Planning a pet relocation from Finland to Dominican Republic is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Allow around 4-6 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay on track. Pets with …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Finland 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 Finland to Dominican Republic import process
01
First step. Must pre-date vaccination records.
Confirm or implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Responsible: Finnish veterinarian
02
At least 30 days before travel.
Confirm rabies vaccination is within the 30-day to 12-month window. Confirm DHPP vaccination for dogs is current.
Responsible: Finnish veterinarian
03
4-6 weeks before travel. Confirm live animal acceptance on all legs.
Book cargo from Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Santo Domingo (SDQ) via Amsterdam
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
04
Within 10-15 days of departure.
Official vet examination and health certificate from a Ruokavirasto-authorised official vet, within 10 days of travel. The Dominican Republic allows 15 days, but Ruokavirasto-standard 10-day timing is recommended.
Responsible: Ruokavirasto-authorised official veterinarian
05
Travel day.
Travel day: present all original documents at cargo check-in at HEL. Allow 3-4 hours before scheduled 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 Finland.
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 within 15 days of travel by an authorised official veterinarian. If the issuing vet is not a government official vet, the certificate must be countersigned by one. Dogs require current DHPP vaccination (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus). Cats require panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus vaccination. Source: DGAG, agricultura.gob.do.
Leaving Finland
Export requirements
Export permit
No export permit required for personal companion animals leaving Finland.
Veterinary inspection
Clinical examination by a Ruokavirasto-authorised official veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
Health certificate
For export to non-EU countries, an official veterinary health certificate is required. The certificate must be issued by a Ruokavirasto (Finnish Food Authority)-authorised official veterinarian. Format is determined by the requirements of the destination country. The EU pet passport is not valid for the Dominican Republic. Source: ruokavirasto.fi.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Cargo fees HEL to SDQ via Amsterdam: EUR 700-1,800
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 60-220
Official vet examination and health certificate in Finland: EUR 100-250
DHPP and rabies vaccination if boosters due: EUR 80-180
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 strictly enforced. Verify vaccination records against your travel date.
The EU pet passport is not valid at Dominican Republic entry. You need a Ruokavirasto-issued official health certificate.
Health certificate validity is 15 days from issue for Dominican Republic (more generous than EU's standard 10-day rule). Issue no more than 15 days before travel.
If the signing vet holds accreditation but not government official status, the certificate must be countersigned by an official vet before travel.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Finnair
Finnair operates from Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and to other European hubs. Use Finnair or a partner carrier to connect to Amsterdam, then KLM cargo to Santo Domingo (SDQ). Finnair Cargo can also connect to other hubs. Confirm live animal acceptance on the Helsinki feeder segment.
Cargo Only
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM operates cargo from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Las Americas International Airport (SDQ). The AMS connection from Helsinki is via Finnair or KLM's own HEL-AMS service. Book the full cargo chain through a KLM cargo agent. Confirm live animal acceptance on both legs.
Cargo Only
Iberia
Alternative routing via Madrid Barajas (MAD). Connect from Helsinki to Madrid via Finnair or SAS, then Iberia cargo to Santo Domingo. Iberia operates regular cargo services to the Dominican Republic from Madrid.
Cargo Only
How Dominican Republic handles incoming pets
Dominican Republic has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.
What experienced owners do
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. The Dominican Republic does not require a rabies titre test for personal companion pets from Finland. A valid rabies vaccination (30 days to 12 months old) and a health certificate are sufficient.
No. The Dominican Republic is not part of the EU pet travel scheme. You need a separate official health certificate from a Ruokavirasto-authorised official vet. Your regular pet passport cannot substitute for this.
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals. DGAG veterinary officers inspect documentation at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo. Ensure all paperwork is in order before travel.
The Dominican Republic accepts health certificates issued within 15 days of travel, which is more generous than the 10-day window most EU countries use. Issue it no more than 15 days before your departure date.
Airline guides
Finnair
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Iberia
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.