Pet import requirements for Trinidad and Tobago
What Trinidad and Tobago 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 2026-03-11 by the country-profile service Furry Freight uses; profile last updated 2026-03-11. 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.
Trinidad and Tobago at a glance
| Requirement | For Trinidad and Tobago |
|---|---|
| Microchip Required | Microchipping you pet is required and microchip number must be present on all documents |
| Rabies | Must be vaccinated against rabies before placing microchip (Unless pet is coming from a “category 1” Country list) |
| Rabies antibody test Required | Titer test requirements: A blood sample must be taken from the animal and sent to a reputable Rabies Reference Laboratory to perform the RNATT*/FAVN, and the result must be sent… |
| Import permit Required | Must be obtained from the Veterinary Department of the Division of Agriculture |
| Quarantine | With effect from April 2013, Trinidad and Tobago implemented a system that allows the importation of dogs and cats without quarantine |
| Minimum age to travel | At least 6 months old |
| Customs clearance | Not required |
| Agent at destination | Not required |
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
For Trinidad and Tobago, start with this checkpoint: at least 6 months old. Trinidad and Tobago is a twin island country situated off the northern edge of the South American mainland, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada. Cargo and passenger-pet routings commonly use POS.
Import requirements
At least 6 months old.
Entering Trinidad and Tobago by Air:
- Pets must enter Trinidad and Tobago via Piarco International Airport. Pets can enter in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo. Notification to the Veterinary Officer of the scheduled time of arrival at least 24 hours prior to landing.
- Whenever you travel to a foreign country like Trinidad and Tobago, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification in dicating ownership of your pet.
- All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.
Other Animals:
Birds, in vertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Trinidad and Tobago if it is permitted.
Import Guidelines & Import Permit Application Form
Family pets accompanying owner for relocation or extended stay, not for breeding/sale. Includes service animals and emotional support animals. Same requirements apply for 1 or multiple pets: microchip, import permit, health certificate, rabies vaccination, titer test (if from Category 2/3 countries). Pets for shows/competitions returning with owner (not for sale) are considered personal pets.
Importing animals for sale, breeding, or business purposes. May require additional permits. Same documentation needed as personal imports (import permit, health certificate, rabies vaccination, titer test if applicable). Contact Ministry of Agriculture at aphmalmr@gmail.com or +868-625-5997 for commercial requirements.
Please note that special conditions apply for the importation of ‘service’ dogs. For additional in formation or queries, please contact the Head Office of the Animal Production and Health Division, Ministry of Food Production, Trinidad and Tobago Address: 80 Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel: 1 868 625 5997/1473 Fax: 1 868 625 5993 E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.comor aphmalmr@tstt.net.tt
Other types of pets There are restrictions regarding the importation of other pets. Please contact the Head Office of the Animal Production and Health Division, Ministry of Food Production, Trinidad and Tobago Address: 80 Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel: 1 868 625 5997/1473 Fax: 1 868 625 5993 E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.comor aphmalmr@tstt.net.tt
Identification and microchip
Microchipping you pet is required and microchip number must be present on all documents.
Rabies and vaccinations
Must be vaccinated against rabies before placing microchip (Unless pet is coming from a “category 1” Country list).
Pet must have rabies vaccination (Unless pet is coming from a “category 1” Country list) & Serum antibody testing.
DOGS
• Carré's disease (DISTEMPER)
• Hepatitis
• Leptospirosis
• Parvovirus
• Rabie.
CATS
• Feline panleukopenia
• Feline viral rhinotracheitis
• Feline calicivirus
• Rabie.
(Unless pet is coming from a “category 1” Country list)
Tests and treatments
Titer test requirements: A blood sample must be taken from the animal and sent to a reputable Rabies Reference Laboratory to perform the RNATT*/FAVN, and the result must be sent directly to the Veterinary Services prior to issuing an import permit. The test result must show a serum antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/mL. The test must be done not less than one (1) month after vaccination with an approved Rabies Vaccine and Titer test must be available 90 days prior to travelling.
Must be treated against in ternal and external parasites/ heartworms and get certified by a licensed veterinarian.
Health certificate and permits
Must in clude Rabies vaccine & serum antibody testing in formation (type, serial number, date of expiration and date of administration). Rabies Vaccine is not Required if pet is coming from “category 1” Country List.
Must be obtained from the Veterinary Department of the Division of Agriculture. Will be issued once all requirements are met and sent to the importer by fax or email.
Category 1 Country List: The application is processed within one working day and an import permit will be issued (category one countries don’t require quarantine or rabies). This permit must be collected from the office above prior to landing.
Category 2 Country List: Should be requested at least 1 month and a half to 3 months before travelling.
Category 3 Country List: Should be requested at least 5 months before travelling.
Once this is done and after reviewing the dogs/cats medical and vaccination history an import license can be issued. Only pets with a duly issued import license will be accepted into Antigua and Barbuda.
Quarantine
With effect from April 2013, Trinidad and Tobago implemented a system that allows the importation of dogs and cats without quarantine. Citizens/residents of Trinidad and Tobago are allowed to take their dogs and cats to any country and return without the need for the animals to enter quarantine, once our entry requirements are met. These rules are in place to keep the people and pets in Trinidad and Tobago safe from rabies and certain other diseases. Entering Trinidad and Tobago Dogs and cats may only enter Trinidad and Tobago from any country if they are fully compliant with our import requirements. Please note that special conditions apply for the importation of ‘service’ dogs. For additional in formation or queries, please contact the Head Office of the Animal Production and Health Division, Ministry of Food Production, Trinidad and Tobago Address: 80 Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel: 1 868 625 5997/1473 Fax: 1 868 625 5993 E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.comor aphmalmr@tstt.net.tt
Restrictions and banned breeds
Customs, agents, and airports
Not required, but highly recommended.
*PLEASE USE THIS FORMAT:*
- Piarco International Airport, Port of Spain (IATA: POS, ICAO: TTPP) - ACCEPTS PET IMPORTS
- A.N.R. Robinson International Airport, Crown Point, Tobago (IATA: TAB, ICAO: TTCP) - NO PET IMPORTS
- No other in ternational airports in Trinidad and Tobago
Piarco International Airport (POS)
Airports listed on this destination file: POS.
- POS Airport is the entry point.
- Pets can enter in cabin, baggage and as cargo.
- Pet containers flying into Trinidad must meet the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations. Containers must be large enough for the pet to stand, turn around, and lie down. They must also be secure, leak-proof, and labeled with a LIVE ANIMAL sticker.
- Hours for Customs and Cunstoms Veterinary Office are 9am to 5pm.
- You can arrive any day of the week and do not need to call ahead, however there will be an additional fee for arriving on the weekends and/or after business hours.
- the pet will remain in their crate until the Customs Clearance is complete.
Export notes
Citizens/residents of Trinidad and Tobago are allowed to take their dogs and cats to any country and return without the need for the animals to enter quarantine, once our entry requirements are met. These rules are in place to keep the people and pets in Trinidad and Tobago safe from rabies and certain other diseases. Entering Trinidad and Tobago Dogs and cats may only enter Trinidad and Tobago from any country if they are fully compliant with our import requirements. Please note that special conditions apply for the importation of ‘service’ dogs. For additional in formation or queries, please contact the Head Office of the Animal Production and Health Division, Ministry of Food Production, Trinidad and Tobago Address: 80 Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel: 1 868 625 5997/1473 Fax: 1 868 625 5993 E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.comor aphmalmr@tstt.net.tt
Other pets / CITES / extra rules
https://cites.org/eng/parties/country-profiles/tt
If your pet is not a dog, cat, or ferret and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under CITES. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case.
Other types of pets There are restrictions regarding the importation of other pets. Please contact the Head Office of the Animal Production and Health Division, Ministry of Food Production, Trinidad and Tobago Address: 80 Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel: 1 868 625 5997/1473 Fax: 1 868 625 5993 E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.comor aphmalmr@tstt.net.tt
Category 1 Country List: Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Australia, Cayman Island, Chanel Island, Curacao, Czech Republic, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Martinique, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Caledonia, St. Barthelemy, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia or St. Vincent
Category 2 Country List: Austria, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Falkland Islands, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Macau, Peninsular Malaysia, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Portugal, Reunion, Saba, Sarawak, Seychelles, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, US Virgin Islands and Uruguay.
Category 3 Country List: All countries not listed as Category 1 or 2.
The Chief Veterinary Officer
Animal Production and Health Division
Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries
80 Abercromby Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. +868 625-5997/1473
Fax. +868 625-5993
E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.com
Ministry of Agriculture, Land & Fisheries
Corner Narsaloo Ramaya Marg
Road and Soogrim Street,
Chaguanas
Tel: +868-220-6253
Fax: +868-671-1861
Animal Production and Health Division
80 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain
Tel:+868 625-5997 / 1473
Fax: +868 625-5993
E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.com
Official contacts
ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND HEALTH DIVISION
Please be advised that telephone service at the NADC office (693-1682) is temporarily
unavailable. In the meantime, we request that all requests be sent to
nadcaph2013@gmail.com.
The Ministry thanks people for their continued support and apologizes for any in convenience caused during this time.
Ensure that you have all the necessary documents, as in dicated on the import permit, before traveling. Notify us at 1(868) 642-0063 or 1(868) 642-0064 at least 48 hours before the expected time of arrival. For further in formation contact the Head office of Animal Production and Health Division at: Address:80 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain Telephone: 1 868 625-5997/1473 Fax: 1 868 625-5993 Email: aphmalmr@tstt.net.ttor aphmalmr@gmail.comMinistry of Agriculture, Land & Fisheries
Corner Narsaloo Ramaya Marg
Road and Soogrim Street,
Chaguanas
Tel: +868-220-6253
Fax: +868-671-1861
Animal Production and Health Division
80 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain
Tel:+868 625-5997 / 1473
Fax: +868 625-5993
E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.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.
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 Trinidad and Tobago
- Application agriculture.gov.tt
Questions about moving a pet to Trinidad and Tobago
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for Trinidad and Tobago?
Microchipping you pet is required and microchip number must be present on all documents
From the country profile, last verified 2026-03-11.
What rabies vaccination does Trinidad and Tobago require?
Must be vaccinated against rabies before placing microchip (Unless pet is coming from a “category 1” Country list)
Is a rabies antibody (titer) test needed for Trinidad and Tobago?
Titer test requirements: A blood sample must be taken from the animal and sent to a reputable Rabies Reference Laboratory to perform the RNATT*/FAVN, and the result must be sent…
A titer test is the single most common reason a move takes months rather than weeks, because the waiting period runs from the blood draw.
Do I need an import permit to bring a pet into Trinidad and Tobago?
Must be obtained from the Veterinary Department of the Division of Agriculture
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in Trinidad and Tobago?
With effect from April 2013, Trinidad and Tobago implemented a system that allows the importation of dogs and cats without quarantine