Bringing a pet to Colombia

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Colombia has moderately strict entry requirements for pets, with rules that vary depending on the rabies risk classification of the country of origin. There is no mandatory quarantine for pets arriving from low-risk countries if all documentation is in order, but pets from high-risk areas face additional testing and waiting periods. Expect to provide a health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, and a microchip, and be prepared for origin-specific steps.

Requirements for your pet

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

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 (valid, with vaccine administered at least 21 days before arrival)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA).

No additional requirements for free-origin countries.

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 (valid, with vaccine administered at least 21 days before arrival)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA).

No additional requirements for low-risk origin countries.

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 (valid, with vaccine administered at least 21 days before arrival)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA).

No additional requirements for high-risk origin countries.

Frequently asked questions

No. Colombia does not require a rabies titer (FAVN) test for dogs from any origin country.
The rabies vaccine must be given at least 21 days before arrival. The dog must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination.
No. There is no quarantine for dogs entering Colombia if all documentation is complete.
Colombia does not set a specific numeric limit for non-commercial pet imports, but bringing more than 3 dogs may be treated as commercial and require additional permits. Check with the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA).
No. Emotional support and service dogs must meet all standard requirements: microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Colombia and endorsed by an official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK).
No. Colombia does not have breed-specific restrictions for imported dogs. However, check with your airline for brachycephalic breed travel bans.

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

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 cat was at least 12 weeks old at vaccination and vaccine administered at least 21 days before arrival
  • International health certificate (CVI) issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Colombia's ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario).

Cats from rabies-free origins (e.g. Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) follow standard microchip, rabies vaccine, and health certificate requirements. No titer test or import permit needed.

Apply / official cat import page

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 cat was at least 12 weeks old at vaccination and vaccine administered at least 21 days before arrival
  • International health certificate (CVI) issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Colombia's ICA.

Cats from low-risk countries (US, UK, EU, Japan, Australia, etc.) follow the same standard requirements as free-tier origins. No titer test or import permit required.

Apply / official cat import page

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 cat was at least 12 weeks old at vaccination and vaccine administered at least 21 days before arrival
  • International health certificate (CVI) issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip implantation
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/mL) from a sample taken at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination and at least 30 days before travel
  • Import permit from ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Colombia's ICA.

Cats from high-risk rabies countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) require a FAVN titer test and an import permit from ICA. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

No. The US is classified as a low-risk rabies country for Colombia. A FAVN titer test is not required for cats arriving from the US, UK, EU, Japan, Australia, or similar low-risk origins. Only cats from high-risk countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, India) need a titer test.
The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before arrival in Colombia. The cat must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. There is no maximum validity period for the vaccine as long as it remains current per the manufacturer's label.
Colombia does not set a strict numeric limit for non-commercial pet movement, but ICA typically allows up to 5 cats per traveler under personal import rules. If you bring more than 5, you may be required to follow commercial import procedures, including additional permits and possible quarantine. Confirm with ICA before travel.
Only if your cat is arriving from a high-risk rabies country. For cats from free or low-risk origins (e.g. US, EU, UK), no import permit is needed. For high-risk origins, you must apply for an import permit from ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario) before travel.
No. Colombia does not grant any exemption from standard import requirements for emotional support or service animals. All cats, regardless of their role, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit requirements.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the cat's arrival in Colombia. If it is older, your cat may be denied entry, placed in quarantine, or returned to the origin country. Have your veterinarian date the certificate no more than 10 days before your scheduled arrival.
No. Colombia does not require quarantine for cats arriving from any origin tier, provided all documentation (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate, and if applicable, titer test and import permit) is complete and correct. If documents are missing or non-compliant, quarantine may be imposed at the owner's expense.

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

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 (valid, administered at least 21 days before travel)
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 chip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and ICA.

No import permit required for ferrets from rabies-free origins. ICA may inspect at entry; have all documents ready.

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 (valid, administered at least 21 days before travel)
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 chip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and ICA.

No import permit required for ferrets from low-risk origins. ICA may inspect at entry; have all documents ready.

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 (valid, administered at least 21 days before travel)
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 chip implantation
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/mL, performed at least 30 days after vaccination and within 12 months of travel)
  • ICA import permit

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and ICA.

Import permit is mandatory for ferrets from high-risk rabies countries. Submit application to ICA well in advance. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

No. The US is classified as low-risk for rabies. A rabies titer test (FAVN) is not required for ferrets entering Colombia from the US.
Colombia generally allows up to 3 pets per non-commercial traveller without triggering commercial import rules. If you bring more than 3, you may need a commercial import permit and additional documentation. Check with ICA for the exact limit.
No. Colombia does not provide any exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit requirements regardless of their role.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the date of travel. It must be endorsed by an official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK).
No. All ferrets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine is given.
No. Colombia does not require quarantine for ferrets from any origin tier, provided all documentation (including import permit and FAVN titer test for high-risk origins) is in order. However, ICA may perform a brief inspection at the port of entry.
The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before travel and must be valid (not expired) at the time of entry. If the vaccine is older than 12 months, a booster is required. For high-risk origins, the FAVN test must be done within 12 months of travel.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. The health certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by the national veterinary authority of the origin country within 10 days of travel.

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 Colombia, 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 Colombia's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.