Taking Your Dog to Ecuador
Use this 2026 checklist to prepare your dog’s documents, vaccines, parasite treatment, airline booking, and return-to-US paperwork.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Ecuador
Microchip or other identification
Ecuador requires conventional companion animals to be identified by name, tattoo, or microchip. A microchip is accepted and is the best option for international travel and for U.S. re-entry planning.
Must be in place before the export certificate is issued; CDC also requires dogs returning to the U.S. to be microchipped.ISO Microchip
An ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip is strongly recommended for international travel. Ecuador’s current import document allows identification by name, tattoo, or microchip rather than specifically requiring ISO format, but an ISO chip is the safest choice because it aligns with common international practice and U.S. return documentation.
Implant before rabies vaccination and before any U.S. return paperwork if possible.Minimum age
Dogs entering Ecuador must be older than 4 months under Agrocalidad’s 2026 companion animal import requirements.
Dog must be over 4 months old on the date of entry.Rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination must be current on arrival. If it is the dog’s first rabies vaccination, at least 14 days must have passed since administration before entry to Ecuador.
Current on arrival; if first rabies vaccine, give at least 14 days before entry.Core dog vaccinations
Ecuador requires current vaccination against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirosis, in addition to rabies. The export certificate should list the date of immunization plus the vaccine type and brand.
Vaccines must be valid on the date of arrival.Rabies titer test
Ecuador does not require a rabies antibody titer test for entry. However, Agrocalidad notes that if the dog will return to a country that requires proof of rabies antibodies, the dog should have a viral neutralization test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml from an authorized laboratory.
Only needed if your return destination requires it; complete well in advance because lab processing can take weeks.Veterinary clinical exam
A veterinarian recognized by the official veterinary service in the country of origin must examine the dog within 10 days before travel and certify that it is free of clinical signs of infectious, contagious, and parasitic disease and has no fresh or healing wounds.
Within 10 days before travel.Health certificate
Your dog must travel with a Zoosanitary Export Certificate issued or endorsed by the official veterinary service of the country of origin. For U.S. travelers, this is typically prepared by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS. Ecuador requires the certificate to be issued no more than 10 calendar days before entry and presented in Spanish or English.
Issue within 10 calendar days before entry.USDA-endorsed APHIS 7001
If Ecuador accepts a general export certificate format for your itinerary, APHIS notes that pets may travel with a health certificate such as APHIS Form 7001 when country requirements are otherwise met. Your USDA-accredited veterinarian should confirm the exact certificate format to use for Ecuador and obtain USDA endorsement when required.
Complete shortly before travel so USDA endorsement is still valid within Ecuador’s 10-day certificate window.Parasite treatment
Internal and external antiparasitic treatment is required within 21 days before boarding. The certificate must list the product name, active ingredient, and date of administration.
Within 21 days before embarkation.Import permit
If the dog arrives with the passenger in the cabin or is released with accompanied baggage in the international arrivals area, Ecuador says no Zoosanitary Import Permit is required. If the dog arrives as cargo in the hold for customs clearance, a Zoosanitary Import Permit is required and the owner must email the arrival airport at least 72 hours before arrival with the airway bill, passport, contact details, export certificate, vaccination card, and customs broker name if applicable.
Required only for cargo arrivals; notify Agrocalidad at least 72 hours before arrival.Crate and transport conditions
The dog must be placed in a special crate or kennel that has been washed and disinfected before use and complies with IATA air transport rules.
Before check-in and transport.Quarantine period
No routine quarantine period is stated in Ecuador’s published companion animal import requirements when the dog meets the documentary and health conditions on arrival.
Not typically required if entry requirements are met.Banned breeds
No Ecuador government source reviewed here listed national banned dog breeds for import. Airline breed restrictions may still apply, especially for brachycephalic or strong breeds in cargo or hold transport.
Check airline rules before booking.Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $75-150 | Typical private U.S. clinic exam cost; Ecuador requires the exam within 10 days of travel. |
| Rabies vaccination | $25-60 | Only if your dog is not currently vaccinated or needs a booster to remain valid for travel. |
| Core booster vaccines | $30-90 | May be needed if distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, or parvovirus vaccines are not current. |
| Microchip | $25-75 | Recommended even though Ecuador also accepts tattoo or named identification; important for U.S. re-entry compliance. |
| Parasite treatment | $20-60 | Internal and external treatment required within 21 days before embarkation. |
| Rabies titer test | $150-300 | Not required for Ecuador entry, but may be useful if your onward or return destination requires a rabies antibody result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $101 | APHIS fee per certificate when no laboratory tests are required. |
| Airline pet fee | $160-230 | Avianca lists pet fees in the Americas from USD 160 in cabin and from USD 225 in the hold when booked through sales channels; airport pricing can be slightly higher. |
| Ecuador import permit fee (cargo arrivals only) | $32-38 | Agrocalidad’s 2025 tariff lists verification for non-conventional pets and companion animals at 28.1803 before taxes; final payable amount depends on the current tariff and taxes at time of processing. |
| Total | $411-1,063 |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
As of March 25, 2026, dogs returning to the United States must meet CDC rules based on where they have been during the 6 months before entry. All dogs entering the U.S. must be at least 6 months old, appear healthy on arrival, be microchipped, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt completed before arrival. If your dog has been only in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries during the previous 6 months, the CDC Dog Import Form receipt is the core federal requirement. If your dog has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies during the previous 6 months, additional rules apply. For U.S.-vaccinated dogs returning from a high-risk country, CDC requires both the CDC Dog Import Form receipt and a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA before the dog leaves the United States. USDA-endorsed export health certificates issued after July 31, 2025 are no longer accepted in place of that CDC form for future re-entry. Because CDC rules depend on the dog’s travel history and vaccination history, confirm Ecuador’s current rabies-risk classification and your dog’s exact return pathway before departure from the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ecuador require a microchip for dogs?
Ecuador’s current companion animal import requirements allow identification by name, tattoo, or microchip. A microchip is not the only accepted identifier for Ecuador entry, but it is strongly recommended for international travel and is required for dogs returning to the United States under CDC rules.
How soon before travel can my dog’s health certificate be issued?
The Zoosanitary Export Certificate must be issued or endorsed by the official veterinary service no more than 10 calendar days before the dog enters Ecuador. Your clinical exam also needs to be completed within 10 days before travel.
How long before travel does the rabies shot need to be given?
Your dog’s rabies vaccination must be current on arrival. If it is the first rabies vaccination, Ecuador requires at least 14 days to have passed between vaccination and entry.
Does Ecuador require a rabies titer test for dogs?
No. Ecuador does not require a rabies antibody titer test for entry. Agrocalidad only notes the titer test for pets that will later return to a country that requires proof of rabies antibodies.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog to Ecuador?
Usually not if your dog arrives with you in the cabin or as accompanied baggage. A Zoosanitary Import Permit is required when the dog arrives as cargo, and the owner must notify the arrival airport at least 72 hours in advance and submit the required documents.
Is parasite treatment required for Ecuador?
Yes. Ecuador requires both internal and external antiparasitic treatment within 21 days before embarkation, and the export certificate must list the product name, active ingredient, and application date.
Is there quarantine for dogs entering Ecuador?
Ecuador’s published companion animal import requirements do not state a routine quarantine period for dogs that arrive with the correct documents, current vaccines, and required parasite treatment.
What airline pet fees should I expect for Ecuador?
Fees vary by airline and whether your dog travels in cabin or in the hold. Avianca currently lists pet fees in the Americas from USD 160 in cabin and from USD 225 in the hold, with slightly higher airport pricing in some cases.