How to Bring and Own Pets in Colombia

So, you’ve secured your Colombian visa—congrats! Now you’re wondering how to bring your furry friend along. Good news: Colombia does not require a pet passport or import permit for dogs and cats entering with their owners.

However, the process involves a few key steps involving health certificates and regulatory checks. If you’re planning pet travel to Colombia, let’s walk through everything you need to make the journey stress-free.

Flying to Colombia With Your Pet

Traveling with your pet can feel overwhelming—especially when it involves international paperwork and deadlines. But don’t worry: pet travel to Colombia is entirely doable when you understand the steps.

Let’s walk through what you need before boarding the plane with your furry companion.

Before Traveling: What You Need to Prepare

Before you even book your flight, there are a few things you’ll need to take care of to make sure your pet travel to Colombia goes smoothly. It’s mostly paperwork—but don’t worry, we’ll make it simple.

1. Register With ICA’s SISPAP System

To bring your pet into Colombia legally, you must first register with ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario). This gives you access to SISPAP, the official online system for requesting your Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS)—a required step for pet travel to Colombia.

• Register at www.ica.gov.co
• If the system says you’re already registered or gives an error, email: direccion.logistica@ica.gov.co
• Once registered, log in and submit a CIS request
• Fill in details about the pet and the passenger, then make the payment
• Print your CIS request and payment receipt—you’ll need them when entering the country

✅ If you’re bringing more than one pet:

• Submit one request per species (i.e., one for cats, one for dogs)
• Up to 10 pets of the same species can be included in a single request

2. Veterinary Health Certificate

Think of this as your pet’s “passport” for entering Colombia. This document proves your furry friend is healthy and ready to travel. It’s an essential part of pet travel to Colombia and easy to get with some advance planning.

Within 10 days before your flight, you must obtain a veterinary health certificate:

• In the U.S.: Use APHIS Form 7001, endorsed by the USDA
• In Canada: Use the CFIA Trilingual Health Certificate, endorsed by CFIA

This document must include:

• Pet’s details: breed, sex, age, markings
• Confirmation that the animal is free from contagious diseases
• Internal and external parasite treatment info (product, date, ingredient)

📦 Pro tip: Use express shipping if endorsement is needed. USDA and CFIA typically return documents within 48 hours.

3. Vaccination Records

Vaccines protect your pet and the local animal population. Colombia requires proof that your pet is up to date on key vaccines—especially rabies—for any pet travel to Colombia.

Vaccination certificates must show:

• Name, lot number, date, and expiration of each vaccine

Required vaccines:

• Dogs: Rabies (administered at least 21 days before travel), Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis (recommended), Coronavirus, Parainfluenza
• Cats: Rabies, Panleukopenia, Calicivirus, Rhinotracheitis

Upon Arrival in Colombia

You’ve made it to Colombia—now what? Don’t worry, you’re almost done. After landing, there are just a few final steps to officially welcome your pet into the country and complete your pet travel to Colombia.

1. Airports That Accept Pets

You can arrive with your pet at:

• El Dorado International Airport (Bogotá) – ICA operates 24/7
• José María Córdova International Airport (Medellín) – ICA operates during business hours

Both airports have an ICA office where your pet will be inspected as part of pet travel to Colombia protocols.

2. ICA Inspection Process

At this point, all you have to do is show your documents and let the ICA staff do a quick check. It’s a straightforward process that finalizes the official entry for pet travel to Colombia.

When you land:

• Pick up your luggage and go directly to the ICA office
• Bring:
  • Printed CIS request and payment receipt
  • Original health certificate
  • Original vaccination records
• ICA will:
  • Review documents
  • Perform a physical inspection of your pet
  • If everything checks out, issue the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS)

Fees and Payment

Let’s talk numbers. Pet travel to Colombia is relatively affordable, but you’ll want to be aware of the exact fees and payment options ahead of time.

• Standard cost: Approx. COP 50,000
• After-hours or weekends (except Bogotá): Extra fee applies
• Only card payments are accepted (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, CredibanCo)

Traveling by Air: Cabin, Checked Baggage, or Cargo?

Depending on your pet’s size and your airline’s policy, there are different ways your pet can travel. Each option is valid under pet travel to Colombia guidelines—just be sure to pick the one that suits your companion best.

• In-cabin: Allowed for small pets that fit under the seat
• Checked baggage: Larger pets can travel in the cargo hold with your flight
• Air cargo: Required if the pet travels alone or exceeds airline limits

🎟️ Each airline has its own policies. Contact them in advance to:

• Confirm availability
• Provide documentation
• Pay required fees
• Understand restrictions by breed, size, and weather conditions

Banned Dog Breeds in Colombia

Unfortunately, not every breed is allowed to enter Colombia. These restrictions are enforced under national safety regulations and apply to all forms of pet travel to Colombia.

Prohibited breeds (and mixes) include:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Staffordshire Terrier
• Rottweiler
• Doberman
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Presa Canario
• Bullmastiff
• American Bulldog

What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?

In most cases, pet travel to Colombia is smooth—but it’s important to know what to expect if there are issues with paperwork or your pet’s health.

ICA may:

• Impose home quarantine (2 follow-up visits – COP 575,900)
• Deny entry and send the pet back
• In rare cases, order euthanasia (for untreatable health risks)

Final Tips Before You Travel

You’re almost there! To make sure your pet travel to Colombia is safe and hassle-free, take a moment to go over these final reminders:

• Reserve pet space on your flight 24–48 hours in advance
• Double-check airline policies
• Bring calming aids for long flights
• Keep physical and digital copies of all documents
• Make sure your immigration status is in order

Need Help With Visas or ICA Registration?

At Nexo Legal, we support expats like you through every step of relocation—including pet travel to Colombia. From ICA registration to legal guidance, we’re here to make the process clear and stress-free.

📩 Reach out to us for a free consultation. Let’s make your move smooth—for both you and your pet.