Importing pets to Costa Rica (the rules have changed)

[MICHEAL LEVINE]

We have imported our dog from the US twice and were in the process of getting our documents in order for a visit in 10 days.
Our vet’s signature on the form APHIS-7001 was rejected by the USDA because CR has tightened its requirements, effective Nov 1.
They now require that the signing vet be officially registered as a USDA vet, and the manufacturer and lot number of any required vaccines be listed on the form 7001.

IMPORT REQUIREMENTS OF COSTA RICA FOR PETS (DOGS AND CATS)
1: . The dog/cat was examined and found to be healthy and free of any clinical signs of infectious disease. This examination should be conducted within 2 weeks of the departure date/El canino o felino doméstico fue sometido a examen clínico por parte de un médico veterinario autorizado. Este examen debe realizarse dos semanas antes del embarque.
2. The animal (s) was treated within thirty (30) days and ten (10) days before exportation with approved products for the origin country against endo and ectoparasites, ensuring that animals are free of ticks and other external and internal parasites. This shall include date of treatment, brand name, batch and the active ingridient of the product/El canino o felino doméstico fue tratado con medicamentos ecto y endoparasiticidas, asegurando que se encuentran libres de garrapatas y otros parásitos externos e internos. Deberán indicar la fecha de aplicación, principio activo, marca comercial y número de lote, entre treinta (30) y diez (10) dias de anticipación a la exportación.
REQUISITOS DE COSTA RICA PARA LA IMPORTACIÓN DE MASCOTAS: PERROS Y GATOS
The animals must be accompanied by a Origin Health Certificate in Spanish or English issued by a veterinarian so authorized by the Competent Authority and endorsed by a Veterinary Services (VS) veterinarian. .Additional certification shall include/Certificado Veterinario Internacional (original y copia), en idioma español, o inglés, refrendado por los Servicios Veterinarios Oficiales del país de origen de los perros y gatos que certifique
3. Dogs were vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis. Adult dogs and puppies over 3 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies. For all vaccines that are administered to dogs must be logged in the official certification, batch number, expiration date on vaccine, type of vaccine and brand name/Los caninos domésticos fueron vacunados contra distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, y leptospirosis. Perros adultos y cachorros mayores de tres meses deben haber sido vacunados contra rabia, esta vacuna debe estar vigente al día de su ingreso al país. En el certificado veterinario internacional debe quedar anotada la fecha de vacunación contra rabia, marca comercial, laboratorio fabricante, número de lote y fecha de expiración de la vacuna.
4. Adult cats and kittens over 3 months were vaccinated against rabies. This vaccine that was administered to cats must be logged in the official certification, batch number, expirationdateonvaccine,typeofvaccineandbrandnameofthe vaccine/Los felinos domésticos adultos y cachorros mayores de tres meses fueron vacunados contra rabia esta vacuna debe estar vigente al día de su ingreso al país. En el certificado veterinario internacional debe quedar anotada la fecha de vacunación
contra rabia, marca comercial, laboratorio fabricante, número de lote y fecha de expiración de la vacuna.

[JASON HOLLAND]

An update here. Costa Rica now has it’s own form for importing pets:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettravel-costa-rica

[Sandra Bonar]

Do you know if the rules are the same for pets from Canada? I have two Golden Retrievers. Sandra

[Sandra Bonar]

Sorry, a second question — You say the vet must be a US vet, how about Canadian?

[DOUG HENDRICKSON]

Thanks very much for the update!

[DOUG HENDRICKSON]

Do you know of an easy way of finding out if a vet is certified by the USDA so as to minimize any issues with completeness and accuracy of medications, vaccinations and forms?

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Sandra,

The rules are very similar, but catered to Canada and you will deal with the CFIA rather than the USDA. Here’s the link of where to go to get started with the requirements for importing pets from Canada: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/exports/live-animals/health-certificates/pets/eng/1321265624789/1321281361100

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Doug,

APHIS is the organization to check with on finding certified vets: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/find-a-vet/pet-travel-locate-an-accredited-vet

[Country Expert john michael arthur]

Just ask your vet if they are USDA certified for the necessary forms. He or she will know. Many are not. But they will know colleagues who are. Also, even if they are USDA certified, they MUST use their seal on the form or it will be rejected here at Customs.

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