Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Kenya to Costa Rica: official requirements
Possible. There is no official waiting period for a dog, but you still need: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations and 4 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 6 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: parasite treatment before travel.
- Coming back to Kenya? 2 steps have to happen before your pet leaves.
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving Kenya publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Kenya's Directorate of Veterinary Services doesn't publish its export procedure for pets on its own website. We use KenTrade's InfoTrade description of the international veterinary certificate for dogs and cats (VS16), last updated in 2022. It gives no processing time, doesn't say how long before departure to apply, and lists a copy of the destination's import permit for every export. Confirm with the Directorate (infodvs@kilimo.go.ke) before you travel.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
No official wait
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
No official wait still means appointments: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations and 4 more. Book them early; lab and paperwork times are not counted.
On this route (dogs)
- Parasite treatment before travel
Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.
How early to start (cats)
No official wait
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
No official wait still means appointments: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations and 4 more. Book them early; lab and paperwork times are not counted.
On this route (cats)
- Parasite treatment before travel
Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.
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Kenya → Costa Rica
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Kenya (leaving) or Costa Rica (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Taking a dog or cat out of Kenya (DVS international veterinary certificate): we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Costa Rica
ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate
SENASA's resolution of January 2025 makes individual identification with an ISO 11784/11785 microchip with 15 digits compulsory for dogs and cats imported into Costa Rica, with the number declared on the health certificate.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
The resolution takes effect six months after its publication in the official gazette La Gaceta, which we couldn't date, and SENASA's 2024 requirement sheet still says 'microchip if available'. We show the microchip to be safe: ask SENASA if your pet has none.
“Se ordena como medida sanitaria implementar un sistema de identificación y rastreabilidad individual obligatorio para la importación, exportación o tránsito por el país para los animales de compañía (perros y gatos)”
“con una codificación de quince dígitos”
“El código de identificación asignado al animal debe declararse en el certificado sanitario correspondiente.”
“Rige seis meses posteriores a su publicación en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta.”
VaccinationEntering Costa Rica
Rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry
Dogs and cats over three months old must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination must be valid on the day they enter Costa Rica. The certificate gives the date, brand, manufacturer, batch and validity.
Details and the official words
“Los perros y gatos mayores de tres meses deben haber sido vacunados contra rabia; esta vacuna debe estar vigente el día del ingreso de la mascota al país.”
VaccinationEntering Costa Rica
Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations
Your dog must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis (according to its age), recorded on the certificate.
Details and the official words
“Los perros fueron vacunados contra distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus y leptospirosis.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Costa Rica
Vet examination within two weeks before travel
A licensed vet examines your pet within two weeks before it travels: it must be healthy, without tumours, fresh or healing wounds, external parasites or signs of a transmissible disease.
Details and the official words
“Este examen debe realizarse en un plazo de dos semanas antes del embarque.”
“Estos deben ser sometidos a un examen clínico por un médico veterinario en el país de origen dentro de las dos semanas previas al viaje.”
Vet examLeaving Kenya
Health certificate from a vet registered with the Kenya Veterinary Board
A vet registered with the Kenya Veterinary Board examines your pet and issues a veterinary health certificate. You upload a copy of it, with a copy of your pet's vaccination certificate, when you apply for the export certificate.
Details and the official words
“Issued by registered veterinarians with Kenya Veterinary Board.”
TreatmentEntering Costa Rica
Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before travel
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before export, and must be free of ticks. The certificate gives the date, brand, batch and active ingredient.
Details and the official words
“Los animales fueron tratados dentro de los quince (15) días previos a la exportación con medicamentos contra parásitos externos e internos, asegurando que se encuentran libres de garrapatas y otros parásitos externos e internos.”
“Además, los perros y gatos deben ser desparasitados contra parásitos internos y externos dentro de los 15 días previos a su llegada a Costa Rica”
PaperworkKenya and Costa Rica
International veterinary certificate from the official authority
The official veterinary services (or competent authority) of the country of origin issue the international veterinary certificate: numbered, every page signed and stamped, in Spanish or English (or with an official Spanish translation). It records the vaccinations and treatments. Bring the original and a copy to the border post. No notary or Costa Rican consulate stamp is needed.
Details and the official words
International veterinary certificate (VS16) from the Directorate of Veterinary Services: Apply online on KenTrade's Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) for the international veterinary certificate for dogs and cats (VS16), issued per consignment. You need a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) number and copies of the vet's health certificate, the vaccination certificate and the import permit from the destination country; for the European Union, also a copy of the EU health certificate. Pay the processing fee (up to KES 500 per pet) by M-PESA or at the bank, then receive the certificate on the platform.
Processing fee: KES 0 to 500 per pet (KenTrade's estimate). M-PESA paybill 522522, account 1106972791.
InfoTrade lists a copy of the destination's import permit for every export. If your destination doesn't issue one (EU countries and the UK, for example), ask DVS what to upload instead.
“Debe ser emitido por los Servicios Veterinarios Oficiales o por la Autoridad Sanitaria Competente del país de origen.”
“En el puesto de inspección fronterizo de entrada, el usuario debe presentar el original y copia del certificado sanitario expedido o avalado por la entidad sanitaria oficial del país de origen.”
“El certificado de salud no tiene que ser refrendado por un notario público ni necesita ser sellado por la Oficina Consular de Costa Rica.”
“Los perros y gatos deben venir amparados por un Certificado Veterinario Internacional emitido por un médico veterinario autorizado por el Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA) y refrendado por un médico veterinario de Servicios Veterinarios (SV)”
“The certificate is processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), and is issued per consignment.”
“Unique consignment reference (UCR) number”
“From the country of destination.”
“EU export health certificate (copy)”
“For MPESA payments, the paybill number is 522522 and the account number is 1106972791.”
“KES 0 - KES 500 per pet”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering Costa Rica
Inspection at the border post on arrival
SENASA inspects your pet where it enters Costa Rica. A pet travelling with its owner in the cabin or as checked baggage only needs the health certificate there.
Details and the official words
“Para las mascotas que son transportadas en cabina como equipaje de mano o equipaje chequeado (documentado) y que ingresan acompañadas por su dueño, únicamente se debe presentar, en el puesto de inspección fronterizo, el certificado sanitario emitido por la autoridad veterinaria/competente del país de origen”
Good to know
- A pet with tumours, fresh or healing wounds or external parasites is refused at the border, and a pet that doesn't meet the requirements is sent back to its country of origin.
- A pet shipped as declared cargo needs, in addition, a prior import permit (Sanitary Requirements Form) arranged by a customs agency in Costa Rica before it arrives.
- If your pet travels with prescription medicines, bring the prescription.
- The Directorate of Veterinary Services issues the certificate only once the destination's conditions are met and your pet is healthy and free of disease, so find out your destination's requirements first.
Cats
Taking a dog or cat out of Kenya (DVS international veterinary certificate): we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Costa Rica
ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate
SENASA's resolution of January 2025 makes individual identification with an ISO 11784/11785 microchip with 15 digits compulsory for dogs and cats imported into Costa Rica, with the number declared on the health certificate.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
The resolution takes effect six months after its publication in the official gazette La Gaceta, which we couldn't date, and SENASA's 2024 requirement sheet still says 'microchip if available'. We show the microchip to be safe: ask SENASA if your pet has none.
“Se ordena como medida sanitaria implementar un sistema de identificación y rastreabilidad individual obligatorio para la importación, exportación o tránsito por el país para los animales de compañía (perros y gatos)”
“con una codificación de quince dígitos”
“El código de identificación asignado al animal debe declararse en el certificado sanitario correspondiente.”
“Rige seis meses posteriores a su publicación en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta.”
VaccinationEntering Costa Rica
Rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry
Dogs and cats over three months old must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination must be valid on the day they enter Costa Rica. The certificate gives the date, brand, manufacturer, batch and validity.
Details and the official words
“Los perros y gatos mayores de tres meses deben haber sido vacunados contra rabia; esta vacuna debe estar vigente el día del ingreso de la mascota al país.”
VaccinationEntering Costa Rica
Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations
Your cat must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia, recorded on the certificate.
Details and the official words
“Los gatos fueron vacunados contra rinotraqueítis, calicivirus y panleucopenia.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Costa Rica
Vet examination within two weeks before travel
A licensed vet examines your pet within two weeks before it travels: it must be healthy, without tumours, fresh or healing wounds, external parasites or signs of a transmissible disease.
Details and the official words
“Este examen debe realizarse en un plazo de dos semanas antes del embarque.”
“Estos deben ser sometidos a un examen clínico por un médico veterinario en el país de origen dentro de las dos semanas previas al viaje.”
Vet examLeaving Kenya
Health certificate from a vet registered with the Kenya Veterinary Board
A vet registered with the Kenya Veterinary Board examines your pet and issues a veterinary health certificate. You upload a copy of it, with a copy of your pet's vaccination certificate, when you apply for the export certificate.
Details and the official words
“Issued by registered veterinarians with Kenya Veterinary Board.”
TreatmentEntering Costa Rica
Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before travel
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before export, and must be free of ticks. The certificate gives the date, brand, batch and active ingredient.
Details and the official words
“Los animales fueron tratados dentro de los quince (15) días previos a la exportación con medicamentos contra parásitos externos e internos, asegurando que se encuentran libres de garrapatas y otros parásitos externos e internos.”
“Además, los perros y gatos deben ser desparasitados contra parásitos internos y externos dentro de los 15 días previos a su llegada a Costa Rica”
PaperworkKenya and Costa Rica
International veterinary certificate from the official authority
The official veterinary services (or competent authority) of the country of origin issue the international veterinary certificate: numbered, every page signed and stamped, in Spanish or English (or with an official Spanish translation). It records the vaccinations and treatments. Bring the original and a copy to the border post. No notary or Costa Rican consulate stamp is needed.
Details and the official words
International veterinary certificate (VS16) from the Directorate of Veterinary Services: Apply online on KenTrade's Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) for the international veterinary certificate for dogs and cats (VS16), issued per consignment. You need a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) number and copies of the vet's health certificate, the vaccination certificate and the import permit from the destination country; for the European Union, also a copy of the EU health certificate. Pay the processing fee (up to KES 500 per pet) by M-PESA or at the bank, then receive the certificate on the platform.
Processing fee: KES 0 to 500 per pet (KenTrade's estimate). M-PESA paybill 522522, account 1106972791.
InfoTrade lists a copy of the destination's import permit for every export. If your destination doesn't issue one (EU countries and the UK, for example), ask DVS what to upload instead.
“Debe ser emitido por los Servicios Veterinarios Oficiales o por la Autoridad Sanitaria Competente del país de origen.”
“En el puesto de inspección fronterizo de entrada, el usuario debe presentar el original y copia del certificado sanitario expedido o avalado por la entidad sanitaria oficial del país de origen.”
“El certificado de salud no tiene que ser refrendado por un notario público ni necesita ser sellado por la Oficina Consular de Costa Rica.”
“Los perros y gatos deben venir amparados por un Certificado Veterinario Internacional emitido por un médico veterinario autorizado por el Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA) y refrendado por un médico veterinario de Servicios Veterinarios (SV)”
“The certificate is processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), and is issued per consignment.”
“Unique consignment reference (UCR) number”
“From the country of destination.”
“EU export health certificate (copy)”
“For MPESA payments, the paybill number is 522522 and the account number is 1106972791.”
“KES 0 - KES 500 per pet”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering Costa Rica
Inspection at the border post on arrival
SENASA inspects your pet where it enters Costa Rica. A pet travelling with its owner in the cabin or as checked baggage only needs the health certificate there.
Details and the official words
“Para las mascotas que son transportadas en cabina como equipaje de mano o equipaje chequeado (documentado) y que ingresan acompañadas por su dueño, únicamente se debe presentar, en el puesto de inspección fronterizo, el certificado sanitario emitido por la autoridad veterinaria/competente del país de origen”
Good to know
- A pet with tumours, fresh or healing wounds or external parasites is refused at the border, and a pet that doesn't meet the requirements is sent back to its country of origin.
- A pet shipped as declared cargo needs, in addition, a prior import permit (Sanitary Requirements Form) arranged by a customs agency in Costa Rica before it arrives.
- If your pet travels with prescription medicines, bring the prescription.
- The Directorate of Veterinary Services issues the certificate only once the destination's conditions are met and your pet is healthy and free of disease, so find out your destination's requirements first.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Kenya publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
No government fee is published on the official pages we use for this trip. That doesn’t always mean it’s free: ask the authority.
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
We have no published vet or lab prices for Kenya yet.
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Kenya
Do before your pet leaves Kenya
- Rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment
- Rabies blood test, 3 to 24 months before shipment
Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.
The trip back asks for 8 steps: import permit (VS01) from the Directorate of Veterinary Services, microchip (or other permanent identification), rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment and rabies vaccination within the last year and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Requisitos para la importación de perros y gatos, DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-006 v11 (SENASA)
- Requisitos para la importación de perros y gatos de Estados Unidos de América, DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-007 v09 (SENASA)
- Resolución SENASA-DCA-R0002-2025: uso de microchip para la importación, exportación o tránsito de mascotas (SENASA)
- Conozca los requisitos sanitarios establecidos por SENASA para la importación de perros y gatos (SENASA, 18 December 2025)
- International veterinary certificate for dogs & cats (VS16): export procedure (InfoTrade Kenya, KenTrade)
- International veterinary certificate for dogs & cats (VS16), step 1: apply, generate an e-slip and pay (InfoTrade Kenya, last modified 15/03/2022)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-13.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Kenya to Costa Rica?
We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Costa Rica?
We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Costa Rica?
We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Kenya to Costa Rica?
There is no official waiting period for a dog, but you still need: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations and 4 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
Turn this into dates for your pet
Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.