Flying to Sri Lanka with your pets?
Entry Regulations
Everything You Need to Know When Moving Dogs & Cats to Sri Lanka
Pets can arrive in Colombo (CMB), Sri Lanka as either manifested air freight cargo under an air waybill (AWB), or Checked Baggage / Excess Baggage / Accompanied Baggage / In-Cabin.
We at Pet Express are able to assist pet owners under both methods. Please speak to a pet travel consultant for more information on how we can assist you specifically.
When importing/bringing pet dogs to Sri Lanka, (personal pet or commercial), the importer must have a valid IMPORT PERMIT issued by “The Department of Animal Production and Health” (DAPH) which is the government body overseeing animal related matters.
The below guideline explains the prevailing entry regulations / import health requirements and also the process in getting the import approvals.
The IMPORT PERMIT issued by “The Department of Animal Production & Health (DAPH)” needs to be applied and secured directly by the pet owner. This is solely done via email and it is issued free of charge.
Please note that DAPH has strictly advised that the pet owner must directly tender the IMPORT PERMIT application themselves. Having said that, we at Pet Express will guide you and the pet owner / the overseas agent (and any other concerned parties) through this process, rest assured.
Pet Express team will be compiling all the import permit paperwork & even filling up the import permit application for the pet owner. We will draft the emails which needs to be sent to the DAPH Sri Lanka so the pet owner has to send it from their email ID. If needed, the pet owner has to give DAPH a follow up phone call to expedite the process, that is all.
DAPH Sri Lanka will only issue the IMPORT PERMIT, once the all the import conditions have been fulfilled.
Import Health Requirements when bringing
Pet Dogs to
Sri Lanka
International Zoosanitary Veterinary Health Certificate
Blood Test Reports
Vaccination Records
Parasitic Treatment Records
Import Regulations for Dogs Entering Sri Lanka
1. The pet dog has been kept in the exporting country since birth or for the last six (06) months prior to exporting to Sri Lanka
2. The pet must be microchipped with an ISO standard 11784/11785 15-digit microchip
3. Vaccination Records
- Pet Dogs must be vaccinated against Rabies not less than thirty (30) days and not more than ten (10) months immediately prior to embarkation. In case of puppies under the age of ten (10) months, booster vaccine must be given within 14 days interval from the 1st vaccine given at the youngest age of 03 months.
- Pet Dogs must be vaccinated against Canine Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Canine parvovirus infection (DHLP) using recognized vaccines, not less than twenty-one (21) days and not more than ten (10) months immediately prior to embarkation. In case of puppies under the age of six (06) months, booster vaccine must be given within 14 days interval from the 1st vaccine.
4. Blood Test Reports
- NEGATIVE test results for Heartworm (Dirofilaria Immitis) done using (either ELISA or PCR or Modified Knott’s) test done within 30 days’ prior to embarkation. If not, the country free status has to be declared by a government veterinarian.
- NEGATIVE test results for blood parasites – Babesia Canis (PCR or IFAT or Blood smear testing methods) (within 30 days before embarkation)
- NEGATIVE test results for blood parasites – Babesia Gibsoni (PCR or IFAT or Blood smear testing methods) (within 30 days before embarkation)
- NEGATIVE test results for blood parasites – Leishmaniasis – (PCR or IFAT or ELISA testing methods) (within 30 days before embarkation)
IMPORTANT NOTE: The blood test results can be carried out at any laboratory in any country. The blood test results must be printed in the laboratory’s letterhead and signed by the Authorized Signatory with the Stamp. Moreover, it is highly important that the testing method which was used to carry out the blood test is clearly mentioned on the test certificate.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NEGATIVE Test Reports should be certified/endorsed by authorized officer of Quarantine or Government approved Veterinary surgeon.
5. Internal & External Parasite Treatments
- The Dog must be treated for internal parasites and external parasites within ten (10) days immediately prior to embarkation. This could be recorded on the Vaccination Book or on a Vet issued certificate.
6. International Veterinary Health Certificate (*Official Export Health Certificate) issued by the Government Veterinary Authority in the exporting country.
Import Health Requirements when bringing
Pet Cats to
Sri Lanka
International Veterinary Health Certificate
Blood Test Reports
Vaccination Records
Parasitic Treatment Records
Import Regulations for Cats Entering Sri Lanka
1. The pet must be microchipped with an ISO standard 11784/11785 15-digit microchip.
2. Vaccination Records
- Pet Cats must be vaccinated against Rabies, not less than thirty (30) days and not more than ten (10) months immediately prior to embarkation. In case of kittens under the age of ten (10) months, booster vaccine must be given within 14 days interval from the 1st vaccine given at youngest age of 03 months.
- Pet Cats must be vaccinated using recognized vaccines against Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus & Feline Panleukopenia viruses (TRICAT/ FVRCP Vaccine), not less than thirty (30) days and not more than ten (10) months immediately prior to embarkation. In case of kittens under the age of six (06) months, booster vaccine must be given within 14 days interval from the 1st vaccine
3. Blood Test Reports
- NEGATIVE Test results for Heartworm (Dirofilaria Immitis) done using (ELISA or PCR or Modified Knott’s Technique) test done within 30 days prior to embarkation. If not, the country free status has to be declared a government veterinarian.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The blood test results can be carried out at any laboratory in any country. The blood test results must be printed in the laboratory’s letterhead and signed by the Authorized Signatory with the Stamp. Moreover, it is highly important that the testing method which was used to carry out the blood test is clearly mentioned on the test certificate.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NEGATIVE Test Reports should be certified/endorsed by authorized officer of Quarantine or Government approved Veterinary surgeon.
4. Internal & External Parasite Treatments
- The cat must be treated for internal parasites and external parasites within ten (10) days immediately prior to embarkation. This could be recorded on the Vaccination Book or on a Vet issued certificate.
5. International Veterinary Health Certificate (*Official Export Health Certificate) issued by the Government Veterinary Authority in the exporting country.
How We Can Assist You
Our Import Services
We provide professional consultation & guidance to the pet owner (and/or the overseas agent or any concerned parties) in getting the pets complied to Sri Lanka’s import health requirements.
We provide consultation & guidance to the pet owner (and/or the overseas agent) in securing the import permit issued by DAPH Sri Lanka.
We offer 24/7 Customs Clearance Services at CMB Air Cargo Terminal in Sri Lanka. Currently we are able clear pets during weekends & public holidays too.
We offer Quarantine Inspections at the Air Cargo Terminal in CMB and transferring the pets to the ‘Katunayake Animal Quarantine Station’ for the official health inspection and quarantine release.
We can arrange ground transportation of pets to any part of the country in Air Conditioned Vehicles. (Door-Delivery)
