Taking Your Dog to Aruba
Use this 2026 checklist to prepare your dog’s Aruba entry documents, rabies paperwork, health certificate, and return-to-US plan.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Aruba
ISO Microchip
A chip/transponder number is required on the health certificate. Aruba accepts AVID or ISO microchips; using a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip is the safest choice for international travel.
Must be implanted before the final paperwork is issued so the chip number appears on all documents.Rabies Vaccination
Dogs 3 months of age and older need valid written proof of rabies vaccination. The vaccine must have been given at least 1 month before import and not more than 1 year before arrival in Aruba. The record must show the vaccination date, vaccine name, lot number, and expiration date. Dogs under 3 months old do not need rabies vaccination if the veterinarian writes that the dog is too young for rabies vaccination.
At least 1 month before arrival; no more than 1 year before arrival.Rabies Titer Test
Aruba does not list a rabies antibody titer test for dogs arriving from the United States under the published dog and cat entry conditions.
Not required for U.S.-origin pet dogs under current published rules.Health Certificate
Your dog must travel with the Aruba dog/cat health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of arrival, include owner and veterinarian details, dog description, and microchip number, and then be endorsed by USDA APHIS before travel.
Issued within 14 days of arrival in Aruba and endorsed before departure.Import Permit / Veterinary Approval
Prior permission from the Aruba Veterinary Service is required before travel. Aruba Customs states you must have permission from the Veterinary Service to import your pet, and the health certificate and related documents must be approved by the Director of the Veterinary Service before the animal is shipped. Aruba notes decisions are typically returned within 48 hours on weekdays when documents are submitted correctly.
Apply before booking final travel if possible; submit documents in advance and wait for approval before shipment.Residence History Requirement
The dog must have lived continuously in the United States or Aruba for the 6 months immediately before export, or if younger than 6 months, must have been born and lived continuously in the United States. A written exemption may be granted by the Head of the Veterinary Service of Aruba.
Must be true for the 6 months immediately preceding export, unless the dog is under 6 months old or an exemption is granted.Parasite Treatment
No routine parasite treatment requirement is listed in Aruba’s published dog import conditions for dogs arriving from the United States.
Not listed as a standard entry requirement for U.S.-origin dogs.Quarantine Period
No routine quarantine period is listed for compliant pet dogs entering Aruba from the United States under the published requirements.
No standard quarantine if all entry conditions are met.Banned Breeds
No breed-specific ban was identified in the official Aruba pet import pages reviewed. Airline breed restrictions may still apply, especially for brachycephalic dogs.
Check your airline before booking.Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $75-150 | Typical private-practice exam cost in the U.S.; needed for the export health certificate appointment. |
| Rabies vaccination | $25-60 | Only if your dog is not currently vaccinated within Aruba’s accepted window. |
| Rabies titer test | $0 | Not required for Aruba for dogs traveling from the United States under the published rules. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $101 | APHIS fee for a pet health certificate with 0 laboratory tests. |
| Microchip | $25-75 | If your dog does not already have a compliant chip. |
| Import permit fee | $0 | Official Aruba sources reviewed require prior permission/approval but did not publish a separate fee for standard dog import approval. |
| Airline pet fee (cabin) | $74-125 | Typical current one-way range based on major-airline published pet-in-cabin fees; exact availability depends on route and carrier. |
| Airline pet fee (checked/cargo) | $189-325+ | Large dogs often travel as checked baggage where allowed or as manifest cargo; pricing varies widely by airline, route, kennel size, and embargoes. |
| Total | $300-836+ |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
As of March 25, 2026, dogs returning to the United States must meet current CDC dog import rules. For dogs that have been only in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before U.S. entry, the owner must complete a CDC Dog Import Form for each dog and carry the receipt for the airline and U.S. Customs. CDC also says all dogs entering the U.S. must be at least 6 months old, be microchipped, appear healthy on arrival, and meet any added requirements based on travel history. If your dog has been in a CDC-listed high-risk rabies country during the previous 6 months, additional documentation and entry conditions apply. Before you leave the U.S., confirm Aruba’s current rabies-risk status on CDC’s list and keep copies of your Aruba export paperwork, rabies certificate, and microchip details for re-entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permission before bringing my dog to Aruba?
Yes. Aruba Customs says you must have permission from the Aruba Veterinary Service before traveling, and APHIS notes the health certificate and related documents must be approved by Aruba’s Veterinary Service before the dog is shipped.
How soon before travel should the Aruba health certificate be issued?
The Aruba health certificate must be issued within 14 days of arrival in Aruba by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and then endorsed by USDA APHIS before departure.
Does Aruba require a rabies titer test for dogs from the United States?
No rabies titer test is listed in Aruba’s published dog entry conditions for dogs traveling from the United States.
How old does my dog have to be for rabies vaccination to enter Aruba?
Dogs 3 months of age and older need valid proof of rabies vaccination. Dogs younger than 3 months do not need the vaccine if the veterinarian states on the certificate that the dog is too young for rabies vaccination.
How long before arrival must the rabies vaccine be given?
At least 1 month before arrival in Aruba and not more than 1 year before import, based on Aruba’s published rules.
Does Aruba quarantine dogs on arrival?
Not routinely for compliant dogs arriving from the United States. Aruba’s published requirements do not list a standard quarantine period when the dog meets the entry rules.
Can I bring a dog to Aruba if it recently lived in another country?
Usually only if it meets Aruba’s residence-history rule. Aruba requires the dog to have lived continuously in the United States or Aruba for the 6 months before export, unless the dog is under 6 months old and has lived in the U.S. since birth, or Aruba’s Veterinary Service grants a written exemption.
What do I need to return to the United States from Aruba with my dog?
At minimum, complete a CDC Dog Import Form and keep the receipt for airline check-in and U.S. entry. Your dog must also be at least 6 months old, microchipped, healthy on arrival, and may need extra documents if it has been in a CDC high-risk rabies country within the previous 6 months.