Shipping a dog or cat from Sweden to Uruguay rewards owners who start planning early. Expect about 6-8 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. There is no routine …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Sweden to Uruguay
typically takes around 6-8 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 Sweden to Uruguay import process
01
6-8 weeks before travel. MGAP permit processing takes time. Do not book cargo until you have permit confirmation.
Contact MGAP to apply for an import permit
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent. MGAP: gub.uy/ministerio-ganaderia-agricultura-pesca.
02
Before vaccinations.
Confirm or implant ISO microchip
Responsible: Swedish veterinarian
03
At least 30 days before travel.
Confirm rabies vaccination is within the 30-day to 12-month window
Responsible: Swedish veterinarian
04
Calculate from your arrival date. The treatment must fall within this specific window.
Administer Praziquantel treatment against Taenia Echinococcus for dogs. Must be between 72 hours and 30 days before arrival in Uruguay.
Responsible: Swedish veterinarian
05
4-6 weeks before travel.
Book cargo from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) to Carrasco (MVD) via Madrid (Iberia) or via Lima (LATAM)
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
06
Within 10 days of departure.
Official vet examination and health certificate from Jordbruksverket-authorised official vet within 10 days of travel
Responsible: Jordbruksverket-authorised official veterinarian
07
Travel day.
Travel day. MGAP veterinary inspection at Carrasco Airport on arrival.
Responsible: You and MGAP at MVD
Requirements
Uruguay 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 compatible microchip.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Between 30 days and 12 months before entry. Source: MGAP (Ministerio de Ganaderia, Agricultura y Pesca), gub.uy/ministerio-ganaderia-agricultura-pesca.
Rabies titre test
Not required as a standard condition for Sweden-origin personal companion pets. Confirm with MGAP at the time of permit application.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant arrivals. MGAP inspection at Carrasco International Airport (MVD), Montevideo.
Import permit
Required. Obtain from MGAP before travel. gub.uy/ministerio-ganaderia-agricultura-pesca.
Health certificate
Required. Issued within 10 days of travel. Includes vaccination records, microchip confirmation, and Praziquantel treatment record for dogs. Source: MGAP.
Leaving Sweden
Export requirements
Export permit
No export permit required for personal companion animals leaving Sweden.
Veterinary inspection
Clinical examination by a Jordbruksverket-authorised official vet within 10 days of travel.
Health certificate
Official veterinary health certificate from a Jordbruksverket (Swedish Board of Agriculture)-authorised official veterinarian. EU pet passport is not valid for Uruguay. Issued within 10 days of travel. Source: jordbruksverket.se.
Costs
What this route typically costs
MGAP import permit fee: confirm with MGAP when applying
Cargo fees ARN to MVD via Madrid or Lima: EUR 1,000-2,800
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 60-220
Official vet examination and health certificate in Sweden: SEK 1,500-3,000
Praziquantel treatment (dogs only): SEK 200-500
Pet transport agent fee (recommended): EUR 350-700
Total typical range: EUR 1,400-3,500
Critical points
MGAP import permit must be in place before travel. Start the application 6-8 weeks ahead.
Praziquantel treatment for dogs must fall in the 72-hour to 30-day window before arrival. Treatments outside this window will not satisfy the requirement. Calculate from your arrival date.
Sweden to Uruguay is a very long cargo journey. Ensure your crate meets IATA standards for the expected transit time. Connection through Madrid or Lima typically runs 18-24 hours total.
Distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and leptospirosis vaccinations for dogs should be current in addition to rabies. MGAP may review full vaccination records.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Iberia
Connect from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) to Madrid Barajas (MAD) via SAS, then Iberia cargo to Carrasco International Airport (MVD), Montevideo. Iberia is one of the most practical European options for Uruguay. Contact Iberia Cargo for live animal procedures and current restrictions.
Cargo Only
LATAM Airlines
LATAM operates from European hubs to Montevideo via Lima (LIM) or Sao Paulo (GRU). Connect from Stockholm to a European hub, then LATAM to MVD. LATAM Cargo handles live animal bookings on South American routes.
Cargo Only
Air France
Air France connects Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE). Connect from Stockholm via CDG. For Montevideo, onward arrangements from Buenos Aires may be needed. Confirm Air France cargo capacity to MVD versus EZE.
Cargo Only
What Uruguay requires
The path into Uruguay is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Avoiding the common mistakes
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.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Uruguay requires all incoming dogs to be treated against Taenia Echinococcus (hydatid tapeworm) with a Praziquantel antiparasitic. The treatment must be administered between 72 hours and 30 days before arrival. Cats are not affected. The treating vet records the details on the health certificate.
Processing time varies. Allow 4-6 weeks at minimum when contacting MGAP. Start the application as the first step in your preparation, 6-8 weeks before your planned travel date. Contact MGAP at gub.uy/ministerio-ganaderia-agricultura-pesca.
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals. MGAP veterinary inspectors at Carrasco Airport in Montevideo check documentation and release your pet once the papers are in order.
There is no direct service. The main options are Iberia via Madrid or LATAM via Lima. Both require connecting flights from Stockholm. Book through a cargo agent and confirm live animal acceptance on all segments.
Airline guides
Iberia
LATAM Airlines
Air France
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.