NL
Netherlands
✈️
DO
Dominican Republic
Pet Transport from the Netherlands to Dominican Republic: 2026 Field Guide
4-6 weeks
Typical preparation
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Netherlands 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.
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Overview
The journey from Netherlands to Dominican Republic for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Give yourself close to 4-6 weeks so none of the fixed waiting periods catch you out. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine entirely.
A rabies titre test is not needed for this route. Work through the steps below in order and you will arrive in good shape.
Step by step
The Netherlands to Dominican Republic process
1
First step. Must be completed before any rabies vaccination to ensure the vaccination is recognised.
Confirm or implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in the Netherlands
2
At least 5 weeks before travel. Administer a booster if the vaccination has lapsed and wait the full 30 days.
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and given at least 30 days before planned Dominican Republic entry.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in the Netherlands
3
Can coincide with the rabies check. DGAG inspectors check all vaccination records on arrival at SDQ.
Ensure DHPP vaccination (dogs) is current. Cats: confirm rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia are up to date.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in the Netherlands
4
Within 10 days of cargo check-in. Document product name, date, and dose.
Internal and external antiparasitic treatment within 10 days of departure.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in the Netherlands
5
4-6 weeks before travel. Confirm live animal acceptance on all segments.
Book cargo from AMS to SDQ via KLM or via Madrid.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
6
Within 15 days of departure (the Dominican Republic allows 15 days, longer than the EU standard of 10). Issue the certificate within 10-12 days of travel to be safe.
Officieel dierenarts examination and NVWA-endorsed AHC.
Responsible: Officieel dierenarts, NVWA endorsement
7
48 hours before departure.
Notify DGAG of arrival at SDQ 48 hours before your flight.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
8
Travel day.
Travel day: present all original documents at AMS cargo check-in. Allow 3-4 hours before scheduled departure.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Checklist
Dominican Republic: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required. ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit chip. Must be in place and readable before travel. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Administered between 30 days and 12 months before entry. An expired vaccination or one given fewer than 30 days before arrival will not be accepted. Source: DGAG (Direccion General de Ganaderia), agricultura.gob.do. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required. The Dominican Republic does not require a rabies antibody titre test for personal companion pets from the Netherlands. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for pets arriving with compliant documentation. DGAG veterinary inspection at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), Santo Domingo, on arrival. |
| Import permit | Not required for personal companion pets (up to five animals with their owner). |
| Health certificate | Required. Issued within 15 days of travel. Must include owner's full name and address, plus the animal's name, breed, sex, colour, age, and microchip number. Dogs: DHPP vaccination (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus) must be current. Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia vaccinations must be current. Source: DGAG, agricultura.gob.do. |
Leaving Netherlands
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No export permit required for companion cats and dogs leaving the Netherlands. |
| Veterinary inspection | Clinical examination by an officieel dierenarts within 10 days of departure. Book in advance as NVWA-registered official vet appointments can have limited availability. |
| Health certificate | Official AHC for non-EU destinations, issued by an officieel dierenarts (official vet) and endorsed by the NVWA (Nederlandse Voedsel en Warenautoriteit / Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority). Valid for 10 days from issue. Source: nvwa.nl. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Cargo fees AMS to SDQ (KLM direct or via Madrid): EUR 700-1,700 depending on pet weight, crate size, and routing |
| 2 | IATA-compliant travel crate (if not already owned): EUR 60-220 |
| 3 | Officieel dierenarts examination and NVWA-endorsed AHC: approximately EUR 80-200 |
| 4 | DHPP/rabies boosters and cat vaccines if due: EUR 50-120 |
| 5 | Antiparasitic treatment certificate: EUR 30-60 |
| 6 | Pet transport agent for cargo coordination (optional): EUR 300-700 |
| 7 | Total typical range: EUR 900-2,500 |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The 30-day minimum wait after rabies vaccination is strictly checked at SDQ. Verify your pet's vaccination date against the planned entry date before booking.
⚠ The AHC validity window for the Dominican Republic is 15 days from issue, not the standard EU 10 days. This gives more scheduling flexibility but does not remove the 48-hour notification requirement.
⚠ KLM is based at Amsterdam Schiphol and is the most natural carrier from the Netherlands for Caribbean cargo. Confirm live animal acceptance on your specific booking.
⚠ Notify the DGAG veterinary station at SDQ 48 hours before your flight. Arrivals without prior notification may face delays at the airport inspection.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM operates cargo from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Las Americas Airport (SDQ). As the Netherlands' home carrier, KLM is the most direct option from AMS to the Dominican Republic. KLM coordinates live animal cargo documentation and has Caribbean network coverage. Confirm live animal acceptance and current schedules.
Iberia
Cargo routing via Madrid (MAD) to SDQ. Connect from AMS to MAD via KLM or another European carrier, then Iberia cargo to SDQ. A reliable option when KLM cargo space to SDQ is limited. Confirm live animal acceptance on all segments.
Air Europa
Air Europa flies Madrid to Santo Domingo and can be used as an alternative when routing via Madrid from Amsterdam. Connect from AMS to MAD, then Air Europa to SDQ. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance before booking.
Dominican Republic import rules, explained
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.
Practical tips for this move
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.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
FAQ
Common questions
No. No titre test is required for companion pets from the Netherlands entering the Dominican Republic. A current rabies vaccination (given 30-120 days before entry) and an NVWA-endorsed AHC are the main requirements.
No. There is no quarantine for compliant arrivals. DGAG officers inspect pets at SDQ on arrival. If your documentation is correct, your pet is cleared on the same day.
An officieel dierenarts is an NVWA-registered official veterinarian authorised to issue international health certificates in the Netherlands. The NVWA website (nvwa.nl) lists recognised official vets and explains the booking procedure for non-EU destination certificates.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operates cargo from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Santo Domingo (SDQ) and is the most direct option. Iberia via Madrid and Air Europa via Madrid are alternatives when KLM cargo space is limited. Confirm live animal acceptance on all segments.
Four to six weeks for most pets with current vaccinations. The main constraint is the 30-day minimum wait after rabies vaccination. Schedule the NVWA official vet appointment and the antiparasitic treatment within the validity window for your travel date.
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