Sarah · with Cooper (Golden Retriever, 30kg) “I've relocated internationally 3 times with Cooper.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Sarah is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Saint Martin keeps the basics simple on paper — a health certificate and a microchip — but the order those happen in matters more than the paperwork itself does. Cooper's first big international move taught me that 'microchip required' often hides a sequencing rule most people miss entirely until it's already too late to fix.
Bringing a pet to Saint Martin 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.
Who sets the rules here
Saint Martin applies the rules of France unchanged — the same requirements, administered locally.
Official source
saint-barth-saint-martin.gouv.fr
Relationship to France
inherits unchanged
How Saint Martin handles your pet
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination21 daysverified 2026-07-14
Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination12 weeksverified 2026-10-03
Other rules
Pets accepted✓ Acceptedverified 2026-10-03
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day 0 arrive at customs
Saint Martin requires the rabies vaccination to happen after the microchip identification, not before it, for the vaccination to count as valid. A vaccine given before the chip does not satisfy this entry requirement, even if both happen within the same week. Schedule the microchip appointment first, then book the rabies vaccination afterward, in that specific order.
Here's what I wish someone had told me: get the chip-then-vaccine order right for Saint Martin and the rest of the paperwork turns out to be genuinely simple after that. Get a personalized plan from Pawgo to lock in that exact sequence before you go ahead and book your flights.
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.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: October 26, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Saint Martin require rabies vaccination for dogs?
Yes, Saint Martin requires a rabies vaccination for imported dogs. There is a 21-day waiting period after vaccination. Exact timing depends on your origin country — compute your timeline at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Saint Martin require a microchip for pets?
Yes, Saint Martin requires an ISO-compliant microchip. The microchip must typically be implanted before rabies vaccination. Get your full checklist at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
What health certificate does Saint Martin require for pets?
Yes. Saint-Martin requires an ISO-standard microchip. It must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid.Build my pet's travel plan →
How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for Saint-Martin?
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.Build my pet's travel plan →
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.Build my pet's travel plan →
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.Build my pet's travel plan →
Traveling to Saint Martin?
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