Requirements to bring your dog and cat to Belize

Me and Foxy. Foxy is from Texas. I brought her here 2.5 years ago.

Bringing a pet into the country falls under live animal importation and is regulated by the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA).

Belize does not quarantine dogs and cats brought into the county.

BAHA
BAHA is a separate institution from customs. After you have walked through customs, you will be required to report to BAHA.

1. Valid import permit from BAHA. Applications can be submitted at any BAHA office. Where the permit and conditions are faxed outside Belize, which is payable upon entry - this permit bears a stamp stating 'pay upon entry".

Import Permits
To apply for an import permit,

1. request application form from:

Permit Unit
Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA)
Belmopan Showgrounds
Belmopan City
Tel: 822-0197 or 822-0818
Fax: 822-3084
Email: baha@btl.net

Photo by: Tahisa Southwell

2. Meet conditions of importation that accompany import permit.

(A) Animal must have a recent veterinary health certificate within 14 days.
(B) Animal must have a valid rabies certificate and be free of infectious diseases. The rabies certificate must be dated one month to one year prior to travel and include veterinary health certificate.

(C) Other conditions as specified.

3. Dogs and cats which do not meet rabies requirements (to young for the shot) are to be confined at home until they reach three months of age, after being vaccinated against rabies they are to be confined for an additional 30 days.

4. A BAHA veterinary officer or quarantine officer may inspect animals placed in confinement. They will verify the confinement and rabies vaccination. If there is a fee, the cost will be importers responsibility.

5. If your dog or cat arrives in Belize without a valid permit or valid rabies vaccination they will be placed in confinement until its rabies vaccination is valid. Any cost associated with this is to be paid by the importer.

6. All dogs and cats, at the port of entry, are required to have a quarantine inspection. Dogs and cats coming from countries considered of risk will need to undergo veterinary inspection at the port of entry. There will be additional fee for this inspection.

Upon arrival make sure that for question #9, on entry form, "yes" is checked.

If the pet arrives at the airport and is accompanying the passenger and not considered cargo no duty will be charged. However, if the pet arrives as cargo with airway bills and other freight or shipping documents then it is considered dutiable for which duty and taxes will apply.

When contacting BAHA ask about a passport for your dog.

Purchase your ticket and make sure the airlines know you are traveling with your pet. There is a fee. Check with the airlines.
Many airlines do not allow dogs to be checked with luggage. The two airlines to Belize that accept pets to be checked are American and Continental.

-Must have a clear bag of dog food tapped to the top of the kennel with instructions should there be an emergency or delay. -Must have a water bottle (the gerbil type) that fits on the outside of the kennel door whether your dog knows how to use them or not.
-Must have airport approved kennel large enough for pet to stand up and turn around. I suggest bringing extra nuts/bolts that fit the kennel as they often pop off the kennels. The airline will also cable tie the dog in the kennel. Please make sure your dog has comfort and you provide some type of pillow or comfy blanket.
-Must label kennel 'LIVE ANIMAL' on each side of kennel with name of dog
-If temperatures are predicted less than 45 degrees at any place of travel you MUST have a vets letter stating dog can travel in temperatures as low as 20 degrees F. No exceptions on airlines without this letter!

Safeguards for Pets Traveling as Cargo

Continental's PetSafe program will allow pets that previously traveled as checked baggage to experience these safeguards when they travel as cargo, keeping them safe and their owners reassured:

• Dedicated 24-hour Live Animal Desk (800.575.3335 or 281.553.5052)
• Confirmed booking prior to departure
• Weather conditions constantly monitored at all points
• The ability to track and trace the animal from its origin to its destination
• Personal handling in climate-controlled vehicles for connections over Continental's hubs when the animal will be exposed to temperatures above 85°F (29.5°C) degrees for more than 45 minutes
• Continental recommends (but does not require) that SENIOR DOGS AND CATS (over 7.5 years old) receive a more extensive health examination (i.e. liver and kidney screens).

American Airlines site
Temperature restrictions have been established to ensure animals are not exposed to extreme heat or cold in the animal holding areas, terminal facilities, when moving the animals between terminal and aircraft or on an aircraft awaiting departure.
Reservations
Pets traveling in the cabin require a reservation to ensure no more than 7 pets are booked on any single flight. For this reason, it is recommended that you make arrangements for your pet in advance by contacting Reservations.

Checked pets do not need a reservation.

Heat Restriction	Cold Restriction
Pets cannot be accepted when the current or forecasted temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any location on the itinerary.	Pets can not be accepted when the ground temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit at any location on the itinerary.
Snub-nosed dogs and cats will not be accepted when the current or forecasted temperature is above 75 degrees Fahrenheit at any location on the itinerary.	The restriction for cold temperature restriction may be waived with a written veterinarian statement. The low temperature acclimation certificate/statement/form must include the following: Name and address of the passenger Name of the animal Name and signature of licensed veterinarian Veterinarian's accreditation date and number Temperature which the animal is acclimated The letter must be dated within 10 days of the first flight the animal will be on and within 30 days of any subsequent travel within the same itinerary. It may be necessary for a passenger to obtain an additional letter for a lengthy trip When temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, pets may not be checked even with a statement of low temperature acclimation.

After purchasing your airfare
Submit your import permit application via fax or email to Belize.
BAHA
Tel: 501-822-0818 or 501-822-1378
alternate number for pet import 822-3084