Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Taiwan 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 3 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 9 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.
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving Taiwan publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. APHIA's own pages (aphia.gov.tw) did not open from our network, so this is built from the law itself, in the Ministry of Agriculture's official English texts: the Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases (Art. 36), the regulations for animals carried by passengers and the quarantine fee regulations. They say when APHIA issues an export certificate and what you bring, but not where or how far ahead to apply, whether a vet's health certificate or other records are needed, or how long the inspection takes. Ask the APHIA branch at your airport of departure.
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 3 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 3 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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Taiwan → Costa Rica
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Taiwan (leaving) or Costa Rica (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Taking a dog or cat out of Taiwan (APHIA): 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.”
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”
PaperworkTaiwan 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
APHIA export animal quarantine certificate (when your destination asks for one): Your destination asks for an official certificate, so apply to APHIA (Taiwan's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency) for export quarantine: fill in the application form and show your passport, your ticket and other relevant documents (the law doesn't list them: ask APHIA). APHIA inspects your pet and, if it meets the requirements, issues the export animal quarantine certificate. Your pet may only leave once it has the certificate.
The law doesn't say how far ahead to apply or how long the inspection takes. Ask the APHIA branch at your airport.
“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 quarantine objects may be exported only after they are inspected and certified as qualified by import/export animal quarantine authorities, and an export animal quarantine certificate is issued”
“must complete the application form with the presence of passport, ticket and other relevant documents.”
“Animal quarantine objects: Veterinary certificates must be issued by the import/ export animal quarantine authority”
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.
- APHIA issues an export animal quarantine certificate for a pet when your destination's authority asks for Taiwan's certificate, and turns down applications otherwise. Check what your destination asks for before you apply.
- A passenger taking up to 3 dogs and 3 cats pays no quarantine fee and no quarantine-label fee. APHIA charges NT$100 per application for computer processing unless you enter the application yourself, on the computer at the counter or online.
- Planning to bring your pet back to Taiwan? Apply for Taiwan's import permit before your pet leaves. If it will stay somewhere that isn't on Taiwan's rabies-free list, have its rabies blood test done before it leaves Taiwan: coming back within one year of that sample, it can skip the post-entry quarantine.
Cats
Taking a dog or cat out of Taiwan (APHIA): 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.”
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”
PaperworkTaiwan 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
APHIA export animal quarantine certificate (when your destination asks for one): Your destination asks for an official certificate, so apply to APHIA (Taiwan's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency) for export quarantine: fill in the application form and show your passport, your ticket and other relevant documents (the law doesn't list them: ask APHIA). APHIA inspects your pet and, if it meets the requirements, issues the export animal quarantine certificate. Your pet may only leave once it has the certificate.
The law doesn't say how far ahead to apply or how long the inspection takes. Ask the APHIA branch at your airport.
“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 quarantine objects may be exported only after they are inspected and certified as qualified by import/export animal quarantine authorities, and an export animal quarantine certificate is issued”
“must complete the application form with the presence of passport, ticket and other relevant documents.”
“Animal quarantine objects: Veterinary certificates must be issued by the import/ export animal quarantine authority”
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.
- APHIA issues an export animal quarantine certificate for a pet when your destination's authority asks for Taiwan's certificate, and turns down applications otherwise. Check what your destination asks for before you apply.
- A passenger taking up to 3 dogs and 3 cats pays no quarantine fee and no quarantine-label fee. APHIA charges NT$100 per application for computer processing unless you enter the application yourself, on the computer at the counter or online.
- Planning to bring your pet back to Taiwan? Apply for Taiwan's import permit before your pet leaves. If it will stay somewhere that isn't on Taiwan's rabies-free list, have its rabies blood test done before it leaves Taiwan: coming back within one year of that sample, it can skip the post-entry quarantine.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Taiwan publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
Export quarantine fee for a pet travelling with youLeaving TaiwanFree
Exempt for the number of pets a passenger is allowed to carry (fee regulation, Art. 7).
“The quarantine fees shall be exempted for the following cases: 1. The articles are used for military purposes and accompanied with proof from military authorities. 2. The articles of imported food are used for military or official purposes and accompanied with proof from food administration authorities. 3. The allowed quantity of quarantine objects or regulated articles carried by passenger or crew serving on vehicles, vessels and aircrafts pursuant to the Regulations for Quarantine of Animal/Plant Regulated Articles Carried by Passengers and Service Personnel on Vehicles”
Regulations Governing Fees for Animal and Plant Quarantine (English, amended 14 Nov 2025) · as of 2025-11-14
May also apply, depending on your case
Computer processing fee per applicationLeaving Taiwan100 TWD
Not charged if you enter the application yourself at the counter computer or online.
“Every application for importing or exporting animals and/or plants and their products shall be charged a computer processing fee of NT$100.”
Regulations Governing Fees for Animal and Plant Quarantine (English, amended 14 Nov 2025) · as of 2025-11-14
Reissue or copy of the veterinary certificateLeaving Taiwan120 TWD
Per new certificate, only if you need one.
“For separation, reissuance, replacement or copy of the veterinary/ phytosanitary certificate, a fee of NT$120 shall be charged for each new certificate.”
Regulations Governing Fees for Animal and Plant Quarantine (English, amended 14 Nov 2025) · as of 2025-11-14
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
We have no published vet or lab prices for Taiwan 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 Taiwan
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Taiwan.
The trip back asks for 8 steps: microchip, rabies vaccination (over 90 days old), rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival and rabies blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml) 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)
- Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases (English, amended 13 Dec 2019)
- Regulations for Quarantine of Animal/Plant Carried by Passengers and Service Personnel on Vehicles (English, amended 7 Apr 2021)
- Annex to the passenger regulations: regulated articles and quantities (English, PDF)
- Regulations Governing Fees for Animal and Plant Quarantine (English, amended 14 Nov 2025)
- Attachment 6: Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Dogs and Cats (English, amended 27 Feb 2024)
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 Taiwan 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 Taiwan 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 3 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
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