What you will need to do to get your pet from Bolivia BACK to the United States

by Boesman and his Mom
(USA)

Boesman

Boesman

Boesman and I recently posted a detailed description of what you need to do in order to travel with pets to Bolivia. Here’s what you will need to do to get your pet from Bolivia BACK to the United States.


This process has changed a lot over the last few years. It used to be as easy as paying the pet fee at the airline counter in Bolivia and presenting a rabies certificate going through customs in the U.S. However, now that airlines (like American) are requiring a health certificate that is issued within 10 days of flying, it has gotten a little more complex.

You should plan on the process taking nearly all 10 days, so work that into your schedule before you plan to fly out of Bolivia. Because things change often, you should contact the SENESAG office nearest you. In Santa Cruz, the office you will need to visit is located at Av. Landivar C/Cecilia Jordan N° 45.

The process is similar in that you must visit a vet to get a health certificate (remember to get a statement saying that your pet is safe down to temperatures of 20F if you think it may apply to your situation). Then SENESAG must sign the health certificate, much like the USDA must do in the U.S.

You do not, however, have to do all of the other steps (notary, etc.) since it is only the airline that wants the certificate, not the U.S. authorities. Once on U.S. soil, the only thing that will interest the customs officials is the animal’s certificate of rabies vaccination.

If you choose to fly American Airlines, the pet fee is a flat fee when flying from the U.S. to Bolivia, however, when flying from Bolivia to the U.S., remember that you must also pay Bolivian taxes on top of the airline required pet fee, so it will be slightly more than what is listed on the airline’s webpage.

Here's our original posting on paperwork for entering Bolivia with pets.


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Comments for What you will need to do to get your pet from Bolivia BACK to the United States

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Nov 15, 2019
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Response to Cindy....
by: Anonymous

Hello Cindy,
When you go to SENASAG to obtain the Health Certificate for your cats make sure you have your cats' health records that show proof of deworming and most recent rabies vaccinations. You will need to fill out a couple of forms at SENASAG. Also, have your passport available. They may wish to keep a copy of your passport. Once they review your pets' health records they will ask you to pay for the Health Certificates by making a deposit of around Bs 200.- (per pet I believe) at Banco Union. Once you make the deposit at Banco Union you can collect the Health Certificates at SENASAG. Make sure this is done within 10 days of traveling. Hope this helps.

Nov 13, 2019
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International Zoosanitary Certificate
by: Cindy

Hello! I know this is an old post but can anyone tell me what more recent requirements are to take a pet with me back to the US?

Given the current civil unrest we are fleeing the country as soon as possible.

My cat has all his vaccines up to date and tomorrow we will pick up a health certificate from the vet.

We just take the certificate to Senasag? Is it a complicated process? What else should i take?

Apr 12, 2015
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Miami...
by: Dexter

Boesman, thank you for sharing your experiences! I would love to hear which routes you have taken back to the U.S. as my mom is having an awful time figuring out how to get me home. None of the airlines we have talked to will fly me due to temperature restrictions up north (this includes AA via Miami and Copa via Panama). We are thinking Lima but then there is a long, long layover. Have you done it? Was it awful? Thanks from a fellow pup.

Mar 17, 2015
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weather restrictions
by: Anonymous

Have you had any issues when flying with your dog regarding temperature restrictions??

Feb 17, 2015
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Ask the airline
by: Anonymous

You should ask your airline, but you may be considered simply "in transit".

Feb 16, 2015
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paperwork
by: Anonymous

Hi, i'm travelling with two dogs from Bolivia to Canada, but stopping in Miami and I'm wondering if you had to get extra other paperwork other than the ones listed on US consulate website? Also, if you had any issues with the size of the kennels?

thanks!

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