Bringing a pet to Paraguay

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Paraguay's pet import rules are uniform for dogs, cats, and ferrets regardless of the origin's rabies-risk category. The process is moderately strict: you need a valid rabies vaccination, an international health certificate, and a microchip, but there is no mandatory quarantine for compliant pets. Expect straightforward paperwork and a veterinary inspection upon arrival.

Requirements for your pet

Paraguay applies the same dog import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

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 vaccine administered after 12 weeks of age and at least 21 days before arrival
  • Health certificate (CVI) issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation confirming ISO 11784/11785 compliance

Rough budget

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

No additional requirements for free-tier 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 showing vaccine administered after 12 weeks of age and at least 21 days before arrival
  • Health certificate (CVI) issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation confirming ISO 11784/11785 compliance

Rough budget

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

No additional requirements for 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 showing vaccine administered after 12 weeks of age and at least 21 days before arrival
  • Health certificate (CVI) issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation confirming ISO 11784/11785 compliance

Rough budget

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

No additional requirements for high-risk origins.

Frequently asked questions

No. Paraguay does not require a rabies titer test (FAVN) for dogs from any origin country.
No. There is no quarantine requirement for dogs arriving from any country.
Paraguay does not set a specific limit for non-commercial pet imports, but if you bring more than 5 dogs, customs may treat it as a commercial shipment. Check with SENACSA for guidance.
No. Paraguay does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from standard import rules. They must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements as any other dog.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your dog's arrival in Paraguay.
Yes, but the rabies vaccination cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, so the puppy must be at least 15 weeks old (12 weeks + 21-day wait) to meet the rabies requirement. If the puppy is younger, it may still enter but must be vaccinated upon arrival and kept isolated until the wait period is complete.
Only ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchips are accepted. If your dog has a different chip, you must bring your own scanner or have the chip replaced before travel.

Paraguay applies the same cat import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

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, vaccine date, and validity)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by origin country's official veterinary service (e.g., USDA in US, DEFRA in UK)
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

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 SENACSA.

No quarantine for cats 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 (showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by origin country's official veterinary service (e.g., USDA in US, DEFRA in UK)
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

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 SENACSA.

No quarantine for cats 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 (showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by origin country's official veterinary service (e.g., USDA in US, DEFRA in UK)
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

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 SENACSA.

No quarantine for cats from high-risk origins. Paraguay does not require a rabies titer test or import permit for cats from any origin.

Frequently asked questions

No. Paraguay does not require a rabies titer (FAVN) test for cats from any origin, including high-risk countries. A rabies vaccination with a 21-day wait after the primary shot is sufficient.
Paraguay generally allows up to 5 cats per person under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, the shipment is treated as commercial and requires an import permit and additional documentation — contact SENACSA directly.
No. Paraguay does not provide any exemption for emotional support or service animals. All cats must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements regardless of their role.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the cat's arrival in Paraguay. It must be endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the origin country (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK).
No. Paraguay does not impose quarantine on cats arriving from any country, provided all documentation (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate) is in order. Your cat can go home with you immediately after customs clearance.
Yes, but the rabies vaccine cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, so a kitten under 12 weeks cannot meet the rabies vaccination requirement. You must wait until the kitten is at least 12 weeks old, then vaccinate and wait 21 days before travel.
The Servicio Nacional de Calidad y Salud Animal (SENACSA) is the authority. Their website is www.senacsa.gov.py. Check their 'Importación de Mascotas' section for any updates before travel.

Paraguay applies the same ferret import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

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 (SENACSA-endorsed) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip, with at least 21 days since primary vaccination)
  • Health certificate issued by official veterinarian within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by origin government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA in the US)
  • Copy of traveller's passport or national ID

Rough budget

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

Paraguay does not differentiate rabies risk tiers for ferrets. All origins follow the same rules. No titer test or import permit required.

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 (SENACSA-endorsed) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip, with at least 21 days since primary vaccination)
  • Health certificate issued by official veterinarian within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by origin government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA in the US)
  • Copy of traveller's passport or national ID

Rough budget

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

Paraguay does not differentiate rabies risk tiers for ferrets. All origins follow the same rules. No titer test or import permit required.

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 (SENACSA-endorsed) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip, with at least 21 days since primary vaccination)
  • Health certificate issued by official veterinarian within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by origin government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA in the US)
  • Copy of traveller's passport or national ID

Rough budget

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

Paraguay does not differentiate rabies risk tiers for ferrets. All origins follow the same rules. No titer test or import permit required.

Frequently asked questions

No. Paraguay does not require a rabies titer test for ferrets from any origin. Only a valid rabies vaccination and health certificate are needed.
No. Ferrets arriving from any country are not subject to quarantine upon arrival in Paraguay, provided all documentation is in order.
Paraguay does not specify a strict numeric limit for non-commercial pet ferrets. However, bringing more than 2-3 ferrets may trigger commercial import rules. Check with SENACSA before travel if bringing more than 2 ferrets.
No. Paraguay does not have special exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements regardless of their role.
No. Paraguay requires an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. If your ferret has a non-ISO chip, you must bring your own scanner or have the chip replaced before travel.
The health certificate must be issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days of arrival in Paraguay. It must be endorsed by the government veterinary authority of the origin country (e.g., USDA in the US).
Rabies vaccination is not required for ferrets already resident in Paraguay. However, if you plan to re-export your ferret, ensure the vaccine is kept up to date according to the next destination's rules.

Good to know

All pets must be identified by a microchip (ISO 11784/11785) and have a rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days before travel. The health certificate must be endorsed by the veterinary authority of the country of origin and translated into Spanish if not already in that language.

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