Dog health certificate for Colombia
If you are bringing a dog to Colombia the health certificate is one of the most important parts of the trip. Colombia’s ICA requires a valid sanitary certificate issued or endorsed by the official authority in the country of origin.
This page explains what the certificate is, who should issue it, how recent it needs to be, and what information it should include.
For a high level overview of the entire travel process check out our Brazil dog travel guide.
Do dogs need a health certificate for Colombia?
Dogs entering Colombia need a health certificate from the country they are traveling from. ICA says the certificate must be issued or endorsed by the official authority of the country of origin and dated no more than 10 calendar days before entry into Colombia. This timing is one of the most important parts of the process. Even if the certificate contains the correct information it will create problems if it was issued too early and falls outside the validity window when you land in Colombia.
How recent does the certificate need to be?
ICA says the sanitary health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your arrival in Colombia. This short window is one of the biggest reasons travelers run into problems. If the certificate is issued too early your documents might not be valid by the time you reach Colombia.
That means you should plan backward from your arrival date and not just from your vet appointment.
What information should the certificate include?
The health certificate should identify the animal and confirm its recent health status. The certificate also need to include the dog’s breed, sex, age, and coat color. It must also state that the animal is in suitable sanitary condition to be transported.
ICA also says the certificate must record internal and external antiparasitic treatment administered no more than 30 days before the trip. The record should include the product name, active ingredient, and date of administration.
In addition to the health certificate you will also have to present the original vaccination certificate. It should be current and needs to include the latest rabies vaccination as well as other core vaccinations given in the country of origin. The product name, batch number, date of administration, and validity must also be recorded.
What if my country has a different export process?
The exact process for getting the certificate varies depending on the country you are leaving from. In some places a private veterinarian prepares the paperwork first and the official authority endorses it afterward. In other countries the official veterinary authority may issue the certificate directly. What matters is that the certificate is officially issued or endorsed and valid when your dog enters the country.
What happens if the certificate is wrong, missing, or late?
If the dog does not have the health certificate issued or endorsed, or if it is outside the required timeframe, but the vaccination certificate is valid the dog may be placed under home quarantine for a minimum of 15 days. If home quarantine is not accepted the pet may be sent back.
This is why the health certificate should never be left to the last minute.
Do I still need other documents?
The health certificate is essential but it is not the only document in the process. ICA also requires the original vaccination record. You should keep all supporting paperwork together for arrival inspection.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a dog health certificate valid for Colombia?
ICA says the certificate must be dated no more than 10 calendar days before entry into Colombia.
Who signs the health certificate for Colombia?
The certificate must be issued or endorsed by the official sanitary authority in the country of origin, following that country’s export procedure.
What should be written on the certificate?
ICA says the certificate should identify the dog, confirm that it is healthy enough to travel, and document internal and external antiparasitic treatment given within the required timeframe.
What happens if the certificate is incorrect or expired?
ICA can require additional measures, including home quarantine or re-export, if the sanitary certificate is missing, invalid, or outside the required time window.
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