The Department of Agriculture is responsible for the import of animals and animal products into The Bahamas under the Animal Contagious Diseases Act and the Wildlife Conservation and Trade Act. These Acts state that a permit is required for the import of any animal and most animal products into The Bahamas.
All inquiries with regards to sanitary requirements or applications should be directed to: Director of Agriculture
Dept. of Agriculture
PO Box N 3028
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 325-7413
Fax: (242) 325-3960
An import permit is required for the import of dogs and cats. and must accompany the animal at the time of import .All conditions listed on the permit must be satisfied or the animal may be refused entry or confiscated and disposed of as a disease risk. Currently, the application processing fee for a dog or cat is for US $ 10.00. A veterinary health certificate is required at the time of import which should include certification that the animal is healthy, has an active immunity against rabies and satisfies all other health requirements.
BAHAMAS IMPORT REQUIREMENTS An import permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry (Nassau), for all animals being brought into the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Applications for such permits (along with a $10 processing fee) must be made in writing to the Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, P.O. Box N-3704, Nassau, The Bahamas.
For more information, call 242-325- 7502 or 325-7509. The application must be accompanied by a $10.00 processing fee for each animal and a $5.00 fax fee in cases where persons wish to have the permit faxed to them – money order or cash only. No personal cheques will be accepted.
For the U.S. and Canada, the following are the main provisions of the import permit as it applies to dogs and cats: (a) The animal must be 6 months of age or older. (b) The animal must be accompanied by a valid certificate which substantiates that it has been vaccinated against rabies within not less than one (1) month and not more than ten (10) months prior to importation for the one (1) year vaccine.
For the three (3) year vaccine it must be within no less than one (1) month and not more than thirty-four (34) months prior to importation into The Bahamas.
(c) The animal must be accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate presented within 48 hours of arrival in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to a licensed veterinarian for an examination.
The Permit Is Valid For One (1) Entry And Must Be Used Within One (1) Year From The Date Of Issue. Regulations for all other types of animals and relating to countries not mentioned above may be obtained from the Director of Agriculture, P.O. Box N-3704, Nassau, The Bahamas.
Applications should state the kind of animal, breed, age, sex, and country of embarkation. Additional information may be required if, for example, the animal or animal produce is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Plants and Animals (CITES).
Customs Duty for permanent entry of all animals from outside the Commonwealth of The Bahamas (dogs, cats, cattle and horses) are $10 plus 1/2% of the value of the animal.
Yearly fees for dog licenses in New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands are: male or spayed female, $2; unspayed female $6. Animals not meeting these requirements will not be allowed to enter the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Click here for the application to import your pet. Or we highly recommend using our professional partner Bahamas Pet Permits. We really enjoy working with their company and services.
Contacting Bahamas Pet Permits is just a phone call or click away:
By Phone between 9am to 7pm EST, 1-242-449-9622 (Bahamas). Also available by text and voice calls (same number). OR try our Access Line for callers from U.S. & Canada, 1-954-688-7732.
By Email 24/7, permits@bahamaspetpassport.com.
Technical Support, sha@bahamaspetpassport.com
Golden Gates Plaza | LPIA (International)
Nassau, Bahamas
