Bolivia is one of those destinations where the paperwork catches you off-guard before the altitude does. The health certificate requirement is real — not optional, not a formality. I made the mistake of assuming my vet's signature was enough once; it wasn't. Mochi sat in her carrier giving me that look while I scrambled at the counter. Get this right before you book anything else.

Bringing a pet to Bolivia 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.

How Bolivia handles your pet

Official: SENASAG (senasag.gob.bo). Rabies 30d-12mo. Up to 30d quarantine possible.

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

Health & documents

Quarantine · Duration30 days“Indicios de que el animal de compañía se encuentra con algún síntoma clínico sanitario, ingresa a un predio de cuarentena (hasta 30 días calendario)”verified 2026-07-08
Import permit · Required Yes“B.1. Permiso Zoosanitario de Importación de animales (perros y gatos). Documento emitido por la autoridad sanitaria – SENASAG, previo a la exportación del país de origen, requisito a ser presentado al ingreso a…”verified 2026-07-08
Import permit · Issuing authoritySENASAG“Documento emitido por la autoridad sanitaria – SENASAG, previo a la exportación del país de origen, requisito a ser presentado al ingreso a territorio nacional”verified 2026-07-08
Health certificate · Required Yes“Expand All Collapse All Dogs and Cats The animals must be accompanied by a health certificate ( APHIS Form 7001 ) issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.”verified 2026-07-06
Health certificate · Original required Yes“Documentación en original requerida para el Permiso de Importación de animales de compañía (perros y gatos)”verified 2026-07-08
Health certificate · Government endorsed Yes“rinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED For APHIS VMO: Digital endorsement ACCEPTED USDA-accredited veterinarians can electronically issue health certificates and use VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification…”verified 2026-06-19
A standard vet-signed certificate is not enough — it requires government endorsement. USDA-accredited veterinarians can issue electronically via VEHCS, and electronic signatures are accepted. The endorsing body is the APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer; digital endorsement from VMO qualifies. Book the vet appointment early enough to allow APHIS processing time before the departure date.

Frequently asked

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.
Bolivia surprised me — the scenery is worth every form you fill out, I promise. But the documentation chain is longer than it looks from a booking page. Get a personalized plan from Pawgo before you commit to anything; the plan-builder flags exactly what your route needs, so there are no surprises at check-in. That's the one thing I wish I'd done first.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Bolivia →

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.