Pets to Belize: permit, rabies history and working-day notice

Updated: 2026-10-31

Start with the real origin and permit

Give BAHA the animal’s origin, country of export, all transit countries and entry port. The current linked form says allow at least seven days and does not guarantee a permit; individual risk or other approvals can change the process. Use the issued document, not an old fee or passport example. Cabin, accompanied hold and independent cargo availability depend on the actual airline and itinerary.

First dose and adult booster are different paths

Do not vaccinate against rabies before three calendar months of age. First-vaccinated dogs and cats wait at least four weeks before travel. A dog or cat aged at least fifteen months may travel sooner after a current booster only with the specified previous vaccine history. Keep dates, manufacturer, product, lot and expiry. The US description of under-four-month home quarantine conflicts with the general current BAHA attachment; obtain written approval rather than assuming that exception.

Two-week health certificate and thirty-day parasite treatment

Arrange the source-country veterinary certificate within two weeks before travel, including health and wound declarations. Treat internal and external parasites within thirty days before export with a locally registered product and record it. The generic US Form 7001 form’s thirty days does not extend the destination window, and the US summary’s recommendation wording does not remove BAHA’s treatment requirement. US accredited-vet certificates are exempt from APHIS endorsement only for that dog/cat route.

Routine vaccines are recommended in the current attachment

The current September 2023 attachment strongly recommends canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza; for cats, viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. These are recommendations in that passage, separate from required current rabies and parasite treatment. Discuss suitable products with the veterinarian and comply with any stricter issued permit or carrier condition. Do not automatically copy the older June 2023 mandatory wording into the current general list.

Count working days and arrange entry inspection

Tell BAHA date, time and flight or vessel details two working days before arrival; weekends and holidays can make forty-eight hours insufficient. Confirm the officer, port and changed itinerary. All pets are inspected, and disease-affected origin or transit may add veterinary inspection and costs. This is not a universal numerical quarantine, and noncompliant animals may be refused rather than allowed to fix documents on arrival.