US
United States
✈️
LK
Sri Lanka
Pet Transport USA to Sri Lanka: The Permit, the Tests and 30 Days of Home Quarantine
24-32 weeks
Typical preparation
See key facts
Quarantine on arrival
Very High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
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Official rules on this page checked
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →
Step by step
The United States to Sri Lanka process
1
On arrival. DAPH Quarantine Officer present.
Arrival at Katunayake Airport; sign Quarantine Surveillance Agreement
Responsible: Owner and DAPH
2
At owner's premises in Sri Lanka.
30-day home quarantine under DAPH surveillance
Responsible: Owner (surveillance by DAPH)
Which Sri Lanka rules depend on a pet coming from the United States?
None of the Sri Lanka rules we have verified names the United States on its own.
The rules that apply to every pet entering Sri Lanka, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Sri Lanka guide.
What does the United States require before your pet leaves?
- Export health certificate: All pet export health certificates must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian (page updated 18 June 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel Process Overview, checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: The accredited vet can submit the health certificate to APHIS for endorsement on the owner's behalf (through VEHCS); alternatively the vet gives the paperwork to the owner to submit to the USDA Endorsement Office. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel: U.S. to Another Country, checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: VEHCS is APHIS's online system for issuing, submitting and endorsing export health certificates (page updated 9 June 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS), checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: Endorsement windows after the vet signs are limited and vary by destination (e.g. 30 days). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel Process Overview, checked 2 October 2026 - Other conditions: APHIS endorsement fee (page updated 18 June 2026): USD 101 per certificate with no lab tests; USD 160, 206 or 275 for 1 to 2, 3 to 6 or 7+ tests, plus small per-extra-pet amounts. Paid before endorsement; none for ADA service dogs. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Cost To Endorse Your Pet's Health Certificate, checked 2 October 2026
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Cargo airline fee: $1,200 to $2,800 from US hub to Colombo via connection, depending on routing and crate size |
| 2 | USDA health certificate plus endorsement: $200 to $450 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka Embassy attestation fee: check current fee schedule with the Embassy |
| 4 | DAPH import permit fee: confirm with DAPH |
| 5 | Pet transport agent fee: $600 to $2,000 |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The health certificate must be attested by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington DC. Without attestation, DAPH will not accept it on arrival.
⚠ 30-day home quarantine applies after arrival at Colombo. Your pet stays at your Sri Lanka home under DAPH surveillance for the full 30 days.
⚠ American Pit Bull Terriers are banned from import into Sri Lanka.
⚠ No nonstop US to Colombo flights exist. Routing via Doha (Qatar Airways) or Dubai (Emirates) is standard.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
SriLankan Airlines
Via connections from US cities to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. Pet cargo accepted via SriLankan Airlines Cargo. Primary carrier choice for this route.
Qatar Airways
Via Doha to Colombo. Handles live animal cargo. Good connectivity from US hubs.
Emirates
Via Dubai to Colombo. Live animal cargo. Connections from multiple US cities.
FAQ
Common questions
Attestation by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington DC (or relevant consulate) authenticates the USDA APHIS endorsement on your health certificate for Sri Lankan authorities. Without it, DAPH will not accept the certificate on arrival at Colombo. Take the USDA-endorsed health certificate to the Embassy along with any required supporting documents. Check the current Embassy website for fees and processing times, as these can change.
The home quarantine means your pet stays at your Sri Lanka home address under DAPH surveillance, rather than at a government facility. At Bandaranaike Airport on arrival, you sign a Quarantine Surveillance Agreement with a DAPH Quarantine Officer, providing your home address and contact details. For 30 days, your pet should not leave the premises. DAPH may conduct unannounced checks. After 30 days with no issues, DAPH clears the quarantine in writing.
No airline currently operates nonstop flights between the US and Colombo. SriLankan Airlines connects from various US cities via the Middle East or South Asia. Qatar Airways via Doha and Emirates via Dubai are the most commonly used options for US pet owners. Total crate time from the US East Coast to Colombo is typically 20-28 hours via Gulf connections. Confirm live animal acceptance on both legs of your chosen routing before booking.
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Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- USDA APHIS · United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations