Bringing Your Pet to Bermuda: A Complete Import Guide

Bermuda welcomes cats and dogs as personal pets, but the island has specific health, documentation, and breed requirements. Whether you're relocating with a rescue dog like my Tafoukt, or bringing a beloved family cat, understanding these rules early makes the process smooth and stress-free. This guide walks you through every step—from the first vet visit to arrival on the island.

Breed Restrictions: Know Before You Go

Bermuda has strict breed restrictions for dogs. The following breeds are banned and cannot be imported:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Bulldog
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Boerboel
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Cane Corso
  • Presa Canario
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • Tosa Inu
  • Wolf Hybrid

If your dog is a mixed breed or rescue, verify its ancestry with your veterinarian before proceeding. Cats have no breed restrictions. This is one reason why rescue dogs—often mixed breeds with unknown lineage—can face complications. When I rescued Tafoukt from Morocco, her Border Collie mix heritage meant she cleared most borders, but always confirm with Bermuda's authorities first.

Your Preparation Timeline

6 Months Before Departure

Obtain an import permit from Bermuda's government veterinary authority. Permits typically take 30 days to process, so apply early. Contact Bermuda's Department of Environment and Natural Resources to request the permit application and confirm current requirements.

4–5 Months Before Departure

Schedule a microchip appointment with your veterinarian. Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip implanted before any vaccinations. This is a non-negotiable requirement for all international travel. If your pet already has a non-ISO chip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner at the destination.

4 Months Before Departure

Administer the first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old. After vaccination, wait 21 days before travel—this is the primary waiting period required by virtually all countries. Mark this date on your calendar; it's your earliest possible travel window.

3 Months Before Departure

Schedule a health certificate examination with your veterinarian. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS if you're in the United States, APHA if in the UK). Plan this appointment for 5–7 days before your departure date.

2 Weeks Before Departure

Confirm your import permit has been approved. Follow up with Bermuda's veterinary authority if you haven't received it. You'll need the permit number for your health certificate and airline documentation.

1 Week Before Departure

Book your veterinary health certificate appointment. Schedule it for 5–7 days before you fly. The certificate is valid for only 10 days, so timing is critical. Ensure your vet knows the destination is Bermuda and can arrange government endorsement immediately after the exam.

3–5 Days Before Departure

Obtain the government-endorsed health certificate. After your vet issues it, the document must be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority. This is a separate step from the vet exam and can take 1–3 business days. Don't wait until the last minute.

Day of Travel

Arrive at the airport with all documents and your pet. Pets must enter Bermuda through L.F. Wade International Airport. Bring originals of your import permit, health certificate, microchip records, and vaccination proof. Airlines may also require their own pet travel forms—check with your carrier in advance.

Essential Documentation Checklist

  • Import permit from Bermuda (approved and in hand)
  • Health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian (dated within 10 days of arrival)
  • Government-endorsed health certificate (endorsed by USDA APHIS, APHA, CFIA, or equivalent)
  • Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation (microchip number and date)
  • Proof of current rabies vaccination (certificate with vaccine name, date, and expiry)
  • Proof of booster rabies vaccination (if applicable)
  • Airline pet travel form (completed and signed)
  • Original copies of all documents (not photocopies)

Vaccination and Health Requirements

Rabies Vaccination

Rabies vaccination is mandatory for all dogs and cats entering Bermuda. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of first vaccination. After the initial vaccine, you must wait 21 days before traveling—this waiting period is non-negotiable and is counted from the vaccination date, not from the certificate date. Boosters are also required; confirm the booster schedule with your veterinarian based on the vaccine used.

Microchip Requirements

An ISO 11784/11785 microchip must be implanted before any vaccinations. This is the universal standard for international pet travel. If your pet has an older, non-ISO chip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner at the destination—a hassle best avoided by getting a new ISO chip before travel.

Health Certificate

An official health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian is required. It certifies that your pet is healthy and fit to travel. The certificate is valid for only 10 days, so schedule your vet appointment close to your departure date. The certificate must then be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority—this is a separate, mandatory step that takes additional time.

Quarantine

If you arrive with complete, valid documentation (microchip, current rabies vaccination, endorsed health certificate), quarantine is typically waived. However, always verify current quarantine policies with Bermuda's veterinary authority before travel, as regulations can change.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Journey

  • Start early. The import permit alone takes 30 days. Begin the process 6 months before your planned departure.
  • Double-check breed restrictions. If you have a mixed-breed rescue, get written confirmation from Bermuda's authorities that your dog's ancestry is acceptable.
  • Coordinate with your vet. Ensure your veterinarian understands the Bermuda requirements and can arrange government endorsement of the health certificate immediately after the exam.
  • Confirm airline requirements. Different airlines have different pet policies. Contact your carrier early to understand their specific forms, crate requirements, and fees.
  • Keep originals, not copies. Bermuda requires original documents. Photocopies are not accepted.
  • Plan for the 21-day waiting period. After your pet's first rabies vaccination, you cannot travel for 21 days. This is a hard deadline, not a guideline.
  • Arrive at the airport early. Pets entering Bermuda must clear inspection at L.F. Wade International Airport. Allow extra time for this process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting that the microchip must come before vaccination—not after.
  • Scheduling the health certificate exam too early; it's only valid for 10 days.
  • Assuming the vet's signature is enough; government endorsement is a separate, mandatory step.
  • Traveling before the 21-day waiting period after the first rabies vaccine.
  • Not confirming your import permit is approved before booking your flight.
  • Bringing photocopies instead of original documents.
  • Overlooking breed restrictions for mixed-breed dogs; verify ancestry in writing.

A Personal Note on Rescue Animals and International Travel

When I rescued Tafoukt from a Moroccan shelter, I never imagined she'd become my permanent companion. But the infrastructure that allowed her to travel—microchips, health certificates, vaccination records—exists for good reason. These requirements protect island ecosystems and local animal populations from disease. They're not bureaucratic hurdles; they're acts of care.

If you're bringing a rescue dog or cat to Bermuda, know that you're part of a global movement toward better animal welfare. The same documentation that brought Tafoukt to Paris can bring a shelter dog from anywhere to a loving home on the island. Start early, stay organized, and trust the process.

Need Help?

For the most current requirements, contact Bermuda's Department of Environment and Natural Resources directly. Requirements can change, and official confirmation is always your safest bet. We're still verifying some specific details (such as approved veterinary inspection facilities and exact permit costs)—check with Bermuda's government veterinary authority for the latest information.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to organize your pet's journey step by step.

This guide is based on data auto-verified from official government sources and industry standards. Always confirm current requirements with Bermuda's veterinary authority before travel.

Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 21, 2026