The Chilean government establishes mandatory health protocols to protect domestic animals. You must complete veterinary treatments and obtain certified documentation within specific timelines before you travel.
This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.
What are the official entry requirements for pets entering Chile?
Chile requires an endorsed International Veterinary Certificate, permanent microchip identification, a current rabies vaccination, and certified parasite treatments for all entering dogs and cats.
The Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) under the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture regulates companion animal entry under Exenta Resolution Nº 3.343/2026, amended by Resolution Nº 5.444/2026. These sanitary requirements took effect on July 27, 2026.
These regulations govern domestic dogs and domestic cats. The rules apply to pets travelling inside the passenger cabin, as accompanied baggage, or through professional pet moving services.
[S1][S3][S4][S5]How do you obtain an International Veterinary Certificate for Chile?
You obtain an International Veterinary Certificate from your origin country's government veterinary authority after a private veterinarian completes a clinical examination.
Your licensed veterinarian must examine your pet within 10 calendar days before certificate issuance. The examination certifies that your animal is healthy, fit for travel, and free of signs of infectious or parasitic diseases.
The issuing veterinary authority must write the certificate in Spanish and the origin language, or in bilingual Spanish and English. The document remains valid for 10 calendar days from issuance, with an allowable 5-day extension for specific travel conditions.
Arriving travelers from European Union member states can present an official European Union Pet Passport containing all required Chilean sanitary records. Pets arriving from Argentina can present an official digital certificate with a verifiable QR code.
- Schedule a clinical examination with a licensed veterinarian within 10 calendar days prior to certificate issuance.
- Secure the completed International Veterinary Certificate endorsed by the official government veterinary authority.
- Verify that the document is issued in Spanish, bilingual Spanish-English, or the origin language alongside Spanish.
- Arrive in Chile within the 10-day validity window of the certificate.
Does your pet need a microchip to enter Chile?
SAG requires every entering dog and cat to carry a permanent microchip conforming to ISO standards 11784 and 11785 or a legible tattoo.
Permanent identification became mandatory for entering dogs and cats on July 27, 2026. The identification number must appear on the health certificate.
Border officials scan the microchip at the entry checkpoint to confirm that the code matches your health documents.
[S1][S2][S3][S4]What rabies vaccination rules apply to dogs and cats entering Chile?
SAG requires all entering dogs and cats to hold certified rabies vaccination documentation.
Animals receiving their first lifetime dose or receiving a dose after their previous vaccine expired must receive immunization at least 21 calendar days before entering Chile. SAG classifies pets with certified records of their last two vaccine doses as previously vaccinated animals.
The health certificate must list the vaccination date, vaccine trade name, manufacturing laboratory, batch number, and expiration date. Animals residing continuously since birth or for at least six months in countries recognized by Chile as free of dog-mediated rabies under WOAH guidelines hold an exemption from rabies immunization.
[S1][S3][S10]When must pets receive parasite treatments before travelling to Chile?
A veterinarian must administer internal and external parasite treatments between 5 and 30 calendar days before the issuance of the International Veterinary Certificate.
The treating veterinarian selects broad-spectrum antiparasitic products according to manufacturer guidelines and local regulatory registrations.
The health certificate must record the date of treatment, product name, active ingredient, and dosage for internal and external treatments.
[S1][S3][S10]What customs steps do you complete when arriving in Chile with a pet?
Every traveler bringing a pet must submit the official joint SAG-Customs sworn declaration upon arrival in Chile.
You declare your pet on the official SAG-Aduana form online at www.ingresoachile.cl or on paper at arrival. SAG border officials perform the veterinary document and health inspection without charging an entry inspection fee.
Pets travelling as accompanied baggage clear sanitary controls at passenger arrivals. Pets travelling as manifest cargo undergo commercial customs clearance alongside the SAG veterinary inspection.
- Fill out the SAG-Aduana Joint Sworn Declaration online at www.ingresoachile.cl or complete the paper form upon arrival.
- Present your pet and original health certificates to SAG officials at the border inspection area.
- Complete commercial customs clearance if your pet travels as manifest cargo.
What happens if your pet arrives at the border with missing health documents?
SAG holds the legal authority to deny entry to pets missing sanitary requirements, while offering access to private border veterinarians for corrective care.
Under SAG Resolution Nº 5.444/2026 and Resolution Nº 4.400/2026, SAG maintains a directory of independent private veterinarians. Travelers can hire these veterinarians directly at border controls to perform clinical examinations, microchipping, rabies vaccinations, or parasite treatments at their own expense.
[S2][S3][S4][S6]This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.
Checked against sources; veterinary review pending. Information checked on September 30, 2026. Updated on September 30, 2026.
Written with AI help from the cited sources. A second model checked every fact against them.
Sources
- S1 Ingreso de perros, gatos y hurones mascotas (animales de compañía tradicionales) | SAG
- S2 SAG exigirá identificación individual de perros y gatos para su ingreso a Chile | SAG
- S3 Resolución Exenta SAG Nº 3.343/2026 - Fija exigencias sanitarias para la internación a Chile de perros, gatos y hurones
- S4 Resolución Exenta SAG Nº 5.444/2026 - Modifica Resolución Nº 3.343/2026
- S5 ChileAtiende - Autorización sanitaria para ingresar a Chile con perros, gatos y hurones
- S6 Listado de médicos/as veterinarios/as para apoyar acciones sanitarias en frontera para el ingreso de macotas (perros y gatos) | SAG
- S7 Declaración Jurada SAG de ingreso a Chile | SAG
- S8 Salida de mascotas de Chile (perros y gatos) | SAG
- S10 USDA APHIS Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Pet Dogs and Cats to Chile
