Importing Your Pet to Argentina

Argentina’s pet import rules are administered by SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria). The process is generally straightforward for pets from most developed countries. No advance import permit is required for most origins.

Pets require a microchip (or tattoo, though microchip is strongly preferred), up-to-date vaccinations including rabies, and a health certificate endorsed by SENASA in the origin country. For pets from Europe and North America, the certificate must be endorsed by the origin country’s official vet authority and countersigned by the Argentine consulate or apostilled in some cases.

Argentina does not require routine quarantine for compliant pets. Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport handles most pet movements into Argentina and has a SENASA inspection office.

Health certificate and consulate endorsement

For pets from EU countries, the UK, and the US, SENASA requires the health certificate to be endorsed by the national vet authority in the origin country (APHA, USDA APHIS, DGAV, NVWA, etc.) and, for some origins, also endorsed by the Argentine consulate or apostilled.

Check with the Argentine consulate in your origin country whether consulate endorsement is required. The process takes additional time and has a fee. The health certificate must typically be issued within 10 days of travel.

Travelling to Argentina with a cat

Cats follow the same general import process as dogs. Microchip, rabies vaccination (where applicable), and health certificate are required. Argentina does not have strict breed restrictions for cats.

Some vaccinations required for dogs (parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis) may also be noted on cat health certificates for completeness. Check the SENASA website or contact a specialist agent for the current required vaccines for cats entering Argentina.