Colombia
The Republic of Colombia occupies the northwestern corner of South America, bordered by Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and two coastlines — the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Bogotá is the capital and main international hub for pet arrivals.
At a Glance
Bringing a pet into Colombia requires a microchip, rabies and core vaccinations, an antiparasitic treatment, and a government-endorsed health certificate — no blood test, quarantine, or import permit is required, making Colombia one of the more straightforward non-European destinations.
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Health Certificate
Required
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Blood Test (RNATT)
Not Required
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Import Permit
Not Required
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Min. Age
4 months
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Min. Prep Time
21 days
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Difficulty
Moderate
Key Requirements
Microchip
Microchipping is mandatory for pets under one year old and strongly recommended for pets over one year old. The microchip number must be recorded on all veterinary documentation.
Rabies Vaccination
Required for all dogs and cats. The vaccination must have been administered at least 21 days before entry into Colombia. Both 1-year and 3-year rabies vaccinations are accepted, provided the vaccine is still within its valid period at the time of travel.
Additional Vaccinations — Dogs
Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper (Carré's disease), canine hepatitis, leptospirosis (canicola and icterohemorrhagiae strains), parvovirus, parainfluenza, and coronavirus. If the coronavirus vaccine is not available in the origin country, the veterinarian should note this on the health certificate — it will not block entry.
Additional Vaccinations — Cats
Cats must be vaccinated against feline panleukopenia, in addition to rabies. All vaccinations must be current and recorded in the vaccination booklet with dates, batch numbers, and veterinarian details.
Antiparasitic Treatment
Both internal (deworming) and external parasite treatments must be administered within 60 days before arrival. The health certificate or an additional certificate must record the product name, active ingredient, laboratory details, and date of administration.
Health Certificate
Required, dated within 10 days before arrival in Colombia. It must include the pet's species, breed, gender, date of birth, coat colour, and identifying marks; a statement confirming the animal shows no clinical signs of disease, has no fresh or healing wounds, and is fit for transport; and details of all antiparasitic treatments administered. The certificate must be issued and endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the origin country.
Export Certificate
The health certificate must be endorsed by the official government veterinary authority of the origin country before departure. Original documents must be presented to the ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario) officer at the airport on arrival.
Breed Restrictions
The following breeds and their hybrids are prohibited from entering Colombia: American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Bull Terrier. Verify your pet's breed eligibility before starting any preparations.
⚠️ On arrival, all pets must be presented to the ICA veterinary officer at the airport with original documentation. Requirements may change without notice — always verify with a certified pet relocation specialist before travel.
Preparation Timeline
1
Microchip
Assumed already present; mandatory for pets under 1 year old
2
Vaccinations (rabies + core)
Ensure up to date; rabies at least 21 days before travel
3
Antiparasitic Treatment
Within 60 days before arrival, recorded on certificate
4
Health Certificate
Within 10 days before arrival, endorsed by government vet
Frequently Asked Questions
Is quarantine required when entering Colombia?
No quarantine is required provided all documentation is complete and correct. On arrival, the ICA veterinary officer at the airport will inspect your pet and its documents. If any requirement is not met, the animal may be subject to additional testing, detention, or return to the origin country at the owner's expense.
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is required for personal pets entering Colombia from any country, regardless of origin. The key documents are the health certificate and vaccination records.
Do requirements change depending on which country I'm travelling from?
The core requirements — vaccinations, antiparasitic treatment, and the ICA health certificate — apply the same way regardless of the pet's country of origin, since Colombia does not grant exemptions or add steps based on where the pet is coming from. What can differ is which government veterinary authority issues and endorses the export certificate, so it's worth confirming the exact local process with a certified pet relocation specialist for your specific country of departure.
What happens at the airport on arrival?
On landing, you must present your pet and all original documents (health certificate, vaccination record) to the ICA officer at the airport. The officer will conduct a documentary inspection and a visual check of the animal. A small fee applies for this service. It is advisable to notify the ICA office in advance of your arrival, particularly for cargo shipments.
Which breeds are not permitted to enter Colombia?
American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, and hybrids of these breeds are prohibited by Colombian regulation. Verify your pet's breed status before starting the process.
The coronavirus vaccine for dogs is not available in my country — is that a problem?
No. While Colombia's ICA still lists the canine coronavirus vaccine as a requirement for dogs, it is recognised that this vaccine is difficult or impossible to obtain in many countries. If it is not available, the veterinarian should note this clearly on the health certificate. Entry will not be denied on this basis alone.
Which airports can my pet enter through?
Pets can enter through El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá (BOG), Alfonso Bonilla Aragón in Cali (CLO), José María Córdova in Medellín (MDE), and Ernesto Cortissoz in Barranquilla (BAQ). Always confirm ICA veterinary services are available at your chosen airport on the day of travel.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary depending on pet size, origin country, and whether the pet travels in cabin or as cargo. Request a free personalised quote →
Ready to start planning?
Every pet's situation is different. Get a free, no-obligation quote from a certified pet relocation specialist.
⚠️ The information on this page is provided for reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify all requirements with a certified pet relocation specialist before booking travel or making any arrangements for your pet.