Documents needed to travel to Colombia with a dog
Colombia’s ICA requires travelers to arrive with the correct sanitary health certificate, valid vaccination records, and parasite treatment documentation.
This page is meant to help you organize the documents not to repeat every part of the travel process. If your paperwork is complete and valid you will find the arrival process is much smoother.
If you want the broader overview first start with Traveling to Colombia with a Dog.
What documents do I need?
You should plan to travel with:
- A health certificate issued or endorsed by the official authority in the country of origin
- A current vaccination record showing rabies and applicable vaccines
- Proof of internal and external parasite treatment
- Copies of key documents
If you need the certificate rules in detail see Dog health certificate for Colombia.
Health certificate
The health certificate is the most important document you need. It must be issued or endorsed by the official authority in the country of origin and dated no more than 10 days before entry. This means you should plan the certificate around your arrival date. If the timing is off the paperwork might not be valid when you arrive in Colombia.
Vaccination records
Your dog needs a current vaccination record which needs to include the latest rabies and other vaccinations administered. Details like the product name, batch number, date of administration, and validity. Rabies is especially important because Colombia does not allow dogs to enter without proof of rabies immunity. If this is your dog’s first rabies shot you will have to wait 21 days minimum before arriving in Colombia.
Parasite treatment
Colombia requires internal and external parasite treatment to be documented. The treatment must be recorded on the health certificate and include the product name, active ingredient, and date of administration. This is an easy detail to miss if you are focused only on the certificate itself.
Copies to carry
Bring the originals and copies together in your carry-on bag. You will need to present the health certificate in original and copy form during the inspection. You should also keep all other documents with the health certificate in case you are asked for them.
The simpler your folder is on travel day the easier you will find the inspection.
What about airline documents?
Airline rules are separate from Colombia’s entry rules. Your airline may ask for the same documents and it may also have its own forms, deadlines, rules, and route restrictions.
It helps to review Flying to Colombia with a dog before booking.
Quick checklist
Before you leave make sure you have:
- Health certificate
- Rabies proof
- Vaccination record
- Parasite treatment record
- Copies of the originals
- Any required endorsement
The arrival process will be much easier if you have all these in place. If one is missing, incomplete, or outdated it can cause problems.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both a health certificate and a vaccination record?
Yes. Colombia requires the sanitary health certificate, and the vaccination record must travel with it.
How recent should the health certificate be?
ICA says it must be dated no more than 10 calendar days before entry into Colombia.
Should I bring copies of everything?
Yes. ICA says the sanitary certificate should be presented in original and copy during inspection.
Do I need rabies proof?
Yes. Colombia does not allow entry without proof of rabies immunity.