Pet import requirements for Argentina

Argentina at a glance

The detail

Argentina, of ficially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. *Pets* can enter *Argentina* by air via *Ministro* Pistarini *International Airport* in Buenos *Aires.*(EZE - Ezeiza).

Import requirements

At the time of entry, animals older than ninety (90) days shall be vaccinated against rabies with vaccines authorized by the Veterinary Authority of the

country where they were applied. When dealing with animals that have been first vaccinated against rabies, dispatch from the exporting country shall be authorized twenty-one (21) days after the application of the vaccine.

If the dog or cat is less than 3 (three) months old, the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country must certify the age of the animal and that it has not been in any premises where a case of urban rabies has occurred in the last ninety (90) days to the shipment, based on the statement provided by the owner and/or the of ficial epidemiological in formation.

Animals younger than three (3) months may be admitted entering a Member State if:

• The Veterinary Authority of the Exporting Country certifies that the animal is younger than ninety (90) days, by writing this in formation in the box of the IVC provided for said purpose.

and

• The animal has not been in any premises where a case of urban rabies has occurred in the last ninety (90) days, based on the statement provided by the owner and/or the of ficial epidemiologic in formation.

• Rabies vaccine certificate:

Date of rabies vaccination must be at least 30 and 360 days at most before date of departure. This requisite is only required for any cat/dog over 3 months of age.

• Health certificate

Must be dated not before than 10 days prior to departure date and must be issued by the of ficial authority of the country of origin (Example: USDA in the United States). This certificate must be written in or translated into Spanish and must contain:

a. Owner´s name and address

b. Animal´s data: breed, sex, birth date, size, color and particular signs.

c. Country of origin and transit points, if applicable.

d. Statement: "the animal has been examined within 10 days before departure date, not showing any clinical signs of diseases.

• De-worming treatment:

Internal and external treatment within 15 days prior to export. Certificate must state: Name of the product used, laboratory that manufactures the drug, active substance and date of treatment.

• Other vaccinations:

Full vaccinations certificate will be required.

• Quarantine

All animals that comply with the above requisites will not be put into quarantine.

• Consulate stamp

Currently, it is not required to put a Consulate stamp in the certificate.

• Import Permit

No Import Permit required for dogs and cats with country of origin other than Asian or African countries. (for such countries an Import Permit is required, and some additional text has to be in cluded in the health certificate as well).

• Entry as Accompanied Baggage

This applies to pets traveling with their owners or caretakers on the same mode of transport. In air transport, it in cludes pets traveling in the cabin or cargo hold. Upon arrival in Argentina, SENASA of ficials will perform document verification (IVC or passport), and a physical and identity check of the dog or cat.

The owner/caretaker does not need to:

• Submit a prior “Import/Entry Application” to SENASA;
• File a “Pre-Arrival Notification or Border Post Intervention Request”;
• Obtain a “Release Permit” from SENASA for the animal’s entry into the country.
• Entry as Cargo (With or Without Commercial Intent)

This applies to:

• Animals in volved in foreign trade and subject to customs procedures;
• Pets shipped without their owners/caretakers on the same transport.

The transporter or person responsible for the cargo must notify or submit an Intervention Request to the border post at least 24 business hours prior to entry.

Upon arrival, SENASA staff will verify:

• Health documents (IVC or passport),
• Transport documents (air waybill, etc.),
• Physical and identity check of the animal.

An Import/Entry Application is not required for pets entering as cargo.

Puppies and pets entering without their owners as cargo, not being able to prove being part of a relocation.

Identification and microchip

Microchip is not required but Highly Recommended

Rabies and vaccinations

Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies with vaccines authorized by the Veterinary Authority of the country of origin/provenance and with current immunity according to the validity period granted by the vaccine manufacturing laboratory.

In the case of animals vaccinated for the first time, the vaccine must have been applied at least TWENTY ONE (21) days prior to entering the Argentine Republic.

If the dog or cat is less than 3 (three) months old, the Veterinary Authority must certify the age of the animal and that it has not been in any property where a case of urban rabies has occurred in the last NINETY (90) days to your shipment.

If the animal comes from a country or zone that complies with the recommendations established in the Terrestrial Code of the WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH (WHO) to be declared free of Rabies, it may enter without the corresponding immunization against this disease, and the Veterinary Authority must issuer of the CVI to record this condition of country or free zone in said CVI or Passport.

The original Rabies Vaccination Certificate must not be retained by any Control Authority within ARGENTINA or abroad. In all cases, this Certificate must remain in the possession of the owner / person responsible for the animal.

Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies using vaccines authorized by the veterinary authority of the country of origin, with immunity valid according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

• For first-time vaccinations, the vaccine must be administered at least 21 days prior to entry into Argentina.
• If the dog or cat is under three (3) months old, the veterinary authority must certify the animal’s age and that it has not been in any premises where urban rabies has occurred in the 90 days prior to shipment.
• Animals from countries or zones of ficially declared rabies-free by the WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) may enter, provided the veterinary authority states this condition in the IVC or passport.

The original rabies vaccination certificate must not be withheld and must remain with the owner or responsible party.

Tests and treatments

No blood test required.

Treatment for in ternal and external parasitesmust be administered within 15 days before the IVC issuance or passport endorsement, using veterinary products approved by the country’s veterinary authority.

Health certificate and permits

Issued within ten (10) days prior to the date of IVC issuance by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin. It must certify that the animal is clinically healthy, shows no signs of parasite in festation, and is fit for travel.

No Import Permit required for dogs and cats with country of origin other than Asian or African countries.

[How to Import Dogs and Cats to Argentina](https://www.argentina.gob.ar/senasa/in formacion-al-viajero/in gresar-o-regresar-al-pais/in gresos-con-perros-yo-gatos)

If you enter the country with another COMPANION ANIMAL / NON-TRADITIONAL PETS (ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, birds, etc.) either permanently or temporarily, you must previously process the import authorization before SENASA, and process the International Veterinary Certificate in the country of origin.

https://www.argentina.gob.ar/servicio/animales-vivos-importacion-exportacion

When an animal not complying with the health requirements established in this Resolution arrives to an entry point of a Member State, the Veterinary Authority of said Member State may implement the necessary health measures in order to protect its animal health condition. The costs and/or losses of any type resulting from a partial or total non-.Compliance with the terms of this Resolution shall be borne by the owner / person responsible for the animal.

No specific format of HC or special document is required.

*SENASA provides an HC as a Model.*

Quarantine

All animals that comply with the above requisites will not be put into quarantine.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Entry with Dogs and/or Cats

Individuals wishing to enter Argentina with domestic dogs and/or cats (Canis lupus familiarisand Felis silvestris catus, respectively) must present either an International Veterinary Certificate (IVC also known as International HC) or a legalized of ficial passport.

• International Veterinary Certificate (IVC)

The IVC must be issued, signed, and stamped by the veterinary authority of the country of origin or departure. One of the languages of the IVC must be Spanish.

[Download a sample IVC model]

• Legalized Official Passport

The passport must be valid and in clude the required health in formation (rabies vaccination, anti parasite treatment, and health check), and must be endorsed, signed, and stamped by the veterinary authority of the country of origin before departure. In addition to Spanish, English is accepted as the only alternative language.

Customs, agents, and airports

NO, but Highly RecommendedAmerican Airlines requires a Customs Broker as an Airline Policy

*Pets* can enter *Argentina* by air via *Ministro* Pistarini *International Airport* in Buenos *Aires.*(EZE - Ezeiza).

Airports listed on this destination file: AEP, EZE, COR.

Clearance can be done 24 -7. If done after hours, holidays, or weekends it is possible to clear customs at any time but extra fees will apply.

When bringing the pet as excess baggage:

• claim your pet at the baggage claim area
• present your pet and the in ternational HC along with the microchip, rabies, deworming and vaccine records at SENASA desk/counter.

When arriving as CARGO:

• claim all original in ternational documents at the airline cargo counter, paying the Airline Handling fee:
• AWB
• HC or legalized Pet Passport
• microchip, rabies, deworming, vaccine records
• present all documents at SENASA counter and pay the fees
• present all documents and SENASA formalities at CUSTOMS at TCA (Terminal de Cargas Argentinas) and pay import fees(for commercial imports, the fee is about 42% of the freight charges on AWB + value of the dog / this percentage is approximate)

Export notes

To return to the country of origin, a new IVC must be processed with SENASA, unless the original IVC clearly states it is valid for re-entry, specifies the maximum period allowed, and is still in force.

Pets that entered Argentina with a legalized of ficial passport may use the same document for return, as long as the certified rabies vaccination remains valid.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

An Export or Import Permit must be obtained. An application must be sent along with all required documents. All steps under thislink.

Official contacts

SENASA contact in formation:

Address: Av. Paseo Colón N° 367

ACD1063 - Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Emails:

General Inquiries: responde@senasa.gob.ar

Foreign Trade Department: dcea@senasa.gob.ar

Whatsapp: +541135859810

website: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/senasa

Social Networks:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenasaARG

Twitter: https://twitter.com/senasaAR

Instagram: https://www.in stagram.com/senasaargentina/

National Service of Health and Quality Agro-Food

Av. Paseo Colon N ° 367 - ACD1063

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Tel: +54 11 4121-5401

Tel 2: 54 11 4121-5402

RICARDO A. MARESCA

dnsa@senasa.gob.ar

Website

Current as of JUNE 2024

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2025-09-16.

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