Bringing a pet to Argentina

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Argentina's pet import rules are moderately strict and depend heavily on the country of origin, with stricter requirements for pets from high-rabies-risk regions. There is no mandatory quarantine for pets arriving from low-risk countries if all paperwork is in order, but animals from higher-risk areas may face additional testing or isolation. Expect to provide a valid rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate, and a microchip, and plan for at least a few weeks of preparation.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Argentina.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK, SENASA for Argentina) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine type, manufacturer, batch number, date of vaccination, and expiration date
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation confirming ISO 11784/11785 compliance and implantation date

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30–50, rabies vaccine ~$20–50, health certificate ~$100–200, official endorsement (e.g., USDA APHIS) ~$40–120. Confirm current prices with your vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for free-origin countries beyond the standard set.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK, SENASA for Argentina) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine type, manufacturer, batch number, date of vaccination, and expiration date
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation confirming ISO 11784/11785 compliance and implantation date

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30–50, rabies vaccine ~$20–50, health certificate ~$100–200, official endorsement (e.g., USDA APHIS) ~$40–120. Confirm current prices with your vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for low-risk origin countries beyond the standard set.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK, SENASA for Argentina) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine type, manufacturer, batch number, date of vaccination, and expiration date
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation confirming ISO 11784/11785 compliance and implantation date

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30–50, rabies vaccine ~$20–50, health certificate ~$100–200, official endorsement (e.g., USDA APHIS) ~$40–120. Confirm current prices with your vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for high-risk origin countries beyond the standard set.

Frequently asked questions

No. Argentina does not require a rabies titer test for dogs from any country. A standard rabies vaccination with a 21-day wait after the primary shot is sufficient.
The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before arrival in Argentina. The dog must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. Booster vaccines given within the validity period have no wait time.
No. Argentina does not impose quarantine on dogs from any country, provided all documentation (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate) is in order.
Argentina generally allows up to 5 dogs per person under non-commercial rules. For more than 5, commercial import regulations may apply, requiring additional permits and customs procedures. Confirm with SENASA before travel.
No. Argentina does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from standard import requirements. All dogs must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate rules.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the dog's arrival in Argentina and endorsed by an official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS in the US, DEFRA in the UK).
Yes, as long as the vaccine is labeled as a 3-year vaccine and the dog was vaccinated at least 21 days before travel (for a primary vaccine) or within the validity period (for a booster). The certificate must clearly state the vaccine type and expiration date.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Argentina.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

No import permit or quarantine required for cats from rabies-free territories.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

No import permit or quarantine required for cats from low-risk countries.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation
  • FAVN titer test result
  • Import permit from SENASA

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

Apply for the SENASA import permit at least 30 days before travel. No quarantine on arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Argentina generally allows up to 5 cats per person under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, commercial import regulations apply, which require additional permits and may involve customs duties. Check with SENASA for the exact threshold.
No. The United States is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. Cats from the US do not need a FAVN titer test. Only cats from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa) require the test.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the cat's arrival in Argentina. It must be endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the origin country (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK).
No. Argentina does not provide any exemption from standard import requirements for emotional support animals or service cats. They must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit rules as any other cat.
Yes, but the rabies vaccination cannot be given before 12 weeks of age. If your cat is younger than 12 weeks, it cannot be vaccinated, and you must wait until it reaches that age to vaccinate. The 21-day waiting period after vaccination still applies. For cats under 12 weeks, no rabies vaccination is required, but a health certificate is still mandatory.
Only if your cat is coming from a high-risk rabies country. Cats from free or low-risk countries do not need an import permit. For high-risk origins, apply for the permit at least 30 days before travel through the SENASA website.
You must bring your own compatible microchip reader. Argentina's authorities use ISO 11784/11785 scanners. If your cat has a different chip (e.g., AVID), you will need to either implant an ISO chip or carry a reader that can scan your cat's chip. The chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Argentina.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number and vaccination date)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

Ferrets classified as domestic pets under Argentine regulations. No import permit required for rabies-free origins. Microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccination.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number and vaccination date)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

No import permit required for low-risk origins. Microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccination.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number and vaccination date)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/mL, from OIE-approved lab)
  • Import permit from SENASA

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit free. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries require an import permit from SENASA and a FAVN titer test. Apply for the permit at least 30 days before travel. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

No. The United States is classified as a low-risk rabies country. Ferrets from the US do not need a FAVN titer test or import permit. They only need a microchip, rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travel), and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival.
Argentina does not impose a strict numeric limit for non-commercial pet travel, but if you bring more than 5 ferrets, customs may treat the shipment as commercial. For 1–5 ferrets, standard non-commercial rules apply. Carry proof of ownership (e.g., purchase receipt or adoption papers) to avoid delays.
No. Argentina does not recognize emotional support animals under pet import regulations. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test requirements. Service animals (e.g., guide dogs) have separate rules, but ferrets are not classified as service animals.
No. Argentine regulations require rabies vaccination at a minimum age of 12 weeks, and you must wait 21 days after that vaccination before travel. The ferret must be at least 15 weeks old on the day of arrival. No exceptions for younger animals.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the date of arrival in Argentina. If it expires during transit, you may be denied entry or the ferret could be placed in quarantine. Schedule the veterinary exam so the certificate is valid on your arrival date.
Yes. If your ferret originates from a high-risk rabies country (e.g., Thailand, Russia, India), you must obtain an import permit from SENASA before travel. Apply at least 30 days in advance. The permit is free but requires submission of the FAVN titer test result and vaccination records.
Airline policies vary, but most carriers allow ferrets in the cabin only if they fit in an under-seat carrier (typically max 8 kg including carrier). Check with your airline directly. Argentine regulations do not restrict cabin travel for ferrets, but the animal must be at least 8 weeks old and healthy.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before travel. A government-issued health certificate endorsed by the veterinary authority of the origin country is required, and it must be issued within 10 days of departure.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Argentina, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Argentina's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.