Government endorsement for pet travel: what it is and who requires it

SENASA International Veterinary Certificate (CVI)

For every pet

SENASA issues the CVI based on the destination's requirements. Every certifying office works by appointment (self-service booking is possible up to a month before the trip in offices that offer it, from a computer, not a phone). Go on the day with the vet's original documents and the copies required. The CVI is issued in the name of the person travelling with the pet.

“deberán tramitar un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI) emitido por Senasa en base a las exigencias sanitarias del país de destino”

DAFF pre-export appointment: export permit and health certificate

For every pet

At your pre-export appointment with DAFF's certifying veterinary officer (a pet transport company can go for you; some countries need DAFF to see your pet, in which case you bring it), DAFF checks all your documents and issues the export permit and health certificate. You pay at or before the appointment. Your pet must then leave Australia within 72 hours of the permit being issued.

“This appointment must be before your appointment with our certifying veterinary officer.”

Certificate from your district's official vet (Amtstierarzt)

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

The veterinary certificates you need for the trip are issued by the official vet of your district or city (Bezirk or Magistrat). Book the appointment early and take your pet, its EU pet passport and any form the destination requires.

“Für Reisen notwendige veterinärbehördliche Zertifikate stellt die Amtstierärztin bzw. der Amtstierarzt Ihres Bezirks bzw. Magistrats aus.”

Authentication of the official vet's signature (Vidierung), if the destination asks

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

Some non-EU countries also want the central veterinary authorities to confirm that the official vet's signature is genuine. Only do this if your destination's rules ask for it.

“Manche Drittstaaten verlangen zusätzlich eine Vidierung, das ist eine Bestätigung bzw. Beglaubigung der Echtheit der Unterschrift des Amtstierarztes bzw. der Amtstierärztin durch die zentralen Veterinärbehörden.”

Health certificate checked and certified by AFSCA (local control unit)

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

In most cases the destination requires a health certificate for your pet. AFSCA's website lists the procedure and the types of certificate. Your local control unit (ULC) has to be able to check that the certification is possible.

“Dans la majorité des cas, un certificat sanitaire est exigé par le pays de destination pour que votre animal puisse vous accompagner dans ce pays.”

Request the CVI from MAPA

You travel to any EU country, United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Japan, Norway, Switzerland or Northern Ireland (UK)

To travel abroad you must ask MAPA for an International Veterinary Certificate (CVI), the document that shows your pet is healthy enough to enter another country. For many destinations the request is made online, on Gov.br, and for several of them only by a vet registered on the platform; the request window depends on the destination (see the timing). Read the destination's 'Manual do Cidadão' on MAPA's page first.

“Os interessados precisam solicitar ao Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária (MAPA) a emissão do Certificado Veterinário Internacional (CVI), documento que comprova a boa condição sanitária do animal para ingressar em outro país.”

Book an in-person CVI at a VIGIAGRO unit

You do not travel to any EU country, United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Japan, Norway, Switzerland or Northern Ireland (UK)

For destinations that are not on the online list, the CVI is issued in person at a VIGIAGRO unit. MAPA suggests contacting a unit at least 60 days ahead, because appointments must be booked. Use the destination's official requirements (from its authority or embassy) as the basis.

“Para a emissão de um CVI presencial, sugerimos contatar uma Unidades Vigiagro com, no mínimo, 60 dias de antecedência, uma vez que os atendimentos estão sujeitos a agendamento prévio.”

Book your CFIA endorsement appointment

For every pet

An appointment with an official CFIA veterinarian is required to get your pet's export certificate endorsed. Book as early as you can: the endorsement has to happen before your pet leaves Canada.

“An appointment is required to get your pet export certificate endorsed by an official CFIA veterinarian.”

CFIA endorsement of the export certificate

For every pet

Your licensed veterinarian completes the export certificate, then an official CFIA veterinarian endorses it. This must happen before your pet leaves Canada: CFIA cannot endorse a certificate once the animal has gone.

“Most pets travelling from Canada to another country will need an export certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by an official Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) veterinarian.”

SAG export certificate (CZE)

For every pet

Request the CZE from SAG within the 10 days before travel, once you have all the documents the destination needs. Online (with ClaveÚnica): mascotas.sag.gob.cl in the Metropolitan and Antofagasta regions, cerofilas.sag.gob.cl elsewhere; or in person at a SAG sectoral office (the only way without a Chilean RUN). It takes about 3 working days after 24 hours from receipt, and an online request only counts once it is paid.

“debes solicitar el CZE dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje”

Health certificate issued or verified by Fødevarestyrelsen, if the destination requires it

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

The certificate, database entry or import requirements tell you whether Fødevarestyrelsen only verifies the attestation or issues the whole certificate. You can have certificates and attestations issued by appointment in Glostrup, Korsør, Herning, Vejen, Aalborg and on Bornholm. Bring the right documents: the background declaration, vaccination attestations, health attestation and laboratory attestations where required.

“Du kan få udstedt certifikater og attester i Glostrup, Korsør, Herning, Vejen, Aalborg og på Bornholm efter aftale.”

Veterinary certificate applied for through PTA's customer portal

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

Most non-EU countries require a veterinary certificate on entry. Apply for it through PTA's customer portal, at the county veterinary local office: log in, choose 'Väljaveosertifikaadid' and complete the 'Lemmikloomade mittekaubandusliku väljaveo sertifikaadi taotlus' (application for a non-commercial export certificate for pets). If you cannot apply through the portal, fill in a paper application and send it to the e-mail address of the regional office.

“Most of the non-EU countries require a veterinary certificate upon entry, which can be applied for via Customer Portal in the county veterinary local office”

Health certificate for the trip, official one from a municipal or city vet

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

Almost always your pet must travel with a certificate about its health. It can be free-form or follow the exact model the destination sets, and, depending on the destination, it can be issued by an official vet or a private vet. An official certificate is always issued by a municipal or city vet, who must be able to confirm where the pet comes from and know the conditions for taking it to the destination.

“Virallisen todistuksen myöntää aina kunnan- tai kaupungineläinlääkäri”

Official health certificate (amtstierärztliche Gesundheitsbescheinigung) from your district's veterinary office

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

Send your veterinary office the completed application with the required documents (in Berlin's Treptow-Köpenick three to four weeks before the trip; in the district of Munich the application and a copy of the EU pet passport must arrive at least 3 working days before departure). Then you book an appointment: the pet must be brought in person, so the official vet can examine it and read its microchip. Bring the destination's own health-certificate form.

“Geforderte Bescheinigungen können von uns ausgestellt bzw. bestätigt werden.”

AFCD endorsement or certification of the health certificate

For every pet

If the destination needs an official stamp: take the completed health certificate from a registered vet (normally issued within 10 days before departure, or as the destination specifies), vaccination records, dog licence (dogs only), any import permit and other original documents to AFCD in person. Endorsement or certification is ready the next working day (same session: morning applications the next morning, afternoon the next afternoon).

“normally issued within 10 days prior to departure, or as specified by the destination country/place”

AQCS export certificate

For every pet

AQCS examines your pet and issues the export certificate, which is valid for 10 days from the date of issue/examination.

“Export certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue / Examination in AQCS.”

Government stamp and signature from your Regional Veterinary Office

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

The most likely scenario: you and your private vet prepare the pet (vaccinations, blood tests and so on) and fill in the health certificate the destination asks for, then you bring it to your local Regional Veterinary Office for a government stamp and signature.

“The most likely scenario is that you and your private vet will prepare the pet (vaccinations, blood tests etc.) and provide a health certificate, that you can then bring to your local Regional Veterinary Office to get a government stamp and signature”

Health certification from your local ASL veterinary service

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

Get the information you need by contacting the embassy in Italy of the non-EU destination, or go directly to the veterinary service of your ASL (local health authority), which is competent to issue the health certification that may be needed.

“È dunque opportuno reperire le informazioni necessarie contattando l’ambasciata in Italia del Paese terzo oppure rivolgersi direttamente al servizio veterinario della Asl di appartenenza competente per l’eventuale rilascio della certificazione sanitaria necessaria.”

Export inspection and AQS export quarantine certificate

For every pet

Bring your pet and all the original certificates to the AQS at the reserved time (an agent needs a power of attorney from you). The inspection and the English export quarantine certificate usually take 30 to 60 minutes. The inspection is done within 10 days before departure unless the destination sets a different period.

“Export inspection is conducted within 10 days before departure, unless conditioned by the destination country.”

An official vet of the country the pet leaves from approves and issues the veterinary certificate

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

When the destination asks for a veterinary certificate, VMVT says it is approved and issued by an official vet in the country the animal leaves from. Its form and content, and any annexes, are set by the destination country: for some countries the certificates are already published (VMVT's page links them).

“Sertifikatą patvirtina ir išduoda oficialus veterinarijos gydytojas toje šalyje, iš kurios gyvūnas išvyksta.”

Your vet issues the health certificate; ALVA's official vets can authenticate it by appointment

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

If the destination asks for a veterinary certificate on the animal's health (an 'animal health certificate'), your own vet can issue it. ALVA's official vets (animal health and welfare department) can then authenticate the certificate and the details in the EU pet passport, after an inspection, with a stamp and their signature: you must book an appointment.

“Wird eine tierärztliche Bescheinigung über den Gesundheitszustand (animal health certificate) des Tieres verlangt, so kann diese vom behandelnden Tierarzt ausgestellt werden.”

Apply for the CZE at a SENASICA office

For every pet

Apply for the Certificado Zoosanitario para Exportación (CZE) at any authorised SENASICA office with the application form, the owner's official ID (plus a signed power of attorney with two witnesses if someone else applies), the health certificate, the vaccination record, a deworming record, a microchip document and lab results, when the destination asks for them. It is delivered within three working days after the working day you submit it.

“Se te entregará en un plazo de tres días hábiles posteriores al día hábil de la fecha de entrega de tu solicitud”

SENASICA export certificate (CZE), first stamp

For every pet

When the destination's and Mexico's requirements are met, SENASICA prepares the CZE and gives it a first stamp and signature: you don't need to bring your pet for this. It is free, and valid for 8 calendar days (the destination can set a different validity).

“Es gratuito y tiene una vigencia de 8 días naturales (puede variar en caso de que el país destino establezca una vigencia diferente)”

Health certificate issued by your county veterinarian (Powiatowy Lekarz Weterynarii)

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

The county veterinarian issues the health certificate for companion animals taken out to non-EU countries. The certificate is valid for 15 days.

“Powiatowy Lekarz Weterynarii wystawia świadectwa zdrowia dla zwierząt towarzyszących wywożonych do krajów trzecich”

Request the certificate in DGAV's Certific@+ system and collect the paper original

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

To get the certification the destination requires, use DGAV's Certific@+ system, where you have to register. Information about the health conditions required is also there, and you don't need to register to read it. After the certificate is issued, you must go to the DGAV office you are told to, to collect the health certificate: the paper document is essential for the trip.

“Para obtenção da certificação exigida, deve utilizar um sistema informático denominado Certific@+”

Examination and health certificate from the supervising veterinarian

For every pet

A supervising veterinarian competent to issue veterinary certificates examines the animal and gives you a health certificate confirming it is free of infectious disease. It records the number and type of animals, their distinguishing characteristics, the export date and the destination.

“Animal consignments intended for export shall be tested by a supervising veterinarian competent to issue veterinary certificates in accordance with the provisions of this law.”

Health requirements applied through MEWA and endorsed in the export health certificate

For every pet

The importing country's veterinary health requirements must be carried out through the Ministry's clinics or offices, then verified and endorsed in the export health certificate.

“must be verified and endorsed in the export health certificate”

AVS endorsement of the destination's health certificate

For every pet

If the destination needs a vet health certificate: a licensed private vet examines your pet and completes the destination's template; if the destination wants an official vet's endorsement, apply on GoBusiness and drop the original template, vaccination records and lab results at the AVS drop-off box (Raffles Building, Singapore Botanic Gardens). Endorsement takes two working days; express isn't available.

“The service standard for endorsement of importing country’s veterinary health certificate template is two (2) working days.”

Official vet at your regional veterinary and food administration confirms the destination's document

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

If the destination requires its veterinary document to be confirmed by an official vet of the country of origin, contact the regional veterinary and food administration (RVPS) responsible for where the animal is kept. Once the document's conditions are met, bring it correctly filled in to the official vet, with the veterinary records that support it (most often the EU pet passport with the owner, identification, vaccination and other treatments, clinical examination and laboratory results). If the destination wants confirmation by the chief veterinarian, contact the central authority of the State Veterinary and Food Administration.

“V prípade, že tretia krajina vyžaduje potvrdenie stanoveného veterinárneho dokumentu úradným veterinárnym lekárom krajiny pôvodu, je potrebné komunikovať požiadavku s miestne príslušnou Regionálnou veterinárnou a potravinovou správou v mieste chovu zvieraťa.”

Veterinary certificate confirmed and issued by an official vet

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

The veterinary certificate is confirmed and issued by the official vet of the competent authority in the country the animal travels from. Some non-EU countries accept the EU pet passport; others require a certificate issued by an official vet.

“Potrdi in izda ga uradni veterinar pristojnega organa”

APQA quarantine certificate

For every pet

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency issues the quarantine certificate within the 10 days before departure (some destinations want it closer, for example within 7 days or 48 hours). Offices are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00 (lunch 12:00 to 13:00); the offices at Incheon Airport Terminals 1 and 2 also open on weekends and public holidays. You can get it at the airport on the day of departure: arrive at least two hours before check-in, with every document ready, and call ahead because same-day issue isn't guaranteed.

“A quarantine certificate issued by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency can be obtained within 10 days before departure.”

Export certificate requested by your vet through CEXGAN

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

To get your pet's export certificate, your vet has to request it through MAPA's CEXGAN application. The EU pet passport alone is not enough to leave the EU.

“Para obtener el certificado de exportación de su mascota, su veterinario deberá solicitarlo a través de la aplicación CEXGAN”

Health certificate from an official vet in your area

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

Most often your dog or cat needs both a passport and at least one type of animal health certificate issued by an official vet. Once you know which certificates you need, contact an official vet near you to help you meet the conditions and have the certificates issued.

“Oftast behöver hunden både pass och minst en typ av djurhälsointyg som utfärdas av en officiell veterinär.”

Veterinary certificate from your cantonal veterinary service

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

You can obtain the veterinary certificate for leaving Switzerland from the cantonal veterinary service responsible for where you live. The destination decides what the certificate must say and when it must be issued.

“You can obtain a veterinary certificate for leaving Switzerland from the responsible cantonal veterinary service”

Official vet of your regional veterinary administration (KVS) confirms or issues the certificate

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

If the destination requires an official confirmation or a veterinary certificate, the official vet of your regional veterinary administration (KVS) confirms the documents you bring, by arrangement and if the conditions in the document are met. Go during office hours or after agreeing a time, with the documents showing that the conditions in the destination's certificate are met.

“chovatelem předložené dokumenty po domluvě a za předpokladu splnění podmínek v dokumentu stanovených potvrdí úřední veterinární lékař místně příslušné Krajské veterinární správy SVS”

Verification by the Central Veterinary Administration (superlegalisation), if the destination asks

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

A few countries (SVS names Brazil and Panama) ask the central competent authority to verify the issued certificate, passport or other identification document. The Central Veterinary Administration does this: contact its external relations and import-export control department.

“provede jej Ústřední veterinární správa.”

Book your NVWA legalisation appointment by e-mail

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

E-mail dpp@nvwa.nl at least 14 working days before the date you want the legalisation to take place, with the type of animal, the destination, any stops on the way, your expected departure date or period, the purpose of the trip and your phone number. NVWA tries to reply within 2 working days and then sends an appointment confirmation. The appointment is at its office in Utrecht, on working days between 10:00 and 16:00.

“Make sure to do this at least 14 working days before the date on which you want the legalisation to take place.”

Legalisation of the passport or health certificate at NVWA

You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City

Bring all the documents NVWA asks for to your appointment. If you need a health certificate for the trip, your own vet must complete and sign the form fully beforehand. NVWA checks the EU pet passport and any other documents and legalises them if everything is approved. If a document is missing or incomplete, the legalisation cannot take place and you need a new appointment.

“If you need a health certificate for your animal's trip, make sure your veterinarian completes and signs the form completely.”

MOCCAE veterinary health certificate

For every pet

Register in MOCCAE's digital services system, fill in the electronic form, pay (AED 100 for up to 2 pets for personal use), then your pet has a physical examination (and lab tests if the destination needs them). The certificate is issued electronically, usually in 1 working day, and is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

“valid for 30 days from the date of issuance”

USDA APHIS endorsement

You do not travel to Hawaii (US)

Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.

“assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”

RNATT declaration from your official government vet

For every pet

Ask your country's competent authority for the country-specific RNATT declaration, completed, signed and stamped by an official government veterinarian, using the lab report and vaccination certificate.

“Request an RNATT declaration from the competent authority in your country of export.”