Bringing a Dog to the Bahamas
Requirements and Our Personal Experience UPDATED 2023
We have been lucky enough to bring Jetty on all our adventures and we have checked her into the Bahamas numerous times. At first the task of importing a dog to the Bahamas can seem daunting but if you take it step by step it is not too difficult. Here are the requirements for bringing a dog to the Bahamas as of December 2023. Just a warning, if you have brought a dog to the Bahamas in the past a few of the requirements and some of the paperwork has recently changed so read carefully 🙂
Microchip
The Bahamas now requires all imported dogs to be microchipped. If you are visiting other countries in the Caribbean I recommend getting your dog microchipped BEFORE their required rabies vaccine.
Vaccines (*New Requirements*)
The next thing you need to worry about is when your dog last got his/her Rabies vaccine. The vaccine cannot be less than 30 days old. So, if your dog is almost up for renewal, plan accordingly. The vaccine must also be in good standing status for at least two months after your expected arrival.
Other required vaccines include Distemper, Hepatitis/Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis*, and Coronavirus*.
- Dogs typically receive a DAPP/DHPP booster every three years, if you bring your dog for yearly visits he/she more than likely has this vaccine already. DAPP includes Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus
- Leptospirosis is less commonly given and is considered a “non- core” vaccine by the American Animal Hospital Association. According to the American Kennel Club, Leptospirosis is carried in rats, wildlife, as well as domestic livestock. It is known to exist in standing water and mud. Dogs can become infected through contact with urine of infected animals. The most common way for dogs to contract Leptospirosis is by swimming in or drinking contaminated stagnant water. If your dog has not been vaccinated for Leptospirosis before they will need a series of two shots 2-3 weeks apart.
- If you have not traveled with your dog abroad before then they probably do not have the Coranovirus vaccine. It is only given based on your dog’s risk assessment. The majority of coronavirus cases are contracted by oral contact with infected fecal matter. Dogs can also contract the disease by eating from contaminated food bowls or by direct contact with an infected dog. More info about Coranovirus can be found here. In our experience none of the vets we have gone to give this vaccine and we have never run into an issue where they deny our entry or permit because Jetty does not have it.
Import Permit
All dogs entering the Bahamas must be accompanied by an import permit. This permit is issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, and Industry. The application for this permit is super simple to fill out and asks for basic information such as your address, type of animal, age (must be at least 6 months old) and breed.
The application must be filled out and mailed to:
DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DARVILLE’S COMPLEX,
GLADSTONE AND MUNNINGS ROAD, NASSAU, NEW PROVIDENCE, THE BAHAMAS.
With the application, you must also send a processing fee of $40.00 plus 10% VAT (total cost $44) for each animal as an international money order, checks and cash are no longer accepted. If you wish to request multiple permits per animal, each additional permit is $10.00 plus 10% VAT for a total additional cost of $11.00. There use to be an option to pay an extra fee to have the permit faxed back to you. Unfortunately it seems like that is no longer an option, so snail mail it is. BEWARE this can take weeks so plan accordingly.
If you want to skip all the hassle of printing, mailing, and waiting on the import permit there is now a way to apply for the permit online using Wellington’s Bahamas Pet Import Permit Online Service. We used Wellington’s service for the first time this year and he made everything SO MUCH EASIER. He is quick to respond and keeps you updated throughout the process. He charges $90 per pet and $35 per each additional permit. In my opinion SO WORTH IT!
Along with the import permit application you must also submit proof of vaccinations and a photo of your pet.
Once you receive the permit it is good for one use within a year from when it was issued.
Health Certificate
Lastly, you will need an international health certificate (does NOT have to be endorsed) and a signed IMP1B form from a licensed veterinarian. The IMP1B form usually comes attached to your import permit. If it did not, print it out and bring it with you to your vet appointment. The international health certificate should list all vaccines and declare that your dog is free of any internal and external parasites. The international health certificate is valid for 30 days but the IMP1B form should be signed within 48hours of your arrival to the Bahamas. In our experience checking in to the Bahamas, the customs agent looks at the permit for about half a second before they stamp it. I usually take Jetty to get her physical about a week before we plan to leave. They have never given us a hard time (knock on wood).
Banned Breeds
Unfortunately, a few breeds of dogs are not allowed to be imported into the Bahamas. These include Pitbulls, Presa Canario, Cane Corso, American Bulldog, Staffordshire Terrier, and Dogo Argentino. All Purebreds and any mixes of the breeds mentioned above are banned from the Bahamas. A few cat breeds are also banned and they include: Savannah Cat, Bengal Cat, and Chausie
Requirements CAN and DO change and sometimes the Government of the Bahamas website isn’t even updated so I highly suggest checking out Bahamaspetpermit.com and using Wellington to help secure your dogs permit. He is a local and personally delivers the permit application to the Department of Agriculture, because of this he has the most up to date information.
If you plan to go over by plane, check your particular airline for any other requirements they may have.
The information above includes our experience of bringing a dog to the Bahamas via a private boat. Your experience may differ if arriving by plane.
Let us know if you have any other questions regarding the import process of your best friend!
You can also check out the video we did on this process.
(coming soon with updated info)
If you plan to travel beyond the Bahamas click here to learn about preparing to bring your dog to the Caribbean.
Sierra:)
Hello guys, I do have a couple questions. First is it just rabies that is required? And do you have to go to a vet in the Bahamas? Some have said you do. Wanting to know step by step what all is involved beforehand. Thanks so much!
Hi 🙂 From what we have always done in the past is show them her rabies cert, health certificate, and import permit.
I have attached the application for the import permit.
https://media.bringfido.com/country_regulations/bahamas_import.pdf
When we receive the permit back there is a second page that says the dog must be immunized against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, adenovirus, and coronavirus. I am not sure what all of those are. It also says that the dog must be presented to a licensed vet within 48 hours of entering the Bahamas. They have never made us do any of that.
It is always very easy for us to check it we just hand them her rabies, health certificate, and import permit. They look at the paper briefly and then stamp.
I hope this helps:)
Sierra
Thank you 🙂
Hi Thank you for your info. How about the health certificate and import permit when bring the dog back to USA? Where in Bahamas we need to contact? Thank you very much
Hi! If you are a U.S. citizen and as long as your dog is still up to date on all vaccines you should be fine. Out of all the times we checked back into the U.S. they never asked about our dog.
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know that The Bahamas now has breed restrictions for dog importation, which includes the following breeds:
– Pit Bull
– Presa Canario
– Cane Corso
– American Bully
– Staffordshire Terrier
Also as to the question of which vaccinations are required, your veterinarian will need to sign a form stating they are current a number of preventative medications including vaccinations. The actual permit form says “have adequate level of immunity conferred by being actively immunized against the following diseases: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Adenovirus and Coronavirus” and that the animal is free of intestinal parasites confirmed by fecal exam, and free of external parasites (fleas/ticks)
Hope that helps!
We are going to Bahamas in February with my little Maltese. Sailing over. The last thing I want to do is vaccinate my dog. I know it’s the rules but I sure wish blood tigers would suffice. I’d be willing to pay that fortune rather than kill my dog by overvaccinating jist to go to Bahamas. I’m stressed about this more than any boat issue or weather issues. I don’t get why they use the same amount of rabies vaccine for a 109 lb dog as they do for a 5 lb dog. Hurts my heart
Hi,
It’s great to see Jetty visiting us!
Your post shows the USA APHIS form, which is not required. Bahamas has their own form that your veterinarian must sign. The APHIS form is extra work that most people don’t need to worry about.
Also there are some restricted breeds of dogs and cats now, and a new application form as well.
I help to process permits regularly just because of the problems with mail, getting things done quickly, and stay on top of these requirements. The new form, breed restrictions and current information is on my website.
Hello!
How about when you bring the dog/pet back to the US? Are there requirements on the US side? Thank you!!
Im going to chub cay on memorial day weekend. Will i have enough time to get mt permit if i send it out tomorrow? Its 2 weeks away.
With the new way to get the import permit online you should have it in no time! https://www.bahamaspetpermit.com
I am bringing my dog to Exuma, Bahamas. The website for Department of Agriculture says my dogs and cats need to be micro chipped. Do they really check? I don’t want to micro chip but if that is what it takes to bring him I will. Please advise.
Hi! microchipping is a rather new requirement. They do not typically pull out a microchip reader and check your dog but they may look for the microchip number on your health certificate. It is always better to be safe than sorry!
Hi,
thank you for the details and all the steps. I travel with my dog within the USA, but never traveled abroad. Before finding this blog, I read in another forum that some were asked for proof of vaccination for more than Rabies (everything that is listed in the permit that you have also listed): parvo, distempter, coronavirus, adeno, lepto and hepatitis. Did you also had records showing all the vaccines? Some of them I know for sure my dog has them, but hepatitis..lepto I don’t remember ever doing those vaccines.
Thank you in advance for the reply 🙂
Hi! The requirements were recently changed. The blog post is now fully up to date. The Bahamas now requires vaccines for coronavirus and Leto on top of your dogs typical DAPP booster. Hope that helps!
Hi!!
Will the pups have to be quarantined in the Bahamas and can they fly in cabin with you down there?
Thanks!
There is no quarantine. We go over by boat so I am not sure about the cabin. I am sure it depends on what airline you plan to fly with. Good luck!
Hi 1Captailbill, You mention going by boat and I wanted to ask whether you took your dog on the boat with you. If so, what company did you go with and where did you sail from/to? We wanted to visit one of the Caribbean islands with our dog but all transportation by commercial airlines seems to have been banned. Appreciate any advice. Many thanks, Ian and Lynne
Which vet do you use? I’m not from the area and every vet I’ve contacted charges far more than $65 for the health certificate. I’d like to use your vet as they seem reasonable.
Thanks,
Tim
Hi there
I want to send a pomsky puppy to a family in the Bahamas.
What age dose the puppy have to be to get into the Bahamas coming from a rabies free country
Is it 16 weeks ??
Regards
Denis
Ok….what about brining your cat that will stay on the boat vs a cat off the boat. What do you think Wellington?
Hi there, I’m traveling to the Bahamas in April with my 2 dogs on a boat. I already received their pet permits. I’m just so confused as to what else I need to do. Do I take them to my vet here in the US or to a vet once we arrive? Also, do they need the coronavirus vaccine as well?
Thanks!
This information is super helpful! Thanks so much for publishing it. We’re excited to bring our pup to the Bahamas in April! 🙂
Kristin + Fabio
Harbors Unknown
Hi
So now a coronavirus shot is needed for my dog to enter the Bahamas…
thanks Tammy
Thank you for your article. Its so helpful and i used Wellington’s service per your commendation. He’s quick and simplified the process for me.
A question for you, did you present the health certificate to Vet in Bahama with 48 hours after arriving? I didn’t see you mentioning it.
“The animal must be accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate presented within 48 hours of arrival in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to a licensed veterinarian for an examination.”
I have my permit in hand, however when I took her to get her shots today (we sail in 32 days), the vet pointed out the sentence “rabies antibody test results issued within 6 mo immediately prior to arrival in the Bahamas”
Vet said this test would have to be sent out and can take weeks to come back. They are trying to find out. Can anyone tell me, did you have to do the antibody test?
Thanks so much
What about the actual transporting of the dog? How did you get the dog there?
So once you get the approval from the dog that paper works good for one year but I’m confused it says your dog must be examined 48 hours beforehand. Does that just me and you have to present the paperwork that you had approved to the Bahamas when you get there?
I have a American Staffordshire Pitt bull registered service dog. Will they let him in?
check new prices, the government increased from $10 to $44…..SO SAD
I am constantly searching online for ideas that can facilitate me. Thanks!
Hi there, what is the difference between an International health certificate and just a regular health certificate? Will a normal health certificate signed by the vet suffice?