Pet Transport from Zimbabwe to Colombia

If you are relocating a pet from Zimbabwe to Colombia, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Give yourself close to 20-26 weeks so none of the fixed waiting periods catch you out. …

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20-26

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Moderate

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

20-26 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Moderate

Airlines

10 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Zimbabwe to Colombia typically takes around 20-26 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.

Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The Zimbabwe to Colombia import process

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks

Apply for import permit from Colombia

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Requirements

Colombia 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)

Rabies vaccination

Required. Annual rabies vaccination required.

Rabies titre test

Required for: Not routinely required

Quarantine

No routine quarantine. Veterinary inspection on arrival at El Dorado or other main airports.

Import permit

Required. Import permit required from ICA.

Health certificate

Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Issued by: Official government vet. Valid for 14 days from issue. Certificate in Spanish or with certified Spanish translation required.

Leaving Zimbabwe

Export requirements

Export permit

Required. Issued by Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services.

Health certificate

Required

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Import permit application fee (Colombia)

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
American Airlines	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: American Airlines Cargo handles pet transport. Seasonal temperature embargoes apply	Cabin and Cargo
Emirates	Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round	Cabin and Cargo
British Airways	Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.	Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons	Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific	Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met	Cargo Only
Air France	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes	Cabin and Cargo
KLM	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo	Cabin and Cargo
Delta Air Lines	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Delta Cargo handles larger pets in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo	Cabin and Cargo
Air Canada	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Air Canada Cargo handles pet transport in heated/pressurised hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round	Cabin and Cargo

Colombia import rules, explained

Colombia keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.

Practical tips for this move

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.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

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.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

No routine quarantine is required in Colombia for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.

No routine rabies titre test is listed for this route. Requirements can change and may vary by origin, so confirm the current position with the destination veterinary authority before travel.

Yes, an import permit is required from the Colombia veterinary authority. Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Zimbabwe. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Colombia’s authority for the exact format required.

Airline guides

American Airlines
Emirates
Lufthansa
British Airways
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air France
KLM
Delta Air Lines
Air Canada

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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