Curacao
Pet Travel Policy Information
Pet Travel Requirements for Curacao
Pet Entry Requirements for Curacao
Pet Microchip
Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. Firstly, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Secondly, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. All dogs and cats entering Curaçao must be identified with a microchip in accordance with the procedures in the country of origin. The most accepted form of identification is a 15-digitthat meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. If microchipped, all documents should reflect the microchip number. If you want to be sure that veterinary inspectors can read your pet’s microchip, you can provide athat will read the microchip. Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer’s or your government’s database.
Vaccinations
All cats and dogs over 12 weeks of age must be vaccinated for rabies at least 21 days and 12 months prior to entering Curaçao. Multi year vaccines are accepted. The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp: a rabies certificate orgovernment-issued vaccination booklet orEU Pet Passport Pet dogs and cats whose rabies vaccination was not administered in their country of origin must comply with home quarantineduring which time a rabies vaccination will be administered by a licensed private veterinarian. Note: Rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.
Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It should be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. A rabies titer test is required to enter Curaçao from any country classified by the European Union ashigh-rabies. The test must be administered a minimum of 30 days after the primary or booster vaccination. (Have your veterinarian scan your pet’s microchip prior to the titer test.) Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Curaçao no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test.
Parasite Treatments
According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites must be administered prior to entering Curaçao . A tapeworm treatment administered by a licensed veterinarian is required for dogs shortly prior to entering Curaçao. Your pet must be treated for fleas within 48 hours of travel. Actually, it is highly recommended that your pet be tested for heartworm and put on a flea and tick prevention program prior to entering Curaçao.
Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued in the country of origin, including the following information: Within two (2) weeks of entry, ais issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin. The certificate must then be endorsed by the governing authority of your country responsible for the import and export of animals. A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete thewithin 10 days of travel. The original and one copy must travel with your pet and be available to veterinary inspectors at entry. Any dog, cat, or ferret traveling unaccompanied is considered commercial trade, and is subject to an additional requirement. Commercial animals and pets traveling unaccompanied must have been clinically examined by a government-accredited veterinarian within 24 hours before departure to Curaçao and must travel with a health certificate which states the date and time of the examination.
Import Permit
An import permit is not required for pets entering Curaçao with their owner from any country.
Complete all 6 steps to enter Curacao with your pet
Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.
Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Curacao?
Not specified
What Additional Information Do I Need for Curacao?
- Other Information:
Not specified
- What is a Pet Passport?:
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Curaçao pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport will be comprised of proof of microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, rabies titer test results (from some countries), parasite treatments, and an international export health certificate.
- Entering Curaçao by Air:
Pets must enter Curaçao via Curaçao International Airport.. Pets can arrive in the cabin, checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies. In all cases, pets must travel in a pet carrier or pet crate that is in accordance with the policies set by the International Air Transport Association. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant? Importers should inform veterinary officials in advance. They will need to be available to check your pet and its pet passport documentation after landing. Whenever you travel to a foreign country, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating the ownership of the pet. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of any signs of contagious diseases when evaluated at the entry airport. Importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing if the health of your cat or dog is not acceptable.
- Breeds Banned by Curaçao:
Pit Bulls and their mixes are not permitted to enter Curaçao.
- Find a Licensed Veterinarian:
Before beginning any pet export procedure, owners, agents, or anyone transporting a pet should ensure that their veterinarian is licensed by the governing authority in their country that is responsible for the movement of live animals. This veterinarian should administer all vaccinations and treatments, as well as issue all required documentation.
- Curaçao Pet Import Requirements:
All steps required to conform to Curaçao pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-6 should be completed in the order given.
- Importing Other Animals to Curaçao:
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination; however, they will have to meet other requirements. They should have an import permit and health certificate to enter Curaçao. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
- Quarantine for Pets Entering Curaçao:
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Curaçao if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.
- Importing Puppies and Kittens to Curaçao:
Puppies and kittens less then 12 weeks of age are not permitted to enter Curaçao. Puppies and kittens must bevaccinated for rabies no sooner than 12 weeks of age and wait for 21 days before entering Curaçao. All other requirements above will also apply. Related: More information ontransporting a puppy.
- Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements:
Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats, including service and assistance dogs and cats. Wolf hybrids and Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations unless they are at least 5th generation removed from the pedigree.
- Entering Curaçao from Countries Infected with Nipah:
If your pet is entering Curaçao from a country infected with Nipah, the following conditions must be met: Your pet has had no contact with pigs for at least the past 60 days prior to export.Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.Your pet has been tested with negative result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approvedfor testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export.
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications. Over 180 nations participate in and enforce CITES rules and protections. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Read more about CITES
Related Resources
Traveler Tips & Experiences
Emily Parker
February 12, 2025
I visited Curacao last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.
Michael Chen
January 3, 2025
Air travel to Curacao was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!