Bringing a pet to Cuba

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Cuba requires a veterinary health certificate and proof of rabies vaccination for dogs. No routine quarantine applies to properly documented pets, and no import permit is required. The same core rules apply regardless of the origin country's rabies status. Enforcement can vary, so verify current requirements with Cuban authorities before travel.

Requirements for your pet

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

Microchip
Not required
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 or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Cuba does not publish a breed ban list for dogs entering the country. However, airlines serving Cuba may have their own restrictions on brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers, especially for cargo transport. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • Veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not expired

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50 (optional, not required by Cuba), health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50. No import permit or titer test is required, so no fees apply for those. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Cuban consulate.

No quarantine for pets with complete documentation. Pets are subject to inspection at the port of entry.

Microchip
Not required
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 or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Cuba does not publish a breed ban list for dogs entering the country. However, airlines serving Cuba may have their own restrictions on brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers, especially for cargo transport. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • Veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not expired

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50 (optional, not required by Cuba), health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50. No import permit or titer test is required, so no fees apply for those. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Cuban consulate.

No quarantine for pets with complete documentation. Pets are subject to inspection at the port of entry.

Microchip
Not required
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 or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Cuba does not publish a breed ban list for dogs entering the country. However, airlines serving Cuba may have their own restrictions on brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers, especially for cargo transport. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • Veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not expired

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50 (optional, not required by Cuba), health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50. No import permit or titer test is required, so no fees apply for those. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Cuban consulate.

No quarantine for pets with complete documentation. Pets are subject to inspection at the port of entry.

Frequently asked questions

No. Cuba does not require a rabies antibody titer test (FAVN or similar) for dogs entering from any country. A current rabies vaccination certificate is sufficient.
No. Cuba does not impose quarantine on dogs with a valid health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate. Your dog will be inspected at the port of entry, but you can take it with you immediately after clearance.
Cuba does not publish a specific numeric limit for non-commercial pet imports. In practice, travellers typically bring one or two pets. If you are bringing more than a small number, contact the Cuban consulate or the Instituto de Medicina Veterinaria in advance to confirm whether commercial import rules apply.
No. Cuba does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from the standard import requirements. All dogs must have a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and a valid rabies vaccination certificate. Service dogs may be allowed in the cabin by airlines, but import rules are the same.
You need two documents: (1) a veterinary health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of travel, and (2) a rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not expired. No import permit is required.
No. Cuba does not require a microchip for dogs entering the country. However, having one is recommended for identification and is required by some airlines.
Cuba does not have a breed ban list for imported dogs. However, airlines flying to Cuba may refuse to carry brachycephalic breeds (e.g., pugs, bulldogs, boxers) in cargo due to breathing risks. Always check with your airline.

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

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • International Veterinary Health Certificate (in Spanish or with certified Spanish translation)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and no more than 1 year before travel
  • Import permit from CENSA (only if required by airline or origin country)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip $30–50 (only if required by airline), health certificate $100–200, rabies vaccination $20–50, import permit $50–100 (only if required). Confirm current prices with a local vet and CENSA.

Cuba does not require a microchip for cats. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by a government veterinarian. Rabies vaccination must be administered at least 30 days before travel and not more than 1 year prior. No quarantine on arrival for cats with valid documents.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • International Veterinary Health Certificate (in Spanish or with certified Spanish translation)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and no more than 1 year before travel
  • Import permit from CENSA (only if required by airline or origin country)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip $30–50 (only if required by airline), health certificate $100–200, rabies vaccination $20–50, import permit $50–100 (only if required). Confirm current prices with a local vet and CENSA.

Same requirements as free tier. No quarantine for cats with valid documentation. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Rabies vaccination must be current (at least 30 days and not more than 1 year old).

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • International Veterinary Health Certificate (in Spanish or with certified Spanish translation)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and no more than 1 year before travel
  • Import permit from CENSA (required for high-risk origins)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip $30–50 (only if required by airline), health certificate $100–200, rabies vaccination $20–50, import permit $50–100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and CENSA.

Cuba requires an import permit for cats from high-risk rabies countries. The permit must be obtained in advance from CENSA. No quarantine on arrival if all documents are in order. Rabies vaccination must be current (at least 30 days and not more than 1 year old).

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Cuba does not publish a specific limit for non-commercial pet cats. In practice, 1–2 cats per traveller are routinely accepted. Bringing more than 3 may trigger commercial import rules and require additional permits from CENSA. Always confirm with the Cuban embassy or consulate in your country before travel.
No. Cuba does not exempt emotional support or service animals from veterinary import requirements. All cats, regardless of function, must have a valid health certificate, current rabies vaccination, and (for high-risk origins) an import permit. Airlines may have their own policies for cabin travel, but the destination country's rules apply on arrival.
No. Cuba does not require a microchip for cats. However, many airlines require microchipping for identification and travel, so check with your carrier. If your cat is microchipped, it should be ISO 11784/11785 compliant.
Your cat must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before travel, and the vaccination must be no more than 1 year old at the time of entry. The vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and documented on the health certificate.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Cuba. It must be endorsed by an official government veterinarian from the origin country and be in Spanish or accompanied by a certified Spanish translation.
No. Cuba does not impose quarantine on cats with valid documentation. If your paperwork is incomplete or your cat shows signs of illness, Cuban authorities may require isolation or deny entry.
It depends on the origin country. Cats from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., most of Africa, Asia, Middle East, and some parts of the Americas) require an import permit from CENSA. Cats from low-risk or free countries generally do not, but airlines or Cuban authorities may request one. Always verify with CENSA or the Cuban embassy before travel.

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

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • CENASA import permit (issued in Havana)
  • International veterinary health certificate (certificado zoosanitario internacional) issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's government veterinary service
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel
  • Owner's passport and travel itinerary

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally. CENASA import permit: ~$50–150. Health certificate: ~$100–200. Rabies vaccination: ~$20–50. No microchip or titer test required for free-tier origins. Total typical out-of-pocket: ~$170–400. Confirm current fees with CENASA or the Cuban consulate before travel.

Cuba treats ferrets as 'animales de compañía' (companion animals). The CENASA import permit is mandatory for all ferrets regardless of origin and must be requested at least 15 working days before arrival. Free-tier origins (e.g. Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City) still need the permit and health certificate; no rabies titer test or microchip is demanded. Arrival must be through José Martí International Airport (HAV) for veterinary inspection. Without a permit, the ferret may be quarantined at the owner's expense or refused entry.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • CENASA import permit (issued in Havana)
  • International veterinary health certificate (certificado zoosanitario internacional) issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's government veterinary service
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel
  • Owner's passport and travel itinerary

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally. CENASA import permit: ~$50–150. Health certificate: ~$100–200. Rabies vaccination: ~$20–50. No microchip or titer test required for low-risk origins. Total typical out-of-pocket: ~$170–400. Confirm current fees with CENASA or the Cuban consulate before travel.

Low-risk origins (US, UK, most of Europe, Japan, Australia) face the same Cuban requirements as free-tier origins: CENASA import permit, health certificate, and rabies vaccination. No microchip or rabies titer test is required. The permit application must be submitted at least 15 working days before arrival. Ferrets must enter through José Martí International Airport (HAV) for veterinary inspection. Cuba does not recognise the EU Pet Travel Scheme for ferrets; the CENASA permit is always required.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • CENASA import permit (issued in Havana)
  • International veterinary health certificate (certificado zoosanitario internacional) issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's government veterinary service
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel
  • FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from a CENASA-approved laboratory, dated at least 90 days before travel
  • Owner's passport and travel itinerary

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally. CENASA import permit: ~$50–150. Health certificate: ~$100–200. Rabies vaccination: ~$20–50. FAVN titer test: ~$100–250 (plus shipping to an approved lab). Total typical out-of-pocket: ~$270–650. Confirm current fees with CENASA or the Cuban consulate before travel.

High-risk origins (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) must meet all low-risk requirements plus a FAVN rabies titer test taken at least 90 days before travel. No quarantine is imposed on arrival if all documents are in order, but the ferret is subject to veterinary inspection at José Martí International Airport (HAV). If the titer test is missing or below 0.5 IU/ml, entry may be refused or the animal quarantined at the owner's expense. The CENASA import permit must be applied for at least 15 working days before arrival.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but it is not a simple process. Cuba allows the import of ferrets as companion animals provided you obtain an import permit from CENASA (Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria) in Havana before travel, present an international veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, and show proof of a valid rabies vaccination given at least 30 days earlier. Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries also need a FAVN titer test taken at least 90 days before travel. Entry must be through José Martí International Airport (HAV) where a veterinary inspection takes place.
Cuba does not publish a specific numeric limit for non-commercial ferret imports in its customs or CENASA regulations. In practice, a single traveller bringing more than 2–3 ferrets may be questioned about commercial intent and could be required to use a commercial import licence. For a typical pet owner, 1–2 ferrets is the safe non-commercial range. If you plan to bring more, contact CENASA directly before booking travel.
No. Cuba does not recognise emotional support animals or service animals as exempt from veterinary import requirements. A ferret — whether a pet, emotional support animal, or service animal — must have the CENASA import permit, health certificate, and rabies vaccination. Airlines may allow an emotional support ferret in the cabin, but that does not waive Cuban border veterinary rules. Do not assume an exemption exists; it does not.
No. Cuba does not require a microchip for ferrets entering the country, regardless of the origin country's rabies risk tier. The CENASA import permit and health certificate are the key documents. A microchip may be required by your airline or by your origin country's export rules, but it is not a Cuban entry requirement.
Apply at least 15 working days before your planned arrival date. In practice, allow 3–4 weeks because CENASA may request additional documents or clarifications. The permit is issued in Havana and is usually sent electronically or by fax to the applicant or their representative in Cuba. Do not travel without the permit in hand — airlines may deny boarding and Cuban customs may refuse entry.
No routine quarantine is imposed if all entry documents (CENASA permit, health certificate, rabies vaccination, and FAVN titer test if required) are complete and valid. However, if the ferret arrives without a permit or with an expired health certificate, Cuban veterinary authorities may place it in quarantine at the owner's expense or refuse entry. The inspection at José Martí International Airport (HAV) is mandatory for all ferrets.
Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before travel, and then have a FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation) test at a CENASA-approved laboratory at least 90 days before travel. The result must be ≥0.5 IU/ml. If the titer is below that, a booster and a new test at least 90 days before travel are required. This is in addition to the CENASA import permit and health certificate. Ferrets from low-risk or free-tier origins do not need the titer test.

Good to know

Cuba's pet import rules are administered by the Instituto de Medicina Veterinaria (IMV) under the Ministry of Agriculture. The two core documents are a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and a valid rabies vaccination certificate. Pets with complete documentation are not routinely quarantined but are subject to inspection at the port of entry. Confirm current requirements with the Cuban embassy or consulate before 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 Cuba, 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 Cuba's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.