How To Bring Your Pets When You Move To Costa Rica
You have bought your dream house in Costa Rica; or, you’ve secured the ideal rental while you check out the country as a place to live. Either way, you’re ready to take the plunge and move to Costa Rica.
Have a faithful companion you don’t want to leave behind? When planning your move to Costa Rica, don’t forget to find out what to do to bring your pet to Costa Rica.
While it is not as easy as simply securing passage for Fido or Fluffy on an airline, it is straightforward to bring your dog or cat to Costa Rica with you.
Guidelines given here are for bringing dogs and cats from the United States to Costa Rica. Check this link for other animals from the USA, or with your country’s embassy or governing organization for animals. Many people opt to use a pet moving service, which handles much of the work for you.
What to do in the USA to bring your pet to Costa Rica
Timing is crucial since your pet’s health certificate is only valid within 10 days of the date of departure, and many airlines will only let you make reservations for your pet to fly 13 days or less before traveling.
Make sure to have two or three extra copies of all documents, just in case. The governing authority for animals leaving, or entering, the USA is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Your dog or cat must have up-to-date vaccinations against rabies and leptospirosis to enter Costa Rica. You must have certificates of the vaccinations from the veterinarian.
Your dog or cat must be examined by a USDA accredited veterinarian, who must declare that your pet is healthy. The veterinarian must fill out Federal APHIS Form 7001.
The health certificate is only valid for 10 days before traveling. In many cases, the health certificate must be endorsed by the local USDA Veterinary Services office (check with the USDA for the office nearest to your home).
Fees to the USDA for endorsement range from $38 to $121 per animal.
If your pet is being transported as cargo, and not on the same flight as you, an import permit also is required.
Flying with your dog or cat
U.S. airlines that transport pets to Costa Rica include Delta, United and American Airlines. Each airline has very specific requirements for transporting pets both inside the airline cabin, and as “checked baggage” or “cargo”; check with the airline for their regulations and charges.
Animals may not be tranquilized or drugged, or muzzled, for their safety while flying.
Costa Rica requirements for importing pets
In Costa Rica, if your pet travels as “checked baggage” or “cargo,” you must use an import company to clear customs.
To make the customs process as easy as possible, the import company needs this information before you fly: copy of the passport of the person importing the animal, copy of the passport of the person receiving the animal in Costa Rica along with their contact phone numbers and address in Costa Rica, copy of the animal’s valid health certificate and vaccinations, copy of the animal’s flight reservation.
Keep in mind that the airport customs office in Costa Rica only works Monday to Friday during normal business hours. If your pet arrives in Costa Rica on a Saturday or Sunday, you’ll be waiting until Monday to pick him up; or if your flight arrives late at night, you will have to wait until the next day. The process to clear customs takes several hours, so plan on that as well.
Written By Shannon Farley: Shannon Farley is a travel blog writer for Enchanting Costa Rica and Profimercadeo in Costa Rica. Originally from Southern California , Shannon has lived, worked and traveled all over the world for 20 years; she has been living and working in Costa Rica since 1999. She lives in Atenas, Costa Rica with her husband, 5 dogs and 2 cats.
How To Bring Your Pets When You Move To Costa RicaArticle ID Number 4884
Andrew Makarik
to@welovecostarica.comAndrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.
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