Pet import requirements for Guyana

Guyana at a glance

The detail

Guyana is located between Brazil and Venezuela. Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Georgetown/Timehri (IATA: GEO, ICAO: SYCJ) 2. Minimum 3 months.

Import requirements

Minimum 3 months.

SEE COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL PET MOVES

A pet move refers to the transportation of a personally owned animal for non-commercial purposes. This in cludes:

• Relocation with the owner (e.g., moving to a new home)

• Traveling for vacation (e.g., domestic or in ternational trips)

• Temporary stays (e.g., pet going to a friend, family member, or pet boarding facility)

• Accompanying the owner on work assignments (if not part of a business transaction)

Unlike commercial moves, pet moves typically do not in volve a transfer of ownership, sale, or business-related purposes.

A commercial move of animals refers to the transport of animals for business purposes rather than personal ownership. This in cludes:

• Sale or transfer of ownership (e.g., selling pets, livestock, or exotic animals)

• Breeding purposes (e.g., moving breeding stock between facilities or countries)

• Research or scientific use (e.g., laboratory animals)

• Public exhibition (e.g., zoo transfers, circus animals)

• Rescue or adoption programs (if animals are moved as part of an organized business or nonprofit operation)

A non-commercial move, by contrast, typically in volves personal pets traveling with their owner for relocation, vacation, or other non-business reasons.

Requirements for Commercially Importing Animals

The exact regulations depend on the country, species, and health status of the animals, but common requirements in clude:

• Health Certificates & Documentation

• A veterinary health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian, confirming the animal is disease-free and fit for travel.

• Some countries require an import permit issued by the national agricultural or veterinary authority.

• Additional documentation such as breeding records, proof of ownership, or sales agreements may be needed.

• Vaccination & Disease Testing

• Many countries require rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and some wildlife species.

• Livestock and exotic animals may need testing for diseases like tuberculosis, brucellosis, or avian in fluenza.

• Some regions have quarantine requirements to monitor for illness before animals are released.

• Microchipping & Identification

• ISO-compliant microchips are often required for dogs, cats, and some exotic animals.

• Livestock may need ear tags, tattoos, or branding for tracking purposes.

• Transport & Handling Regulations

• Must comply with IATA (International Air Transport Association) live animal regulations for air travel.

• Proper crates, food, water, and temperature control must be provided.

Rabies Titre Test is required when pet is arriving from a country considered to be high rabies

Identification and microchip

Microchip Identification: Ensure your pet has a 15-digit ISO-compliant microchip for identification purposes.

Rabies and vaccinations

Animal must be vaccinated against rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry into Guyana. A valid rabies vaccination certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian is required.

Dogs – canine distemper, in fectious canine hepatitis, and canine parvovirus.

Cats – Feline Panleucopenia (in fectious enteritis) and feline respiratory disease complex (cat flu)

Tests and treatments

Rabies Titre Test is required from any country classified as high rabies.

Tick & Tapeworm treatment is not required but is recommended.

Health certificate and permits

Health Certificate must be signed by the veterinary authority of the country of origin and state that animal was vaccinated against rabies less than 1 year but at least 30 days prior to arrival in Guyana.

Import Permit: Apply for an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture's Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA). Submit your pet's health and vaccination records along with the application. Processing typically takes three working days.

mail address below to obtain an import/export permit.

Email: gldaceo@agriculture.gov.gy

Quarantine

Quarantine Requirements: At the time of the permit application, it will be determined whether quarantine is required. Contact the GLDA to check the availability of quarantine facilities if necessary.

Animals will be quarantined for 90 days unless arriving from the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Dominica, Ireland (Rep.), Jamaica, Montserrat, New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

Restrictions and banned breeds

*No restrictions specified.*

Customs, agents, and airports

Custom Broker is recommended

A destination agent is recommended. Upon arrival at Cheddi Jagan International Airport a Veterinary Office will in spect the documents accompanying your pet.

• Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Georgetown/Timehri (IATA: GEO, ICAO: SYCJ)
• Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle (IATA: OGL, ICAO: SYGO)

Sea Ports:

• Port of Georgetown, Demerara River (Main port - Contact: Guyana National Shipping Corporation, 5-9 Lombard Street, Phone: +592-226-1732, www.gnsc.com)
• Port of New Amsterdam, Berbice River (Medium-sized port for agricultural exports)

Essequibo Port, Essequibo River (Timber and mining exports)

Cheddi Jagan International Airport (IATA: GEO, ICAO: SYCJ), formerly Timehri International Airport, is the primary in ternational airport of Guyana. The airport is located on the right bank of the Demerara River in the city of Timehri, 41 kilometres (25 mi) south of Guyana's capital, Georgetown. It is the larger of the two in ternational airports serving Georgetown with the other airport being the Eugene F. Correia International Airport

Airports listed on this destination file: GEO.

Arrival Procedures: A destination agent is recommended. Upon arrival, present all relevant documents to the veterinary of ficer at the port of entry for verification and stamping. Ensure your pet shows no signs of communicable diseases upon examination.

Export notes

Export permit is required.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

https://cites.org/eng/node/111205

Birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, rabbits: Import permit required from GLDA. Health certificate required. CITES permit may be required for endangered species. Not subject to rabies requirements. Contact GLDA (www.glda.gy) for species-specific requirements before travel.

E-mail address below to obtain an import/export permit.

Email: gldaceo@agriculture.gov.gyMINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE GUYANA LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ANIMAL HEALTH UNITMon ReposEast Coast Demerara,Email: gldaceo@agriculture.gov.gyFax#: 220-6557

For additional help, you can contact:

Guyana Overseas Traders

+592 222-5552

guyotrad@networksgy.com

No regional differences. Requirements uniform nationwide. All pets must enter through Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) or Port of Georgetown for veterinary in spection. Same documentation required for all destinations within Guyana.

Official contacts

Minister of Agriculture

Regent & Shiv Chanderpaul Drive

Georgetown, Guyana

Tel: +592 227-5049 / 223-7291

Fax: +592 227-3638

E-mail: ministerofagriculture@gmail.com

Website

Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Richard Nigel Cumberbatch

Tel: +592 220-6557

Email:glda1910@gmail.com

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Dwight Walrond

Tel: +592 220-6556

Email: tshaka_1@yahoo.com

Current as of March 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 2026-03-11.

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