Pet import requirements for Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico at a glance

The detail

All livestock must be isolated (quarantined) immediately after entering Puerto Rico at the destination facility, to allow for further testing by the PRDA. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the U.S. Arrival airports noted for this destination in clude SIG and SJU.

Import requirements

All dogs and cats over four (4) months of age must be vaccinated against rabies within six (6) months prior to the date of shipment, shall be properly identified and accompanied by a certificate of vaccination against rabies.

• Dogs and cats do not need a PRDA import permit for in terstate movement.
• Microchip
• Rabies vaccination

For imports from the USA, this is considered an in terstate shipment. Regulations can be found at [USDA's State Reg website](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product-import-in formation/import-live-animals/ct_puerto_rico_entry_req).

A personal pet move is when dogs and cats are imported as companion animals traveling with their owner or joining the owner in Puerto Rico. For in terstate travel from U.S. states/territories, pets do not require an import permit. However, they must have: (1) Interstate health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian issued within 30 days prior to entry, valid for 30 days from in spection date; (2) Rabies vaccination certificate for pets over 4 months old, administered within 6 months prior to entry; (3) External parasite treatment within 72 hours prior to entry documented on the health certificate; (4) Official in dividual identification (microchip or collar with metallic ID tag). Personal pet moves are limited to animals accompanying their owner for companionship purposes only, not for breeding, sale, or exhibition.

A commercial move to Puerto Rico is defined as the importation of animals for breeding, resale, exhibition, or any purpose other than personal companionship. Commercial imports require an import permit from the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA). This in cludes animals being imported for pet stores, breeders, research facilities, zoos, or any business purpose. Commercial importers must contact the PRDA Veterinary Services Animal Health Division at (787) 796-1680 at least one week in advance to obtain the required permit. All commercial animals must meet the same health certificate and vaccination requirements as personal pets, plus additional documentation as specified by the import permit.

State Regulations for Imports to Puerto Rico

Additional requirements for dogs and cats entering Puerto Rico: (1) Dogs should receive DA2PPL/DAPPL vaccinations (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis); (2) Cats should receive FVRCP vaccinations (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia); (3) The health certificate must be issued no more than 72 hours before arrival in Puerto Rico (some sources state 10 days, but 72 hours is the stricter requirement per updated 2023 regulations); (4) Pets must enter through designated ports of entry, primarily Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan; (5) USDA endorsement of the health certificate is NOT required for in terstate travel from U.S. states/territories; (6) No quarantine is required if all entry requirements are met.

Identification and microchip

All dogs and cats must be microchipped

Rabies and vaccinations

All dogs and cats over 4 months of age must be vaccinated for Rabies within 6 months prior to entering Puerto Rico.

A valid rabies vaccination certification must accompany the shipment.

Rabies and Quintuple (Babesia, Lepto, Parvovirus)

Tests and treatments

No Testing Required.

External Parasite Treatment done on the same Day of Health Certificate appointment. Treatment to be done with 72 Hours of pet entering Puerto Rico by a Government Accredited Veterinarian.

Health certificate and permits

An alternate copy translated into Spanish is also recommended. VHC must be endorsed by of ficial ministry sanitary dept in origin country. Health certificate must state that the animal did not originate from an area quarantined for rabies. An of ficial certificate veterinary in spection signed by an accredited veterinarian in the state or territory of origin and will be valid for 30 days from the in spection date. (This is not a standard form. Each state or country of origin may use or provide different in terstate forms, CVI, in cluding USDA APHIS form 7001 which can be used for in terstate and in ternational purpose).

All applications for an import permit must be directed to:

PRDA SAHO,

Dorado Diagnostic Lab,

#9 Rd. 693,

Dorado, Puerto Rico

00646-3445

The following in formation must be in cluded:

• Name and address of consignor and consignee
• Species and number of animals

• Exact description of the animals or birds in cluding an of ficial in dividual identification (microchip for horses, dogs, cats, and pet birds), wing or leg bands for pet birds, RFID for livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, other), age, sex and race. Poultry are exempt from of ficial in dividual identification.
• Point of origin

• The date and results (provide copies) of any laboratory or other tests performed (if applicable)
• Dates of vaccinations, and name of vaccines administered

• Proposed date of shipment
• Destination of animals and local address in Puerto Rico

• Means of transportation
• Reason for shipment and use of animals

• Copy of the approved in terstate health certificate stating that the animals are free of clinical signs of in fectious or contagious diseases, or any exposure the reto
• And any other requirement for a specific species of animal, see below Import permit processing fee varies by species.

Please contact the PRDA office for additional in formation on weekdays, Monday thru Friday, between the hours of 7:30 am to 4:00 pm ET, and no less than 5 business days before the date of shipment.

Import Form

Quarantine

All livestock must be isolated (quarantined) immediately after entering Puerto Rico at the destination facility, to allow for further testing by the PRDA. Any livestock, poultry, birds, or other animals that enter the territory of Puerto Rico that are found to be diseased, or exposed to, or a carrier of any in fectious, contagious, or communicable disease, shall be returned to the point of origin, or destroyed and disposed of as directed by the office of Veterinary Services of PRDA, or an authorized representative, at the expense of the owner or importer. The Government of Puerto Rico in no way shall render any compensation for any animals so destroyed.

Restrictions and banned breeds

No Breed Restrictions.

Customs, agents, and airports

Customs Broker is not required.

If you need pet to be transported from airport to home, a destination agent would be needed.

Airports:

• Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, San Juan (IATA: SJU, ICAO: TJSJ)
• Rafael Hernández Airport, Aguadilla (IATA: BQN, ICAO: TJBQ)
• Mercedita International Airport, Ponce (IATA: PSE, ICAO: TJPS)

Ground:

• Not applicable – Puerto Rico is an island with no land borders
• All entry is via air or sea ports listed above

Water Port:

• Port of San Juan, San Juan (Phone: 787-723-2260, Autoridad de los Puertos de Puerto Rico)
• Port of Ponce, Ponce (Phone: 787-765-2900, Port of the Americas Authority)

Recommended Airport: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport

Airports listed on this destination file: SIG, SJU.

For in terstate travel from U.S. states/territories, Puerto Rico is considered domestic travel with no customs clearance or CDC Dog Import Form required. However, pets must meet PRDA entry requirements. ENTRY POINTS: Primary entry is Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan. Other airports in clude Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla and Mercedita International Airport (PSE) in Ponce. Seaports in clude Port of San Juan and Port of Ponce. TRAVEL OPTIONS: Pets can travel in cabin (small pets in airline-approved carriers that fit under the seat), as checked baggage, or as cargo depending on airline policies and pet size. ARRIVAL REQUIREMENTS: Pets must arrive before 12:00 PM at SJU to allow time for clearance procedures. Airport clearance can take 1-3 hours. VET OFFICE HOURS: Contact PRDA at 787-796-0138 for specific hours. WEEKEND ARRIVALS: Limited services on weekends - advance coordination recommended. ADVANCE NOTICE: No appointment required for personal pets meeting all requirements, but commercial imports must contact PRDA at least one week in advance. IMPORT TAXES: No import taxes for personal pet moves. Transit stations are available at major airports where pets remain in crates during clearance.

Export notes

Pets returning to Puerto Rico are subject to the same passport requirements as those entering for the first time. This means that pet owners returning to Puerto Rico should have a new health certificate completed by a vet in the country you are visiting if you stay for more than 30 days.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

BIRDS: All birds entering Puerto Rico require an import permit from PRDA and must be accompanied by an endorsed health certificate. Birds must test negative for Avian Influenza, Chlamydia psittaci (Psittacosis), and Newcastle disease. Birds from the U.S. may enter without quarantine if obtained in the U.S., but birds from in ternational locations are subject to 30-day USDA quarantine. RABBITS, REPTILES, and SMALL RODENTS: Require a current health certificate and an import permit from the PRDA Department of Agriculture/Veterinary Services Animal Health Division (787-796-1680). Rabbits must come from areas free of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2). EXOTIC PETS and WILDLIFE: Subject to Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) regulations (787-999-2200 ext. 2750). CITES permits may be required for endangered species. Some species may be prohibited entirely - contact DRNA before importing any exotic or wild animals.

Puerto Rico has comprehensive animal welfare regulations under Law 154-2008, as amended, known as the “Law for the Welfare and Protection of Animals.” The law is managed by multiple agencies in cluding the Department of Health for breeder licensing and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources for wildlife. State regulations for animal imports are managed by the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture. Link to of ficial regulations HERE

IMPORTANT REMINDERS: (1) Health certificates must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian - not all veterinarians hold this accreditation, so verify in advance; (2) Effective May 2023, Puerto Rico implemented stricter entry requirements in cluding the 72-hour health certificate timeframe; (3) Puerto Rico has one of the highest stray dog populations in the U.S. (over 500,000 estimated) - microchipping is strongly recommended; (4) For in ternational arrivals (non-U.S. origin), pets must meet federal CDC import requirements in addition to Puerto Rico requirements; (5) Pets that do not meet entry requirements may be refused entry and returned to origin at owner's expense; (6) Recommended to book veterinary appointments 1-2 days before departure to ensure certificate validity; (7) Contact Information: PRDA Veterinary Services - Dr. Alejandro Perez, Tel. 787-796-0138 or 787-796-1680; DRNA for exotic species - 787-999-2200 ext. 2750.

Puerto Rico has uniform entry requirements across all areas of the territory - there are no regional variations. Requirements are the same whether entering through San Juan, Aguadilla, Ponce, or any other port of entry. All regulations are set by the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA) and apply territory-wide. For exporting pets FROM Puerto Rico back to the U.S. mainland, this is considered domestic travel. Requirements depend on the destination state - check the specific state's entry requirements. Most states require a health certificate and current rabies vaccination. If returning to the mainland within 10 days of original health certificate issuance, the same certificate may be used for the return trip.

Official contacts

USDA-APHIS-National Import Export Services

654 Munoz Rivera Ave, Suite 700

Hato Rey, PR 00918

Tel: +1 787 919‐7824

Email: vspspr@aphis.usda.gov

[Website](http://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/service-centers-endorsement-of fices/vs-service-center-state-contact/puerto-rico)

Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA)

P.O. Box 10163

San Juan, Puerto Rico 00908-1163

Tel: +787-721-2120 ext. 2085, 2086

Website

Dr. Alejandro Perez

State Animal Health Officer

Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture

Veterinary Services & Animal Health.

#9 Road 693, Dorado, PR 00646-3445

aperez@agricultura.pr.gov

Tel. 787-796-0138

Fax: 787-796-5873

Website

Agro. Carlos Flores Ortega, Secretary

Tel: +787 722-0291

Fax: +787 723-8512

Email: cflores@agricultura.pr.gov

State Animal Health Officer (SAHO)Dr. Alejandro Perez

#9 Road 693, Dorado, PR 00646-3445

Phone: +787 796-0138 / +787 796-1650

Fax: +787 796-5873

Email: aperez@agricultura.pr.gov

Website

Additional contact email address:

caolivo@agricultura.pr.gov

a_rivera@agricultura.pr.gov

Dorado Diagnostic Lab:

#9 Road 693, Dorado, Puerto Rico 00646-3445

Current as of February 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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