Pet import requirements for El Salvador
What El Salvador 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 2026-04-25 by the country-profile service Furry Freight uses; profile last updated 2026-03-26. 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.
El Salvador at a glance
| Requirement | For El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Microchip Not required | Not required |
| Rabies | Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the country |
| Import permit Required | An import permit is required |
| Quarantine | None on arrival |
| Minimum age to travel | No of ficial minimum age is specified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) |
| Customs clearance | NO |
| Agent at destination | NO |
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
El Salvador, of ficially the Republic of El Salvador, is a country in Central America. El Salvador International Airport (Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero) (IATA: SAL, ICAO: MSLP) Ground: 1. No quarantine is required.
Import requirements
No of ficial minimum age is specified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG). However, due to rabies vaccination requirements (administered at least 30 days prior to entry), pets are typically at least 4 months old at the time of import.
Dogs and cats entering El Salvador must comply with the following requirements:
• An in ternational health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days prior to travel. Should be issued in duplicate and no of ficial endorsement required
•A valid rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days and no more than 12 months prior to entry. Vaccination details (manufacturer, batch number, and date of administration) must be in cluded.
• Must be treated against in ternal and external parasites within 30 days of travel.
- • An import permit is required and may be obtained either in advance or upon arrival.
Personal pets traveling in cabin or as checked baggage are typically processed through the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) in spection at the passenger terminal upon arrival. These shipments generally do not require formal customs clearance or a customs broker.
Personal pets arriving as cargo shipments, even when classified as personal pets, are subject to formal customs clearance procedures and may be subject to import duties or fees. The use of a customs broker is strongly recommended to facilitate the process.
Commercial movements (e.g., animals imported for sale, breeding, or transfer of ownership) may be subject to additional customs procedures, documentation requirements, and applicable import duties. It is strongly recommended to work with a customs broker for these shipments.
No specific additional import requirements based on country of origin are currently published. All pet must comply with standard import requirements regardless of origin.
No Additional requirements are currently specified.
Identification and microchip
Not required. But Recommended
Rabies and vaccinations
Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the country.
-All dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies in accordance with import requirements.
-Dogs should be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Parvovirus.
-Cats should be vaccinated against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.
Tests and treatments
No testing is required for the import of dogs and cats.
Dogs and cats must be treated against in ternal and external parasites within 30 days of travel.
Health certificate and permits
An in ternational health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian is required within 30 days prior to departure. For the USA, no USDA endorsement is required.
An import permit is required. It may be obtained in advance or upon arrival. For pets arriving as cargo, it is recommended to obtain the permit in advance and to use a customs broker to facilitate clearance. The import permit is valid for 30 days and for single use.Import Permit
Import Permit
Quarantine
No quarantine is required. Pets are released after in spections and completion of entry procedures.
Restrictions and banned breeds
No Restrictions
Customs, agents, and airports
NO. But recommended for pets arriving as cargo
El Salvador International Airport (Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero) (IATA: SAL, ICAO: MSLP)
Ground:
- La Hachadura Border Crossing, Ahuachapán (El Salvador Guatemala border)
- San Cristóbal Border Crossing, Santa Ana (El Salvador – Guatemala border)
- El Amatillo Border Crossing, La Unión (El Salvador – Honduras border)
- El Poy Border Crossing, Chalatenango (El Salvador – Honduras border)
Airports listed on this destination file: SAL.
Pets entering El Salvador are subject to in spection by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) upon arrival. Entry procedures vary depending on the mode of transport:
• Pets traveling in cabin or as checked baggage:
These pets are typically processed through the passenger terminal and in spected by MAG of ficials. The import permit is issued on-site at the MAG office in the passenger terminal. These shipments generally do not require formal customs clearance or a customs broker. Applicable fees for the import permit are payable upon arrival.
• Pets arriving as cargo shipments:
Pets arriving as cargo are subject to customs clearance procedures. This in cludes coordination with customs authorities and MAG in spection. It is recommended to obtain the import permit in advance to avoid delays during the clearance process. These shipments may be subject to import duties, handling fees, and storage charges. The use of a customs broker is strongly recommended to facilitate the clearance process.
For pets as cargo it is recommended to schedule arrivals on weekdays (Monday–Friday) and before 1:00 PM whenever possible to allow sufficient time for same-day clearance.
• Pets arriving later in the day may not complete clearance on the same day and may be held at the airport until the next business day.
• The airport does not have a dedicated pet holding facility; pets may remain in cargo warehouse areas if clearance is delayed.
Export notes
Pets departing El Salvador must comply with the following requirements:
• A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian confirming the pet is clinically healthy and fit to travel.
• An of ficial export permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG).
• Vaccinations must be up to date in accordance with the destination country requirements.
• Additional requirements may apply depending on the destination country (e.g., microchip, rabies titer test, import permits).
• For pets traveling as cargo, an export customs declaration is required.
Other pets / CITES / extra rules
CITES regulations apply to species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Additional permits may be required depending on the species being imported.
Requirements for species other than dogs and cats may vary and may require additional permits, health certifications, and CITES documentation. It is recommended to verify requirements with the relevant authorities prior to import.
Pets arriving as cargo are typically held in designated cargo handling areas during the clearance process. These areas generally in clude access to air-conditioned spaces to ensure the welfare of the animals while documentation and in spections are completed.
Avoid flights after 1pm and on weekends, as customs clearance process is long.
In the event of extended delays or overnight stays, pets may remain within cargo facilities under airline or handling agent supervision, as no dedicated long-term pet holding facility is available at the airport.
No specific requirements for different areas of the country are currently published. Export procedures are handled centrally through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and are consistent throughout the country.
Official contacts
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG)
Final 1a. Avenida Norte y 13 Calle Oriente,
Av. Manuel Gallardo,
Santa Tecla, La Libertad,
El Salvador
Tel: +503 2210-1700
E-mail: info@mag.gob.sv
https://www.mag.gob.sv/
División de Cuarentena Agropecuaria – MAG / Quarantine Division
Edificio C, Nivel 1, Oficinas Centrales MAG
Final 1ª Avenida Norte y 13 Calle Oriente,
Avenida Manuel Gallardo,
Santa Tecla, La Libertad,
El Salvador
Tel: +503 2210-1781 ext. 3110
Email: erika.balcaceres@mag.gob.sv
Current as of March 2026
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 2026-04-25.
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 El Salvador
- PET IMPORTS mag.gob.sv
- Animal Welfare Regulations mag.gob.sv
- Website mag.gob.sv
Questions about moving a pet to El Salvador
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for El Salvador?
Not required
From the country profile, last verified 2026-04-25.
What rabies vaccination does El Salvador require?
Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the country
Do I need an import permit to bring a pet into El Salvador?
An import permit is required
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in El Salvador?
None on arrival
How old does a puppy or kitten have to be to travel to El Salvador?
No of ficial minimum age is specified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG)