Puerto Rico Pet Import Requirements: How to Bring a Pet to Puerto Rico 2026

Оfficial health certificate valid for 30 days from the date of travel.

The health certificate must contain:
An official health certificate stating that the animal did not originate from an area quarantined for rabies.
The official certificate veterinary inspection must be signed by an accredited veterinarian in the state or territory of origin and will be valid for 30 days from the inspection date.
A certificate of vaccination against rabies within six months before travel for pets more than four months of age.
Treatment for external parasites within 72 hours prior to entry and so stated on the health certificate by the accredited veterinarian.
An official individual identification (microchip or a collar with metallic ID Tag).

vaccination against rabies within six months before travel for pets more than four months of age

If you are from a country on the rabies “red list”, your pet may be quarantined.

List of “red countries” for rabies

Pets under 6 months are not allowed.

All pets except dogs and cats require an import permit.

PSITTACINE BIRDS
(Permit Fee; $50 USD)
• All psittacine birds must have a prior import permit, issued by the SAHO of PRDA, upon
entry into Puerto Rico.
• The birds must also be accompanied by an official health certificate stating that the
birds are free of Psittacosis, Avian Influenza, New Castle Disease, and did not originate
from a quarantined area for any infectious or contagious diseases of the species.
REQUIRED TESTS
The birds must be subjected to individual tests with negative results prior to shipment for:
o Avian Influenza (AGID) (HI) or (PCR) test
o Chlamydia psittaci: (complement fixation or ELISA).
Exotic bird species must meet any requirements stipulated by the Puerto Rico Department of
Natural Resources (DRNA).

RABBITS
(Permit Fee, $50 USD)
• All rabbits that apply for entry to Puerto Rico must be accompanied by an official health
certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian in the state or territory of origin and will
be valid for 30 days from the inspection date.
• Special requirements are that all animals need to come from premises which are Rabbit
Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) Free.
• An Import Permit is required prior to shipment of the animals.

Official Requirements for Importing Animals into Puerto Rico

To export a pet from Puerto Rico to another country, you’ll need to work with a USDA-accredited veterinarian to ensure your pet meets the destination country’s entry requirements and obtain the necessary health certificates and paperwork. Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, exporting a pet to the mainland U.S. is considered interstate travel, requiring a health certificate and proof of current vaccinations.

1. International Export (Outside of the U.S. Mainland): USDA-Accredited Veterinarian:
   Find a vet accredited by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to guide you through the process.

Destination Country Requirements:
Determine the specific entry requirements for your destination country, which may include vaccinations, tests, treatments, and other paperwork.
Health Certificate:
The veterinarian will help you obtain an official health certificate, which needs to be endorsed by APHIS.
Paperwork:
Be prepared to provide information about your pet (type, destination, travel details) and submit the original health certificate, vaccination certificates, test results (if required), import permit (if required), and payment for endorsement fees.
Shipping:
Ensure you have a pre-paid, trackable shipping label and use the fastest delivery method to send your paperwork to the APHIS endorsement office.
Airline Requirements:
Check with the airline for their specific requirements for pet travel, including cage standards (IATA normalized) and fees.

Interstate Export (To the U.S. Mainland): Health Certificate: A health certificate, issued within 10 days of departure by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, is needed.

Vaccinations: Proof of current vaccinations is necessary.

Official Rules