All animals arriving in Bermuda must be accompanied by an Import Permit and an original overseas veterinary health document.

You must provide evidence that your animal complies with all import requirements before an Import Permit will be issued.

Learning about importing animals to Bermuda to find out the general rules and applicable fees.

Requirements and Conditions

Review these conditions of entry to ensure that your animal qualifies to enter Bermuda. Also review the lists of dog breeds below to learn whether your dog is included. Properties housing prohibited or restricted breed dogs must be able to securely house the animal by the presence of inescapable fencing or an enclosure. The fencing or enclosure must comply with rules & processes of the Department of Planning, and the premises inspected by an Animal Warden before an import permit is issued.
The following conditions of entry apply to the importation of all dogs and cats. You must provide true and accurate documentation of the following:

• The animal has been implanted with a microchip read by a standard microchip reader, i.e. ISO, FECAVA, European/International or AVID-USA chip.
• A veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days before your arrival in Bermuda, stating that the animal is not infected with any communicable disease and is free of external parasites. The health certificate must be signed by a licensed veterinarian and contain the following information:
• Name, date of birth, breed, description and microchip identification of pet;
• Owner at present;
• Owner in Bermuda and address
• An original handwritten ink signature or a digital signature of the examining veterinarian – See instructions on submitting your application under the PROCEDURE section.
• A veterinary statement giving the name of the acaricidal preparation which is known to have residual activity against a variety of ticks, and was administered or applied during the examination. Dispensing of a product for unverified use by the client is not an acceptable option. Acceptable products are listed below.

NOTE: Advantage®, Advocate®, Bio-Spot®, Capstar®, Comfortis®, Credelio for Cats®, NexGard Combo for Cats®, Revolution®, Promeris® for Cats, Provecta-II for Cats®, selamectin, Sentinel®, Vectra®, shampoos and collars are not acceptable.

• A veterinary statement that, as best as can be ascertained by your knowledge and through questioning, the animal has not been exposed to rabies nor been present in an officially quarantined rabies area within the last 6 months.
• This requirement is not applicable to dogs or cats originating and arriving directly from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand or Jamaica

Rabies vaccination history, showing the two most recent rabies vaccinations, and that both rabies vaccinations were given by a licensed veterinarian, and were in accord with all of these requirements:

• The animal received the first of the two rabies vaccinations at / after the age of three months; and
• The animal received the second rabies vaccination 6-12 months following the first rabies vaccination; and
• There have been no significant lapses in vaccinations; and
• The most recent vaccination was given at least 30 days, and not more than 12 months prior to arrival.

Dogs and cats under age 10 months, and dogs and cats of any age that have received only a single rabies vaccination, do not qualify for entry into Bermuda.
Contact us for advice on the acceptance of tri-annual rabies vaccines.
Veterinarians may only attest to vaccinations given by him/herself, given under his/her direct supervision, and prior vaccinations that are accompanied with original vaccination certificates. Veterinarians cannot attest to vaccines given by non-veterinarians, including owners or breeders.

• This requirement is not applicable to dogs or cats originating and arriving directly from the Continental USA or Canada.

The animal has not been kept within 30 miles of Foot and Mouth disease during the last 30 days.

• This Department may request specific photographs and/or pedigree documentation of the animal to be imported, or the parents thereof. You need not provide this information unless specifically requested.
• When requested, you will be required to give information regarding the purpose of imported animal, and the location of facility where the animal(s) will be housed. You need not provide this information when you apply.

NOTE: Official documentation must not be changed once issued, and must not contain any alteration, amendment, white out or cross-out, such that the original content becomes unreadable.
Resident dogs must be licensed at the main office of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, (Botanical Gardens, Paget) immediately after arrival.
PROCEDURE

• Veterinary examination & health certificate

Visit your veterinarian to obtain a microchip, health certificate and the veterinary statements within 10 days of your arrival. If the animal is coming from the United Kingdom, visit the Local Veterinary Inspector within 5 days of your departure for an Export Permit (EHC-2921).

• Submission of veterinary health certificate & supporting documentation

If the health certificate contains an electronic signature of the examining veterinarian, the veterinary documents must be forwarded from the veterinary facility directly to this office via e-mail. The veterinary documents may be submitted from the veterinary facility, the client, animal owner, importer, exporter or agent if the health certificate contains an original handwritten ink signature.

• All documents are subject to verification of their contents.
• Response

We will respond, usually within 2 business days. Please ensure that your email address or fax number is shown on the application form.

• All documents and animal(s) to be available for Customs inspection

A printed copy of the Import Permit and the ORIGINAL veterinary certificates MUST accompany the animal and be available for Bermuda Customs on arrival.

• Failed Customs inspection

Because there is no quarantine facility in Bermuda, animals of failed Customs inspections are generally handled in a manner outlined below. The final disposition of any animal is at the discretion of a Government Veterinary Officer.
Animals arriving by air: Animals failing a Customs inspection, and those not accompanied by all required documentation will be immediately deported, at the importer’s expense. The importer may have to accompany the animal upon deportation, also at his/her own expense.
Animals arriving by sea: Animals failing a Customs inspection, and those not accompanied by all required documentation will not be permitted on land, but will be restricted to remain on board the vessel and the vessel will be kept at deep water anchorage under monitoring by Bermuda Customs. The vessel will not be permitted to be alongside any pier or other vessel.
When a deportation cannot occur or if the owner fails to comply with the instructions of Customs or of this Department, the animal may be seized and humanely destroyed at the owner’s expense.

Tick treatment and prevention required for entry
NOTE: Advantage®, Advocate®, Bio-Spot®, Capstar®, Comfortis®, Credelio for Cats®, NexGard Combo for Cats®, Revolution®, Promeris® for Cats, Provecta-II for Cats®, selamectin, Sentinel®, Vectra®, shampoos and collars are not acceptable for entry.
ACARICIDAL PRODUCTS (Tick treatments and Preventatives) Acceptable for Entry
To be administered or applied during the veterinary examination

IMPORT PERMITS ARE VALID FOR 10 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE VETERINARY HEALTH CERTIFICATE.
THIS OFFICE IS CLOSED ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

Service animals, Emotional support animals

Service animals and emotional support animals are required to meet the same conditions of entry as pet animals. Once on Island, no special concessions may be demanded for a service animal, although service providers are often willing to make a concession to accommodate a person with a disability.

Show dogs and trial animals

The club organizing the show will obtain and distribute an import permit for each participating animal. Contact the club hosting the show for all details; you usually don’t need to contact this Department directly.

Restrictions on the importation of certain breeds of dog

There are legislated restrictions on the importation of dogs of certain breeds.

Any rare, exotic or uncommon breed may also be refused permission to enter Bermuda or to be used in breeding despite its absence from the lists above.

Prohibited dogs may not be imported for residency, bred or used for breeding.

Restricted dogs may be imported or acquired once the conditions for importation and/or keeping these dogs have been fulfilled by the importer/new keeper. New acquisitions of these dogs require pre-approval. Dogs of these breeds may be bred only following receipt of a Breeder’s permit.

Regulations for dogs post-arrival

Guidelines pertaining to the control of dogs on Island are available on the page entitled ‘Regulations pertaining to animals on Island’.