Barbados has been a developed country according to the UN since 2010 and is very popular for providing excellent standards of living to its residents and visitors. This has contributed massively to the remarkable growth of its real estate market over the years attracting loads of tourists and investors with their pets year in year out.
That said, it hasn’t always been very pleasant to move to Barbados with your lovely dog because of the strict rules on pet importation in the country which were only relaxed from January 1, 2015. Now, pets can be imported directly into Barbados much easily without quarantine if all import requirements are met.
Specific import requirements according to the Barbados Ministry of Agriculture depend on the country of origin although most of the standards apply to all pets.
In this regard, countries have been classified into two categories;
Category 1; low rabies or rabies-free countries and examples are the US, Australia, and EU countries.
Category 2; countries not considered as rabies free or low rabies.
Pets coming into Barbados from both categories are required to be Microchipped with an ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to standard 11785 microchip. The microchip is 15 digits and not encrypted. If your dog isn’t ISO compliant, come along with your own microchip scanner.
Health Requirements for Category 1 Countries
- Vaccinated against rabies after implanting the microchip.
- Pets can only get into Barbados 35 days after the rabies vaccination.
- Must be treated against tapeworms and ticks within seven days of travel.
- Must be tested and found negative of leishmaniasis, heartworm, Nipah virus and/or Hendra virus for countries where these diseases are endemic.
- Undergo thorough veterinary examination within seven days of travel and an Official Veterinary Export Health Certificate must be issued.
Health Requirements for Category 2 Countries
- Vaccinated against rabies after implanting the microchip.
- Pets must have their blood tested (FAVN rabies antibody titre test) by an approved laboratory landing on a minimum result of 0.5IU/ml 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
- Can only move into Barbados at least 90 days after the successful blood sample was collected.
- Must be treated against tapeworms and ticks within seven days of travel
- Must be tested and found negative of leishmaniasis, heartworm, Nipah virus and/or Hendra virus for countries where these diseases are endemic.
- Undergo thorough veterinary examination within seven days of travel and an Official Veterinary Export Health Certificate must be issued
Although the import process of dogs and other pets into Barbados is much inclusive now, it still requires the respect of many careful steps you need to pay attention to in order to avoid unnecessary complications.
It’s important to note that all dogs entering Barbados must arrive at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Seawell, and via cargo, if travelling by commercial airline. You will need the help of a customs broker to clear customs upon arrival and your dog must be verified disease free as you enter the airport.
After your pet is confirmed to be in perfect condition, and every other requirement met, you can then go on to apply and obtain an Import Permit from the Barbados Ministry of Agriculture.
Remember you will need an Export permit issued by the Official Veterinary Services from the country of origin. If your dog isn’t in perfect shape upon inspection at the airport, there will have to be further examinations by a professionally licensed veterinarian and you’ll handle the expenses.
No need to worry about banned breeds. Barbados welcomes virtually every dog species and doesn’t have any published list of banned dogs. Yes, the importing process can be unusual but believe me, your dog will enjoy royalty treatment in Barbados in perfect health. Who doesn’t want that for his/her lovely life companion?
