Bermuda sounds like a breeze until you hit the import permit wall. Trust me, nobody warns you that an entry permit is required before you even think about boarding, and 'I'll sort it there' is how people end up stuck. Mochi couldn't care less about paperwork, but I do, so let me walk you through what actually matters before this pretty little island turns stressful.
Bringing a pet to Bermuda requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -30 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days before the animal's arrival. Book the vet appointment inside that 10-day window, not earlier, or the document expires before landing. Count backwards from the arrival date and lock the slot. A certificate dated 11 days out is worthless at the counter. Time it tight, time it right, and carry the original.
Certain breeds are banned outright: Argentine mastiff (Dogo Argentino), Boerboel (South African Mastiff), Brazilian Mastiff (Fila), Cane Corso, Neapolitan Mastiff, and Presa Canario. Check the dog against that list before booking anything. A prohibited breed will not be admitted, permit or no permit. Confirm the exact breed on record and stop the trip early if it matches.
Frequently asked
- Does my pet need a microchip for Bermuda?
- Yes. Bermuda requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid.
- How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for Bermuda?
- The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 30 days before entry, and can be given from 12 weeks of age. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border.
- Is there quarantine for pets entering Bermuda?
- No. Pets that meet Bermuda's entry rules — microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and paperwork — enter without quarantine.
- What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
- If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
- What happens if I forget a document?
- At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
The declaration confirms the animal has not been present in an officially quarantined rabies area within the last 6 months. Track where the dog has traveled across that 6-month span. Any stay in a quarantined rabies zone during that window blocks entry. Keep dates and locations documented so the statement holds up under questioning at the window.
Bermuda is doable, honestly, once the permit, microchip, rabies shot, and that tight certificate line up. The trap is treating it as one big blur instead of five separate boxes to tick. Don't wing it. Build a personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder for your exact route and dates, and let it flag the deadlines before they flag you. Then go enjoy the water.
Glossary
- ISO chip
- ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
- FAVN
- Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
- Brachycephalic
- Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
- AVIH
- Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.