Martinique looks like a beach postcard, but it plays by French import rules, which means an import permit is non-negotiable before you and your pet land. Luna gave me the slow blink when I explained this, then went back to napping. I like Martinique precisely because the requirements are documented and predictable: microchip, rabies, permit, health certificate, no quarantine. Pack the paperwork before the sunscreen.

Bringing a pet to Martinique 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 Martinique 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 precede the rabies vaccination. Any rabies shot given before the animal was chipped does not count toward Martinique entry. Chip the dog first, confirm the number is logged, then book the vaccination appointment. Check the vaccination certificate lists the same chip number recorded at implant. A vaccination dated before the chip forces a full revaccination on a compliant chip.
Category 1 attack dogs are banned from import into France, and Martinique falls under that ban. The prohibition applies even for transit toward another country. Confirm the dog is not classified as a category 1 attack dog before booking. A dog in that category cannot enter Martinique under any routing, including a stopover intended to continue onward elsewhere.

Frequently asked

Does my pet need a microchip for Martinique?
Yes. Martinique 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 Martinique?
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 Martinique?
No. Pets that meet Martinique'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 timeline. Schedule the permit step at least 30 days after the vaccination date. Count that window from the vaccination day, not the booking day. Missing the 30-day mark invalidates the permit timing and delays travel. Book the vaccination early enough to clear the 30-day gap before departure.
Martinique rewards the prepared traveler, and this one keeps a printed copy in three places now. The rules are stable, but the sequencing between chip, vaccine, and permit is where trips derail. Rather than rebuild my spreadsheet for your dates, let Pawgo generate a personalized plan with your exact timeline and destination. It maps every deadline in order so nothing gets vaccinated out of sequence.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Martinique →

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.