Here's what nobody tells you about Chile: the rules are calmer than the paperwork rumors suggest. SAG confirms microchip identification, a rabies waiting period, and a short home confinement rather than a facility quarantine. I stopped fearing the border once I saw how orderly the Chilean process actually is. Line the documents up and the Andes are the real event.

Bringing a pet to Chile 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 Chile handles your pet

Key points

  • Chile's pet import rules are administered by SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero) under Resolución N° 3.343/2026
  • Dogs, cats, and ferrets require an ISO-chipped microchip, a current rabies vaccination, antiparasitic treatment within 24–72 hours before travel, and an official veterinary health certificate (original, valid 10 days from issue with a maximum 5-day extension)
  • No advance import permit is required; the sanitary authorization is completed at the port of entry
  • No quarantine facility stay is required, but pets are subject to 10 days of home confinement after arrival
  • Hybrid animals (domestic × wild-species cross) are prohibited entry

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

Health & documents

Microchip · Required Noverified 2026-10-12
Microchip · Tattoo accepted Yesverified 2026-10-12
Microchip · Must be done before vaccination Noverified 2026-10-23
Quarantine · TypeHome confinement at the destination address for 10 days after arrivalverified 2026-10-12
Quarantine · Required Yesverified 2026-10-12
Quarantine · Reducible Noverified 2026-10-23
Quarantine · Duration10 daysverified 2026-10-12
Quarantine · Approved facility required Noverified 2026-10-12
Health certificate · Issuerofficial_vetverified 2026-10-12
Health certificate · Required Yesverified 2026-10-12
Health certificate · Endorsed byCompetent veterinary authority of the country of originverified 2026-10-23
Health certificate · Validity days10 daysverified 2026-10-12
Health certificate · Original required Yesverified 2026-10-12
Health certificate · Bilingual required Yesverified 2026-10-12
Health certificate · Government endorsed Yesverified 2026-10-12
Rabies vaccination · Required Yesverified 2026-10-12
Rabies vaccination · Booster required Noverified 2026-10-23
Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination21 daysverified 2026-10-12
Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination0 weeksverified 2026-10-23
Internal parasite treatment · Required Yesverified 2026-10-12
Internal parasite treatment · Timing notesBroad-spectrum internal AND external antiparasitic treatment required 5–30 days before entry. Active ingredient and date must be noted on the certificate.verified 2026-10-12

Other rules

Pets accepted Acceptedverified 2026-10-12

Timing chain

Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs

Chile lists a microchip or tattoo as an alternative form of identification rather than a strict requirement. Even so, a microchip is the identifier every airline and customs officer reads without dispute. Fit an ISO microchip before travel so the animal's identity matches every certificate, and record the number on all of the documents.
Once in Chile, animals must remain in confinement at the destination address for a period of 10 days. Plan the arrival around a home address where the animal can stay put for those 10 days. This is a home confinement, not a facility quarantine, so arrange accommodation that allows a settled pet on arrival.
The SAG import procedure carries no cost; the permit itself is free of charge. Budget instead for the microchip, the rabies vaccination, and the veterinary health certificate, which are the real expenses. Because the permit is free, apply through SAG directly rather than paying an agent to obtain a document that costs nothing.
Chile turns out to be one of the calmer South American entries once the microchip, rabies timing, and 10-day home confinement are lined up. Mochi judges the queue length, not the paperwork, and Chile keeps that queue short. Put your dates into a Pawgo plan and let the personalized plan hold each free permit step in order.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Chile →

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.