the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS), which authorises your pet’s entry into Colombia. Once logged in, you will be required to complete the relevant fields relating to both the passenger and the pet.
6. Arrange pet travel with your airline. Check your airline’s individual policies regarding pet transport, approved crate dimensions, breed-specific restrictions, and applicable fees. Most carriers require at least 24 to 48 hours’ advance notice when booking a pet on a flight.
7. Arrive and present your documents at the ICA desk. Upon landing in Colombia, declare your pet and make your way to the ICA office with your luggage, the animal, the health certificate, and the vaccination record. ICA staff will review the documentation and carry out a brief visual assessment of the animal. If everything is in order, they will issue the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) and collect the inspection fee.
8. Pay the inspection fee. The fee is approximately COP 50,000 (depending on the case) for inspections conducted Monday to Friday between 8 am and 5 pm. A surcharge applies outside these hours, with the exception of El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, which operates around the clock without any out-of-hours premium. As of 2025, check the ICA website for the current fee schedule, as this figure may be revised. Only card payments are accepted — Credibanco, Mastercard, Visa, and American Express — and cash is not permitted.

If you are unable to apply for the CIS via SISPAP before travel, it is possible to obtain the certificate in person at the ICA office at your port of entry. In this case, you will need to bring your pet and all required physical documents with you, and payment must be made on-site at the office.

The health certificate does not require notarisation or a stamp from a Colombian consulate. This represents a meaningful reduction in administrative burden compared with entry requirements in certain other countries that mandate consular legalisation of veterinary documents.

Does Colombia require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Colombia does not impose quarantine on pets that arrive fully compliant with all entry requirements. Animals with incomplete documentation or identified health concerns may, however, face quarantine measures upon arrival. This positions Colombia’s approach as considerably more lenient than that of countries such as Australia or New Zealand, which require mandatory quarantine periods of ten days or more even for animals that meet every requirement. Colombia’s system more closely resembles the EU’s framework, in which fully compliant pets enter freely while those falling short of requirements face remedial action.

Provided all import conditions are satisfied, your pet will not be quarantined when entering Colombia. If requirements have not been met, however, the animal may be quarantined where facilities permit, returned to its country of origin, or euthanised — with all associated costs borne by the importer. The potential gravity of these outcomes makes thorough preparation of documentation an absolute priority before travel.

Pets that do not fully satisfy Colombia’s import conditions may be placed in post-entry home quarantine, which involves two visits from an ICA official. The associated cost is COP 575,900 (as of 2025; the current figure should be confirmed with ICA). This home quarantine arrangement applies in specific circumstances — for example, dogs or cats whose rabies vaccination was not administered in their country of origin must undergo home quarantine, during which a rabies vaccination will be given by a licensed private veterinarian.

Imported birds are subject to home quarantine for a minimum of 21 days under the supervision of an ICA veterinarian. Owners of other species should contact ICA directly for guidance on species-specific quarantine requirements before making any travel plans.

Is Colombia part of any international pet travel scheme?

The phrase “pet passport” occasionally arises in discussions about travelling to Colombia with an animal, but in this context it refers informally to the bundle of required travel documents — it should not be confused with the official EU Pet Passport issued to pets resident in European Union member states. Colombia is not part of the EU Pet Travel Scheme, nor does it participate in any equivalent regional arrangement within Latin America. No formal bilateral or multilateral agreement exists that simplifies or accelerates the entry process for pets from any particular country.

In practical terms, this means the same Colombian entry requirements apply to all incoming pets regardless of origin country. Holding an EU Pet Passport, for instance, does not exempt an owner from obtaining a separate Colombian-compliant health certificate. An EU Pet Passport may serve as a useful source of information about your pet’s vaccination history and microchip details in support of the health certificate application, but it carries no standalone authority for Colombian entry purposes.

Owners departing from countries that operate official government endorsement systems — such as USDA APHIS in the United States or the CFIA in Canada — must arrange for their health certificate to be endorsed by the relevant national authority before leaving. The health certificate must be obtained from an accredited veterinarian no more than ten days before the flight and must be issued in the country of residence, not in Colombia. For example, owners travelling from the United States must have the certificate endorsed by USDA APHIS, while those travelling from Canada require CFIA endorsement. Owners departing from countries that lack a formal endorsement system should contact the ICA directly for guidance on acceptable documentation formats.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in Colombia?

There is currently no single national pet registration or licensing database in Colombia into which all arriving owners are legally required to enrol. Nevertheless, there are significant ongoing obligations under national legislation, particularly for owners of dogs designated as potentially dangerous breeds.

Law 746 of 2002 introduced provisions into the Colombian Police Code addressing responsible dog ownership, including specific rules for the keeping of potentially dangerous breeds and a ban on dog fighting. Dogs must be kept on a lead in public spaces, and in the case of potentially dangerous breeds, they must also be muzzled, with the owner holding the appropriate licence as stipulated by law. Owners of breeds classified as potentially dangerous under Colombian law — even those not prohibited from entering the country — must comply with these public safety obligations at all times.

Ley 746 de 2002 and subsequent regulations designate certain breeds as “razas caninas potencialmente peligrosas” (potentially dangerous dog breeds) and impose requirements on their owners to carry liability insurance, keep the dog muzzled whenever it is in a public place, and ensure it is always securely leashed. Non-compliance can result in fines or the seizure of the animal under national police powers.

At the local level, a number of Colombian cities have enacted their own by-laws and initiatives relating to pet ownership, including registration schemes, vaccination campaigns, and responsible ownership programmes. Ley 2054 of 2020 amended Law 1801 of 2016 and established that all districts and municipalities must create an animal welfare centre, municipal shelters, or transitional homes for domestic animals. Expats settling in a specific city should check with the local municipal authority (alcaldía) for any registration or licensing requirements applicable in that area. Fees and obligations differ between municipalities, so no single national figure can be quoted — the relevant local authority should be consulted for up-to-date details.

Although microchipping is not a condition of entry into Colombia, it is strongly recommended. Registering your contact details and chip number ensures that if your pet goes missing during the move, the authorities have a much better chance of reuniting you with the animal.

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to Colombia?

Approved ports of entry. International pet arrivals are permitted through José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín and El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá during standard business hours. ICA offices are present at all Colombian ports of entry — including land border crossings and seaports — so arrival by other means is possible in principle. If you are flying into a smaller regional airport, it is worth confirming in advance that an ICA inspector will be on duty at the time of your arrival, particularly if you are landing outside standard working hours.

Airline policies and travel options. Small pets that can be accommodated beneath the seat are generally permitted in the cabin; larger animals may travel in the hold as checked baggage; and air cargo is required when the pet is travelling unaccompanied or exceeds the airline’s size limits. Avianca is frequently regarded as a preferred option for direct routes and pet-friendly policies, while LATAM and Copa Airlines also provide in-cabin and cargo transport with varying conditions. Crate size requirements, restrictions on flat-faced breeds, weight limits, and applicable fees are all determined individually by each carrier — confirm the specifics directly with your airline well before your departure date.

Number of pets per application. Where two or more pets are of the same species — for example, two dogs — a single inspection request may cover up to ten animals. Where pets are of different species — for instance, one dog and one cat — separate applications must be submitted for each. This is a relatively flexible arrangement compared with some countries that permit only one or two animals per journey.

Age restrictions. Colombia does not set a minimum age for pets entering the country, though most airlines have their own policies in this regard. Avianca, for example, only accepts dogs and cats that are older than four months of age. Puppies or kittens under four months of age will not yet require vaccinations, but you may be asked to observe a quarantine period.

Customs clearance. Once the ICA inspection has been completed and the Sanitary Inspection Certificate issued, no additional duties or customs steps are required in relation to your pet. This compares favourably with some other destinations that impose import duties on animals or require separate customs declarations. The ICA inspection serves as the primary gateway, after which you proceed through standard customs formalities without any further animal-related requirements.

Climate and health considerations. Colombia’s varied geography means that climate conditions differ dramatically between regions, and you will need to prepare your pet accordingly. Coastal areas can be extremely humid, so a constant supply of fresh water is essential. High-altitude cities such as Bogotá and Medellín may warrant a pre-travel veterinary check to confirm that your pet is fit to adjust to altitude. Protection against tropical insects — including mosquitoes and ticks — is also an important consideration. Speak with your vet about heartworm prevention and tick-borne disease prophylaxis prior to departure, as Colombia’s tropical and subtropical environments present health risks that differ substantially from those in temperate climates.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into Colombia?

Since regulations can change — sometimes with limited advance notice — it is essential to verify all requirements against official sources before finalising your plans. The following authorities are the primary points of reference.

• Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA) — ica.gov.co. The ICA is Colombia’s national agricultural and livestock authority and the principal regulatory body for all animal imports. Its website (in Spanish) contains the official regulations, current fee schedules, and contact details for the animal quarantine department. You may also reach the ICA directly at [email protected] or by telephone at (57 601) 332 3700.
• SISPAP (Sanitary Information System for the Import and Export of Agricultural and Livestock Products) — accessible through the ICA portal. This is the online platform through which owners register and submit applications for the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) needed on arrival. After registering, owners log in using their assigned credentials and complete the CIS application through SISPAP.
• Your country’s national veterinary authority — if your country operates an official endorsement system (such as USDA APHIS in the United States, the CFIA in Canada, or APHA in the United Kingdom), that body must endorse your health certificate before travel. Their official websites outline the relevant forms and procedures for travel to Colombia.
• DIAN (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales) — dian.gov.co. Colombia’s customs and taxation authority. While DIAN is not the primary regulator for pet imports, it oversees the general customs process at all ports of entry. If you have queries about customs declarations or duties relating to your pet’s travel equipment or accessories, DIAN is the appropriate authority to contact.

Take the time to read all applicable requirements thoroughly before you travel. Regulations can be revised without warning, and it is ultimately the responsibility of both the veterinarian and the owner to ensure that the animal satisfies all health requirements of the destination country before any certificate is issued or relied upon. If you have any uncertainty about the process, consider engaging a specialist pet relocation company that holds membership with the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), as these firms stay current with Colombian requirements and can provide practical, up-to-date guidance.

Frequently asked questions about bringing a pet to Colombia

What happens if my pet arrives in Colombia without the correct paperwork?

A pet that fails to meet Colombia’s entry requirements may be quarantined where facilities are available, returned to its country of origin, or euthanised. All costs arising from any of these outcomes are borne by the importer. In certain circumstances, an ICA official may be able to arrange an immediate home quarantine, but this option is not guaranteed and involves its own associated expenses. Always ensure that every document is complete and in order before you travel — there is no safe margin for error.

How long does the full process take from start to finish?

The timeline is largely dictated by the rabies vaccination rule: the injection must be given at least 21 days before entry, and the health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. This means the shortest possible preparation period from first vet visit to departure is approximately three to four weeks. In reality, allowing six to eight weeks is strongly advisable to accommodate SISPAP registration, government endorsement of the health certificate, airline arrangements, and any unforeseen complications. Owners bringing species other than dogs or cats should factor in additional time to secure the required import permit from ICA.

Are the rules different for cats versus dogs?

The fundamental process — health certificate, rabies vaccination, antiparasitic treatment, and ICA inspection on arrival — is the same for both species. The main distinctions lie in vaccination requirements: dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and related conditions in addition to rabies, while cats must be vaccinated against feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis. Breed restrictions are applicable only to dogs; there is no comparable breed prohibition for cats under Colombian law.

Can I bring a rescue animal into Colombia from abroad?

Yes, though the same documentation requirements apply whether the animal is a rescue or not. The health certificate, vaccination records, and ICA inspection are all mandatory. For rescue animals with an incomplete or unverifiable vaccination history, owners should work with a veterinarian to establish or restart the vaccination schedule as early as possible. Where a rabies vaccination history cannot be confirmed, the animal may be required to undergo home quarantine upon arrival. It is advisable to contact ICA in advance to discuss the specific circumstances of the animal in question.

Do I need an import permit for my dog or cat?

An import permit is not required for personal pet dogs or cats travelling with their owner. However, pets being sent separately from their owner — for example, as an unaccompanied cargo shipment — and animals of all other species do require an importation licence to enter Colombia. If you intend to send your pet ahead of or independently from yourself, contact ICA to clarify the requirements that apply.

Is microchipping compulsory to enter Colombia?

Colombia does not make microchipping a condition of entry. Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended by veterinarians and pet relocation professionals alike. A microchip provides a verified link between your pet and its documentation, and greatly improves the likelihood of being reunited with your pet should it become lost or separated from you during the journey. Use an ISO-compliant 15-digit chip and register it on an internationally recognised database before you travel.

Can I bring multiple pets into Colombia at once?

If all your pets belong to the same species — for instance, two dogs — you may submit a single inspection request covering up to ten animals. Where your pets are of different species — such as one dog and one cat — a separate application must be submitted for each. Each individual animal must have its own health certificate and vaccination records. Before you travel, check with your airline, as many carriers impose restrictions on the number of animals permitted per passenger or per flight.

Are there seasonal or temperature restrictions on flying pets to Colombia?

Colombia itself does not operate seasonal import embargoes for pets. However, many international airlines apply live animal restrictions during periods of extreme temperature at origin, transit, or destination airports — typically when conditions fall outside a safe range for animal welfare. These are airline-specific policies rather than Colombian government requirements. Some carriers also restrict flat-faced breeds or impose minimum age requirements for animals in transit. Check your airline’s current policies at the time of booking and again shortly before departure to ensure nothing has changed.

Where in Colombia can I fly into with my pet?

Major international airports that handle pet arrivals include Bogotá (El Dorado International Airport, BOG), Medellín (José María Córdova International Airport, MDE), Cali (CLO), and Cartagena (CTG). The ICA office at El Dorado in Bogotá operates on a 24-hour basis without imposing an out-of-hours surcharge, making it the most convenient entry point for travellers arriving outside standard business hours.