Pet import requirements for Belize
What Belize asks for before a dog or cat can enter — the microchip, the rabies work, the permit and the paperwork — and how far ahead you need to start. We handle all of it on a move we arrange.
Import rules change, and they change without notice. Last verified 2025-05-08 by the country-profile service Furry Freight uses; profile last updated 2025-09-15. Confirm every requirement with the authority named below, or with us on (424) 421-1650, before you book a flight or start any vet work.
Belize at a glance
| Requirement | For Belize |
|---|---|
| Microchip Not required | Not required |
| Rabies | The pet animal(s) has/have been vaccinated against Rabies and that its/their vaccination is current |
| Import permit Required | Required, it takes up to 7 working days to process and good for 90 days |
| Quarantine | Not required |
| Minimum age to travel | Dogs and cats All dogs and cats vaccinated against Rabies for the first time must be vaccinated… |
| Customs clearance | A customs broker is not typically required for Belize |
| Agent at destination | A destination agent is not typically required for Belize |
Where this fits in the timeline. The order matters more than the effort: a rabies vaccination given before the microchip was implanted does not count in most regimes, and a titer test drawn too early restarts a waiting period. On a move we handle, we check your pet's existing dates against these rules on the free consultation before anything is booked.
The detail
Belize is a country on the north-eastern coast of Central America. Philip S. Required, it takes up to 7 working days to process and good for 90 days.
Import requirements
All dogs and cats vaccinated against Rabies for the first time must be vaccinated at least four (4) weeks before traveling.
Puppies and kittens must NOT be vaccinated against rabies before they are three (3) months old. The rabies certificate must in clude the puppy’s or kitten’s age or date of birth.
Adult dogs and cats fifteen (15) months or older may travel less than four (4) weeks after a booster vaccination if they are accompanied by a history of rabies vaccination with at least one vaccine given after they were three (3) months old and one current rabies booster.
Guidelines on Importation of Live Animals
- Importer is to obtain a valid import permit.
- Live animals will only be in spected at the authorized port of entry specified on the import permit.
- The Director of Animal Health is to be notified two (2) days in advance of date and time of arrival of live animals at point of entry. Veterinary in spection at point of entry will be done only during daylight hours (9 am – 4 pm). For your in formation, the telephone numbers of veterinarians that can be contacted are:
- Central Farm- Ph: +501-824 – 4872/73/99 (Director of Animal Health)
- O/Walk – Ph: +501-302-1388 (District Veterinary Officer, Northern Districts)
- The live animals will be in spected at the point of entry by a Veterinary Officer of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority. Live animals not permitted entry will be returned to origin at the expense of the importer.
- Any cost in curred in the processing of live animals for entry into Belize will be borne by the importer.
- Live animals allowed entry into Belize will be subjected to a period of quarantine not less than thirty (30) days. During quarantine the live animals may be retested and must be negative to any test done before released from quarantine. These costs as well as cost of supervision during quarantine period in cluding cost of any health measure taken during the period are to be borne by the importer.
- The vehicles used to transport the live animals from the port of entry into Belize to the quarantine station were cleaned and disinfected.
- No fodder or bedding accompanying the live animals will be allowed entry. Any livestock gear accompanying the live animals will be disinfected at the importer’s expense.
All SAme.
NA
Fees Associated with BAHA import permit and website link:
Import permit fee BZ$50.00
Administrative fee BZ$5.00
Quarantine Inspection (upon entry) fee is BZ$20.00 per animal
All fees can be paid upon entry.
Cash only, no Credit card accepted.
Identification and microchip
Not required, but recommended.
Rabies and vaccinations
The pet animal(s) has/have been vaccinated against Rabies and that its/their vaccination is current. The date of vaccination, manufacturer, trade name, lot number and expiry date must be in dicated on the certificate.
Adult dogs and cats fifteen (15) months or older may travel less than four (4) weeks after a booster vaccination if they are accompanied by a history of rabies vaccination with at least one vaccine given after they were three (3) months old and one current rabies booster.
Note: 3-year rabies vaccination is allowed.
All dogs be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza.
All cats must be vaccinated against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus and Panleukopenia.
Tests and treatments
N/A
Pet animal(s) must be treated against endoparasites with a registered product in the country of origin within thirty (30) days of exportation. Treatment can be noted on International Health Certificate by Vet.
Health certificate and permits
The pet animal(s) is/are to be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate issued within two (2) weeks of travel date by a registered veterinarian in the country of origin.
Required, it takes up to 7 working days to process and good for 90 days. Fees charged upon entry.
Link for import permit application and guidelines.
https://baha.org.bz/departments/animal-health/entry-requirements/
Health certificate does not require endorsement by government entity in exporting country.
Application can be sent to animalhealth@baha.org.bz you can also call our Animal Health department at (501) 824-4872.
When submitting the form via email ask for receipt confirmation, they usually will respond noting email and application is received. You should then receive within 5 business days a copy of the import permit. Make a copy for your records. Upon arrival the original will be waiting at the BAHA office. Also note, if you have multiple pets put them on one application form, the import permit fee is per form, the in spection fee is per pet.
Quarantine
NA
Restrictions and banned breeds
The pet animal(s) is/are clinically healthy, free of signs of in fectious and contagious diseases, free of ectoparasites and has/have no fresh wound(s) or wound(s) in the process of healing.
All pet animals entering Belize are to be in spected by a Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) of ficial. b. All pets not meeting these requirements will NOT be allowed entry into Belize. c. Pet animals from or traversing countries affected with diseases and pests of quarantine importance (e.g. FMD, Screwworm, etc.) will require veterinary in spection at the port of entry.
Heat embargoes for most airlines are from April – October on average.
Customs, agents, and airports
A customs broker is not typically required for Belize.
A destination agent is not typically required for Belize.
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (IATA: BZE, ICAO: MZBZ)
Airports listed on this destination file: BZE.
Customs duties and taxes are collected based on the transaction value which is derived from the value stated on the in voice (once authenticated), receipt or other proof of purchase. The dollar value must be converted from the foreign currency stated on the proof of purchase document to Belize Currency (BZD). The Belize currency is tied to the US dollar at $2.0175 BZD to $1.00USD. Other foreign currency rates are subject to change and is updated weekly in conjunction with the Central Bank of Belize.
Tariff on Dogs and Cats is 40% of receipt value or Air Way Bill, plus GST @ 12.5% and 3% for environmental tax.
Export notes
Belize is considered high-risk for rabies. You need to check your country of importation specifically, as they do vary. Most countries will require a microchip and titer test, along with special import permits due to the high-risk status.
Other pets / CITES / extra rules
Case-by-case
Official contacts
Animal Health DepartmentBelize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA)
Corner Forest Drive and HummingBird HWY, Belmopan City
Belize
Tel: +501 822-1378 / 0818 / 0197
Fax: +501 824-4889
Email: animalhealth@baha.bz
Email: admin@baha.org.bz
Website: Entry Requirements
Quarantine Department
Tel: +501 824-4899
Current as of May 2025
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 2025-05-08.
Next: measure your dog, find the kennel size, then get a free travel quote. Moving on military orders? PCS moves. Going to Hawaiʻi instead? Hawaiʻi has its own regime.
Other destinations: Anguilla · Antigua and Barbuda · Argentina · all destinations
Official sources for Belize
- Click for more information customs.gov.bz
Questions about moving a pet to Belize
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for Belize?
Not required
From the country profile, last verified 2025-05-08.
What rabies vaccination does Belize require?
The pet animal(s) has/have been vaccinated against Rabies and that its/their vaccination is current
Do I need an import permit to bring a pet into Belize?
Required, it takes up to 7 working days to process and good for 90 days
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in Belize?
Not required
How old does a puppy or kitten have to be to travel to Belize?
Dogs and cats All dogs and cats vaccinated against Rabies for the first time must be vaccinated…