Planning a pet relocation from Denmark to Dominican Republic is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. This is a middle of the road route, and about 4-6 weeks of preparation usually …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Denmark to Dominican Republic
typically takes around 4-6 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Denmark to Dominican Republic import process
01
First step.
Confirm or implant ISO microchip. Must pre-date vaccination records.
Responsible: Danish veterinarian
02
At least 30 days before travel.
Confirm rabies vaccination is within 30 days to 12 months. Confirm DHPP for dogs is current.
Responsible: Danish veterinarian
03
4-6 weeks before travel. Confirm live animal acceptance on all legs.
Book cargo from Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) to Las Americas Airport (SDQ) via Amsterdam
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
04
Within 10 days of travel. Allow 1-2 working days for Foedevarestyrelsen endorsement after the vet signs.
Official vet examination and Foedevarestyrelsen-endorsed health certificate. Book with a Foedevarestyrelsen-authorised official vet. After signing, submit to Foedevarestyrelsen regional office for endorsement.
Responsible: Official vet and Foedevarestyrelsen regional office
05
Travel day.
Travel day: present all original endorsed documents at CPH cargo check-in. Allow 3-4 hours before cargo departure.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Requirements
Dominican Republic entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Administered between 30 days and 12 months before entry. Source: Ministerio de Agricultura, DGAG (Direccion General de Ganaderia), agricultura.gob.do.
Rabies titre test
Not required. The Dominican Republic does not require a rabies titre test for personal companion pets from Denmark.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant arrivals. Veterinary inspection at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), Santo Domingo on arrival.
Import permit
Not required for personal pets (up to five animals with their owner).
Health certificate
Required. Issued by an authorised official veterinarian within 15 days of travel. If the issuing vet is not a government official vet, countersignature by an official vet is required. Dogs must have current DHPP vaccination (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus). Cats: panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus. Source: DGAG, agricultura.gob.do.
Leaving Denmark
Export requirements
Export permit
No export permit required for personal companion animals leaving Denmark.
Veterinary inspection
Clinical examination by a Foedevarestyrelsen-authorised official vet within 10 days of travel. Book in advance: official vet slots fill quickly near travel dates.
Health certificate
EU-format official veterinary health certificate, signed by a Foedevarestyrelsen (Danish Veterinary and Food Administration)-authorised official vet and endorsed by the Foedevarestyrelsen regional office. Valid 10 days from the date of clinical examination. Allow 1-2 working days for Foedevarestyrelsen endorsement after the vet issues the certificate. Source: fvst.dk.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Cargo fees CPH to SDQ via Amsterdam: EUR 700-1,800
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 60-220
Official vet examination and health certificate in Denmark: DKK 800-1,500
Foedevarestyrelsen endorsement fee: charged per endorsement
DHPP and rabies vaccination if boosters are due: DKK 400-900
Pet transport agent fee (optional): EUR 250-600
Total typical range: EUR 900-2,400
Critical points
The 30-day minimum after rabies vaccination is enforced on arrival. Check your vaccination records against your exact travel date.
The Foedevarestyrelsen endorsement adds 1-2 working days after the vet signs. Do not issue the health certificate on the day before travel.
Health certificate validity is 10 days from clinical examination (Foedevarestyrelsen standard). The Dominican Republic allows up to 15 days from issue, but the 10-day Danish standard applies from the examination date.
The EU pet passport is not valid for Dominican Republic entry. A Foedevarestyrelsen-endorsed official health certificate is required.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Primary cargo option. SAS connects Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). KLM operates cargo services from AMS to Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo. Book through a KLM cargo agent and confirm live animal acceptance on both legs before travel.
Cargo Only
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
SAS operates cargo from Copenhagen to Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, and other European hubs. SAS can carry pets on the CPH to AMS feeder leg. Confirm SAS cargo pet acceptance rules alongside the main carrier booking.
Cargo Only
Iberia
Alternative routing via Madrid Barajas (MAD). SAS or Iberia connect Copenhagen to Madrid, then Iberia cargo to Santo Domingo. Iberia operates regular cargo services to the Dominican Republic.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.
How to keep this move on track
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. The Dominican Republic does not require a rabies titre test for personal companion pets from Denmark. A valid rabies vaccination (at least 30 days old, not more than 12 months) and a health certificate are sufficient.
Denmark requires that the official veterinary health certificate for non-EU export be endorsed by the Foedevarestyrelsen (Danish Veterinary and Food Administration) regional office. This endorsement confirms the issuing vet’s authorisation. Allow 1-2 working days for the process after the vet signs the certificate.
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals. DGAG veterinary officers inspect documentation at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo and release pets whose papers are in order.
No direct cargo service exists. The main route is KLM cargo via Amsterdam: SAS from CPH to AMS, then KLM to SDQ. Iberia via Madrid is the alternative. Book through a cargo agent and confirm live animal acceptance on all segments.
Airline guides
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Iberia
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.