Costa Rica Pet Import Requirements

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Prepared by , International Animal Health Consultant

Import Requirements

Every requirement below is taken from an official government page, and each one links to the page it comes from. The rules were last checked on 7 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.

Who is in charge

Where your pet travels from

GroupWhat appliesOrigins
USASENASA publishes a separate controlled instruction for dogs and cats from the USA (IN-007 V09, in force 19 July 2024). Read in full on 7 October 2026: the health requirements are the same as the general instruction; the certificate is issued by a USDA-authorised veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS Veterinary Services (section 6.1). SourceUnited States
All other originsSENASA's general instruction for dogs and cats (IN-006 V11, in force 19 July 2024) and the MAG summary of 18 December 2025. One list of requirements for all origins, plus a titre document for pets from the EU, UK and EFTA that will return to their origin (section 5.7). SourceAll other countries
  • SENASA publishes two controlled documents for dogs and cats: a general one (IN-006 V11) and one for dogs and cats from the USA (IN-007 V09). Both were read in full on 7 October 2026. The health requirements (sections 3 to 5) are word for word the same; the USA document adds that the certificate is issued by a USDA-authorised veterinarian and endorsed by Veterinary Services (APHIS), and does not contain the titre clause for EU, UK and EFTA pets. Applies to dogs and cats, USA versus all other origins.
    Requisitos para importar a Costa Rica (perros y gatos), checked 7 October 2026

Import permit

Microchip

  • Dogs and cats must be identified by microchip and the microchip number must be declared on the certificate (MAG page, 18 December 2025).
    Conozca los requisitos sanitarios establecidos por SENASA para la importación de perros y gatos (18 December 2025), checked 7 October 2026
    Official sources differSENASA instruction IN-006 V11 (in force 19 July 2024, https://www.senasa.go.cr/informacion/centro-de-informacion/informacion/sgc/dca/mascotas/requisitos-para-importar-a-costa-rica/9812-dca-pg-02-rs-01-in-006-v11-perros-y-gatos-1/file) section 4.1 only asks the certificate to give the identification number 'microchip o transpondedor si lo poseen' (microchip or transponder if they have one), which is weaker. The MAG page is the newer official page (18 December 2025) and states microchip as a requirement, so it is followed; every other country's rules and the certificate itself assume a microchip.
  • The international veterinary certificate must show the animal's breed, sex, colour, date of birth and identification number (microchip or transponder if the animal has one).
    DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-006 V11 Perros y gatos (controlled instruction, read 7 October 2026), checked 7 October 2026
    Official sources differMAG page of 18 December 2025 (https://mag.go.cr/conozca-los-requisitos-sanitarios-establecidos-por-senasa-para-la-importacion-de-perros-y-gatos/) says dogs and cats 'deben estar identificados con microchip'. The newer MAG page wins; see the MAG microchip rule.

Rabies vaccination

Rabies titre test

  • SENASA instruction IN-006 V11 section 5.7: pets coming from the European Union, the United Kingdom or an EFTA country (Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) that will return to their country of origin must carry, in addition to the certificate, a valid rabies antibody titre result of 0.5 IU or more. This is a document for the later return journey, not an entry test. Applies to dogs and cats from the EU, UK and EFTA that will return to their country of origin.
    DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-006 V11 Perros y gatos (controlled instruction, read 7 October 2026), checked 7 October 2026
  • SENASA instruction IN-006 V11 section 5.7, second part: the titre result must be 0.5 IU/ml or more and valid. Applies to dogs and cats from the EU, UK and EFTA that will return to their country of origin.
    DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-006 V11 Perros y gatos (controlled instruction, read 7 October 2026), checked 7 October 2026
  • Not listed: the MAG/SENASA list of health requirements for dogs and cats entering Costa Rica (18 December 2025) has no rabies antibody titre test as an entry requirement. It mentions a titre document only for pets from countries that require one and that will return to their origin. SENASA instructions IN-006 V11 and IN-007 V09 (read in full on 7 October 2026) list no entry titre test either, apart from the EU, UK and EFTA return clause recorded separately; USDA APHIS and GOV.UK certificates do not require one.
    Conozca los requisitos sanitarios establecidos por SENASA para la importación de perros y gatos (18 December 2025), checked 7 October 2026

Health certificate

Other vaccines and tests

Parasite treatment

  • Dogs and cats must be treated against internal and external parasites within 15 days before arrival, with brand, batch number and expiry declared. This agrees with the USDA APHIS certificate (15 days) and differs from the UK certificate 6654 window (30 to 10 days).
    Conozca los requisitos sanitarios establecidos por SENASA para la importación de perros y gatos (18 December 2025), checked 7 October 2026
    Official sources differSENASA instruction IN-006 V11 section 5.2 (https://www.senasa.go.cr/informacion/centro-de-informacion/informacion/sgc/dca/mascotas/requisitos-para-importar-a-costa-rica/9812-dca-pg-02-rs-01-in-006-v11-perros-y-gatos-1/file) measures the 15 days back from exportation, not arrival. The newer MAG page (18 December 2025) wins; for a same-day journey both give the same window. UK GOV.UK certificate 6654 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5bc5e6f5e5274a36084bba03/6654EHC_V4.pdf, 2016 version) says treatment between 30 and 10 days before export; a treatment 10 to 15 days before departure satisfies both.
  • SENASA instruction IN-006 V11 section 5.2: treated within fifteen days before exportation with veterinary drugs against external and internal parasites, ensuring the animal is free of ticks and other parasites; the certificate must give date, brand name, lot number and active ingredient.
    DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-006 V11 Perros y gatos (controlled instruction, read 7 October 2026), checked 7 October 2026
    Official sources differThe MAG page of 18 December 2025 (https://mag.go.cr/conozca-los-requisitos-sanitarios-establecidos-por-senasa-para-la-importacion-de-perros-y-gatos/) says within 15 days before arrival in Costa Rica. The newer MAG page wins; the window is 15 days either way.
  • SENASA instruction IN-006 V11 section 5.2: the certificate must state the date of treatment, brand name, lot number and active ingredient.
    DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-006 V11 Perros y gatos (controlled instruction, read 7 October 2026), checked 7 October 2026
  • Per the USDA APHIS Costa Rica certificate: treatment against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before export, and animals free of ticks. Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
    Costa Rica international health certificate for dogs and cats, checked 7 October 2026
  • Per UK EHC 6654 (2016 certificate version): treatment against internal and external parasites between 30 and 10 days before export. This window differs from the SENASA and US 15-day window; a treatment 10 to 15 days before departure satisfies both. Applies to dogs and cats from the UK.
    6654EHC specimen certificate V4, checked 7 October 2026

Quarantine

Arrival points and notice

  • SENASA instruction IN-006 V11 section 7.1: pets are inspected at the SENASA border inspection post (PIF) of entry on arrival; entry is refused if they have fresh or healing wounds or ectoparasites. The original certificate and a copy are presented at that post (section 6.5). For cargo or pets without the owner, the prior permit is resolved within 24 working hours of receipt of the original document (section 6.4). The instruction gives no advance-notice period for accompanied pets.
    DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-006 V11 Perros y gatos (controlled instruction, read 7 October 2026), checked 7 October 2026
  • SENASA's own location map lists 12 border inspection posts (PIF): Peñas Blancas, Limón, Sixaola, Caldera, Los Chiles, the airports Juan Santamaría and Daniel Oduber, Paso Canoas, Golfito, Limón JAPDEVA, the Moín-JAPDEVA container post and the APM container terminal. The import instruction does not say which of them handle pets.
    Ubicaciones (offices and border inspection posts), checked 7 October 2026

Minimum age

  • No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

How many pets

  • No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

Banned and restricted breeds

  • No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

How your pet may travel

Official fees

  • No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

Other conditions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Dogs and cats over three months old need a rabies vaccination that is still valid on the day they enter Costa Rica. SENASA also asks for dogs to be vaccinated, according to their age, against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis, and for cats to be vaccinated against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. Puppies and kittens under three months must not be vaccinated against rabies, but the certificate must show the vaccination plan for their age. The certificate must record each vaccine’s date, brand, batch number and period of validity. Your pet must also be microchipped, with the microchip number declared on the certificate.

No quarantine period appears in SENASA’s import instruction or in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s list of requirements. A pet that does not meet the requirements is refused entry and returned to its country of origin, so make sure every document is complete before you travel.

SENASA lists no rabies antibody titre test among its entry requirements. Pets that will later return to a country demanding a titre must carry the result for that export. SENASA’s instruction names pets from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the EFTA countries (Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) and asks for a valid result of 0.5 IU/ml or more.

SENASA’s rules state no minimum wait between the rabies vaccination and travel, but the vaccine must be valid on the day of entry. The fixed windows fall close to departure: the vet examination for the health certificate must take place within two weeks before travel, and the parasite treatment within 15 days before arrival. If your pet flies as cargo or without you, a customs broker in Costa Rica must obtain the import permit before arrival, and SENASA resolves the request within 24 working hours of receiving the original document.

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Costa Rica

    Sources

    Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

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