Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Northern Ireland (UK) → Colombia
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)
2 days
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
Online request for the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) in ICA's SISPAP, paid before arrival
Before you arrive, register as an ICA user, then request the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) in ICA's SISPAP system with your details and your pet's, and pay online. Print the request and the payment receipt: you show them on arrival. One request per species (a dog and a cat need two); up to 10 animals of the same species fit in one request. If you can't do it online, it can be done at the ICA office where you arrive, paying by debit or credit card only (no cash).
Details and the official words
“Con el usuario y contraseña asignado, ingresar al SISPAP (Sistema de Información sanitaria para importación y exportación de productos agrícolas y pecuarios) y realizar la solicitud del certificado de inspección Sanitaria – CIS”
“Imprimir la solicitud del certificado de inspección Sanitaria – CIS y el comprobante de pago, los cuales deberán presentar al momento del ingreso al país.”
“En caso de viajar con 2 o más mascotas de la misma especie (perro o gato) podrá realizar una sola solicitud (hasta 10 animales por solicitud).”
“No se recibe dinero en efectivo.”
Age rule
At least 15 weeks old on entry
Your pet must be at least 15 weeks old to enter Colombia.
Details and the official words
“La edad mínima para el ingreso de la mascota al país es de 15 semanas.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination (first-time vaccinated pets: at least 21 days before shipment)
Your pet needs a current rabies vaccination on its vaccination certificate. If it is vaccinated against rabies for the first time, the vaccine must be given at least 21 days before shipment.
Details and the official words
“Para animales vacunados por primera vez contra la rabia esta deberá haber sido aplicada con una antelación mínimo de 21 días a la fecha de embarque.”
“Para mascotas vacunados por primera vez contra la rabia esta deberá haber sido aplicada con una antelación mínimo de 21 días a la fecha de embarque.”
Vaccination
Dogs: current vaccination certificate (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza)
Bring the original and a copy of a current vaccination certificate with the product name, batch number, date given and revaccination or validity date, covering rabies, distemper (Carré), canine hepatitis, leptospirosis (canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae), parvovirus, coronavirus and parainfluenza. If the origin country doesn't give a vaccine, an official certificate saying so lets the pet in without home quarantine (except for rabies).
Details and the official words
“Enfermedad de Carré (Distemper), Hepatitis canina, Leptospirosis (canícola e icterohemorragiae), Parvovirus, Coronavirus y Parainfluenza.”
“Perros: Rabia, Enfermedad de Carré (Distemper), hepatitis canina, leptospirosis (canícola e icterohemorragiae), Parvovirus, Coronavirus, Parainfluenza.”
Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatment within 60 days before shipment
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites in the 60 days before shipment, with a product authorised in the country of origin, and the certificate names the product, the active ingredient and the date.
Details and the official words
“Que el o los animales haya(n) recibido un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo, dentro de los 60 días previos al embarque”
“Que la mascota ha recibido un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo, dentro de los 60 días previos al viaje, indicando: nombre del producto, principio activo y la fecha de administración del mismo.”
Paperwork
Original health certificate from the official authority, dated within 10 days of entry
Bring the original health certificate issued or endorsed by the official health authority of the country of origin, with stamp and signature, dated no more than 10 calendar days before the animals enter Colombia. It states the species, breed, sex, age, coat colour, microchip (if any), the parasite treatment, and that the animal is fit to travel.
Details and the official words
Export health certificate through DAERA's DECS: For a non-EU destination you usually need an export health certificate (EHC). You apply yourself in the DAERA Export Certification System (DECS), filling in the certificate for your destination and choosing an authorised private vet practice (aPVP), which issues the final certificate. Apply no earlier than 10 days before export; DAERA advises applying at the latest 2 days before.
“Original del Certificado Sanitario: Expedido o avalado por la entidad sanitaria oficial del país de origen (con sello y firma original o electrónica) con fecha de expedición no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previo al ingreso de las mascotas”
“Presentar original del certificado sanitario, expedido o avalado por la entidad sanitaria oficial del país de origen con sello y firma original o electrónica para los países que cuenten con este sistema, con fecha de expedición no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previos al ingreso de los animales a Colombia”
“An Export Health Certificate (EHC) is usually required if the final destination of the animals is a non-EU country, whether the export is commercial or non-commercial.”
“EHC applications for the export of pets to Third Country destinations are made by the pet owner using the DAERA Export Certification system (DECS).”
“NOTE: The earliest you can apply is 10 days before the planned date of export. However, we also advise applying at latest 2 days before planned date of export.”
On arrival
Inspection and Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) at the entry point
On arrival, go with your pet to the ICA office at the airport, port or border post. ICA checks the printed request and payment receipt, the original health certificate and the vaccination certificate, inspects your pet, and issues the CIS if everything is in order.
Details and the official words
“Cuando entra al país deberá dirigirse con la mascota a la oficina del ICA del aeropuerto, puerto o paso de frontera por el cual ingresa, para adelantar la emisión del Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria – CIS”
“Si la inspección documental y física son satisfactorias, se emitirá el Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria (CIS)”
“Para realizar el proceso anterior, el interesado deberá pagar previamente la tarifa vigente establecida por el ICA por concepto de inspección y emisión del CIS”
Good to know
- Dogs and cats do not need an import document (DZI) from ICA, but at the entry point they get a documents check, a physical inspection and an ICA Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS).
- A pet without a valid official health certificate (but with current vaccinations), or arriving from a country where rabies vaccination is not done, must spend at least 15 days in quarantine at home under ICA's follow-up, at your cost. If you refuse, it is sent back at your cost.
- If rabies vaccination isn't done in your pet's country, bring the official veterinary service's certificate saying so: your pet then goes into home quarantine in Colombia and is vaccinated against rabies there by a registered vet. For the other vaccines, an official certificate that a vaccine isn't given in your country lets your pet in without home quarantine.
- If the inspection on arrival isn't satisfactory, ICA may hold your pet, put it into home quarantine, send it back or, depending on its health, put it down humanely, at your cost.
- If your pet will return to the EU or another country that asks for a rabies antibody blood test, ICA recommends doing the test before you travel to Colombia.
- Your pet must arrive without recent wounds or injuries in an acute phase.
- Check that an export health certificate exists for your destination on DEFRA's 'Find an export health certificate'; if there is none, email DAERA (Daeratradeexports@daera-ni.gov.uk). Its notes for guidance say whether you also need an import permit or approval from the destination, which you get before applying.
What your cat needs
Cats
Paperwork
Online request for the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) in ICA's SISPAP, paid before arrival
Before you arrive, register as an ICA user, then request the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) in ICA's SISPAP system with your details and your pet's, and pay online. Print the request and the payment receipt: you show them on arrival. One request per species (a dog and a cat need two); up to 10 animals of the same species fit in one request. If you can't do it online, it can be done at the ICA office where you arrive, paying by debit or credit card only (no cash).
Details and the official words
“Con el usuario y contraseña asignado, ingresar al SISPAP (Sistema de Información sanitaria para importación y exportación de productos agrícolas y pecuarios) y realizar la solicitud del certificado de inspección Sanitaria – CIS”
“Imprimir la solicitud del certificado de inspección Sanitaria – CIS y el comprobante de pago, los cuales deberán presentar al momento del ingreso al país.”
“En caso de viajar con 2 o más mascotas de la misma especie (perro o gato) podrá realizar una sola solicitud (hasta 10 animales por solicitud).”
“No se recibe dinero en efectivo.”
Age rule
At least 15 weeks old on entry
Your pet must be at least 15 weeks old to enter Colombia.
Details and the official words
“La edad mínima para el ingreso de la mascota al país es de 15 semanas.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination (first-time vaccinated pets: at least 21 days before shipment)
Your pet needs a current rabies vaccination on its vaccination certificate. If it is vaccinated against rabies for the first time, the vaccine must be given at least 21 days before shipment.
Details and the official words
“Para animales vacunados por primera vez contra la rabia esta deberá haber sido aplicada con una antelación mínimo de 21 días a la fecha de embarque.”
“Para mascotas vacunados por primera vez contra la rabia esta deberá haber sido aplicada con una antelación mínimo de 21 días a la fecha de embarque.”
Vaccination
Cats: current vaccination certificate (panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus)
Bring the original and a copy of a current vaccination certificate with the product name, batch number, date given and revaccination or validity date, covering rabies, feline panleukopenia, feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus.
Details and the official words
“Para Gatos: Rabia Panleucopenia felina, Rino-Traqueítis viral felina y Calicivirus felino.”
“Gatos: Rabia, Panleucopenia felina, Rino-Traqueítis viral felina y Calicivirus felino.”
Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatment within 60 days before shipment
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites in the 60 days before shipment, with a product authorised in the country of origin, and the certificate names the product, the active ingredient and the date.
Details and the official words
“Que el o los animales haya(n) recibido un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo, dentro de los 60 días previos al embarque”
“Que la mascota ha recibido un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo, dentro de los 60 días previos al viaje, indicando: nombre del producto, principio activo y la fecha de administración del mismo.”
Paperwork
Original health certificate from the official authority, dated within 10 days of entry
Bring the original health certificate issued or endorsed by the official health authority of the country of origin, with stamp and signature, dated no more than 10 calendar days before the animals enter Colombia. It states the species, breed, sex, age, coat colour, microchip (if any), the parasite treatment, and that the animal is fit to travel.
Details and the official words
Export health certificate through DAERA's DECS: For a non-EU destination you usually need an export health certificate (EHC). You apply yourself in the DAERA Export Certification System (DECS), filling in the certificate for your destination and choosing an authorised private vet practice (aPVP), which issues the final certificate. Apply no earlier than 10 days before export; DAERA advises applying at the latest 2 days before.
“Original del Certificado Sanitario: Expedido o avalado por la entidad sanitaria oficial del país de origen (con sello y firma original o electrónica) con fecha de expedición no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previo al ingreso de las mascotas”
“Presentar original del certificado sanitario, expedido o avalado por la entidad sanitaria oficial del país de origen con sello y firma original o electrónica para los países que cuenten con este sistema, con fecha de expedición no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previos al ingreso de los animales a Colombia”
“An Export Health Certificate (EHC) is usually required if the final destination of the animals is a non-EU country, whether the export is commercial or non-commercial.”
“EHC applications for the export of pets to Third Country destinations are made by the pet owner using the DAERA Export Certification system (DECS).”
“NOTE: The earliest you can apply is 10 days before the planned date of export. However, we also advise applying at latest 2 days before planned date of export.”
On arrival
Inspection and Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) at the entry point
On arrival, go with your pet to the ICA office at the airport, port or border post. ICA checks the printed request and payment receipt, the original health certificate and the vaccination certificate, inspects your pet, and issues the CIS if everything is in order.
Details and the official words
“Cuando entra al país deberá dirigirse con la mascota a la oficina del ICA del aeropuerto, puerto o paso de frontera por el cual ingresa, para adelantar la emisión del Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria – CIS”
“Si la inspección documental y física son satisfactorias, se emitirá el Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria (CIS)”
“Para realizar el proceso anterior, el interesado deberá pagar previamente la tarifa vigente establecida por el ICA por concepto de inspección y emisión del CIS”
Good to know
- Dogs and cats do not need an import document (DZI) from ICA, but at the entry point they get a documents check, a physical inspection and an ICA Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS).
- A pet without a valid official health certificate (but with current vaccinations), or arriving from a country where rabies vaccination is not done, must spend at least 15 days in quarantine at home under ICA's follow-up, at your cost. If you refuse, it is sent back at your cost.
- If rabies vaccination isn't done in your pet's country, bring the official veterinary service's certificate saying so: your pet then goes into home quarantine in Colombia and is vaccinated against rabies there by a registered vet. For the other vaccines, an official certificate that a vaccine isn't given in your country lets your pet in without home quarantine.
- If the inspection on arrival isn't satisfactory, ICA may hold your pet, put it into home quarantine, send it back or, depending on its health, put it down humanely, at your cost.
- If your pet will return to the EU or another country that asks for a rabies antibody blood test, ICA recommends doing the test before you travel to Colombia.
- Your pet must arrive without recent wounds or injuries in an acute phase.
- Check that an export health certificate exists for your destination on DEFRA's 'Find an export health certificate'; if there is none, email DAERA (Daeratradeexports@daera-ni.gov.uk). Its notes for guidance say whether you also need an import permit or approval from the destination, which you get before applying.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Northern Ireland (UK) to Colombia?
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 Colombia?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in Colombia?
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.