Latvia

Pet Entry Requirements for Latvia

Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Latvia?

What Additional Information Do I Need for Latvia?

• What is a Pet Passport?:

  We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Latvia pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Latvia will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and one of the following: An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland pets)An EU Health Certificate (non-EU-resident pets)A government-issued Pet Passport from a part 1 listed third country (see EU COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS)An Animal Health Certificate when entering Latvia from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales). UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.

• Entering Latvia with a Pet:

  Non-commercial transports of dogs, cats, ferrets and birds can enter Latvia at Riga airport. The transport will be recorded in TRACES at that time. Commercial transports must enter via ground border control points at KP Terehova (Russian border) or KP Paternieki (Belarusian border). Flights to Latvia should be direct or transit through an EU Member State, Part 1 or 2 Listed Third Country if possible*. If your pet transits through an Unlisted Third Country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply. All commercial transports, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in the TRACES database and the responsible transporter must be registered. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Latvia. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

• Find a Licensed Veterinarian:

  Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

• Latvia Pet Import Requirements:

  Not specified

• Breeds Banned from Import to Latvia:

  Latvia does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

• Exporting Resident Pets from Latvia:

  All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Latvia for another EU Member State or Part 1 or 2 Listed Third Country should: Be microchippedBe vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age andWait for at least 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving Latvia.Have a licensed veterinarian issue an EU Pet Passport (EU destinations) or Export Health Certificate in accordance with destination country requirements.Provide other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements). Exception: Exports to EU Member States that permit the entry of unvaccinated puppies and kittens. Note that many part 1 listed third countries will have additional requirements in addition to a resident Pet Passport when returning to the country. Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Latvia. Even if your pet is not entering an Unlisted Third Country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country. All animals leaving Latvia for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance with their destination country requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit. This permit will be issued by agencies in the origin country responsible for the issuance of export permits.

• Quarantine for Pets Entering Latvia:

  There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Latvia 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 Other Pet Animals to Latvia:

  Not specified

• Importing Puppies and Kittens to Latvia:

  Unvaccinated puppies, kittens and ferrets are not permitted to enter Latvia from any country or EU Member State. Rabies vaccinations will not be recognized until 12 weeks of age and there is a 21 day wait for puppies and kittens arriving from EU Member States and part 1 or 2 listed third countries. Puppies and kittens entering from unlisted countries cannot do so until they are at least 7 months of age to meet requirements. More information ontransporting a puppy.

• Animals Eligible for these Pet Import Requirements:

  These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO LATVIA below.

• Importing Dogs and Cats to Latvia from Malaysia and Australia:

  If your dog, cat or ferret is entering Latvia from peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met: Your pet has had no contact with pigs during 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 a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export. Cats may only enter Latvia from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

  Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch Species+ Database Related:Learn more about CITES

Related Resources