Pet import requirements for Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis at a glance

The detail

Robert L. Saint Kitts, of ficially Saint Christopher, is an island in the West Indies. Pet should be old enough to have a rabies vaccination.

Import requirements

Pet should be old enough to have a rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccines given to pets less than 3 months of age are not considered valid by St. Kitts and Nevis.

REQUIREMENT FOR PETS ARRIVING FROM RABIES ENDEMIC COUNTRIES

• RABIES VACCINATIONS

Animals must be current on rabies vaccinations whether it is the annual or three (3) year vaccine. The vaccine given must be an approved monovalent killed rabies vaccine. Rabies vaccinations shall not be given to animals less than 3 months of age.

• ELECTRONIC MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION

All animals to be imported into St. Kitts and Nevis must be identified with an ISO compatible electronic microchip implant (e.g., AVID®, Home Again etc.). The microchip number must be in cluded on all relevant documents in cluding written application form, health certificates, blood samples submitted for rabies testing and on the result of the rabies titer.

• COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM

An application form must be completed and the application processing fee paid to the order of the Accountant General. Please note that only in ternational money orders are acceptable (postal money orders are no longer accepted). In a case where an in ternational

money order cannot be obtained, the fee will be collected on arrival. The application form must in clude the species, name, age, sex, breed, colour or colour pattern and microchip number of the animal.

The application form must also be completed for returning animals. Persons applying on island can collect and process this form at the Veterinary Services office at the Department of Agriculture.

• ONE RABIES TITER

Dogs & Cats: One rabies titer with a result greater than or equal to (> or =) 0.5

IU/mL from an OIE (World Animal Health Organization) certified RABIES FAVN

Laboratory.

The Rabies titer must be taken no less 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination

and no less than three (3) months before its expiration. If the result of the titer is negative, a booster vaccine must be given, and the titer repeated in 30 days. Once a result of 0.5 IU/mL or greater is obtained, this would be considered acceptable. The testing laboratory must submit the test results directly to the St. Kitts office email address: skbvet12@gmail.com or to the Nevis office: ambijames@gmail.com depending on the final destination of the pets. Where Clinics or laboratories would have submitted samples to the approved listed Laboratories, the original report must be submitted or attached to the clinics report. To be considered valid, the Rabies titer result must in clude the number of the implanted microchip and complete description of the animal (age, sex, breed, color or color pattern)

• CORE AND RABIES VACCINATION CERTIFICATE

Animals should be fully vaccinated with the core vaccines and the most recent Rabies vaccination certificate must be submitted.

• A GOVERNMENT ISSUED INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE

Dogs & Cats: A health certificate issued by the Veterinary Authority or Government Veterinarian of the exporting country within 30 days of the date of arrival (for example in the case of the U.S.A, this is the U.S.D.A. Export Health Certificate; for Canada the International Health Certificate for Dogs & Cats). The health certificate must have the seal or stamp of the exporting country for in ternational travel and must in clude:

I. A full description of the animal in cluding implanted microchip number.

II. Records of the last two rabies vaccination in cluding name and type of vaccine, lot/serial number and expiration date.

III. A statement certifying that to the best of my knowledge the animal(s) appear to be free of any in fectious or contagious diseases or exposure the reto which would endanger the animal or other animals or would endanger public health.

IV. To the best of my knowledge the animal(s) originated from an area not

quarantined for Rabies and have not been exposed to Rabies.

NB: The government issued in ternational health certificate is only required for pets entering the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis for the first time.

• FOR CATS ONLY:

Cats must be tested for FIV and FeLV within 30 days of the date of arrival and results must be negative to enter the Federation. The is required for only 1st entry felines.

• DOGS & CATS:

A Health Certificate (outlining that an in ternal/ external parasite treatment* was administered) issued by an accredited veterinarian within five (5) days of arrival must accompany the animal. The name of the Anthelmintic used must be recorded as well.

*Internal/ External Parasite treatment: Broad Spectrum Anthelmintic

• POST-ARRIVAL REQUIREMENTS

A fourteen-day home confinement is required for new entrants at the end of which a confinement completion certificate will be issued. Three home visits would be done.

• 1st To ensure that the home meets the requirements for the confinement.

• 2nd At 7 days to assess the animal mid confinement period.

• 3rd At completion of the confinement period and for final assessment of the animal

LABORATORIES WHERE THE PRE-ARRIVAL RABIES TITER ARE AVAILABLE

• Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic laboratory

Rabies Laboratory,

Kansas State University 2005 Research Park Circle,

Manhattan, KS66502

Phone number: (785) 532-4483, Fax number (785) 532 4474;

e-mail: rabies@vet.ksu.edu

• AUBURN UNIVERSITY VIROLOGY LABORATORY. Virology

Laboratory

Department of Pathobiology

College of Veterinary

Medicine Auburn University

Alabama

36849-5519

Phone: 334-844-2659

Fax: 334-844-2652

Email: mincjoa@auburn.edu

*If outside of the U.S.A or Canada; any OIE certified laboratory is acceptable.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PETS ARRIVING FROM RABIES FREE COUNTRIES

• A completed application form for entry of pets into St. Kitts / Nevis
• A government issued International Export Health Certificate which must in clude:

I. A full description of the animal in cluding implanted microchip number.

II. Record of the core and current rabies vaccination in cluding name and type of vaccine, lot/serial number and expiration date.

III. Record of in ternal/ external parasite treatment within five (5) days of arrival and the name of the anthelmintic used.

IV. A statement certifying that to the best of my knowledge the animal(s):

• has been in the country for the past six months

• appear to be free of any in fectious or contagious diseases or exposure the reto which would endanger the animal or other animals or would endanger public health.

• The country of origin is free from Rabies.

FEES:

Application and Processing Fees per animal:

• Application Processing Fee for new pets (per animal) US$20.00
• Application Processing Fee for returning pets (per animal) US $10.00

Inspection Fees per animal

• Airport Inspection 8am-4pm US 50.00 for new entry
• Airport Inspection 8am-4pm US 37.00 for returning pets

• Airport Inspection after 4pm and Weekends US 60.00
• Airport Inspection on holidays US 70.00

• Three home confinement visit US 40.00
• More than one pet in home confinement US 10.00 per additional pet

Follow import permit requirements.

When shipping over 4 pets it is a good idea to first check with Dr. Tracey Challenger- DVM Veterinary Authority-Ag Agriculture Development Advisor.

Follow import permit requirements.

There are different entry requirements based on the rabies status of the exporting country.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PETS ARRIVING FROM RABIES FREE COUNTRIES

• A completed application form for entry of pets into St. Kitts / Nevis
• A government issued International Export Health Certificate which must in clude:

I. A full description of the animal in cluding implanted microchip number.

II. Record of the core and current rabies vaccination in cluding name and type of vaccine, lot/serial number and expiration date.

III. Record of in ternal/ external parasite treatment within five (5) days of arrival and the name of the anthelmintic used.

IV. A statement certifying that to the best of my knowledge the animal(s):

• has been in the country for the past six months

• appear to be free of any in fectious or contagious diseases or exposure the reto which would endanger the animal or other animals or would endanger public health.

• The country of origin is free from Rabies.

Quarantine necessary for rabies endemic countries. Please contact the Department of Agriculture for current in formation on quarantine for rabies free countries.

FOR CATS ONLY:

Cats must be tested for FIV and FeLV within 30 days of the date of arrival and results must be negative to enter the Federation. The is required for only !st entry felines.

Identification and microchip

All animals to be imported into St. Kitts and Nevis must be identified with an ISO compatible electronic microchip implant (e.g., AVID®, Home Again etc.). The microchip number must be in cluded on all relevant documents in cluding written application form, health certificates, blood samples submitted for rabies testing and on the result of the rabies titer.

CORE AND RABIES VACCINATION CERTIFICATE

Animals should be fully vaccinated with the core vaccines and the most recent Rabies vaccination certificate must be submitted.

Rabies and vaccinations

Animals must be current on rabies vaccinations whether it is the annual or three (3) year vaccine. The vaccine given must be an approved monovalent killed rabies vaccine. Rabies vaccinations shall not be given to animals less than 3 months of age.

FAVN is required. See the Tests section below for more details.

Rabies vaccination and animals should be fully vaccinated with the core vaccines and the most recent Rabies vaccination certificate must be submitted.

Recommended core vaccines for Dogs – canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis and rabies

Recommended core vaccines for Cats - feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV - kittens) and rabies

Tests and treatments

ONE RABIES TITER

Dogs & Cats: One rabies titer with a result greater than or equal to (> or =) 0.5

IU/mL from an OIE (World Animal Health Organization) certified RABIES FAVN

Laboratory. The Rabies titer must be taken no less than 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination and no less than three (3) months before its expiration. If the result of the titer is negative, a booster vaccine must be given, and the titer repeated in 30 days. Once a result of 0.5 IU/mL or greater is obtained, this would be considered acceptable. The testing laboratory must submit the test results directly to the St. Kitts office email address: skbvet12@gmail.com or to the Nevis office: ambijames@gmail.com depending on the final destination of the pets. Where Clinics or laboratories would have submitted samples to the approved listed Laboratories, the original report must be submitted or attached to the clinics report.

To be considered valid, the Rabies titer result must in clude the number of the implanted microchip and complete description of the animal (age, sex, breed, color or color pattern etc).

FOR CATS ONLY:

Cats must be tested for FIV and FeLV within 30 days of the date of arrival and results must be negative to enter the Federation. This is required for only 1st entry felines.

A Health Certificate (outlining that an in ternal/ external parasite treatment* was administered) issued by an accredited veterinarian within five (5) days of arrival must accompany the animal. The name of the Anthelmintic used must be recorded as well. *Internal/ External Parasite treatment: Broad Spectrum Anthelmintic.

Health certificate and permits

VHC-Nigeria-Dogs

A GOVERNMENT ISSUED INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE

Dogs & Cats: A health certificate issued by the Veterinary Authority or Government Veterinarian of the exporting country within 30 days of the date of arrival (for example in the case of the U.S.A, this is the U.S.D.A. Export Health Certificate; for Canada the International Health Certificate for Dogs & Cats). The health certificate must have the seal or stamp of the exporting country for in ternational travel and must in clude:

I. A full description of the animal in cluding implanted microchip number.

II. Records of the last two rabies vaccination in cluding name and type of vaccine, lot/serial number and expiration date.

III. A statement certifying that to the best of my knowledge the animal(s) appear to be free of any in fectious or contagious diseases or exposure the reto which would endanger the animal or other animals or would endanger public health.

IV. To the best of my knowledge the animal(s) originated from an area not quarantined for Rabies and have not been exposed to Rabies.

NB: The government issued in ternational health certificate is only required for pets entering the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis for the first time.

• FOR CATS ONLY:

Cats must be tested for FIV and FeLV within 30 days of the date of arrival and results must be negative to enter the Federation. The is required for only 1st entry felines.

• DOGS & CATS:

A Health Certificate (outlining that an in ternal/ external parasite treatment* was administered) issued by an accredited veterinarian within five (5) days of arrival must accompany the animal. The name of the Anthelmintic used must be recorded as well.

*Internal/ External Parasite treatment: Broad Spectrum Anthelmintic

An import permit will be issued within ten (10) days upon receipt of the required documents.

An application form must be completed and the application processing fee paid to the order of the Accountant General. Please note that only in ternational money orders are acceptable (postal money orders are no longer accepted). In a case where an in ternational money order cannot be obtained, the fee will be collected on arrival. The application form must in clude the species, name, age, sex, breed, colour or colour pattern and microchip number of the animal. The application form must also be completed for returning animals. Persons applying on island can collect and process this form at the Veterinary Services office at the Department of Agriculture.

Import Permit Form

Government Supplied Forms: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/st-kitts-nevis-dog-cat-protocol.pdf

The link will provide you with an overview no matter what country you are departing from and with rabies / non-rabies endemic in formation.

Quarantine

POST-ARRIVAL REQUIREMENTS – Home Confinement

A fourteen-day home confinement is required for new entrants at the end of which a confinement completion certificate will be issued. Three home visits are required.

• 1st To ensure that the home meets the requirements for the confinement.

• 2nd At 7 days to assess the animal mid confinement period.

• 3rd At completion of the confinement period and for final assessment of the animal.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Failure to meet the requirements of St. Kitts and Nevis will result in deportation or euthanasia of your pet. If you are shipping a pet that is too young to meet the following requirements, please contact St. Kitts and Nevis to determine if your pet will be accepted and obtain the requirements your pet must meet before travel.

The following breeds of dogs or dogs mixed with these breeds will not be permitted entry into the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis:

i. Pit Bull Terrier/ Staffordshire Terrier

ii. Dogo Argentino

iii. Presa Canario

iv. Fila Brasileiro

v. Japanese Tosa

vi. American Bull Dog

Customs, agents, and airports

Owners the mselves can take care of customs / in spection with the Government Officials upon the pet's arrival either as in cabin, on board a yacht, or as cargo.

However, if the owner is not present a designated agent (or family member / friend already on the island) should be hired in advance. Someone must be present with the pet for the entry in spection but an outside brokerage firm does not need to be hired if the owner is there.

Robert L. Bradshaw Airport (IATA: SKB, ICAO: TKPK), formerly known as Golden Rock Airport, is an in ternational airport located just northeast of Basseterre, on the island of Saint Kitts, serving the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The airport can accommodate commercial jumbo jets and handles scheduled non-stop jet flights to Canada and the United States, as well as numerous regional commuter flights from within the Caribbean area. The airport also provides facilities for cargo and private jets.

On the in itial permit application, you will need to in dicate your arrival date and flight number and time of arrival. You will be required to clear your pet through an in spection.

You must clear your pet through customs / airport in spection. Owner can do it. Customs Broker or Agent not required.

Application and Processing Fees per animal:

• Application Processing Fee for new pets (per animal) US$20.00
• Application Processing Fee for returning pets (per animal) US $10.00

Inspection Fees per animal

• Airport Inspection 8am-4pm US 50.00 for new entry
• Airport Inspection 8am-4pm US 37.00 for returning pets

• Airport Inspection after 4pm and Weekends US 60.00
• Airport Inspection on holidays US 70.00

• Three home confinement visit US 40.00
• More than one pet in home confinement US 10.00 per additional pet

Export notes

It will depend on your destination country.

Health certificates should be issued by a vet within 10 days of travel.

To obtain a health certificate, please make an appointment with Dr. Burnell Nisbett at Ponds Veterinary Clinic (located behind IGA and Horsfords) by calling (869) 465-9849.

The clinic hours are Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 10:00 am & 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm and Saturday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

Rare or threatened species of animals or plants, (in cluding whales, elephants, flamingos, parrots, turtles, to rtoises, black coral, tree ferns and orchids), their products and derivatives, whose in ternational trade is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) must be accompanied by the appropriate permits signed by the CITES authorities in the country of exportation or importation.

• Failure to comply with the importation requirements above will result in delayed entry or deportation of your pets.

• An import permit will be issued within ten (10) days upon receipt of the required documents.
• The following breeds of dogs or dogs mixed with these breeds will not be permitted entry into the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis:

i. Pit Bull Terrier/ Staffordshire Terrier

ii. Dogo Argentino

iii. Presa Canario

iv. Fila Brasileiro

v. Japanese Tosa

vi. American Bull Dog

------------

LABORATORIES WHERE THE PRE-ARRIVAL RABIES TITER ARE AVAILABLE

• Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic laboratory

Rabies Laboratory,

Kansas State University 2005 Research Park Circle,

Manhattan, KS66502

Phone number: (785) 532-4483, Fax number (785) 532 4474;

e-mail: rabies@vet.ksu.edu

• AUBURN UNIVERSITY VIROLOGY LABORATORY. Virology

Laboratory

Department of Pathobiology

College of Veterinary

Export health certificates should be issued by a vet within 10 days of travel.

To obtain a health certificate, please make an appointment with Dr. Burnell Nisbett at Ponds Veterinary Clinic (located behind IGA and Horsfords) by calling (869) 465-9849. The clinic hours are Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 10:00 am & 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm and Saturday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

PONDS VETERINARY CLINIC

P O BOX 364

PONDS ESTATE

BASSETERRE

ST KITTS

WEST INDIES

PHONE: (869) 465.9849

FAX: (869) 465.9694

Official contacts

Veterinary Services Department of Agriculture

P. O. Box 39, La Guerite

Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies

Phone: (869) 465-2110

E-mail: St. Kitts Office skbvet12@gmail.com

E-Mail Nevis Office ambi.james@gmail.com

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 2025-07-24.

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.

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