Island Life

Bring Your Pets to Belize

Me and Foxy. Foxy is from Texas. I brought her here 2.5 years ago.
Bringing a pet into the country falls under live animal importation and is regulated by the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA).
Belize does not quarantine dogs and cats brought into the county.
BAHA is a separate institution from customs. After you have walked through customs, you will be required to report to BAHA.
Valid import permit from BAHA. Applications can be submitted at any BAHA office. Where the permit and conditions are faxed outside Belize, which is payable upon entry – this permit bears a stamp stating ‘pay upon entry”.
Import Permits To apply for an import permit,
1. request application form from:
Permit Unit Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA)
Belmopan Showgrounds
Belmopan City
Tel: 822-0197 or 822-0818
Fax: 822-3084
Email: baha@btl.net

Photo by: Tahisa Southwell
2.Meet conditions of importation that accompany import permit.
(A) Animal must have a recent veterinary health certificate within 14 days.
(B) Animal must have a valid rabies certificate and be free of infectious diseases.
The rabies certificate must be dated one month to one year prior to travel and include veterinary health certificate
(C) Other conditions as specified.

3.Dogs and cats which do not meet rabies requirements (to young for the shot) are to be confined at home until they reach three months of age, after being vaccinated against rabies they are to be confined for an additional 30 days.
4.A BAHA veterinary officer or quarantine officer may inspect animals placed in confinement. They will verify the confinement and rabies vaccination. If there is a fee, the cost will be importers responsibility.
5. If your dog or cat arrives in Belize without a valid permit or valid rabies vaccination they will be placed in confinement until its rabies vaccination is valid. Any cost associated with this is to be paid by the importer.
6.All dogs and cats, at the port of entry, are required to have a quarantine inspection. Dogs and cats coming from countries considered of risk will need to undergo veterinary inspection at the port of entry. There will be additional fee for this inspection.
Upon arrival make sure that for question #9, on entry form, “yes” is checked.
If the pet arrives at the airport and is accompanying the passenger and not considered cargo no duty will be charged. However, if the pet arrives as cargo with airway bills and other freight or shipping documents then it is considered dutiable for which duty and taxes will apply.
When contacting BAHA ask about a passport for your dog.
Purchase your ticket and make sure the airlines know you are traveling with your pet. There is a fee. Check with the airlines.

Many airlines do not allow dogs to be checked with luggage. The two airlines to Belize that accept pets to be checked are American and Continental.
-Must have a clear bag of dog food tapped to the top of the kennel with instructions should there be an emergency or delay. -Must have a water bottle (the gerbil type) that fits on the outside of the kennel door whether your dog knows how to use them or not.

-Must have airport approved kennel large enough for pet to stand up and turn around. I suggest bringing extra nuts/bolts that fit the kennel as they often pop off the kennels. The airline will also cable tie the dog in the kennel. Please make sure your dog has comfort and you provide some type of pillow or comfy blanket.

-Must label kennel ‘LIVE ANIMAL’ on each side of kennel with name of dog

-If temperatures are predicted less than 45 degrees at any place of travel you MUST have a vets letter stating dog can travel in temperatures as low as 20 degrees F. No exceptions on airlines without this letter!
Safeguards for Pets Traveling as Cargo
Continental’s PetSafe program will allow pets that previously traveled as checked baggage to experience these safeguards when they travel as cargo, keeping them safe and their owners reassured:
Dedicated 24-hour Live Animal Desk (800.575.3335 or 281.553.5052)
Confirmed booking prior to departure
Weather conditions constantly monitored at all points
The ability to track and trace the animal from its origin to its destination
Personal handling in climate-controlled vehicles for connections over Continental’s hubs when the animal will be exposed to temperatures above 85°F (29.5°C) degrees for more than 45 minutes
Continental recommends (but does not require) that SENIOR DOGS AND CATS (over 7.5 years old) receive a more extensive health examination (i.e. liver and kidney screens).
American Airlines site
Temperature restrictions have been established to ensure animals are not exposed to extreme heat or cold in the animal holding areas, terminal facilities, when moving the animals between terminal and aircraft or on an aircraft awaiting departure.

Reservations
Pets traveling in the cabin require a reservation to ensure no more than 7 pets are booked on any single flight. For this reason, it is recommended that you make arrangements for your pet in advance by contacting Reservations.
Checked pets do not need a reservation.

After purchasing your airfare
Submit your import permit application via fax or email to Belize.
BAHA
Tel: 501-822-0818 or 501-822-1378
alternate number for pet import 822-3084
Thanks Kelli for letting me post this. This is new information about bringing your pets to Belize.
(Ms. Foxy)
Rules change often, here is an update from Keli- *I Do* Weddings
There have been a few recent posts asking how to travel with a dog to Belize. Rules have changed since I last updated a thread with details.

It is VERY important you meet all requirements or they will deny you from boarding your flight.
In October the airline recalled my checked bags and refused me from the flight. Was stuck trying to get back to BZ for two days!
Purchase your ticket and make sure the airlines know you are traveling with your pet.
Many airlines do not allow dogs to be checked with luggage. The two airlines to Belize that accept pets to be checked are American and Continental.
-Must have a clear bag of dog food tapped to the top of the kennel with instructions should there be an emergency or delay.

-Must have a water bottle (the gerbil type) that fits on the outside of the kennel door whether your dog knows how to use them or not.

-Must have airport approved kennel large enough for pet to stand up and turn around. I suggest bringing extra nuts/bolts that fit the kennel as they often pop off the kennels. The airline will also cable tie the dog in the kennel. Please make sure your dog has comfort and you provide some type of pillow or comfy blanket.

-Must label kennel ‘LIVE ANIMAL’ on each side of kennel with name of dog
-If temperatures are predicted less than 45 degrees at any place of travel you MUST have a vets letter stating dog can travel in temperatures as low as 20 degrees F. No exceptions on airlines without this letter!
After purchasing your airfare
Submit your import permit application via fax or email to BAGA Belize. This import permit is required by Belize and usually issued upon arrival when you pay. It is not a requirement to leave the US, however
REQUEST A COPY BE FAXED OR EMAILED TO YOU BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE US. LAST TIME I WAS ASKED FOR A COPY BY THE AIRLINES AND DENIED BOARDING TO MY FLIGHT! I was stuck at 4am and couldn’t get to Belize for another day!
Baha will do this for an additional $35 and will charge when you arrive.
Tel: 501-822-0818 or 501-822-1378
alternate number for pet import 822-3084
Fax: 501-822-0271
Email: if emailing for permit, send to both
baha@btl.net and animalhealthbz@gmail.com Ms.Nadine Hegar

Required information
Your name
Dogs name
Breed
Age
Sex
Weight
Color
Address in US (or where you are coming from)
Intended address upon arrival in Belize
Estimated date arriving
Port of entry(Phillip Goldson Int. Airport).
Days and Hours
Every day of the week 8-5pm (in past was only M-F)
Required information upon entry
All records of current vaccinations and valid rabies shot. They now also ask for proof or a statement that the pet is free of ehrlichiosis (disease from ticks)
Fees
Now $75BZ ($50 BZ to enter and $25 BZ inspection and which is them looking at your dog for 30 seconds.)
BAHA Belize is very helpful when applying and upon arrival. The process is easy.
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GETTING TO THE ISLAND
I highly recommend the water taxi. Though it takes longer it is well worth it for the dog. It is much easier on the dog (and the person with the dog) in my opinion. My dog personally hated getting out of her kennel after traveling so long from the states to then be put back into her kennel for the flight to the island.

Water Taxi
Allow one and a half hours after arrival to determine which water taxi you will take
20-30 minutes for customs and bags
15-20 minutes at BAHA to import your pet and pay your fees
10 minutes to load up your cab with luggage and pet
20 minute for cab ride to water taxi and to purchase your water taxi ticket upon arriving at terminal
$10 US one way
Caye Caulker Water Taxi departures (Belize City-San Pedro)
10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm
There is also a new San Pedro Water Taxi which is 1 hour direct however they charge $20 for the dog and CC Water Taxi the dog is free like luggage.

Flying
Tropic charges three seats for the dog=$165 US each way. Plus your ticket= $55 US which is over $200 US. If you have a very large kennel at times they do ask for you to purchase four seats for the dog!!!!

Maya Island Air charges only one seat for the dog= $55 US each way. Plus your ticket= $55 US totaling only $110 US.
YOU MUST NOTIFY MAYA ISLAND AIR IN ADVANCE SO THEY HAVE THE APPROPRIATE PLANE TO TAKE THE DOG Thank you Keli !
This wonderful detailed article was written by Keli From:
*I Do* Weddings

http://www.idobelizeweddings.com

Thanks Kelly for your contribution!!!!