Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Hong Kong SAR China → Argentina
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
3 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
No fixed wait
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
What your dog needs
Dogs
Paperwork
International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) or legalised passport
Your pet needs a CVI issued, signed and stamped by the veterinary authority of the country it comes from (one of its languages must be Spanish), or a valid official passport carrying the same health information, endorsed by the veterinary authority before boarding (English is accepted as the only alternative language besides Spanish). It is valid for 60 calendar days from issue, as long as the rabies vaccination is still valid on the day your pet enters.
Details and the official words
AFCD endorsement or certification of the health certificate: 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).
AFCD's certificate is valid for 10 days from issue in general, but the destination's rules decide.
“deben contar con el Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI) o con Pasaporte oficial legalizado”
“Uno de los idiomas del CVI debe ser el español.”
“El CVI o el Pasaporte oficial legalizado son válidos por 60 (sesenta) días corridos desde su emisión o legalización para ingresar a la Argentina con su perro o gato, siempre que la vacuna antirrábica se encuentre vigente el día del ingreso.”
“normally issued within 10 days prior to departure, or as specified by the destination country/place”
“Official Endorsement/Official Certification of Information on an Animal Health Certificate: one working day.”
Vet exam
Health certificate from an authorised vet
A vet authorised in the country of origin certifies that your pet is clinically healthy, shows no signs of parasites and is fit to travel. It is issued within the 10 days before the date the CVI is issued.
Details and the official words
“Emitido dentro de los 10 (diez) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI por un veterinario autorizado en el país de origen”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine authorised by the authority of the country of origin and with immunity still valid according to the vaccine maker's validity period. If it is the first vaccination, it must have been given at least 21 days before entering Argentina.
Details and the official words
The 21-day wait only applies to a first vaccination; the plan shows it for every vaccine date, so a pet with an in-date booster can ignore it.
The original vaccination record must not be kept by the authorities: it stays with the owner.
“Cuando se trate de animales vacunados por primera vez, la vacuna debe haber sido aplicada al menos 21 (veintiún) días previos al ingreso a la República Argentina.”
Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatment
A treatment against internal and external parasites, with a product approved by the authority of the country of origin, within the 15 days before the CVI is issued (or before the passport is endorsed).
Details and the official words
“Tratamiento contra parásitos internos y externos dentro de los 15 (quince) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del pasaporte”
Only in some cases
Vet exam · only in some cases
AFCD official veterinary examination (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination specifically requires an Official Veterinary Examination, apply for an Official Animal Health Certificate instead: bring your pet to AFCD, where a Government Veterinary Officer inspects it before issuing the certificate (ready in two working days). Book an appointment on 2150 7062 at least 10 working days before the inspection.
Details and the official words
“You must make an appointment at least 10 working days prior to the expected date of inspection.”
Good to know
- SENASA's page cites MERCOSUR Resolution GMC 17/15 for the health requirements. Brazil has since adopted a newer MERCOSUR text (GMC 20/24), so Argentina's page may be updated: check it before you travel.
- A pet from a country or zone declared rabies-free by WOAH may enter if the issuing vet authority states this on the CVI or passport. We ask for the vaccination from every pet aged 3 months or older, the safe side.
- To take your pet back to the country it came from you need a new CVI from SENASA, unless the CVI it entered with expressly says it is valid for the return, gives a maximum period and is still valid.
- A pet that arrives without meeting the requirements can be subjected to the health measures SENASA considers appropriate, which can include delays or re-export, and the owner pays the costs.
- For a pet travelling with its owner as accompanied baggage, no prior import application to SENASA, no notice to the border post and no SENASA entry permit are needed. SENASA staff check the documents, the animal and its identity on arrival, at no charge.
- AFCD tells you to contact the destination's government authority and your airline or shipping company for the import requirements; you may also need an import permit or licence from the destination.
- Will your pet come back to Hong Kong? Certain steps must be completed before export, so check AFCD's guidance for returning pets first.
- AFCD applications are made in person at the Certification Desk (Counter No. 9), 5th Floor, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays). Fees are paid when you apply.
What your cat needs
Cats
Paperwork
International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) or legalised passport
Your pet needs a CVI issued, signed and stamped by the veterinary authority of the country it comes from (one of its languages must be Spanish), or a valid official passport carrying the same health information, endorsed by the veterinary authority before boarding (English is accepted as the only alternative language besides Spanish). It is valid for 60 calendar days from issue, as long as the rabies vaccination is still valid on the day your pet enters.
Details and the official words
AFCD endorsement or certification of the health certificate: 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).
AFCD's certificate is valid for 10 days from issue in general, but the destination's rules decide.
“deben contar con el Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI) o con Pasaporte oficial legalizado”
“Uno de los idiomas del CVI debe ser el español.”
“El CVI o el Pasaporte oficial legalizado son válidos por 60 (sesenta) días corridos desde su emisión o legalización para ingresar a la Argentina con su perro o gato, siempre que la vacuna antirrábica se encuentre vigente el día del ingreso.”
“normally issued within 10 days prior to departure, or as specified by the destination country/place”
“Official Endorsement/Official Certification of Information on an Animal Health Certificate: one working day.”
Vet exam
Health certificate from an authorised vet
A vet authorised in the country of origin certifies that your pet is clinically healthy, shows no signs of parasites and is fit to travel. It is issued within the 10 days before the date the CVI is issued.
Details and the official words
“Emitido dentro de los 10 (diez) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI por un veterinario autorizado en el país de origen”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine authorised by the authority of the country of origin and with immunity still valid according to the vaccine maker's validity period. If it is the first vaccination, it must have been given at least 21 days before entering Argentina.
Details and the official words
The 21-day wait only applies to a first vaccination; the plan shows it for every vaccine date, so a pet with an in-date booster can ignore it.
The original vaccination record must not be kept by the authorities: it stays with the owner.
“Cuando se trate de animales vacunados por primera vez, la vacuna debe haber sido aplicada al menos 21 (veintiún) días previos al ingreso a la República Argentina.”
Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatment
A treatment against internal and external parasites, with a product approved by the authority of the country of origin, within the 15 days before the CVI is issued (or before the passport is endorsed).
Details and the official words
“Tratamiento contra parásitos internos y externos dentro de los 15 (quince) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del pasaporte”
Only in some cases
Vet exam · only in some cases
AFCD official veterinary examination (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination specifically requires an Official Veterinary Examination, apply for an Official Animal Health Certificate instead: bring your pet to AFCD, where a Government Veterinary Officer inspects it before issuing the certificate (ready in two working days). Book an appointment on 2150 7062 at least 10 working days before the inspection.
Details and the official words
“You must make an appointment at least 10 working days prior to the expected date of inspection.”
Good to know
- SENASA's page cites MERCOSUR Resolution GMC 17/15 for the health requirements. Brazil has since adopted a newer MERCOSUR text (GMC 20/24), so Argentina's page may be updated: check it before you travel.
- A pet from a country or zone declared rabies-free by WOAH may enter if the issuing vet authority states this on the CVI or passport. We ask for the vaccination from every pet aged 3 months or older, the safe side.
- To take your pet back to the country it came from you need a new CVI from SENASA, unless the CVI it entered with expressly says it is valid for the return, gives a maximum period and is still valid.
- A pet that arrives without meeting the requirements can be subjected to the health measures SENASA considers appropriate, which can include delays or re-export, and the owner pays the costs.
- For a pet travelling with its owner as accompanied baggage, no prior import application to SENASA, no notice to the border post and no SENASA entry permit are needed. SENASA staff check the documents, the animal and its identity on arrival, at no charge.
- AFCD tells you to contact the destination's government authority and your airline or shipping company for the import requirements; you may also need an import permit or licence from the destination.
- Will your pet come back to Hong Kong? Certain steps must be completed before export, so check AFCD's guidance for returning pets first.
- Bengal and Savannah cats (and crosses) need documents showing they are 5th generation or later of domestic ancestry and not controlled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586.
- AFCD applications are made in person at the Certification Desk (Counter No. 9), 5th Floor, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays). Fees are paid when you apply.
Government fees we know of
- SENASA check of an accompanied pet at the border (no charge)0 ARS
Vet, lab and courier costs are not included. The final amount can depend on how many tests or pets are on the certificate.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Hong Kong SAR China to Argentina?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into Argentina?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in Argentina?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
The official rules we have verified for this route don't list a microchip requirement.