Pet Transport from United States to Trinidad and Tobago: 2026 Guide
Bringing your dog or cat from United States to Trinidad and Tobago takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Plan on roughly 10-14 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United States to Trinidad and Tobago
typically takes around 10-14 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The United States to Trinidad and Tobago import process
01
Vaccination after microchipping.
Microchip implanted and rabies vaccination administered.
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet.
02
At least 1 month after vaccination; allow 2-4 weeks for the result to reach the Chief Veterinary Officer.
Titre test blood draw at an approved laboratory.
Responsible: Vet and approved laboratory.
03
At least 1.5 months ahead of the planned travel date.
Apply for the import permit from the Chief Veterinary Officer.
Responsible: Owner or agent.
04
Parasite treatment within 10 days of travel; certificate within 7 days of travel.
Parasite treatment and the USDA-endorsed export health certificate.
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet and USDA APHIS.
05
At least 2 working days before arrival for the notification.
Notify the arrival hotline and book cargo via Miami or London.
Responsible: Owner or cargo agent.
Requirements
Trinidad and Tobago entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 or Annex A to ISO 11785 compliant microchip required, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required, administered after microchipping, per the vaccine manufacturer's data sheet.
Rabies titre test
Required. The US sits in Category 2 on the Chief Veterinary Officer's country list, requiring a FAVN or RFFIT titre test. Blood drawn at least 1 month after vaccination, at an approved laboratory, with results sent directly to the Chief Veterinary Officer. Minimum result: 0.5 IU/mL, confirmed on the official USDA-issued export health certificate for this route. Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, revised 5 January 2023.
Quarantine
None required for a compliant pet, a policy in effect since April 2013. Non-compliant pets face a minimum of 6 months quarantine, extended holding until requirements are met, or re-export or euthanasia at the owner's expense.
Import permit
Required from the Chief Veterinary Officer. USDA's own published guidance for this specific route states 1 month ahead; the general Trinidad and Tobago category list states 1.5 months. Apply on the longer timeline to be safe.
Health certificate
Official certificate dated within 7 days of the travel date. Also required: a negative Brucella canis test for intact dogs, internal and external parasite treatment within 10 days of travel, and a declaration of every country the pet resided in during the 6 months before export.
Leaving United States of America
Export requirements
Export permit
No routine US export permit required.
Health certificate
USDA-endorsed health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, using the joint USDA/Trinidad and Tobago certificate template published by USDA APHIS for this specific route.
Costs
What this route typically costs
USDA APHIS endorsement: USD 38 per certificate, plus vet examination fees of USD 100-250.
Titre test and laboratory fee: USD 180-320.
Import permit: fee set by the Chief Veterinary Officer at application.
IATA-compliant travel crate: USD 90-320.
Cargo, US gateway to Piarco via Miami or London: USD 1,100-2,400.
Total typical range: USD 1,500-3,300 over 10-14 weeks.
Critical points
USDA's own published guidance and Trinidad and Tobago's general category list disagree on the import permit lead time, 1 month versus 1.5 months. Apply on the longer timeline to avoid a last-minute scramble.
The Category system genuinely rewards origin: an Australia-origin pet skips the titre test entirely under Category 1, while the US's Category 2 status means the full titre sequence applies.
A negative Brucella canis test is required for any intact (non-neutered) dog. Confirm this early with the treating vet, since it's easy to miss on a standard pre-travel checklist.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
British Airways via London
A US gateway to London, then British Airways' nonstop Gatwick-Piarco service, a common routing for this move via IAG Cargo.
Cargo Only
American Airlines via Miami
Miami is the more direct US gateway toward the southern Caribbean; American's network and regional partner carriers connect onward to Piarco with fewer transfers than a European routing.
Cargo Only
Caribbean Airlines
Handles the final regional leg into Piarco from several US gateways, including Miami and New York, on select itineraries.
In Cabin and Hold
Trinidad and Tobago entry requirements at a glance
The path into Trinidad and Tobago is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Getting the details right
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 about this route
Yes. The US sits in Category 2 on Trinidad and Tobago’s country list, requiring a FAVN or RFFIT titre test with a minimum result of 0.5 IU/mL.
No, not for a compliant pet. Trinidad and Tobago has run a no-quarantine policy for compliant pets since April 2013.
At least 1.5 months, the safer figure given USDA’s own guidance states 1 month while Trinidad and Tobago’s general category list states 1.5 months.
Yes. A negative Brucella canis test is required for any dog that hasn’t been neutered.
Airline guides
British Airways via London
American Airlines via Miami
Caribbean Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.