🇨🇴 Pet Import to Colombia

Colombia's pet import process is administered by the ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario), the national agricultural and veterinary authority. Owners must present an international veterinary health certificate issued and endorsed by an official government veterinarian in the country of origin, completed within 10 days of travel. The certificate must confirm the animal's identity, vaccination history, and health status at the time of inspection. Rabies vaccination is mandatory and must have been administered no fewer than 30 days and no more than 12 months prior to travel for animals aged 3 months or older. Core multivalent vaccines — DHLPP for dogs and the triple feline combination for cats — are also required. Parasite treatment (internal and external) performed close to departure is expected to be documented on the health certificate. No microchip is legally mandated, though it is strongly recommended as a best practice for identification. Compliant pets face no quarantine on arrival. The FAVN rabies titer test is not required. Personal importation is limited to a maximum of two pets per traveller. Colombian law recognises certain breeds as potentially dangerous under Ley 746 of 2002: pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, rottweiler, dogo Argentino, and fila Brasileiro. These breeds are not banned from import but owners must carry civil liability insurance and use a muzzle in public spaces. Exotic species and wildlife are subject to CITES treaty obligations and Decreto 1608 of 1978, which governs Colombian wildlife law; such animals require separate permits. Pre-arrival notification to the ICA is advisable. The Mercosur pet passport scheme does not apply to Colombia, which is a member of the Andean Community. Colombian biosecurity requirements reflect the country's status as one of the world's leading biodiversity hotspots, with strict controls designed to protect endemic flora and fauna.