Data completeness: 85% · Last updated: April 11, 2026
Yes, you can import both dogs and cats into Colombia, but the process requires careful planning and advance preparation. Colombia's agricultural authority, the ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario), enforces strict health and documentation requirements to protect the country's animal population.
The good news: if you follow the requirements precisely, your pet will not face quarantine upon arrival. The challenge: the timeline is tight, and missing even one deadline or requirement can delay your pet's entry significantly.
This guide walks you through every step, from the first vet visit to arrival at a Colombian port of entry.
Contact the ICA to request an import permit for your pet. You'll need to provide your pet's details (name, breed, age, microchip number if already implanted) and your destination address in Colombia. Allow 30 days minimum for permit approval. Start this process as soon as you know your travel date.
Action: Email or visit the ICA office. Have your pet's vaccination records and microchip information ready.
If your pet doesn't already have a microchip, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have one implanted. The microchip must comply with the ISO 11784/11785 standard. This is non-negotiable and must be done before any rabies vaccination.
Action: Call your vet and book the appointment. Record the microchip number and keep it safe—you'll need it for all future documents.
Once the microchip is in place, your pet can receive the rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. The vaccine must not be older than 12 months at the time of travel.
Action: Schedule the rabies vaccination with your accredited veterinarian. Request a vaccination certificate with the vaccine name, date, and lot number.
After rabies vaccination, you must wait a minimum of 21 days before your pet can travel. This waiting period allows the vaccine to take full effect. Do not book your flight until this period has passed.
Action: Mark your calendar. This is a hard deadline—no exceptions.
At least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, your pet must undergo a rabies titer test at an approved laboratory. The test must show a minimum antibody level of 0.5 IU/ml. This test confirms that your pet's immune system has responded to the vaccine.
Important: We're still verifying which laboratories are approved by Colombia's ICA—check with your veterinarian or the ICA directly for a current list of approved testing facilities.
Action: Schedule the titer test with your vet. Request results in writing, including the exact antibody level. Keep the original report.
Once you have the titer test results, schedule an appointment with an accredited veterinarian to issue a health certificate. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of your arrival in Colombia, so time this carefully.
The health certificate should include:
Action: Book your vet appointment. Bring all vaccination records and titer test results. Request the original certificate (not a copy).
While not strictly required, tapeworm treatment is recommended for dogs. If you choose to treat, the treatment must be administered 24–120 hours before arrival in Colombia and must be documented by your veterinarian.
The standard drug is Praziquantel. Your vet will determine the correct dose based on your pet's weight.
Action: Discuss with your vet. If proceeding, schedule the treatment 1–2 days before your flight and request written documentation.
Your pet will undergo a veterinary inspection at one of Colombia's approved ports of entry: Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, or Cartagena. Have all original documents ready for inspection.
Action: Arrive early. Bring all documents in a single folder: import permit, health certificate, vaccination records, titer test results, and microchip documentation.
Before you travel, ensure you have originals (not copies) of the following:
Store digital copies of all documents in a cloud folder as backup.
Colombia has breed restrictions for dogs. We're still verifying the specific list of banned or restricted breeds—contact the ICA or your nearest Colombian embassy/consulate for the current list before importing your dog.
Cats have no breed restrictions.
Your pet must arrive through one of these four ports:
All ports have veterinary inspection facilities. Plan your flight to arrive during business hours for faster processing.
If your pet arrives with complete, valid documentation (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate, and titer test), quarantine is not required. Your pet can go home with you immediately after inspection.
However, if documentation is incomplete or invalid, your pet may be subject to inspection and potential quarantine at an approved facility. Avoid this by following the timeline and requirements precisely.
Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll create a custom timeline based on your pet's age, vaccination status, and travel date.
Requirements can change and vary by region. Contact the ICA or your nearest Colombian embassy/consulate for the most current regulations before you book your flight. Quarantine requirements and inspection procedures may also vary; your pet may be subject to inspection upon arrival regardless of documentation status.
This guide is based on data auto-verified from official government sources as of April 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the ICA before traveling.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 11, 2026
A microchip is required for bringing a pet into CO. Make sure it's implanted before your pet's rabies vaccination, as many countries won't accept the vaccine otherwise.
A current rabies vaccination is mandatory for entering CO with a pet. Plan ahead — there may be a waiting period after vaccination before travel is allowed.
You'll need an official health certificate from a licensed veterinarian to bring your pet to CO. Schedule your vet appointment close to your departure date, as these certificates have a limited validity window.
CO requires a rabies titer test (FAVN blood test) proving your pet has adequate antibody levels. This can involve a significant waiting period, so start early.
Good news — CO does not require quarantine for compliant pets arriving with proper documentation.
An import permit must be obtained in advance from CO's authorities before your pet can enter. Processing can take several weeks, so apply early.
CO restricts or bans certain dog breeds. If you own a breed commonly classified as dangerous, verify the rules before traveling.