Dog or cat from Colombia to Taiwan: official requirements

Dogs

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Taiwan

      Microchip

      Your pet must be microchipped. The microchip number must be on the vaccination certificate and the export certificate, and match the chip in your pet.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: A pet without a microchip, or whose chip number is missing from the export certificate or doesn't match, is sent back, destroyed or put in post-entry quarantine (chipped, vaccinated, blood-tested and held 97 days after a passing blood sample).

      “Implanted with a microchip; and”

      “Implanted with a microchip.”

      “will be returned to sender, euthanized and destroyed, or sent to a post-entry quarantine facility if it falls in any of the following circumstances”

   2. VaccinationEntering Taiwan

      Rabies vaccination (over 90 days old)

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine (or one licensed in Taiwan) when it is over 90 days old.

      Details and the official words

      “Vaccinated with one of the following vaccine against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation, and the dog/cat shall be over 90 days of age at vaccination.”

      “The inactivated vaccine.”

   3. VaccinationEntering Taiwan

      Rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival

      Taiwan needs a rabies vaccination given between 1 year and 30 days before your pet arrives. If your pet's last shot will be more than a year old on arrival, give a booster at least 30 days before arrival. The vet's vaccination certificate (Chinese or English) must show the species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date and the vaccine's name and maker (or say it is inactivated).

      Details and the official words

      Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.

      If this is missed: If the export certificate doesn't show a vaccination that meets these rules, the pet is vaccinated and held in post-entry quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.

      “Vaccinated with one of the following vaccines against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation”

      “the animal’s species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date, name of the vaccine and manufacturer (or state “the vaccine is inactivated”)”

      “the dog/cat shall complete vaccination with vaccine against rabies pursuant to Article 4.2, and be detained in quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.”

   4. Blood testEntering Taiwan

      Rabies blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml)

      Because your pet comes from (or has stayed in) a place that isn't on Taiwan's rabies-free list, it needs a passing rabies antibody test (at least 0.5 IU/ml at a WOAH reference laboratory or a laboratory designated by Taiwan) on a blood sample taken 90 days to 1 year before arrival. A later sample taken 90 days to 1 year after an earlier passing one also counts if it is within the year before arrival.

      Details and the official words

      The rule doesn't say how long after the vaccination the sample must be taken for a pet tested abroad. When APHIA tests a pet in quarantine, it samples more than 30 days after the vaccination.

      If this is missed: A pet whose passing sample doesn't fit these dates, or that has no passing result, can still be imported but stays in post-entry quarantine until 97 days after the blood sample (or is sampled in quarantine and held 97 days after a passing sample).

      “Passing the rabies test with the blood sampled during any of the following periods:”

      “Within 90 days to one year prior to importation;”

      “Within 90 days to one year subsequent to the previous blood sampling that passed the rabies test, and within one year prior to importation”

      “A dog/cat whose rabies neutralizing antibody titer level is at least 0.5 IU/ml”

      “be detained in post-entry quarantine facility for 97 days after the date of blood sampling”

   5. PermitEntering Taiwan

      Import quarantine permit

      Apply online (pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw), or to APHIA's office at your port of entry, for an import quarantine permit, and reserve a place at the post-entry quarantine facility, at least 20 days before your pet arrives (if your pet is leaving Taiwan to come back, before it leaves). Check the quarantine places available on the online system before applying. Send copies of your ID document (passport for foreigners), the rabies vaccination certificate and the passing blood test report. You can change the entry date or port once, at least 10 days before the new date.

      Details and the official words

      “prior to import, importers or their agents shall apply for the issuance of import quarantine permits from the import/export animal quarantine authority”

      “shall submit an application for the import quarantine permit to the import/export animal quarantine authority stationed at the port of entry at least 20 days prior to entering or before exiting the importing country for subsequent re-entry”

      “make reservation for a space at post-entry quarantine facility or arrange relevant procedure at least 20 days”

      “This submission shall occur at least 10 days prior to the new entry date.”

      “Online Application System for Dog/Cat Import Permit： https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/”

      “請於犬貓輸入至少20日前，至本署「輸入犬貓檢疫資訊網」（https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/）申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」。”

      “請於申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」前，先至「犬貓輸入檢疫資訊網」之「輸入犬貓隔離籠位管理及查詢」查詢隔離籠位最新預約狀況。”

      “外籍人士請檢附護照 Passport is required for foreigners”

      “Application for such a change can only be requested once.”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. PaperworkColombia and Taiwan

      Export veterinary certificate from the exporting country's quarantine authority

      Your pet must travel with an original veterinary certificate (English or Chinese) issued by the animal quarantine authority of the country it leaves, showing its species, number, sex, age and microchip number, the exporting country and the exporter's name, that it shows no clinical signs of rabies, its rabies vaccination date and vaccine, and that it passed the rabies blood test (sample date and laboratory), unless you attach the original test report.

      Details and the official words

      From a rabies-free place, the certificate must also say your pet has been kept there for the 180 days before export, or since birth.

      Taiwan's rule sets no validity period for this certificate. Ask APHIA how recent it must be.

      APHIA publishes specimen certificates the exporting country can use: Form 001 (rabies-free places) and Form 002 (other places).

      Health certificate from a vet registered with ICA (within 5 days of departure): A vet registered with ICA examines your pet and issues its health certificate, dated no more than 5 calendar days before you leave Colombia. It describes the pet, confirms the clinical exam (no signs of contagious or parasitic disease, no recent wounds), records the internal and external parasite treatment given as the destination requires (product, batch, active ingredient, date) and comes with the current vaccination certificate (original and copy) following the destination's vaccination plan.

      If this is missed: Without the original certificate, or if it lacks the required statements, the pet is sent back, destroyed or held in post-entry quarantine.

      “shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the veterinarians of the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”

      “shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”

      “That the animal shows no clinical signs of rabies upon inspection;”

      “That the animal has been kept for 180 days prior to export or since birth in the rabies-free country (zone).”

      “That the dog/cat has passed the rabies test, the date of blood sampling, and the name of the test laboratory.”

      “APHIA Form 002: from rabies-infected countries (zones) to Taiwan”

      “con fecha de expedición no mayor a cinco (5) días calendario previos a la salida del país”

      “Que a la mascota se le haya realizado un examen clínico y no haya presentado signos compatibles con enfermedades infectocontagiosas transmisibles o parasitarias, y no posea heridas recientes, suturas o lesiones en fase aguda.”

      “Que la mascota recibió antes del viaje un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo, administrado de acuerdo con las exigencias del país de destino, con productos que estén debidamente autorizados en Colombia, indicando:”

   2. Official stampLeaving Colombia

      ICA Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) at the airport, port or border

      Your vet files the CIS request in ICA's SISPAP system with your details, the pet's and the supporting documents (and the rabies antibody result where the destination asks for one). The request can be used within 5 calendar days of its creation. You receive the request number and a payment link by email (or pay by card at the ICA office), then take your pet and any other documents your destination asks for to the ICA office you chose at the airport, port or border, where ICA issues the CIS if the inspection is satisfactory.

      Details and the official words

      “La solicitud del certificado de inspección sanitaria – CIS y los documentos soporte tendrán vigencia para ser utilizados dentro de los cinco (5) días calendario a partir de su momento de creación”

      “Si la inspección es satisfactoria, se emitirá el Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria (CIS).”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. On arrivalEntering Taiwan

      Quarantine inspection on arrival

      When your pet arrives, give APHIA's office at the port a copy of the import permit, the original export certificate and a copy of the air waybill, bill of lading or customs declaration. APHIA issues the import certificate once the documents are in order and your pet shows no signs of notifiable diseases.

      Details and the official words

      “Photocopy of the import quarantine permit;”

      “The original export veterinary certificate, and”

      “Photocopy of the bill of lading, airway bill or customs declaration.”

   2. QuarantineEntering Taiwan

      7 days' post-entry quarantine

      From a place that isn't rabies-free, your pet is taken from the port to the post-entry quarantine facility and stays there for 7 days, at your cost, before the import certificate is issued (see the warning about waiving it). Pets arriving at Taoyuan, Songshan, Taichung or Taipei Port go to APHIA's Guanyin quarantine station; pets arriving at Kaohsiung go to the veterinary teaching hospital of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology.

      Details and the official words

      “shows no suspicious clinical signs of notifiable animal infectious diseases after being detained for 7 days in a post-entry quarantine facility”

      “A dog/cat subject to post-entry quarantine shall be upon arrival at the port of entry escorted to the designated post-entry quarantine facility by the import/export animal quarantine authority.”

      “Guanyin Inspection Station (For entry via Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE), Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), Taipei Port (TWTPE), or Taichung (RMQ) Airport only)”

      “National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (For entry via Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) only)”

      “自狂犬病疫區輸入犬貓應於輸入後隔離檢疫7日”

Cats

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Taiwan

      Microchip

      Your pet must be microchipped. The microchip number must be on the vaccination certificate and the export certificate, and match the chip in your pet.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: A pet without a microchip, or whose chip number is missing from the export certificate or doesn't match, is sent back, destroyed or put in post-entry quarantine (chipped, vaccinated, blood-tested and held 97 days after a passing blood sample).

      “Implanted with a microchip; and”

      “Implanted with a microchip.”

      “will be returned to sender, euthanized and destroyed, or sent to a post-entry quarantine facility if it falls in any of the following circumstances”

   2. VaccinationEntering Taiwan

      Rabies vaccination (over 90 days old)

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine (or one licensed in Taiwan) when it is over 90 days old.

      Details and the official words

      “Vaccinated with one of the following vaccine against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation, and the dog/cat shall be over 90 days of age at vaccination.”

      “The inactivated vaccine.”

   3. VaccinationEntering Taiwan

      Rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival

      Taiwan needs a rabies vaccination given between 1 year and 30 days before your pet arrives. If your pet's last shot will be more than a year old on arrival, give a booster at least 30 days before arrival. The vet's vaccination certificate (Chinese or English) must show the species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date and the vaccine's name and maker (or say it is inactivated).

      Details and the official words

      Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.

      If this is missed: If the export certificate doesn't show a vaccination that meets these rules, the pet is vaccinated and held in post-entry quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.

      “Vaccinated with one of the following vaccines against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation”

      “the animal’s species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date, name of the vaccine and manufacturer (or state “the vaccine is inactivated”)”

      “the dog/cat shall complete vaccination with vaccine against rabies pursuant to Article 4.2, and be detained in quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.”

   4. Blood testEntering Taiwan

      Rabies blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml)

      Because your pet comes from (or has stayed in) a place that isn't on Taiwan's rabies-free list, it needs a passing rabies antibody test (at least 0.5 IU/ml at a WOAH reference laboratory or a laboratory designated by Taiwan) on a blood sample taken 90 days to 1 year before arrival. A later sample taken 90 days to 1 year after an earlier passing one also counts if it is within the year before arrival.

      Details and the official words

      The rule doesn't say how long after the vaccination the sample must be taken for a pet tested abroad. When APHIA tests a pet in quarantine, it samples more than 30 days after the vaccination.

      If this is missed: A pet whose passing sample doesn't fit these dates, or that has no passing result, can still be imported but stays in post-entry quarantine until 97 days after the blood sample (or is sampled in quarantine and held 97 days after a passing sample).

      “Passing the rabies test with the blood sampled during any of the following periods:”

      “Within 90 days to one year prior to importation;”

      “Within 90 days to one year subsequent to the previous blood sampling that passed the rabies test, and within one year prior to importation”

      “A dog/cat whose rabies neutralizing antibody titer level is at least 0.5 IU/ml”

      “be detained in post-entry quarantine facility for 97 days after the date of blood sampling”

   5. PermitEntering Taiwan

      Import quarantine permit

      Apply online (pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw), or to APHIA's office at your port of entry, for an import quarantine permit, and reserve a place at the post-entry quarantine facility, at least 20 days before your pet arrives (if your pet is leaving Taiwan to come back, before it leaves). Check the quarantine places available on the online system before applying. Send copies of your ID document (passport for foreigners), the rabies vaccination certificate and the passing blood test report. You can change the entry date or port once, at least 10 days before the new date.

      Details and the official words

      “prior to import, importers or their agents shall apply for the issuance of import quarantine permits from the import/export animal quarantine authority”

      “shall submit an application for the import quarantine permit to the import/export animal quarantine authority stationed at the port of entry at least 20 days prior to entering or before exiting the importing country for subsequent re-entry”

      “make reservation for a space at post-entry quarantine facility or arrange relevant procedure at least 20 days”

      “This submission shall occur at least 10 days prior to the new entry date.”

      “Online Application System for Dog/Cat Import Permit： https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/”

      “請於犬貓輸入至少20日前，至本署「輸入犬貓檢疫資訊網」（https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/）申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」。”

      “請於申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」前，先至「犬貓輸入檢疫資訊網」之「輸入犬貓隔離籠位管理及查詢」查詢隔離籠位最新預約狀況。”

      “外籍人士請檢附護照 Passport is required for foreigners”

      “Application for such a change can only be requested once.”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. PaperworkColombia and Taiwan

      Export veterinary certificate from the exporting country's quarantine authority

      Your pet must travel with an original veterinary certificate (English or Chinese) issued by the animal quarantine authority of the country it leaves, showing its species, number, sex, age and microchip number, the exporting country and the exporter's name, that it shows no clinical signs of rabies, its rabies vaccination date and vaccine, and that it passed the rabies blood test (sample date and laboratory), unless you attach the original test report.

      Details and the official words

      From a rabies-free place, the certificate must also say your pet has been kept there for the 180 days before export, or since birth.

      Taiwan's rule sets no validity period for this certificate. Ask APHIA how recent it must be.

      APHIA publishes specimen certificates the exporting country can use: Form 001 (rabies-free places) and Form 002 (other places).

      Health certificate from a vet registered with ICA (within 5 days of departure): A vet registered with ICA examines your pet and issues its health certificate, dated no more than 5 calendar days before you leave Colombia. It describes the pet, confirms the clinical exam (no signs of contagious or parasitic disease, no recent wounds), records the internal and external parasite treatment given as the destination requires (product, batch, active ingredient, date) and comes with the current vaccination certificate (original and copy) following the destination's vaccination plan.

      If this is missed: Without the original certificate, or if it lacks the required statements, the pet is sent back, destroyed or held in post-entry quarantine.

      “shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the veterinarians of the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”

      “shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”

      “That the animal shows no clinical signs of rabies upon inspection;”

      “That the animal has been kept for 180 days prior to export or since birth in the rabies-free country (zone).”

      “That the dog/cat has passed the rabies test, the date of blood sampling, and the name of the test laboratory.”

      “APHIA Form 002: from rabies-infected countries (zones) to Taiwan”

      “con fecha de expedición no mayor a cinco (5) días calendario previos a la salida del país”

      “Que a la mascota se le haya realizado un examen clínico y no haya presentado signos compatibles con enfermedades infectocontagiosas transmisibles o parasitarias, y no posea heridas recientes, suturas o lesiones en fase aguda.”

      “Que la mascota recibió antes del viaje un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo, administrado de acuerdo con las exigencias del país de destino, con productos que estén debidamente autorizados en Colombia, indicando:”

   2. Official stampLeaving Colombia

      ICA Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) at the airport, port or border

      Your vet files the CIS request in ICA's SISPAP system with your details, the pet's and the supporting documents (and the rabies antibody result where the destination asks for one). The request can be used within 5 calendar days of its creation. You receive the request number and a payment link by email (or pay by card at the ICA office), then take your pet and any other documents your destination asks for to the ICA office you chose at the airport, port or border, where ICA issues the CIS if the inspection is satisfactory.

      Details and the official words

      “La solicitud del certificado de inspección sanitaria – CIS y los documentos soporte tendrán vigencia para ser utilizados dentro de los cinco (5) días calendario a partir de su momento de creación”

      “Si la inspección es satisfactoria, se emitirá el Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria (CIS).”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. On arrivalEntering Taiwan

      Quarantine inspection on arrival

      When your pet arrives, give APHIA's office at the port a copy of the import permit, the original export certificate and a copy of the air waybill, bill of lading or customs declaration. APHIA issues the import certificate once the documents are in order and your pet shows no signs of notifiable diseases.

      Details and the official words

      “Photocopy of the import quarantine permit;”

      “The original export veterinary certificate, and”

      “Photocopy of the bill of lading, airway bill or customs declaration.”

   2. QuarantineEntering Taiwan

      7 days' post-entry quarantine

      From a place that isn't rabies-free, your pet is taken from the port to the post-entry quarantine facility and stays there for 7 days, at your cost, before the import certificate is issued (see the warning about waiving it). Pets arriving at Taoyuan, Songshan, Taichung or Taipei Port go to APHIA's Guanyin quarantine station; pets arriving at Kaohsiung go to the veterinary teaching hospital of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology.

      Details and the official words

      “shows no suspicious clinical signs of notifiable animal infectious diseases after being detained for 7 days in a post-entry quarantine facility”

      “A dog/cat subject to post-entry quarantine shall be upon arrival at the port of entry escorted to the designated post-entry quarantine facility by the import/export animal quarantine authority.”

      “Guanyin Inspection Station (For entry via Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE), Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), Taipei Port (TWTPE), or Taichung (RMQ) Airport only)”

      “National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (For entry via Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) only)”

      “自狂犬病疫區輸入犬貓應於輸入後隔離檢疫7日”

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Colombia (dogs).

The trip back asks for 7 steps: online request for the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) in ICA's SISPAP, paid before arrival, at least 15 weeks old on entry, rabies vaccination (first-time vaccinated pets: at least 21 days before shipment) and dogs: current vaccination certificate (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza) and more.

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Colombia (cats).

The trip back asks for 7 steps: online request for the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) in ICA's SISPAP, paid before arrival, at least 15 weeks old on entry, rabies vaccination (first-time vaccinated pets: at least 21 days before shipment) and cats: current vaccination certificate (panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus) and more.