Here's what I wish someone had told me before sorting out French Guiana: the import permit is the piece that trips people up, and it needs starting early. Cooper has done long-haul relocations three times now, so I know how it feels to stare at a requirements list and wonder where to begin. We've all been there. Start with the permit and the rest falls into line.

Bringing a pet to French Guiana 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 French Guiana handles your pet

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

Cabin policy

Minimum age16 weeks“protective immunity, the introduction into France of dogs, cats and ferrets of less than 16 weeks of age, even vaccinated against rabies, is not authorized.”

Hold & cargo policy

Cargo: Heat embargo6°C“ts written proof that these animals are registered to participate in one of the above events or to an association organizing these events, and the animals must be older than 6 months.”

Health & documents

Health certificate required Yes“- The animals must be accompagnied by a health certificate .”

Other rules

Pets accepted Accepted“Pour entrer en France en provenance d’un pays hors de l’Union européenne avec son animal de compagnie, il importe de respecter certaines règles, qui peuvent varier suivant l’animal et le pays d’origine.”

Timing chain

Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs

The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is given. Identification always precedes the antirabies shot. Book the chip first, then schedule the vaccine afterward. A vaccine recorded before a chip will not be accepted, forcing a repeat. Confirm the chip date sits earlier than the vaccination date on every certificate. Sequence the two appointments in that fixed order.
Category 1 attack dogs are banned from import into France, including transit toward another country. Check the breed classification before booking anything. A category 1 dog cannot enter, even in passage. Verify the animal falls outside category 1 under French rules. Where the breed is restricted, the trip is blocked at entry and cannot proceed through transit.

Frequently asked

Does my pet need a microchip for French Guiana?
Yes. French Guiana requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid.
How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for French Guiana?
The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 21 days before entry, and can be given from 12 weeks of age. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border.
Is there quarantine for pets entering French Guiana?
No. Pets that meet French Guiana's entry rules — microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and paperwork — enter without quarantine.
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.
The import permit carries a 30 day lead time tied to the rabies vaccination. It must be done at least 30 days after the vaccination. Count 30 days forward from the vaccine date before expecting the permit stage to open. Schedule the vaccination early enough that the 30 day window closes ahead of departure. Track the vaccine date to time this correctly.
You've got this. French Guiana is very doable once the permit and vaccination timing line up, and thousands of families move pets there every year. When you're ready to map your own dates, build a personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder — it takes your real departure and your dog's details and turns this whole list into a clear, ordered countdown. That's exactly the kind of head start I wish I'd had.
Get YOUR personalized plan for French Guiana →

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.