Bringing a pet to Guatemala

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Guatemala has moderately strict pet import requirements that vary significantly depending on the rabies-risk classification of the country of origin. Pets from low-risk countries may enter with basic health documentation, while those from high-risk areas face additional testing and waiting periods. There is no routine quarantine for compliant pets, but expect thorough document checks at the border.

Requirements for your pet

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

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 arrival)
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Guatemalan agricultural authority (MAGA).

No additional requirements for dogs from rabies-free origins.

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 arrival)
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Guatemalan agricultural authority (MAGA).

No additional requirements for dogs from low-risk origins.

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 arrival)
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Guatemalan agricultural authority (MAGA).

No additional requirements for dogs from high-risk origins — same as other tiers.

Frequently asked questions

No. Guatemala does not require a rabies titer test for dogs from any origin country.
The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before your arrival in Guatemala. The vaccine can be given as early as 12 weeks of age.
No. There is no mandatory quarantine for dogs entering Guatemala from any country. Your dog can proceed directly with you after customs clearance, provided all documents are in order.
Guatemala does not specify a strict limit for non-commercial pet imports, but bringing more than 2-3 dogs may trigger commercial import rules. Check with the Guatemalan agricultural authority (MAGA) if you plan to bring more than 2 dogs.
No. Guatemala does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from standard import requirements. They must still have a microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate like any other dog.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your arrival in Guatemala. It must be signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian.
No. Guatemala does not impose breed restrictions or weight limits on dogs entering the country. All breeds and sizes are allowed.

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

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, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with vaccine batch and vet signature)
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by the origin country's veterinary authority
  • Vaccination record (distemper, feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis recommended but not mandatory)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, official endorsement fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Guatemalan agricultural authority (MAGA).

Cats from rabies-free territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, etc.) face no additional restrictions beyond standard microchip, rabies vaccine, and health certificate. No titer test or import permit needed.

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, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with vaccine batch and vet signature)
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by the origin country's veterinary authority
  • Vaccination record (distemper, feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis recommended but not mandatory)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, official endorsement fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Guatemalan agricultural authority (MAGA).

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. Ensure the health certificate is issued within 10 days of arrival in Guatemala.

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, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with vaccine batch and vet signature)
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by the origin country's veterinary authority
  • Vaccination record (distemper, feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis recommended but not mandatory)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, official endorsement fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Guatemalan agricultural authority (MAGA).

Cats from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, India, most of Africa) face the same requirements as free/low-risk origins. Guatemala does not impose a titer test or quarantine for cats from any origin. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. No import permit needed.

Frequently asked questions

No. Guatemala does not require a rabies titer test for cats from any origin, including high-risk countries. A valid rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel) and an international health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival are sufficient.
No. Guatemala does not impose any quarantine period for cats, regardless of the origin country's rabies status. Your cat can travel directly to your destination upon arrival, provided all documents are in order.
Guatemala does not specify a strict numeric limit for non-commercial pet imports. However, bringing more than 2-3 cats may raise suspicion of commercial intent. For 5 or more cats, you should contact the Guatemalan Ministry of Agriculture (MAGA) to confirm if commercial import rules apply.
No. Guatemala does not provide any exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All cats must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements. No special documentation or reduced rules apply.
The international health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the cat's arrival in Guatemala. If your travel is delayed, you may need a new certificate. Always confirm with the issuing veterinarian that the certificate meets Guatemalan standards.
No. Guatemala does not require specific parasite treatments (e.g., tapeworm or tick treatment) for cats. However, the health certificate should state that the cat is clinically healthy and free from signs of infectious disease.
Yes, but the kitten cannot be vaccinated against rabies until it is at least 12 weeks old. If the kitten is younger than 12 weeks, it cannot meet the rabies vaccination requirement. In practice, you must wait until the kitten is at least 15 weeks old (12 weeks for vaccine + 21-day wait) to comply. No minimum age exemption exists for kittens.

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

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-endorsed vet for US, DEFRA-endorsed for UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip, at least 21 days before travel)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by an official government veterinarian in the country of origin

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Guatemala's Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Alimentación (MAGA).

Ferrets from rabies-free origins (e.g., Andorra, San Marino) face the same entry requirements as low-risk origins — no special exemptions.

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-endorsed vet for US, DEFRA-endorsed for UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip, at least 21 days before travel)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by an official government veterinarian in the country of origin

Rough budget

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

Ferrets from low-risk countries (US, UK, EU, Japan, Australia) do not need a rabies titer test or import permit.

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 veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS-endorsed vet for US, DEFRA-endorsed for UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip, at least 21 days before travel)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by an official government veterinarian in the country of origin
  • Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate from OIE-approved lab (result ≥0.5 IU/mL, test completed at least 3 months before travel)
  • Import permit from MAGA

Rough budget

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

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

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, ferrets are legal to import as pets into Guatemala. There are no breed or species-specific bans for ferrets.
Guatemala does not set a strict numeric cap for non-commercial pet imports. However, if you bring more than 5 ferrets, customs may consider it a commercial shipment and require a commercial import permit and additional documentation. For 1-5 ferrets, standard non-commercial rules apply.
No. Guatemala does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of role, must meet the same entry requirements.
Yes, as long as the vaccine was administered after the microchip was implanted and at least 21 days before travel. Guatemala does not require a booster within a specific window; the vaccine must simply be valid (not expired) at the time of travel. Most rabies vaccines are valid for 1-3 years depending on the brand.
No. The health certificate must be issued by an official government veterinarian in the country of origin (e.g., USDA APHIS-endorsed vet in the US, DEFRA-endorsed vet in the UK) within 10 days of departure. It cannot be obtained after arrival.
The ferret will likely be denied entry or placed in quarantine at your expense until a compatible scanner can be obtained or the microchip is implanted. To avoid this, ensure the microchip is ISO 11784/11785 compliant and readable before travel. If your ferret has a non-ISO chip, you can bring your own scanner, but this is not recommended — re-chip with an ISO chip instead.
No. The same requirements apply regardless of mode of transport (air, land, or sea). However, if arriving by air, the airline may have its own rules (e.g., carrier size, health certificate format). Check with your airline at least 72 hours before departure. For land borders, you may need to present documents at the entry point — no pre-approval is needed for low-risk origins.

Good to know

All pets must be identified by microchip, and original rabies certificates must be issued by an official government veterinarian. Import permits are not required for personal pets, but advance coordination with the airline and Guatemalan agricultural authorities is strongly recommended.

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