Pets

Import  health requirements for dogs and cats 

Dogs and cats entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, and endorsed by a Veterinary Service (VS) veterinarian.  The examination for the certificate must be conducted within the two weeks prior to travel to Costa Rica. The certificate must be stamped or sealed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is recommendable to contact the local USDA office of else contact the airport you will departing from since most airports do have USDA offices. 

Health Certificate Statements

1. The dog/cat was examined and found to be healthy and free of any clinical signs of infectious disease.
2. The animals were vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus.

Vaccination Requirements

1. distemper
2. hepatitis
3. leptospirosis
4. parvovirus.
5. rabies – for animals 4 months or older

Requirement

1. The examination for the certificate must be conducted within the two weeks prior to travel to Costa Rica.

2. Please use a State of Federal  US Interstate and International Certificate for Small Animals.

3. Enclose rabies vaccination certificate.

Note

• The Health Certificate does NOT need to be signed by a Notary Public, nor does it have to be authenticated by the Consulate of Costa Rica.

• Animals exported in commercial lot numbers must be accompanied by an import permit.

• When exiting Costa Rica with the pet, another veterinary health certificate might be required, since these usually expire after three weeks of being issued. If it is required, it must be approved and stamped by the Ministry of Health in San Jose. It is advisable to ask at the time of entrance to the country, at customs, if the veterinary certificate issued in the U.S. would be enough to exit the country with the pet.