Taking Your Dog to Colombia
Use this 2026 checklist to prepare your dog for Colombia, from rabies paperwork and parasite treatment to airline booking and U.S. return rules.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Colombia
ISO Microchip
Colombia’s published pet-entry requirements list the animal’s identification number on the international veterinary certificate if the pet has one, but the ICA/USDA materials reviewed do not state that an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip is mandatory for entry into Colombia. A microchip is still strongly recommended because it helps match your dog to vaccination and travel documents, and it is required for U.S. re-entry under current CDC dog rules.
Recommended before any rabies paperwork; required for returning to the United States under CDC rules.Rabies Vaccination
Dogs older than 3 months must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccine must be valid on the day of entry into Colombia. The rabies vaccination certificate must travel with the dog, and the international health certificate must list the rabies vaccination date, vaccine brand, manufacturer, lot number, and expiration date. Puppies under 3 months should not be vaccinated against rabies, but their age-appropriate vaccination plan must be certified.
Must be valid on the day your dog enters Colombia.Rabies Titer Test
A rabies antibody titer is not required for dogs traveling from the United States to Colombia under the USDA APHIS Colombia pet travel page and ICA pet-entry requirements reviewed. ICA’s published requirement for a titer of at least 0.5 IU/ml applies to pets from the EU, UK, and EFTA countries that will return to their country of origin, not to routine U.S.-origin pet entries.
Health Certificate (USDA-endorsed APHIS 7001 or country-specific certificate)
Your dog must travel with a health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of travel. Colombia will reject pets that do not meet the posted certificate requirements. ICA also requires the international veterinary certificate to be issued or endorsed by the official competent authority of the country of origin; if it is not in Spanish, it must be accompanied by an original official Spanish translation certified by the competent authority.
Issued and USDA-endorsed within 10 days before travel.Import Permit
Personal pet dogs and cats do not need an import permit when entering Colombia with their owner as pets. ICA’s materials indicate additional prior authorization is needed when pets are transported as cargo or enter without the owner.
Not required for accompanied pet dogs; arrange in advance if shipping as cargo or unaccompanied.Parasite Treatment
The international veterinary certificate must state that the dog was treated with approved endo- and ectoparasite products within 15 days before export and is free of ticks and other internal and external parasites. The certificate should include the treatment date, brand name, lot number, and active ingredient.
Within 15 days before export/travel.Core Vaccinations
ICA requires domestic dogs to be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and leptospirosis, with those vaccinations documented on the veterinary certificate.
Should be current and documented before the health certificate is issued.Quarantine Period
No routine quarantine period is listed for compliant pet dogs entering Colombia as accompanied pets. Dogs are inspected on arrival by ICA, and a sanitary inspection certificate is issued after documentary and physical inspection.
Banned Breeds
No Colombia government source reviewed for this guide listed a national banned-breed rule for importing pet dogs. Airline rules may still restrict certain snub-nosed or strong-jawed breeds, so confirm with your carrier before booking.
Check airline rules before purchasing tickets.Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $75-150 | Typical private-clinic pre-travel exam in the U.S.; APHIS notes vet fees are separate from USDA endorsement fees. |
| Rabies vaccination | $25-60 | Only if your dog needs a current rabies vaccine before travel. |
| Rabies titer test | $0 | Not typically required for U.S. pet dogs entering Colombia. |
| Microchip | $25-60 | Not listed as mandatory for Colombia entry in the official sources reviewed, but recommended and needed for U.S. return compliance. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $101-160 | APHIS lists $101 per certificate when no laboratory tests are required, and $160 for one pet when 1-2 laboratory tests are required. |
| Import permit fee | $0 | Personal pet dogs and cats entering Colombia with their owner do not need an import permit. |
| Airline pet fee (cabin) | $160-165 | Avianca lists pet-in-cabin fees in the Americas from USD 160 through sales channels and from 165 at the airport; book at least 48 hours before departure. |
| Airline pet fee (hold/cargo) | $225-230 | Avianca lists pet-in-hold fees in the Americas from USD 225 through sales channels and from USD 230 at the airport. |
| ICA arrival inspection / sanitary certificate | Varies | ICA requires inspection on arrival and issues a sanitary inspection certificate, but the exact current fee was not clearly published in the source pages reviewed; verify the current tariff with ICA before travel. |
| Total | $386-495 (cabin) or $451-560 (hold), plus any ICA inspection fee and optional translation costs |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
As of March 25, 2026, U.S. return rules depend on where your dog has been in the 6 months before re-entry and where it was vaccinated against rabies. All dogs entering the United States must be at least 6 months old, appear healthy on arrival, be microchipped, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. If your dog has been in Colombia within the 6 months before returning, treat the trip as travel from a high-risk country for dog rabies. If your dog was vaccinated against rabies in the United States before departure, CDC says you need two documents before the dog returns: the CDC Dog Import Form receipt and the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before departure from the U.S. and endorsed by USDA. CDC also states that USDA-endorsed export health certificates issued after July 31, 2025 are no longer accepted for re-entry in place of that CDC rabies form. If your dog was vaccinated outside the United States, different CDC requirements apply for foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries, so review CDC’s current instructions well before your return flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an import permit to take my dog to Colombia?
Usually no. USDA APHIS states that personal pet dogs and cats do not need an import permit for Colombia. If the dog is traveling as cargo or without the owner, ICA indicates additional prior authorization may be required.
How soon before my trip does the health certificate need to be issued?
The health certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of travel to Colombia.
Does Colombia require a rabies titer test for dogs from the United States?
No, not for routine U.S. pet entries based on the official sources reviewed. Colombia requires rabies vaccination to be valid on entry, but not a rabies titer for standard U.S.-origin pet travel.
Does my dog need parasite treatment before entering Colombia?
Yes. ICA requires treatment against internal and external parasites within 15 days before export, and the certificate should list the treatment date, product brand, lot number, and active ingredient.
Can a puppy travel to Colombia without a rabies vaccine?
Possibly, if the puppy is under 3 months old. ICA states puppies younger than 3 months should not be vaccinated against rabies, but their age-appropriate vaccination plan must be certified.
Is a microchip required for Colombia?
The Colombia entry documents reviewed do not clearly make a microchip mandatory for pet dogs, but a microchip is strongly recommended and is required for returning to the United States under current CDC rules.
How much does it cost to fly a dog to Colombia on Avianca?
Avianca lists pet-in-cabin travel in the Americas from USD 160 through sales channels and 165 at the airport. For pets in the hold in the Americas, Avianca lists USD 225 through sales channels and USD 230 at the airport.
What do I need to bring my dog back to the United States after visiting Colombia?
At minimum, plan on a microchip, a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, and—if your dog was U.S.-vaccinated and has been in Colombia within the last 6 months—a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form completed before departure from the U.S. and endorsed by USDA.