Pet import requirements for Sint Maarten

Sint Maarten at a glance

The detail

This half-French, half-Dutch island lies 190 miles east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea. Because Sint Maarten is in Europe, transit countries on the way can impose extra live-animal rules even when the destination file looks straightforward. Pet must be 15 weeks or older at time of travel to St.aarten.

Import requirements

Pet must be 15 weeks or older at time of travel to St.aarten.

Start with this GUIDE In general:

• The animal must be at least fifteen (15) weeks old.
• The animal must be marked with a microchip OR a readable tattoo applied before 2011.

• The animal must be fully immunized against the Rabies virus through vaccination

administered by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. The immunization

period must be valid for one (1) OR three (3) years at the time of entry into Sint Maarten.

a. An animal that has received a Rabies vaccination for the first-time or is revaccinated

after the expiration date of the previous vaccination MUST undergo a twenty-one (21)

day waiting period to guarantee full immunization.

b. Animals that are revaccinated prior to the due date of the next vaccination are

exempted from the twenty-one (21) day waiting period.

c. The Rabies immunization in formation must be mentioned on the health certificate OR

on a separate Rabies certificate.

• The animal has full immunization against the following viruses according to its species

through vaccination administered by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian:

a. Canine (Dogs): Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza (DHLPP

Vaccine), Bordetella,

b. Feline (Cats): Leukemia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Pneumonitis

• The animal has been administered parasitic treatment(s) by or under the supervision of a

licensed veterinarian (e.g., NexGuard, Bravecto, Frontline, etc.) to treat and further prevent

in ternal and external parasites (particularly the Amblyomma sp. And Boophillus sp.). The

treatment(s) must be valid at the time of entry into Sint Maarten.

a. The product in formation, treatment date, and validity period of the treatment must be

mentioned on the health certificate.

• The animal is free from clinical signs of communicable, contagious, or in fectious cutaneous

diseases.

Note: Additional documents may be required depending on the type of entry and species of animal.

Please review requirements. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/health-certificates/non-eu/st-maarten-dog-cat-ferret.pdf.

Please contact LVV@sintmaartengov.org for more in formation on your specific move or quantity of animals.

If applicable, a pet authorization statement is required for animal movement facilitated by either a natural person or legal entity on behalf of the pet owner. A digital color copy of the pet owner’s passport must be submitted in conjunction with this statement.

Animals originating from a South or Central American country (except Suriname) are prohibited from entry into Sint Maarten except for animals re-entering the jurisdiction of Sint Maarten with an owner who is a resident.

ALL INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CERTIFICATES MUST BE IN DUTCH OR ENGLISH. FOR ANY OTHER LANGUAGE, IT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN OFFICIAL TRANSLATION INTO DUTCH OR ENGLISH.

Each document must be in PDF format and under 5 megabytes (MB). All applications must be submitted no earlier than 14 calendar days and no later than 5 calendar days before the animal’s arrival in Sint Maarten to ensure sufficient time for the review process of the application.

The Government issued passport of the pet owner (the person mentioned on the health certificate as owner), natural person or company representative authorized to facilitate the movement of the animal. Personal identification documents must be in color.

Identification and microchip

The animal must be registered electronically with an ISO (International Standards Organization) microchip, or a readable tattoo applied before July 2011. The number must be mentioned on the International Health Certificate.

Rabies and vaccinations

Model of Rabies Certificate

The animal has been vaccinated against Rabies at least 21 days prior to departure but no longer than 1 or 3 years prior to departure. An animal that has received a Rabies vaccination for the first-time or is revaccinated after the expiration date of the previous vaccination MUST undergo a twenty-one (21) day isolation period to guarantee full immunization. The Rabies immunization in formation must be mentioned on the health certificate OR on a separate Rabies certificate

The dog has adequate levels of immunity conferred by being actively immunized against the following diseases: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Bordetella and Parvovirus.

The cat has adequate levels of immunity conferred by being actively immunized against the following diseases: Feline Leukemia, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Pneumonitis.

Rabies protocol (above section) must be followed.

Tests and treatments

The animal is free from communicable, contagious, or in fectious cutaneous diseases.

The dog has adequate levels of immunity conferred by being actively immunized against the following diseases: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Bordetella and Parvovirus.

The cat has adequate levels of immunity conferred by being actively immunized against the following diseases: Feline Leukemia, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Pneumonitis.

The animal has been administered parasitic treatment(s) by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian (e.g., NexGuard, Bravecto, Frontline, etc.) to treat and further prevent in ternal and external parasites (particularly the Amblyomma sp. And Boophillus sp.) The treatment(s) must be valid at the time of entry into Sint Maarten. The product in formation, treatment date, and validity period of the treatment must be mentioned on the health certificate.

Health certificate and permits

Model of Health Certificate.pdf)

St. Maarten is not part of the European Union; they do not accept pet passports as a valid International Health Certificate.

The animal must be accompanied by a valid International Health Certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the exporting country.

St. Maarten is not part of the European Union; they do not accept pet passports as a valid International Health Certificate.

ALL INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CERTIFICATES MUST BE IN DUTCH OR ENGLISH. FOR ANY OTHER LANGUAGE, IT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN OFFICIAL TRANSLATION INTO DUTCH OR ENGLISH. The animal must be registered electronically with an ISO (International Standards Organization) microchip, or a readable tattoo applied before July 2011. The number must be mentioned on the International Health Certificate.

The International Health Certificate must state that:

a. The animal has been vaccinated against Rabies at least 21 days prior to departure but no longer than 1 or 3 years prior to departure.

b. The dog has adequate levels of immunity conferred by being actively immunized against the following diseases: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Bordetella and Parvovirus.

c. The cat has adequate levels of immunity conferred by being actively immunized against the following diseases: Feline Leukemia, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Pneumonitis.

d. The animal has been administered parasitic treatment(s) by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian (e.g., NexGuard, Bravecto, Frontline, etc.) to treat and further prevent in ternal and external parasites (particularly the Amblyomma sp. And Boophillus sp.).The treatment(s) must be valid at the time of entry into Sint Maarten. The product in formation, treatment date, and validity period of the treatment must be mentioned on the health certificate

e. The animal is free from communicable, contagious, or in fectious cutaneous diseases

Yes, an import permit is required. There are three categories of entry which have different documentation requirements to obtain the import permit. First-time entry, re-entry, and in-transit. In general you will need the following:

• A digital passport copy belonging to the in dividual accompanying or importing the animal.

• Travel itinerary or consignment issued by the airline, shipping, or travel agency.

• International veterinary health certificate.

• Proof of Rabies vaccination (dogs, cats, and ferrets).

Please refer to the GUIDE

Online Import Permit Application

The application should be submitted between 14 to 5 days before arrival in Sint Maarten.

• Applications submitted after this timeframe are not guaranteed to receive a decision in time for the in tended arrival date.
• The import permit can be issued within the same day once the application has been submitted or finalized with all required in formation and documents.

Import Application

Pet owners can request, from Inspectorate TEATT-LVV via LVV@sintmaartengov.org, a document template of a veterinary health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, and pet authorization form, if in the country of departure, no such document is available.

Please refer to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/health-certificates/non-eu/st-maarten-dog-cat-ferret.pdf.

Quarantine

No quarantine as long as pet meets requirements. Must have import permit.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Animals originating from a South or Central American country (except Suriname) are prohibited from entry into Sint Maarten except for animals re-entering the jurisdiction of Sint Maarten with an owner who is a resident.

The importation of a pit-bull terrier type dog, which must be neutered or spayed, is permitted and this in formation must be in dicated on the International Health Certificate.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND SERVICE ANIMALS ARE NOT EXEMPTED FROM THE IMPORT CONDITIONS FORDOGS, CATS, AND FERRETS FOR SINT MAARTEN

Customs, agents, and airports

Customs Broker is not required but is recommended.

An Agent is not required and most people clear their own pets.

All those who visit either country must enter through SXM. However, if traveling by yacht you can enter just the French or Dutch side.

Airports listed on this destination file: SXM.

You must have an approved import permit and all required documentation with the original documents traveling with the pet. For more in formation, please contact the Government of Sint Maarten’s Customs Division.

Customs Service CentersMain Office in Philipsburg

Address E.C. Richardson Street # 11B

Telephone: +1721 542 1000, +1721 542-1008 or +1721 542-1009

Fax: +721 542-1001

Email: wwicust@sintmaarten.net

Customs Office at the Princess Juliana International Airport

Address: Princess Juliana International Airport

Telephone: +1721 546-7804

Fax: +1721 546-7808

Email: wwicust@sintmaarten.net

Export notes

Please refer to Exports - local country rules section and veterinarian contacts.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

Please contact LVV@sintmaartengov.org to receive updated import protocol depending on species.

· If you are arriving at a port of entry such as Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), then you are entering the Dutch part of the island, Sint Maarten which has different (live animal) import regulations from that of Saint-Martin (French Part).

· All required documents MUST BE IN ENGLISH OR ACCOMPANIED BY ENGLISH TRANSLATION and in Adobe PDF format under 5 megabytes (MB) to be successfully attached to the application when submitted.

· Up to three (3) animals can be submitted on one (1) application. If you are travelling with more than this amounts you must submit a new application for additional animals.

· Emotional support and service animals are NOT EXEMPTED from the live animal import conditions for Sint Maarten.

· If your application is in complete or contains in consistencies, we will contact you directly through the email provided on the application form.

St. Martin travel – It is advised to fulfill the requirements for Sint Maarten which are more stringent.

ALL INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CERTIFICATES MUST BE IN DUTCH OR ENGLISH. FOR ANY OTHER LANGUAGE, IT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN OFFICIAL TRANSLATION INTO DUTCH OR ENGLISH.Format for Rabies certificate OR proof of rabies vaccination - it must state the following in formation - Product Information: Name; Manufacturer; Lot Number; Expiration date of Product.-Immunization Information of previous and current vaccination Status:

Expiration date of previous vaccination, Date of current vaccination; Start date of current Immunization, immunization period of current vaccination (1 or 3 years).

The veterinary health certificate MUST BE ENDORSED by the Official Veterinarian or national government agency responsible for live animal export.Endorsement Exemption: Animals re-entering Sint Maarten and accompanied by a veterinary health certificate with an issuance date no older than 14 days from the date of arrival; issued by a licensed veterinarian operating in Sint Maarten. Animals re-entering Sint Maarten accompanied by a veterinary health certificate with an issuance date between 6 months to 15 days before arrival date; issued by a licensed veterinarian operating in Sint Maarten. A veterinary health certificate from the departure country is still required; it must state the animal meets conditions and is fit for travel.

In Transit: Animals in transit for less than 24 hours and accompanied by a travel itinerary showing on ward journey and entry permission from the destination country may not need endorsement. However, this needs to be from a rabies free origin country. Obtain prior confirmation and approval for this exemption from LVV@sintmaartengov.org.

Medical Condition Exemption: For animals which require an exemption from a condition(s) (e.g., allergy, age), an of ficial letter from the examining veterinarian scientifically justifying the impact the condition will have on the animal’s health must be submitted to LVV@sintmaartengov.org.

If you need export assistance here is a list of local veterinarians approved on the island that can assist with requirements. Below is a list of licensed and certified veterinary clinics operating in Sint Maarten. They can help with export or updating health certificates for travel in transit.

St. Maarten Veterinarian Clinic

Address:

Executive Commercial Building, A.J.C. Brouwers Road #25

Cay Hill, Sint Maarten

Contact:

Phone: +1 (721) 542-0111

Emergency Contact #2: +1 (721) 587-2838

Email: sxmvetclinic@gmail.com

Website: https://sxmvetclinic.com

Animal Hospital St. Maarten

Address:

Crowne Plaza Units 4&5

Union Road, Cole Bay

Contact:

Phone 1: +1 (721) 544-4111

Phone 2: +1 (721) 544-4112

Emergency Contact: +1 (721) 587-3705

Email: admin@animalhospitalsxm.com

Website: http://www.animalhospitalsxm.com/

Animal Care Center

Address:

18 Zozo Moran Drive,

Cole Bay (Behind KFC in Cole Bay)

Contact:

Phone: + 1 (721) 544-5500

Emergency Contact: + 1 (721) 520 8866

Email: animalcarecentersxm@gmail.com

The Island Vet

Address:

2 Tray Drive

Cay Bay, Sint Maarten

Contact:

Phone: +1 (721) 544-0963

Emergency Contact: +1 (721) 587-3378

Official contacts

Mervyn ButcherEmail: Mervyn.Butcher@sintmaartengov.org Inspectorate of the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs,Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT)

Government of Sint Maarten

Cannegieter Street # 15 | Philipsburg | Sint Maarten

Tel: +1 721 520-7213

www.sintmaartengov.org

Any questions or concerns pertaining to the entry requirements of animals can be submitted via email at LVV@sintmaartengov.org.

Operational hours for division LVV are between 9 AM and 3PM from Monday to Friday, except on local holidays

St. Maarten email: LVV@sintmaartengov.org

Economic Inspection Department

Tamarinde Steeg #16. Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Phone number(s): +1721 542-4509. Fax: +1721 542-3800

Inspection Dept. TEZVT Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries

Zoutsteeg nr. 3, Philipsburg,

St. Maarten

Please use the email contact below for importing any animals into St. Maarten and for sending your application in.

lvv@sintmaartengov.org

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 2025-07-21.

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: Albania · Andorra · Austria · all destinations