Taking Your Dog to Jamaica
Jamaica has strict dog import rules, including an ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody test, import permit, parasite treatments, and post-arrival quarantine.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Jamaica
ISO Microchip
Your dog must be identified with an ISO-standard microchip readable by an Avid or other ISO-compatible reader. The microchip number must match all documents. If rabies vaccination was given before microchipping, the dog must be revaccinated after the microchip is implanted.
Must be implanted before the qualifying rabies vaccination and before supporting documents are issued.Rabies Vaccination
Jamaica requires an approved inactivated rabies vaccine. The dog must have been vaccinated when at least 90 days old and the vaccine must still be valid on the date of export. For primary vaccination, the APHIS guidance states the vaccine must be given not less than 6 months and not more than 1 year before shipment; booster vaccination for older animals must be given not more than 1 year before shipment.
Primary vaccine: 6-12 months before shipment; booster: within 1 year before shipment.Rabies Titer Test
A rabies neutralizing antibody test is required. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/mL and the test must be a FAVN test performed by an OIE/WHO-approved rabies reference laboratory. The lab report must include the microchip number and other identifying details.
Blood sample/result must fall between 3 months and 12 months before importation; copy of the FAVN report must be submitted to Jamaica's Permit Unit at least 72 hours before export.Health Certificate
An official veterinary export health certificate must accompany the dog. For U.S. departures, APHIS directs travelers to use Jamaica's international health certificate for dogs and obtain USDA endorsement. The dog must also be examined within 7 days of export and found healthy and fit to travel.
Clinical exam within 7 days before export; USDA endorsement completed before travel.Import Permit
A Jamaican veterinary import permit is required for all dogs. Jamaica's Veterinary Services Division reviews the supporting documents first, then successful applicants complete the permit application through the MOAT trade system. The permit fee is J$5,000, or foreign-currency equivalent, and the permit is valid for up to 3 months from issue.
Apply after confirming your dog can meet all requirements; permit must be issued before travel and is valid up to 3 months.Parasite Treatment
Internal parasites: the dog must be examined and treated twice by an approved veterinarian at least 14 days apart, with the final treatment 7 days before export, using broad-spectrum anthelmintics effective against nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes. External parasites: the dog must be examined and treated twice for flies, ticks, lice, and mites; the first treatment is 30 days before shipment and the second within 7 days of export. Jamaica also requires either treatment against Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola within 30 days before shipment or current leptospirosis vaccination. APHIS guidance for Jamaica also lists additional disease testing/treatment items that may apply on the model certificate, including heartworm prevention/testing and other health attestations.
Internal parasite treatments: two treatments at least 14 days apart, final one 7 days before export; external parasite treatments: first 30 days before shipment and second within 7 days of export; leptospirosis treatment within 30 days if not currently vaccinated.Quarantine Period
Upon entry into Jamaica, all animals must undergo at least 14 days of quarantine at the National Quarantine Facility, Plumb Point. Jamaica notes that owners are responsible for quarantine arrangements where necessary and that animals may be refused entry, re-exported, or euthanized if import rules are breached.
Minimum 14 days after arrival in Jamaica.Banned Breeds
Jamaica does not allow importation of Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, or Pit Bull Terrier. Hybrid dogs are also prohibited.
Applies at all times; prohibited dogs are not eligible for import.Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $75-200 | Typical private veterinary visit for travel paperwork and pre-export exam; actual clinic pricing varies. |
| Rabies vaccination | $25-60 | If your dog's rabies vaccine is not current. |
| Rabies titer test (FAVN) | $150-300 | Lab and blood-draw costs vary by veterinarian and laboratory. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $206-275 | APHIS endorsement fees depend on the number of required laboratory tests on the certificate; Jamaica's process typically falls into a multi-test category. |
| Import permit fee | $32 | Jamaica charges J$5,000 for the veterinary import permit, about US$32 at an exchange rate of roughly J$156 to US$1. |
| Microchip | $25-75 | If your dog does not already have a compliant ISO microchip. |
| Airline pet fee | $150+ | American Airlines lists a $150 in-cabin pet fee on eligible Caribbean routes where the destination country allows entry; cargo charges vary by itinerary, kennel size, and carrier. Jamaica's quarantine and import process may make cargo or manifest arrangements more likely depending on airline and routing. |
| Total | $663-1,092+ |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
As of March 25, 2026, Jamaica is not on CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies, so dogs that have been only in Jamaica or other dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before U.S. entry follow CDC's lower-risk process. Your dog must be at least 6 months old, appear healthy on arrival, have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. CDC says this receipt is the only required document for dogs that have been only in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries in the previous 6 months, and the receipt is valid for 6 months unless the dog travels to a high-risk country or a different low-risk country not listed on the form. If your dog has been in a CDC high-risk country within the last 6 months, different and stricter rules apply, including additional rabies documentation and possibly a CDC-registered animal care facility reservation depending on where the dog was vaccinated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Jamaica require a microchip for dogs?
Yes. Jamaica requires an ISO-standard microchip, and the number must be recorded correctly on all supporting documents. If the rabies vaccine was given before microchipping, the dog must be revaccinated after the chip is implanted.
Is a rabies titer test required for Jamaica?
Yes. Jamaica requires a rabies neutralizing antibody test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/mL from an approved rabies reference laboratory. The test must fall between 3 and 12 months before importation.
How long is quarantine in Jamaica for dogs?
Jamaica requires at least 14 days of quarantine after arrival at the National Quarantine Facility, Plumb Point.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog to Jamaica?
Yes. All dogs need a Jamaican veterinary import permit. Jamaica's Veterinary Services Division reviews the supporting documents before issuing the permit, and the permit is valid for up to 3 months from the date of issue.
Are any dog breeds banned from entering Jamaica?
Yes. Jamaica prohibits Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, and Pit Bull Terrier. Hybrid dogs are also not allowed.
When does the health certificate exam need to be done?
The dog must be examined within 7 days before export and certified healthy and fit for travel. For U.S. departures, the export health certificate must also be endorsed by USDA APHIS.
Do dogs need parasite treatment before travel to Jamaica?
Yes. Jamaica requires two internal parasite treatments at least 14 days apart with the final treatment 7 days before export, plus two external parasite treatments with the first 30 days before shipment and the second within 7 days of export.
What do I need to return to the U.S. from Jamaica with my dog?
For dogs that have been only in Jamaica or other CDC low-risk countries during the previous 6 months, CDC requires a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, and the dog must be at least 6 months old, healthy on arrival, and microchipped.