Can You Bring Your Pet to French Guiana?

Yes, you can import both dogs and cats to French Guiana as personal pets, provided they meet all health and documentation requirements. I've moved internationally three times with Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, and I can tell you that French Guiana's process is straightforward when you plan ahead and follow the steps in order.

The key to a stress-free import is understanding the timeline. You'll need to start preparing 3–4 months before your departure date to ensure all vaccinations, tests, and paperwork are completed correctly. Let's break this down into manageable steps.

Critical Breed Restrictions for Dogs

If you own a dog, check this first: French Guiana has breed restrictions. The following breeds are banned (Category 1):

  • Pit Bull
  • Boerbull
  • Tosa

If your dog is one of these breeds, you cannot import it to French Guiana. There are no breed restrictions for cats. Cooper is a Golden Retriever, so he cleared this hurdle easily—but I always verify breed status before booking any international move.

Your Preparation Timeline

3–4 Months Before Departure

Schedule a pre-travel vet consultation. Your vet needs to assess your pet's overall health and confirm they're fit for international travel. This is also when you'll discuss vaccination timing and any health concerns specific to French Guiana's tropical climate.

3 Months Before Departure

Get your pet microchipped (if not already done). French Guiana requires an ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip. This must be implanted before any rabies vaccination. If your pet already has a non-ISO chip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner at arrival. I had Cooper microchipped during his first international move—it's a quick procedure and non-negotiable for travel.

Start rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old. The vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and recorded in your pet's health records. This is the foundation of all international pet travel.

2 Months Before Departure

Wait the mandatory 21-day period after primary rabies vaccination. Your pet cannot travel until at least 21 days have passed since the rabies vaccine was given. This waiting period is non-negotiable and applies to all pets. Mark this date on your calendar—it's your earliest possible travel date.

Arrange your health certificate appointment. You'll need an official health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. Schedule this for 5–7 days before your departure date (the certificate is valid for 10 days from issue).

1 Month Before Departure

Confirm booster rabies vaccination status. Boosters are required. Work with your vet to ensure your pet's rabies protection is current and documented. If a booster is needed, schedule it now so it's completed well before travel.

Check import permit requirements. We're still verifying whether French Guiana requires an import permit—check with French Guiana's government veterinary authority to confirm. If one is required, typical lead time is 30 days, so apply immediately.

1–2 Weeks Before Departure

Obtain the health certificate. Schedule your vet appointment 5–7 days before departure. The certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS if you're departing from the United States, APHA for the UK, CFIA for Canada). This endorsement is a separate step and takes additional time—don't leave it until the last minute.

Gather all documents. Collect your microchip records, vaccination certificates, health certificate, and any import permits. Make copies of everything and store them digitally as well.

3–5 Days Before Departure

Notify your airline. If you're traveling with your pet in cargo, contact your airline (e.g., Air France) to confirm pet transport policies, crate requirements, and any additional documentation they need. Airlines typically require 48 hours advance notice for service animals, though standard pets may have different requirements.

Arrange ground transport and accommodation. Confirm your pet's transport from the airport and where they'll stay upon arrival. If you're shipping your pet separately, coordinate with your cargo handler now.

Essential Documents Checklist

  • Microchip implant certificate (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (with date, vaccine name, and vet signature)
  • Rabies booster vaccination certificate (if applicable)
  • Official health certificate issued by licensed veterinarian
  • Government endorsement of health certificate (from USDA APHIS, APHA, CFIA, etc.)
  • Import permit (if required by French Guiana)
  • Proof of microchip registration
  • Airline pet transport documentation (if applicable)
  • Copies of all documents (digital and printed)

Health Certificate Details

The health certificate is your pet's passport for entry. It must be:

  • Issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of arrival in French Guiana
  • Endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority after the vet issues it
  • Original document (not a copy)
  • Signed and dated by both the vet and the government authority

When I moved Cooper internationally, I learned to get the health certificate as late as possible (within the 10-day window) to ensure all vaccinations and tests are current. Schedule your vet appointment 5–7 days before departure, not earlier.

Rabies Vaccination Requirements

Rabies vaccination is mandatory for all pets entering French Guiana. Here's what you need to know:

  • Minimum age: Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination
  • Waiting period: At least 21 days must pass between vaccination and travel
  • Booster required: Your pet must have current booster protection (your vet will advise on the schedule)
  • Licensed vet only: The vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and recorded in your pet's health records

Quarantine Requirements

Good news: French Guiana does not require quarantine for pets that arrive with complete, valid documentation (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate). If all your paperwork is in order, your pet can go straight to your home upon arrival. This was a huge relief when I moved Cooper—no quarantine facility fees or separation stress.

Microchip Requirements

Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip implanted before rabies vaccination. This is the universal standard for international pet travel. If your pet has a non-ISO chip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner at arrival. The microchip must be registered with your contact information so French Guiana authorities can reach you if needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vaccinating before microchipping: The microchip must come first. If you vaccinate before microchipping, you'll need to start the timeline over.
  • Waiting until the last minute for the health certificate: Government endorsement takes time. Schedule your vet appointment 5–7 days before departure, not 2 days before.
  • Assuming your pet's old microchip is ISO-compliant: Verify the standard with your vet. Non-ISO chips may not be readable in French Guiana.
  • Forgetting to check breed restrictions: If you have a Pit Bull, Boerbull, or Tosa, you cannot import it. Verify this before booking your move.
  • Not making copies of documents: Keep digital and printed copies of everything. Originals can get lost in transit.
  • Skipping the airline notification: Contact your airline at least 48 hours before departure to confirm pet transport policies and crate requirements.

Special Considerations for Tropical Climate

French Guiana has a tropical climate with high humidity and heat. Discuss with your vet whether your pet needs any additional health precautions before travel. Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs and cats) may struggle with the heat—consult our brachycephalic breed guide for more information.

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Trained service dogs (guide dogs, hearing dogs, mobility dogs) are recognized for travel purposes in most countries, including those that are ICAO signatories. However, service dog status does not waive standard import documentation—your service dog still needs a microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and government endorsement. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not recognized for travel purposes by airlines or government authorities and must follow standard pet import rules.

Next Steps

Start by confirming breed restrictions (if you have a dog) and checking with French Guiana's government veterinary authority about any additional requirements we're still verifying. Then schedule your vet consultation and mark your calendar with the key dates: microchip implant, rabies vaccination, 21-day waiting period, and health certificate appointment.

Moving internationally with a pet is manageable when you follow the timeline and stay organized. I've done it three times with Cooper, and each move gets smoother because I know what to expect. You've got this.

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

Important Note

This guide is based on auto-verified data from official government sources. Requirements can change, and French Guiana may have specific regulations we're still verifying. Always confirm directly with French Guiana's government veterinary authority before finalizing your travel plans. Contact your local veterinarian and airline for the most current requirements.

Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 22, 2026