Pet Travel Update: Barbados Relaxes Its Pet Import Rules

dogPet Transport to Barbados

The pet import requirements for Barbados have been relatively strict in the past, but as of January 1, 2015, pets from all countries can now be imported directly into the country without quarantine provided that all import requirements are met.

Import requirements vary depending on the country of origin, but certain standards apply to all pets. All dogs and cats will need to have an ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to standard 11785 microchip and must be vaccinated with rabies after the microchip has been implanted.

An Import Permit is also required; this is obtained from the Barbados Ministry of Agriculture and applications are available here. Dogs and cats also need an Export Permit endorsed by the Official Veterinary Services from their country of origin.

Per the Barbados Ministry of Agriculture, pets coming from rabies-free or low-rabies countries (these 'Category 1' countries include the United States, EU countries and Australia, for example) must meet the following requirements:

1. The pets must be microchipped;
2. The pets must be vaccinated against rabies after the microchip has been implanted;
3. Thirty-five (35) days must pass after the rabies vaccination before the pets are eligible to enter Barbados;
4. Within seven (7) days of travel, dogs must be treated against ticks and tapeworms;
5. For countries where the following diseases are endemic, the pets must be tested for heartworm, leishmaniasis, nipah virus and/or hendra virus and found to be negative;
6. Within seven (7) days of travel, the pets must undergo a veterinary examination and be issued with an Official Veterinary Export Health Certificate.

For pets coming from 'Category 2' countries (all those not considered low-rabies or rabies-free), these are the health requirements:

1. The pets must be microchipped;
2. The pets must be vaccinated against rabies after the microchip has been implanted;
3. Thirty (30) days after rabies vaccination, the pets must have a blood test (FAVN rabies antibody titre test) carried out by an approved laboratory, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml
4. Ninety (90) days must pass after the successful blood sample was taken before the pets are eligible to enter Barbados
5. Within seven (7) days of travel, dogs must be treated against ticks and tapeworms;
6. For countries where the following diseases are endemic, the pets must be tested for heartworm, leishmaniasis, nipah virus and/or hendra virus and found negative;
7. Within seven (7) days of travel, the pets must undergo a veterinary examination and be issued with an Official Veterinary Export Health Certificate.

All pets traveling via commercial airline must arrive in Barbados via cargo and clear customs upon arrival with the help of a customs broker. Arriving without proper notice or outside of regular business hours may incur extra fees or delays. For a full overview of the requirements as well as a list of Category 1 and Category 2 countries, please refer to the Barbados Ministry of Agriculture website.

As you can see, though the Barbados import process is now more inclusive, it still requires several careful steps and precise attention to detail. Feel free to contact PetRelocation if you have questions and would like more information about enlisting door-to-door assistance with your move.

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PetRelocation Team

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