UY
Uruguay
✈️
FR
France

Pet Transport Uruguay to France: 2026 Guide

20-26 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified

Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →

Overview
France applies the standard EU unlisted country process to pets from Uruguay: FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory, a mandatory 90-day wait from the blood draw date, and a MGAP-DGSG endorsed EU health certificate. Plan five to six months minimum. The blood sample must be shipped internationally from Montevideo, and the DGSG endorsement step requires advance coordination. Routing goes via Buenos Aires or São Paulo to Paris CDG.
Step by step

The Uruguay to France process

1
First step.
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) before vaccination

Responsible: Uruguayan vet

2
After chipping. 30-day wait before titre test.
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Uruguayan vet

3
30+ days post-vaccination. International sample shipping from Montevideo to EU-approved lab. 90-day wait starts from blood draw date.
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory

Responsible: Uruguayan vet + EU-approved lab

4
Cannot be shortened. Runs from the date the blood was drawn.
90-day mandatory wait from blood draw date

Responsible: N/A

5
During the wait.
Book cargo MVD to CDG via Buenos Aires or São Paulo hub

Responsible: Owner or agent

6
Within 10 days of travel. Coordinate DGSG endorsement.
MGAP-DGSG endorsed EU health certificate

Responsible: MGAP-registered vet + DGSG

7
Travel day. MVD to CDG typically 14-18 hours via South American hub.
Arrive CDG. SIVEP inspection by DGAL officers.

Responsible: Airline + DGAL/SIVEP

Checklist

France: entry requirements

RequirementDetail
MicrochipISO 11784/11785. Implanted before vaccination.
Rabies vaccinationRequired. 21-day post-primary vaccination wait before travel.
Rabies titre testRequired. Uruguay is an EU unlisted third country. FAVN or ELISA test at EU-approved laboratory. Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. Minimum 0.5 IU/mL. Mandatory 90-day wait from blood draw date before entering France. Source: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, April 2026.
QuarantineNone for compliant arrivals.
Import permitNot required.
Health certificateEU-format certificate endorsed by MGAP-DGSG, issued within 10 days of travel.
Leaving Uruguay

Export requirements

RequirementDetail
Export permitNo formal export permit required for companion animals from Uruguay.
Health certificateEU-format health certificate from a MGAP-registered vet in Uruguay, endorsed by the Dirección General de Servicios Ganaderos (DGSG) of Uruguay's Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP). Issued within 10 days of travel to France. Departure airport: Carrasco International (MVD), Montevideo.
Costs

What this route typically costs

1FAVN titre test (blood draw, EU lab, international shipping): UYU 4,000-10,000 (approximately EUR 100-250)
2MGAP-DGSG EU health certificate and endorsement: UYU 2,000-5,000 (approximately EUR 50-120)
3Cargo MVD to CDG via hub: EUR 1,000-2,800
4IATA crate: EUR 80-300
5Pet transport agent: EUR 400-1,000
6Total typical range: EUR 1,600-4,500 over 5-6 months
Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ Uruguay is EU unlisted for pet travel. The FAVN titre test and 90-day wait apply regardless of any other trade or diplomatic links between Uruguay and the EU.
⚠ The 90-day wait starts from the blood draw date, not when results arrive. Book the blood draw as early as possible.
⚠ France has Category 1 and Category 2 breed restrictions under French law. Check French breed legislation before travel with Rottweilers, pitbull-type dogs, or similar breeds.
⚠ International sample shipping from Montevideo to an EU-approved lab requires correct biological packaging. Use a vet experienced with international FAVN samples or engage a specialist pet transport agent.
⚠ The DGSG endorsement adds time. Allow at least 5 working days for the government endorsement of the EU health certificate.
Carriers

Airlines on this route

Air France via Buenos Aires
Air France Cargo connects Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Paris CDG directly. MVD to EZE by LATAM or Aerolíneas Argentinas, then Air France Cargo from EZE to CDG. CDG is France's primary live animal cargo entry point.
Cargo Only
LATAM Airlines via São Paulo or Santiago
LATAM connects MVD to São Paulo (GRU) or Santiago (SCL). Onward connections to CDG via partnered European carriers. Confirm live animal acceptance on all legs.
Cargo Only
Iberia via Madrid
Iberia Cargo connects Buenos Aires EZE or GRU to Madrid (MAD), then Air France or Iberia to CDG. Madrid-CDG is a short hop but adds a leg.
Cargo Only
Air Europa via Madrid
Air Europa flies MVD to MAD. Onward Air France or KLM Cargo from MAD to CDG. Check live animal acceptance for the MVD-MAD leg.
Cargo Only

The EU unlisted country process from Uruguay

Uruguay has not undergone the EU equivalence assessment for pet travel, placing it in the unlisted third country category under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 (April 2026). This applies to all companion animals: dogs, cats, and ferrets. The three mandatory steps are a FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory, a 90-day wait from the blood draw date, and a MGAP-DGSG endorsed EU-format health certificate.

The titre test blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Uruguay has no EU-approved laboratory domestically, so the sample must be shipped to Europe or North America. Allow two to three weeks for international shipping and processing. The 90-day clock starts the moment the blood is drawn, which means it runs while you are waiting for the result. Book the blood draw as early as possible.

MGAP-DGSG endorsement and the EU health certificate

The EU health certificate for France must be in the EU format and endorsed by Uruguay’s official veterinary authority: the Dirección General de Servicios Ganaderos (DGSG), part of the Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca (MGAP). Your Uruguayan vet completes the certificate and a DGSG government vet endorses it. This is the same authority that endorses the Certification form for dogs entering the USA.

The certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of veterinary issue, so timing the DGSG endorsement against your travel date is critical. Allow at least five working days for the government step. DGAL/SIVEP officers at Paris CDG conduct the inspection on arrival. Pre-notification to SIVEP via your pet transport agent can speed up the process on arrival day.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. The EU unlisted country rules apply to cats as well as dogs. Both require the FAVN titre test, 90-day wait, and MGAP-DGSG endorsed EU health certificate. This is a common misconception: the titre test is not limited to dogs for EU unlisted country entries.
No regular direct live animal cargo service operates from MVD to CDG. The most practical routing goes via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) with Air France Cargo, or via São Paulo (GRU) or Santiago (SCL) with connections to CDG. Air Europa from MVD to MAD with onward service to CDG is another option. Confirm live animal acceptance on all legs with the carrier.
EU-approved laboratories are listed at food.ec.europa.eu. Labs in France, Germany, Belgium, the UK, and Canada are commonly used for South American samples. Your vet or pet transport agent will know which labs accept international samples from Uruguay and can advise on shipping times and costs.
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Start your journey

Get Your Free Quote

Enter your pet's details and route

Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.

No obligation. Your details are kept private and never shared.

Chat with us