Posted May 11, 2026

Good news for anyone relocating to Argentina with a pet: compared to destinations like Australia, New Zealand, or Japan, Argentina is one of the more straightforward international moves you can make with a dog or cat. There’s no mandatory quarantine, no import permit required in advance, and no titer test. That doesn’t mean you can wing it. The paperwork still has to be done correctly and in the right order, but the process is much more manageable than many families expect.

Here’s what you need to know.

Who Oversees Pet Imports in Argentina?

All pet imports into Argentina are managed by SENASA, the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria, or National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality. SENASA is Argentina’s equivalent of the USDA’s APHIS and is the authority you’ll encounter at the airport upon arrival. For U.S.-based pet owners, the USDA APHIS website also publishes the official requirements for exporting pets to Argentina and is a useful companion resource.

The Requirements: Step by Step

Microchip (Strongly Recommended, Not Mandatory)

Argentina does not currently require a microchip for pet entry. That said, we strongly recommend having an ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip implanted before you travel, ideally before any vaccinations or health documentation are prepared. A microchip is the most reliable form of permanent identification, and if your pet is ever lost in an unfamiliar city, it’s often the only way to get them back. SENASA personnel may also scan for a chip during inspection, and having one on record can only help.

Rabies Vaccination

This is the one vaccination that SENASA formally requires for all dogs and cats over 90 days of age. The rabies vaccine must be:

Administered at least 30 days before entry into Argentina (Some SENASA guidance puts the minimum at 21 days, but 30 days is the safe and widely-cited standard. We recommend planning around 30 days to be safe.)
Administered no more than 12 months before entry, so the vaccination must still be valid on the day you arrive
An inactivated or recombinant vaccine, not a live attenuated vaccine

The one exception: pets arriving from countries formally recognized as rabies-free by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) are exempt from the rabies vaccination requirement, provided the health certificate clearly states the country of origin’s rabies-free status.

Unlike Australia or New Zealand, Argentina does not require a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer Test (RNATT). This significantly simplifies the process and means you don’t need months of lead time. A few weeks is typically sufficient to get everything in order.

Parasite Treatments

SENASA requires that all dogs and cats be treated for both internal and external parasites within 15 days before the date the health certificate is issued. The products used must be approved by the official veterinary authority of your country of origin. In the U.S., this means USDA APHIS-approved products.

Your veterinarian should document the treatment on the health certificate itself, including the application date, product name, and active ingredients. Don’t skip this step. Parasite compliance is something SENASA checks at inspection.

The International Veterinary Certificate (CVI)

This is the central document for your pet’s entry into Argentina. The CVI (also called a Zoosanitary Certificate or health certificate) must be:

Issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of your pet’s travel date
Endorsed by USDA APHIS after the vet issues it, for U.S. pet owners, this can be done electronically through the USDA’s VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System), so no mailing is required
Written in Spanish, or accompanied by a certified Spanish translation, the Argentine Consulate General in Montreal notes that SENASA requires the CVI to be in Spanish or have an official translation; the USDA does offer bilingual certificate forms that satisfy this requirement
Valid for 60 calendar days from the date of issuance or endorsement, your pet must arrive in Argentina within that window

The CVI must include:

Your pet’s identifying information (species, breed, age, sex, coat color, and microchip number if applicable)
Proof of current rabies vaccination (including vaccine type, date administered, and expiration)
Documentation of parasite treatments (products used, dates applied, active ingredients)
A declaration by the veterinarian that the animal was examined and found free of infectious or contagious disease

Make sure your vet holds a current USDA accreditation before scheduling this appointment. A certificate from a non-accredited veterinarian cannot be endorsed.

No Import Permit Required, But Cargo Is Different

For pets traveling as accompanied baggage (meaning your pet is on the same flight as you), no prior import permit or advance notice to SENASA is required. This is a real advantage compared to many other countries. The SENASA inspection at the airport is included free of charge for accompanied pets.

For pets traveling as unaccompanied cargo, shipping separately from their owner, the process is more involved. An entry permit fee applies upon arrival, the airline must notify SENASA of the shipment in advance, and working with an experienced pet relocation agent on the Argentine end is strongly advisable. Border fees in Argentina can be inconsistent due to currency volatility, and SENASA personnel at the airport are unlikely to speak English.

Learn more about airline-approved kennels and choosing the right kennel size.

What to Expect on Arrival

All international flights into Argentina land at Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, which is where SENASA maintains its airport inspection office. Córdoba Airport is an alternative entry point for some routes.

Upon arrival, a SENASA representative will:

Conduct a documentary review, checking your CVI, vaccination records, and parasite treatment documentation
Perform a physical inspection of your pet
Verify your pet’s identity (breed, color, microchip if present) against the paperwork

If everything is in order, clearance typically takes 30–60 minutes after you clear regular customs, and you’ll receive an import certificate. The process is generally straightforward when the paperwork is complete and correctly prepared.

If something is missing or incorrect, SENASA has the authority to quarantine your pet, return them to the country of origin, or, in severe cases of non-compliance, euthanize, all at the owner’s expense. This is not meant to alarm you; it’s a reminder that getting the documentation right matters.

One practical note: the airline is responsible for notifying the SENASA station manager at EZE at least 24 hours before arrival that pets are on board, to ensure an inspector is present. This is particularly important for cargo shipments. Confirm with your airline that this notification has been made before you travel.

Breed Considerations

Argentina has no federal ban on specific dog breeds; unlike some countries, there is no prohibited list at the national import level. However, there are a couple of important nuances:

Buenos Aires province and city have breed-specific legislation targeting 17 breeds deemed potentially dangerous, including pit bull-type dogs, mastiffs, German shepherds, and the Dogo Argentino (a breed native to Argentina). Owners of these breeds in Buenos Aires may face registration requirements, mandatory liability insurance, and leash/muzzle rules.
Wolf hybrids and certain hybrid cats (including Savannah and Bengal cats unless at least 5 generations removed from wild ancestry) cannot be imported under standard pet regulations. If you have a hybrid animal, contact SENASA directly before making any travel plans.
Your airline may also impose its own breed restrictions, particularly for brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds. Always check with the carrier directly.

Other Animals: Birds, Rabbits, Reptiles, and More

The streamlined process described above applies only to domestic dogs and cats. For all other species (i.e., birds, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, amphibians), a prior import application must be submitted to and approved by SENASA before travel. This process is done online through the SENASA portal. Start early, as approval timelines vary.

Life in Argentina With a Pet

One of the genuinely pleasant surprises waiting for families who move to Argentina with pets is just how pet-friendly the country, and especially Buenos Aires, has become. Buenos Aires has abundant green spaces, with the Palermo forests (Bosques de Palermo), Parque Saavedra, and riverside promenades along the Río de la Plata being popular spots for dog walkers. Neighborhoods like Palermo, Nuñez, and Belgrano are particularly known for their pet-friendly culture, with cafes, outdoor dining, and accessible veterinary services.

Veterinary care in Argentina is generally excellent and significantly more affordable than in the U.S. or Europe. Emergency clinics are available in major cities, and most vets in Buenos Aires’ expat-heavy neighborhoods speak English. Small pets (typically under 10 kg in a carrier) are now permitted on long-distance buses and some transit, making it easier to travel around the country with your companion.

Professional dog walkers, called paseadores, are a Buenos Aires institution and are plentiful and affordable. If you’re in an apartment, factor in daily walking support for larger dogs.

A Summary of What You’ll Need

Here’s a quick-reference checklist for dogs and cats traveling from the U.S. to Argentina:

Microchip (ISO-compliant 15-digit; strongly recommended)
Rabies vaccination — inactivated or recombinant; given at least 30 days but no more than 12 months before entry
Parasite treatments — internal and external, within 15 days of the health certificate issuance date
International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) — issued by a USDA-accredited vet within 10 days of travel, with USDA APHIS endorsement, in Spanish or with certified Spanish translation
No import permit required for accompanied pets
24-hour advance airline notification to SENASA at EZE