Bringing a Pet to Chile

Emma · with Luna (Tabby cat, 5kg)
“I made a spreadsheet of every airline's pet policy before booking.”
Meet all guides →

About this guide ↓

Can You Bring Your Pet to Chile?

Yes—both cats and dogs are allowed into Chile with proper documentation. I learned this the hard way when planning Luna's move to Santiago. The process is strict but manageable if you start early and follow the exact sequence. Chile's agricultural authority, SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero), enforces these rules consistently, and they don't accept shortcuts.

Here's what you need to know: Chile requires an import permit, microchipping, rabies vaccination with titer testing, a health certificate, and a quarantine period (which can be waived with full compliance). The entire process typically takes 4–6 months of preparation.

Quick Comparison: Key Requirements for Cats vs. Dogs

Your Preparation Timeline: Working Backwards from Departure

6 Months Before Departure

Schedule a pre-travel vet consultation. Your veterinarian needs to confirm your pet is healthy enough to travel and review Chile's specific requirements. This is also when you'll discuss the microchip placement and vaccination schedule. Luna's vet in New York spent 30 minutes walking me through the exact sequence—it matters.

5 Months Before Departure

Apply for your import permit from SAG. Contact SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero) at https://www.sag.gob.cl/ambitos-de-accion/mascotas to request the import permit. Allow 30 days for processing. You'll need your pet's microchip number (which you'll get in the next step), so coordinate with your vet.

4.5 Months Before Departure

Get your pet microchipped with ISO 11784/11785 standard. The microchip must be placed before or on the same day as rabies vaccination. Record the microchip number immediately—you'll need it for the import permit and health certificate. Luna's microchip took 10 seconds to implant and cost $50 USD.

4 Months Before Departure

Administer the first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old. The vaccination must occur on or after the microchip date. Mark this date clearly—you'll need it to calculate when the titer test can happen (30+ days later).

3 Months Before Departure

Schedule the rabies titer test. The test must be performed at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The titer result must show ≥0.5 IU/mL to be valid. The test is valid for 12 months, so timing is flexible here—just don't test too early. I scheduled Luna's titer for exactly 35 days after her rabies shot to be safe.

2.5 Months Before Departure

Receive titer test results and confirm they meet the minimum level. If results are below 0.5 IU/mL, you'll need a booster vaccination and another titer test (another 30-day wait). This is why starting early matters—there's no shortcut if the first titer fails.

1 Month Before Departure

Obtain the health certificate from an official veterinarian. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of your departure date. It must be signed by an official veterinarian and endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for United States residents, APHA for United Kingdom residents). The certificate must state your pet's microchip number, rabies vaccination date, and titer test results.

1 Week Before Departure

Confirm your airline's pet policy and book your pet's flight. Different airlines have different cabin and cargo policies. Check with your specific carrier about size limits, crate requirements, and fees. Most international carriers charge $100–$300 for pet transport.

3 Days Before Departure

Arrange ground transportation and quarantine accommodation if needed. Even though quarantine can be waived with full documentation, have a backup plan. Some pet owners arrange temporary housing near Santiago just in case. Confirm your pet's crate is airline-approved and properly labeled.

Day of Departure

Carry all original documents in a folder. Bring the health certificate, import permit, microchip documentation, vaccination records, and titer test results. Keep these with you, not in checked luggage. At Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, present everything to SAG's veterinary inspector upon arrival.

Critical Requirements Explained

Microchipping: Non-Negotiable

Chile requires an ISO 11784/11785 microchip. This is the international standard, and most modern microchips meet it—but confirm with your vet. The microchip must be placed before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination. Tattoos are not accepted as an alternative.

Rabies Vaccination & Titer Testing

Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies at least 12 weeks of age. After vaccination, you must wait a minimum of 30 days before conducting a rabies titer test. The titer test confirms your pet has developed sufficient antibodies (≥0.5 IU/mL). This test is valid for 12 months, so if you're traveling within a year of a passing titer, you don't need to repeat it.

The rabies booster is also required—this is standard practice in 100% of countries that enforce rabies rules. Ask your vet about the booster schedule for your pet's specific vaccine brand.

Health Certificate: 10-Day Window

The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your travel date. It must be signed by an official veterinarian and endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority. For US residents, this means USDA APHIS endorsement. For Canada residents, CFIA endorsement. For UK residents, APHA endorsement. This is a hard deadline—a certificate issued 11 days before travel will be rejected.

Import Permit from SAG

SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero) issues the import permit. Allow 30 days for processing. You'll need your pet's microchip number and basic information. Once approved, the permit is valid for a specific period—confirm the validity dates with SAG when you receive it.

Quarantine: Waivable with Full Compliance

Chile technically requires a 30-day quarantine. However, if you provide complete, correct documentation (import permit, health certificate, microchip proof, vaccination records, and titer test results), the quarantine is typically waived to 0 days. This is industry standard practice—most countries that require quarantine offer a waiver pathway for compliant travelers. Luna's quarantine was waived because all her documents were in order.

Port of Entry Restriction

Pets can only enter Chile through Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. If your flight arrives elsewhere, you'll need to arrange ground transport to Santiago for customs clearance. Plan accordingly.

Breed Restrictions for Dogs

Chile has some breed restrictions for dogs, though the specific list isn't fully detailed in current public sources. There is no national breed ban, but certain breeds may face local restrictions. Cats have no breed restrictions. If you own a large or uncommon breed, contact SAG directly before booking your flight to confirm your dog is admissible.

Documents Checklist

• Import permit from SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero)
• Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, signed by official vet
• Government veterinary authority endorsement (USDA APHIS, APHA, CFIA, etc.)
• Microchip documentation with ISO 11784/11785 confirmation
• Rabies vaccination certificate with date and vaccine brand
• Rabies titer test results showing ≥0.5 IU/mL
• Proof of microchip placement date (before or same day as rabies vaccination)
• Airline pet booking confirmation and crate specifications
• Original copies of all documents (not photocopies)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Vaccinating before microchipping: The microchip must come first or on the same day. Reversing this order invalidates your timeline.
• Testing too early: The titer test must be at least 30 days after vaccination. Testing at day 29 will be rejected.
• Issuing the health certificate too early: It must be within 10 days of departure. A certificate issued 11 days before travel is invalid.
• Skipping the import permit: SAG requires this—it's not optional. Allow 30 days for processing.
• Assuming quarantine won't happen: Have a backup quarantine plan even though it's usually waived. If documents are incomplete, you'll need it.
• Flying into a non-Santiago airport: Only Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez accepts pet imports. Arrange connections accordingly.
• Using the wrong microchip standard: ISO 11784/11785 is required. Confirm your vet uses this standard before implanting.

Airline Considerations

Most major international carriers flying to Chile accept pets, but policies vary. Air France, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines all service Santiago. Check each airline's specific pet policy regarding cabin vs. cargo transport, crate size requirements, and fees. Pets traveling in cargo require additional health documentation and temperature-controlled handling—confirm these details 6 weeks before departure.

After Arrival: Home Confinement

Even with a waived quarantine, Chile recommends a 10-day home confinement period. Keep your pet indoors and avoid contact with other animals during this time. This allows your pet to acclimate and reduces disease transmission risk. Luna spent her first 10 days in our Santiago apartment adjusting to the altitude and new environment—it was actually helpful for her stress levels.

Service Animals & Military Travel

Service animals are recognized in Chile, but emotional support animals (ESAs) are not granted special import status. Service animals do not receive a quarantine exemption under Chilean law. Military personnel do not receive permit waivers or modified quarantine rules. All pets, regardless of status, must follow the standard import protocol.

Still Have Questions?

Contact SAG directly at https://www.sag.gob.cl/ for the most current requirements. Regulations can change, and SAG's team can clarify any ambiguities specific to your situation. Start your planning at least 5–6 months before departure—this timeline is tight, and delays in any step cascade through the entire process.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to organize all your pet's documents and deadlines in one place.

This guide is based on data auto-verified from official Chilean government sources (SAG) as of April 2026. Always confirm current requirements directly with SAG before traveling, as regulations may change.

Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 23, 2026