Argentina requires an International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) or official legalized passport in Spanish for all pet imports. SENASA oversees the process, and no prior application is needed. Pets must have rabies vaccination at least 30 days before entry and deworming within 15 days of health certificate issuance. No quarantine is required for compliant pets.
Companies Listed
5
Quarantine
Not Required
Common Pets
dogs, cats
Requirements
7 documented
Key Import Requirements
International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) required (must include Spanish language)
CVI valid for 60 days from issuance
Rabies vaccination required for animals over 90 days old (30-day wait for first-time vaccination)
Internal and external deworming within 15 days of health certificate issuance
No prior application to SENASA needed for accompanied pets
SENASA personnel verify documents and inspect pets at border on arrival
Buenos Aires has breed-specific legislation for 17 breeds deemed potentially dangerous
Import requirements by pet type
Requirements for relocating a pet to Argentina vary significantly by species. Below are the rules for birds, horses, and exotic pets — dogs and cats are covered in the key requirements above.
Birds
Import permitted
Pet birds are treated as non-traditional pets (mascotas no tradicionales) by SENASA. You must obtain a prior SENASA import permit and travel with an International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) issued by the origin country's official veterinary service. CITES/wild species also need authorization from Argentina's national wildlife authority before entry.
Confirm SENASA has a sanitary agreement with the origin country, then apply for a prior import authorization via the Trámites a Distancia (TAD) platform
International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) issued, signed and sealed by the origin country's official veterinary service, meeting SENASA's sanitary requirements
For CITES-listed or wild species, obtain authorization from the Dirección Nacional de Biodiversidad (Fauna Silvestre) and any required CITES permit
SENASA reviews the request and issues the import permit if requirements are met
Notify the port of entry at least 24 hours before arrival, presenting the import permit and CVI for inspection
Species-specific sanitary conditions are set by SENASA per origin country and should be confirmed before travel. Wild/protected birds require an additional wildlife (Fauna Silvestre) permit beyond the SENASA authorization. Exact fees and processing times are not stated here.
Horses
Import permitted
Horses can be imported into Argentina with prior SENASA authorization as live animals. A valid International Veterinary Certificate from the origin country's official service is required. Additional sanitary requirements, including disease testing, depend on SENASA's origin-country-specific import conditions, which must be consulted before travel.
Obtain prior SENASA authorization for live-animal import via the Trámites a Distancia (TAD) platform
Valid International Veterinary Certificate issued by the country of origin's official veterinary service
Consult and meet SENASA's origin-country-specific sanitary import requirements (typically including equine disease testing such as equine infectious anemia)
Provide species, number of animals, intended use, and country of origin when initiating the authorization request
Present documentation for inspection on arrival per SENASA instructions
Equine infectious anemia (EIA) testing is standard for equine imports, but specific test panels, certificate validity windows, and quarantine duration are governed by SENASA's origin-country sanitary requirements and were not enumerated in the general import guidance reviewed. Confirm the exact panel and timelines with SENASA before booking. Exact fees are not stated here.
Reptiles
Import permitted
Reptiles are classed as non-traditional pets by SENASA and can be imported with a prior SENASA import permit plus an International Veterinary Certificate from the origin country. Because most are wild fauna, authorization from Argentina's national wildlife authority (Fauna Silvestre) and a CITES permit for listed species are also required before entry.
Confirm a SENASA sanitary agreement exists, then apply for a prior import authorization for non-traditional pets via TAD
International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) from the origin country's official veterinary service
Authorization from the Dirección Nacional de Biodiversidad (Fauna Silvestre) for the species
Valid CITES permit for any CITES-listed reptile species
Comply with SENASA species-specific sanitary requirements and give the port at least 24 hours' advance notice with documents on arrival
Wild-fauna and CITES controls make import of many reptile species paperwork-intensive and species-dependent; some protected species may be effectively impractical or refused. Confirm species eligibility with both SENASA and the Dirección Nacional de Biodiversidad before booking. Exact fees and timelines are not stated here.
Pet-type requirements researched and last updated June 2026. Always confirm current rules with the destination’s government authority before booking — regulations change frequently.
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