Pet Shipping to Belize from the USA — 2026 BAHA Requirements

Bringing your dog or cat from the U.S. to Belize is a moderately regulated process overseen by the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture. Unlike EU destinations, Belize does not require USDA APHIS endorsement of your pet's health certificate — but it does require its own advance import permit, which is the step people most often underestimate. This guide covers the current 2026 requirements, a step-by-step timeline, and what to expect at Belize's only port of entry for pets. If you're planning a broader international move, also see our international pet shipping services.

Your Belize Pet Relocation Timeline

1. 1
   6–8 Weeks Out

   Apply for Your BAHA Import Permit

   Submit your application to a BAHA office (or by email). Your veterinarian completes part of the permit form, which is then sent to BAHA's Agriculture Department for approval and faxed back with your conditions of importation. There's a processing fee, and this step must be repeated for every trip.

2. 2
   4–5 Weeks Out

   Confirm Rabies Vaccination Timing

   Your pet's rabies certificate must be dated not less than one month (30 days) and not more than one year before travel. Pets under 4 months old are exempt from this requirement but will be held in home quarantine in Belize until 30 days after a local vet administers the vaccine.

3. 3
   Within 30 Days of Travel

   Parasite Treatment (Recommended)

   Treatment against endoparasites and ectoparasites (internal and external parasites) within 30 days of export is strongly recommended by BAHA, along with core vaccines — Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Parvovirus for dogs; Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia for cats.

4. 4
   Within 14 Days of Travel

   Veterinary Health Certificate

   A USDA-accredited veterinarian issues the health certificate confirming your pet is clinically healthy, free of infectious disease, ectoparasites, and open wounds, with rabies vaccination details recorded. No USDA APHIS endorsement is required for Belize — a real time and cost saver compared to EU destinations. Note some airlines require certificates within a tighter 10-day window, so check your carrier too.

5. 5
   48 Hours Before Arrival

   Notify BAHA of Your Flight Details

   The importer must notify BAHA of the arrival date, time, and flight number at least two days ahead, so a veterinary officer is present for inspection when your pet lands. Missing this step can delay clearance.

6. 6
   Travel Day

   Crate & Travel Prep

   Your travel crate must be new, or thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, before use. It should meet IATA standards and let your pet stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Pets may enter Belize in-cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo, depending on airline policy.

7. 7
   Arrival in Belize

   Inspection at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport

   All pets must enter through Belize's Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) near Belize City — there is no other authorized port of entry for pets. A BAHA official inspects every animal on arrival; pets without a valid permit or current rabies vaccination are held in confinement (at owner expense) until compliant.

Requirements Checklist

All Dogs and Cats

• BAHA Import PermitRequired for every entry, applied for in advance through a BAHA office. Must be submitted fresh each trip — a prior approval doesn't carry over.
• Rabies VaccinationCertificate dated no less than 1 month and no more than 1 year before travel. Waived for pets under 4 months old, who instead complete a 30-day home quarantine after local vaccination in Belize.
• Veterinary Health CertificateIssued by a USDA-accredited vet within 14 days of travel. No USDA APHIS endorsement required — unlike most EU destinations.
• 48-Hour Arrival NoticeThe importer must notify BAHA of the exact arrival date, time, and flight number at least two days before landing.
• Microchip (recommended, not mandatory)Not federally required for entry, but a strong safeguard for identification and often required by airlines or for return travel.
• Clean, IATA-Compliant CrateNew or freshly disinfected before travel, sized for your pet to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably.

Climate & Travel Tips

• Heat & humidity: Belize is warm and humid year-round, more so along the coast. Keep your pet cool, hydrated, and well-ventilated throughout travel — consider a cooling mat for the trip.
• Sedation: Generally discouraged for air travel due to respiratory and circulatory risk — talk to your vet about non-sedative alternatives.
• Single point of entry: Since all pets must clear BAHA inspection at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, build your itinerary around that airport even if your final destination is elsewhere in the country.

Pet-Friendly Areas in Belize

Remember: San Pedro, Placencia, and Caye Caulker are onward destinations, not points of international entry — every pet must first clear BAHA inspection in Belize City.

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions