Companion Animals (cats and dogs) where quarantine is not required
Legal Notice 56/ 2014
Dogs and cats from the following countries are allowed direct entry into Trinidad and Tobago without having to go into quarantine or to have rabies vaccination or serum antibody testing: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Dominica, Great Britain, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Sweden.
An application form should be completed by the owner of the animal or an authorized representative and submitted by phone or in person to:
The Chief Veterinary Officer
Animal Production and Health Division
Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs
80 Abercromby Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 625-5997/1473
Fax. (868) 625-5993
E-mail:
aphmalmr@gmail.com Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
The application is processed within one working day and an import permit will be issued. This permit must be collected from the office above prior to landing.
Application forms can be obtained online at the Ministry website, or from the Animal Production and Health Division.
Companion Animals (cats and dogs) where quarantine is required
Dogs and cats originating from countries not listed in the section above require either a 30 day or six month quarantine.
The following countries now have an option for the reduced quarantine of 30 days: 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, Untied Arab Emirates, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Uruguay.
If you wish to take advantage of the reduced quarantine regulations you must:
• Apply for quarantine space at least three months before planned travel. One form of valid identification (passport, ID card, driver's permit) should be provided upon application.
• Ensure that you have an import permit and health certificate before entering Trinidad and Tobago.
• Have your animal micro-chipped with a universal microchip prior to entry.
• Have the animal vaccinated against rabies at least six months but not more than 1 year before planned travel.
• Have a rabies blood test done at least one month after vaccination (i.e., five months before travel). Acceptable tests include: @ Kansas State University Laboaratory.
o Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation (FAVN).
o Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT).
• Ensure that you have all the necessary documents, as indicated on the import permit, before travelling.
• Notify the Veterinary Officer of the scheduled time of arrival at least 24 hours prior to landing. You can contact the Veterinary Officer at telephone number (868) 662-5986.
Dogs and cats from all other countries (not listed above) must be quarantined for six months in the government's dog and cat quarantine station at Havelock Street, Curepe.
For both the six month and reduced quarantine, an application form must be completed and submitted at least three months in advance to:
The Chief Veterinary Officer
Animal Production and Health Division
Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs.
80 Abercromby Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 625-5997/1473
Fax. (868) 625-5993
E-mail:
aphmalmr@gmail.com Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Application forms can be obtained from the Animal Production and Health Division. The application form should be completed by the owner of the animal or an authorised representative. One form of valid identification is to be presented (passport, ID card or driver's permit) upon application along with the letter of authorisation (if applicable).
