Miami is the most active connecting hub between the United States and Latin America for pet transport. Miami International Airport (MIA) has direct flights to the region's major cities and an established live animal cargo infrastructure. But each destination country has its own health requirements, and documentation errors result in the animal being detained at the border, unexpected costs, or the flight being reversed.
This guide organizes the requirements updated through 2026 for the most frequently requested destinations: Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru, with an additional section on other Andean countries. It also includes the recommended timeline to ensure paperwork arrives on time.
Base documentation from the USA: veterinary certificate + USDA endorsement
Regardless of the destination country, every dog leaving the United States for Latin America needs two foundational documents:
- Veterinary health certificate (Health Certificate): issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian. This certificate declares that the animal was clinically examined in the days prior to travel, is in good health, has current vaccinations — a current rabies vaccine is mandatory for all destinations — and is identified with an ISO 11784/11785 microchip.
- USDA APHIS endorsement: the veterinary certificate issued by the accredited veterinarian must be validated by an official USDA APHIS representative before the flight. Without that endorsement, the document carries no official weight with the destination country's health authorities. The endorsement is processed with the USDA APHIS office corresponding to the state of origin — in this case, Florida.
The endorsement process in Florida can be handled in person at the USDA APHIS office in Gainesville or by expedited courier. Processing times vary but generally take 1 to 3 business days once the complete documentation is received.
In addition to these two base documents, each country has additional requirements detailed below.
Mexico: what SENASICA requires
The Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) is the health authority that regulates pet entry into Mexico. Current requirements for 2026 are:
- Health certificate with USDA endorsement (see previous section). The certificate must be no more than 10 days old at the time of entry.
- Rabies vaccination: current and documented. SENASICA requires that the vaccine be between 30 days and 1 year old at the time of entry. A vaccine administered within 72 hours prior to travel is not valid.
- Additional vaccines: SENASICA recommends vaccines against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and leptospirosis. In practice, inspection tends to focus on the rabies vaccine, but having complete documentation avoids delays.
- ISO microchip: mandatory for identification.
- Antiparasitic treatment: some entry points require evidence of recent deworming (internal and external). It is recommended to apply treatment 3 to 10 days before the flight and document it in the veterinary certificate.
Entry through Mexico City International Airport (AICM) or any other airport with direct flights from Miami does not require quarantine for dogs that meet documentation requirements. Border inspection is relatively swift when paperwork is in order.
Colombia: ICA requirements
The Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA) regulates pet entry into Colombia. Requirements for dogs coming from the United States in 2026 include:
- International health certificate with USDA endorsement. The certificate must include an explicit declaration from the veterinarian covering: animal identification (name, species, breed, sex, age, microchip), health status, current vaccines, antiparasitic treatments, and fitness to travel.
- Current rabies vaccine: applied a minimum of 30 days before entry. If the dog is less than 3 months or more than 1 year past the last dose, the vaccine is not valid.
- Polyvalent vaccination: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza. The ICA requires evidence of a complete or current vaccination schedule.
- Internal and external deworming: within the 30 days prior to travel, documented in the certificate.
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip.
Colombia does not require quarantine for dogs arriving with complete documentation. Entry inspection is conducted at authorized ports of entry; Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport and Medellín's José María Córdova International Airport are most commonly used for flights from Miami.
An important note: the ICA may reject animals that show visible clinical signs at the time of entry, regardless of documentation. An animal that is ill, has significant eye or nasal discharge, or shows signs of severe stress may be held for additional evaluation.
Argentina: SENASA requirements
The Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA) regulates pet entry into Argentina. Requirements for dogs coming from the United States are the most detailed in the region:
- Official USA health certificate with USDA endorsement. SENASA has specific formats that the USDA accredited veterinarian must complete. A generic certificate is not sufficient; it must conform to the model accepted by SENASA.
- Rabies vaccine: minimum 30 days and maximum 365 days old. First-time vaccinations (first time the animal has ever been vaccinated) must be at least 30 days before entry.
- Polyvalent vaccines: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis — at least two doses administered 21–28 days apart for first-time vaccinations.
- Flea and tick treatment: within the 10 days prior to entry, with the product name and active ingredient documented in the certificate.
- Internal deworming: within the 10 days prior, with the product's commercial name in the certificate.
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip.
- Vaccination booklet or pet passport: if the animal has a health history in the USA, a veterinary booklet facilitates border review, although it is not mandatory.
Argentina does not require quarantine for dogs with complete documentation. However, clearance at Ezeiza airport can take time if there are inconsistencies in the documents or if the border veterinarian requests clarifications. Release times at Ezeiza range from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the workload of the day.
Peru and other Andean countries
The Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria (SENASA Peru) regulates pet entry into Peru. Requirements are similar to Colombia's:
- Health certificate with USDA endorsement, valid for a maximum of 10 days at the time of entry.
- Rabies vaccine between 30 days and 1 year old.
- Current polyvalent vaccines.
- Internal and external deworming documented within the 15 days prior.
- ISO microchip.
For Chile, the SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero) has one of the strictest protocols in the region. It additionally requires a sworn declaration from the owner, a specific treatment against Echinococcus with praziquantel documented within the 5 days prior to entry, and in some cases the animal may be held for additional inspection. Processing times in Chile can be significantly extended if documentation is not exactly compliant.
For Ecuador, AGROCALIDAD requires a certificate with USDA endorsement, rabies vaccine, polyvalent vaccines, and deworming. Entry processing times in Quito and Guayaquil are generally more agile than in Argentina or Chile.
For Brazil, MAPA (Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento) has specific requirements including the official certificate, vaccines, deworming, and in some cases the certificate must be apostilled under the Hague Convention. Brazil warrants a separate article due to the complexity of its requirements.
Recommended timeline: how far in advance to start
The most common mistake in pet transport from Miami to Latin America is starting the process too late. Documents have narrow validity windows: if the USDA endorsement is processed too early it may expire before the flight; if processed too late it may not arrive in time.
The recommended timeline is:
- 8 weeks before: confirm the animal's microchip is registered and ISO-compatible. Verify current vaccines and schedule a rabies booster if needed (must be at least 30 days before entry).
- 6 weeks before: consult with a specialized agent about the specific requirements of the destination country. Regulations change and it is important to work with information that is current as of the travel date.
- 3 weeks before: veterinary fitness evaluation and begin preparing the health certificate with the USDA accredited veterinarian.
- 10–14 days before: the USDA accredited veterinarian issues the health certificate. The certificate must not be issued more than 10 days before the flight to remain within its validity period.
- 7–10 days before: process the USDA APHIS endorsement. With the endorsement in hand, documentation is complete for most destinations.
- 3–5 days before: verify that all documentation is in order, that the animal's data matches exactly across all documents, and that the microchip is correctly registered.
Pet Cargo manages this entire process from Miami as an accredited USDA/APHIS agent (#58-T-0201) and IPATA member (#2149). Timeline coordination is part of the service — not an additional task for the owner.
Frequently asked questions
Is the USDA endorsement mandatory to export a dog from Miami?
Yes, for most Latin American countries the veterinary certificate issued in the United States must be endorsed (validated) by an accredited USDA APHIS representative. Without that endorsement, the veterinary certificate carries no official standing with the destination country's health authorities.
How far in advance should I process the veterinary certificate?
The veterinary certificate has a validity window that varies by destination country, generally between 7 and 14 days before the flight. The complete process — from the veterinary evaluation through the USDA endorsement — can take 5 to 10 business days. That is why we recommend starting the process at least 6 weeks in advance.
Do I need a USDA/APHIS agent to export my dog from the USA?
It is not required to hire an agent, but it is strongly recommended. Requirements vary by country, change frequently, and documentation errors result in the animal being detained or the flight being reversed. An accredited agent like Pet Cargo (USDA/APHIS #58-T-0201) manages the entire process and significantly reduces the risk of complications at the destination.
Can I take my dog in the cabin on a Miami–Latin America flight?
It depends on the airline and the size of the dog. Small dogs that fit in a bag under the seat can travel in the cabin on many airlines. Medium and large dogs travel as cargo. Documentation requirements are the same regardless of the mode of travel.
