Health Certificates

Each country has different regulations regarding the health certificate. Here are a few links to help you find the regulation requirements in your country.

 

FAQ: What does acceptance of digital endorsement mean? 

ANSWER: USDA Accredited Veterinarians can submit export health certificates and supporting documents electronically to USDA through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). USDA can also return documents electronically for any corrections or edits. This benefits both owners and veterinarians by avoiding long drives or overnight shipping of documents to USDA for endorsement. USE DIGITAL ENDORSEMENT If the destination country accepts digital USDA endorsement, the Accredited Veterinarian can print the endorsed health certificate from their office as soon as it is endorsed.

Important – When the 7001 Form is recommended we suggest having this completed within 10 days of travel unless otherwise noted.

Anguilla (Anguilla is a British overseas territory since 1980)

  • An original Health Certificate issued by a vet in country of origin stating that animal should be free of any infectious or contagious diseases and should not be in contact with any animal suffering from the same for the past sixty (60) days.
  • The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal. The 7001 Health Certificate can be used. For example from the US – APHIS recommends your pet travel with a health certificate (e.g. APHIS Form 7001) issued by your veterinarian. Although it may not be required, it is highly suggested that the health certificate be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS.

Antigua and Barbuda

The health certificate must state that the dog/cat is in good health and free from the symptoms of communicable diseases. For example in the US, the certificate must be issued within seven (7) days prior to arrival into Antigua & Barbuda by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian. After issuance, the health certificate will need to be endorsed (counter-signed) by an APHIS Veterinary Services Endorsement Office. Please refer to your country’s governmental export authority.

Aruba (Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Aruba’s Health Certificate and Digital Endorsement Accepted
The health certificate bears digital signature/seal.

Bahamas

Health Certificates for dogs/cats to the Bahamas do not require APHIS endorsement. They may be signed by a licensed U.S. veterinarian. Use 7001 form.

Barbados

All dogs and cats entering Barbados must be accompanied by an Official Export Health Certificate endorsed (signed and stamped) by the Official Veterinary Services of the country of origin. Within seven (7) days of travel, the pets must undergo a veterinary examination and be issued with an Official Veterinary Export Health Certificate.

The Official Health Certificate must be endorsed (signed and stamped) by an Official Government/Federal Veterinarian. This may not be the same veterinarian who carries out the procedures and/or fills out the health certificate. The Official Veterinarian should see the import permit before issuing the Export Health Certificate.

The export health certificate is valid for a period of 10 days from the date of endorsement by the Official Veterinarian. In the case of animals traveling by sea, validity can be extended for the period of the voyage

Residency: Cats and dogs from Category 1 countries must demonstrate that they have spent at least three (3) months continuously either in the country of export or in other Category 1 countries immediately prior to entry. This three (3) month period may be partly in the country of export and partly in another Category 1 country. If the latter is the case, the certifying veterinarian must be able to verify this prior to signing the certificate. All animals that do not fall into Category 1, including pets that have not been in a Category 1 country for more than 3 months and animals arriving by sea must satisfy the conditions for Category 2.

Digital Endorsement NOT Accepted
The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal

Barbados Health Certificate

British Virgin Islands (BVI is a British overseas territory )

BVI Health Certificate 

Digital Endorsement NOT Accepted
The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal

  • Tortola
  • Virgin Gorda
  • Anegada
  • Jost Van Dyke

Caribbean Netherlands also known as the BES islands are the three special municipalities of the Netherlands

Bonaire

Bonaire Veterinary Health Certificate

Digital Endorsement NOT Accepted
The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal

Sint Eustatius

  • The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal. The 7001 Health Certificate can be used. For example from the US – APHIS recommends your pet travel with a health certificate (e.g. APHIS Form 7001) issued by your veterinarian. Although it may not be required, it is highly suggested that the health certificate be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS.

Saba

  • The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal. The 7001 Health Certificate can be used. For example from the US – APHIS recommends your pet travel with a health certificate (e.g. APHIS Form 7001) issued by your veterinarian. Although it may not be required, it is highly suggested that the health certificate be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS.

Cayman Islands (Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory since 1962)

The health certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian. USDA endorsement is NOT required. Please take a copy of the import conditions to the veterinarian who will be preparing your pet.

Health Certificate

Also within 14 days of the scheduled date of travel, your dog or cat must be examined and issued with a Veterinary Health Certificate . The health certificate must be completed and signed by a licensed accredited veterinarian of the exporting country. The Cayman Islands does not require endorsement of the dog and cat health certificates by an official government veterinarian and will accept health certificates completed by a licensed accredited veterinarian.

Cayman Islands Health Certificate 

Cuba

  • The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal. The 7001 Health Certificate can be used. For example from the US – APHIS recommends your pet travel with a health certificate (e.g. APHIS Form 7001) issued by your veterinarian. Although it may not be required, it is highly suggested that the health certificate be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS.

Curaçao (Curaçao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

An Official International Health Certificate is required to travel with your dog or cat to Curacao.

The Health Certificate must be issued by an accredited veterinarian; endorsed by an official government (USDA) veterinarian; and is valid for no more than 2 (two) weeks.

Curacao Health Certificate

Dominica

  • The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal. The 7001 Health Certificate can be used. For example from the US – APHIS recommends your pet travel with a health certificate (e.g. APHIS Form 7001) issued by your veterinarian. Although it may not be required, it is highly suggested that the health certificate be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS.

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic Health Certificate

Digital Endorsement Accepted
The health certificate bears digital signature/seal

Grenada

Grenada requires an International Health Certificate issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS. The health certificate must be issued by your veterinarian no earlier than 3 weeks prior to your scheduled arrival in Grenada. Note: obtaining a health certificate too close to the date of scheduled arrival in Grenada may not allow adequate processing time for your import permit application in Step 3.

This certificate may be generated and submitted to APHIS for endorsement by your veterinarian online using VEHCS.

Grenada Health Certificate 

Guadeloupe (France overseas territory since 1946)

Please follow France’s guidelines. Selecting the appropriate option below will give you access to the required health certificate with pre-lined out statements to indicate the pet’s rabies vaccination status and type of travel. If the line outs do not print, the USDA Accredited Veterinarian must manually add the line outs and initial them in pen.

Haiti

APHIS recommends your pet travel with a health certificate (e.g. APHIS Form 7001) issued by your veterinarian. Although it may not be required, it is highly suggested that the health certificate be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS. Digital endorsement NOT accepted.

Jamaica

Jamaica’s Health Certificate 

Digital Endorsement NOT Accepted
The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal

Martinique (France overseas territory since 1946)

Please follow France’s guidelines. Selecting the appropriate option below will give you access to the required health certificate with pre-lined out statements to indicate the pet’s rabies vaccination status and type of travel. If the line outs do not print, the USDA Accredited Veterinarian must manually add the line outs and initial them in pen.

Montserrat (Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory established since 1632)

  • A licensed veterinarian in the country of origin must complete an International Health Certificate issued within 72 hours prior to entry.
  • APHIS recommends your pet travel with a health certificate (e.g. APHIS Form 7001) issued by your veterinarian. Although it may not be required, it is highly suggested that the health certificate be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS. Digital endorsement NOT accepted.

Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States since 1898)

All dogs and cats entering Puerto Rico shall be accompanied by an official interstate health certificate, stating that the animal did not originate from an area quarantined for rabies.

Saint Barthélemy (Saint Barthélemy is an overseas collectivity of France since 2007)

APHIS recommends your pet travel with a health certificate (e.g. APHIS Form 7001) issued by your veterinarian. Although it may not be required, it is highly suggested that the health certificate be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS. Digital endorsement NOT accepted.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

A health certificate issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian  and endorsed by USDA APHIS within 30 days of the date of arrival.

Parasite Treatment and Health Certificate
Your pet must be treated for internal and external parasites by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian within 72 hours of travel.

The accredited veterinarian will then need to issue a health certificate within 72 hours of arrival into St. Kitts and Nevis. This certificate does not need to be endorsed by USDA APHIS.

NOTE: Rabies titer results must be noted on the APHIS endorsed health certificate

St. Kitts and Nevis Health Certificate

Saint Lucia

APHIS recommends your pet travel with a health certificate (e.g. APHIS Form 7001) issued by your veterinarian. Although it may not be required, it is highly suggested that the health certificate be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS. Digital endorsement NOT accepted.

Saint Martin (France overseas territory) + Sint Maarten (Sint Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

St. Martin Health Certificate

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

SVG Health Certificate

Trinidad and Tobago

  • An International health certificate meeting the import permit requirements must be issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by USDA within (7) days of arrival to Trinidad and Tobago.​

Turks and Caicos Islands (British Overseas Territory)

T + C Health Certificate

United States Virgin Islands USVI is a territory of the United States.

Please have a health certificate from your country of export endorsed and issued within 5 days of travel. In addition

Dogs traveling to the U.S. from countries or regions where screwworm is known to exist, may enter the U.S. if they meet the following requirements:

  • The dog must be accompanied by a certificate signed by a full-time salaried veterinary official of the region of origin stating:
    • The dog has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days prior to shipment to the United States; and
    • The dog is either free from screwworm OR was found to be infested with screwworm, was held in quarantine, and was treated until free from screwworm prior to leaving the region.
  • Saint Croix
  • Saint John
  • Saint Thomas