Bring Your Dog to Guatemala from USA: Pet Relocation Guide (2026)

Bringing a dog or cat from the USA to Guatemala is straightforward but requires advance planning — typically 4-8 weeks of preparation for vaccinations, health certificates, and documentation. This page walks through the complete process, current requirements, costs, and common situations. The information here applies to dogs and cats; other pets (birds, exotic species) have different requirements.

The basic process

To import a pet from the USA to Guatemala, you’ll need:

1. Rabies vaccination — current (within 12 months) and at least 30 days prior to travel
2. USDA APHIS Form 7001 health certificate — signed by USDA-accredited vet, then endorsed by USDA APHIS regional office
3. Optional but recommended vaccinations — DHPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats
4. MAGA permit — Guatemalan Ministry of Agriculture authorization, typically facilitated by airline

Step-by-step timeline

Approximately 4-6 weeks before travel

Visit a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

The vet must be on the USDA’s accredited veterinarian list. Most established US vets are accredited; confirm before scheduling.

At this visit:

• Confirm rabies vaccination is current (administer if needed)
• Update other vaccinations (DHPP, FVRCP, kennel cough/Bordetella for dogs)
• Discuss any health concerns
• Get baseline health certificate started

If rabies vaccination is given fresh at this visit, you must wait at least 30 days before travel.

1-2 weeks before travel

Final vet visit and APHIS Form 7001.

The USDA-accredited vet completes the APHIS Form 7001 international health certificate within 10 days of travel. This requires:

• Pet examination on day of certificate signing
• Verification of rabies and other vaccinations
• Identification (microchip recommended; tattoo also works)
• Statement of health
• Vet’s signature and accreditation number

Cost: $150-$300 typically.

After APHIS Form 7001 is signed

USDA APHIS regional office endorsement.

The signed Form 7001 must be endorsed by the USDA APHIS regional office. Two options:

1. Mail-in endorsement: Send the signed form (with payment and return shipping) to your regional office. Turnaround typically 5-10 business days.
2. In-person endorsement: Walk in to the regional office (limited locations) for same-day endorsement.

USDA APHIS regional offices: limited locations in major cities. Check usda.gov for current locations.

Cost: $40-$70 endorsement fee.

Airline coordination

While vet documents are being prepared:

1. Confirm pet booking with airline (in-cabin or cargo)
2. Provide airline with required documentation
3. Some airlines facilitate the MAGA permit; some require you to handle separately
4. Crate requirements for cargo: IATA-compliant kennel, appropriate size
5. Pay airline pet fees

Day of travel

Bring to airport:

• Original APHIS Form 7001 (USDA-endorsed)
• Original rabies certificate
• Other vet records
• Pet’s microchip information
• Airline pet booking confirmation
• Airline-required carrier/crate

Arrival in Guatemala

At Guatemala City airport (La Aurora):

1. Standard passenger immigration first
2. Proceed to MAGA inspection point (typically near customs)
3. Present pet documentation
4. Pet may be briefly inspected
5. MAGA stamps documents and approves entry

Total airport processing: typically 30-60 minutes for pet clearance after passenger clearance.

Airline options

Major airlines flying to Guatemala that carry pets:

Always verify current policies — airline pet rules change. Confirm directly before booking.

In-cabin requirements

• Pet (with carrier) under combined weight limit (typically 17-20 lb / 8-9 kg)
• Carrier fits under seat in front of you (typically max 18" L x 11" W x 11" H)
• Pet must remain in carrier entire flight
• One pet per passenger (some routes allow two)

Cargo requirements

• IATA-compliant kennel sized appropriately for pet
• Health certification + appropriate vaccinations
• Booking made specifically for pet (in addition to passenger)
• Some airlines have summer/winter embargoes for certain breeds or regions

Snub-nosed breed restrictions

Bulldogs, pugs, French bulldogs, Persian cats, and other snub-nosed breeds face cargo restrictions on most airlines due to in-flight respiratory health risks. Some airlines refuse to ship them in cargo entirely. Plan accordingly:

• In-cabin if size allows
• Pet relocation services that use ground transport or specialized cargo
• Owner-accompanied flights only (no cargo without owner)

Cost breakdown

Pet relocation services handle the entire process for owners who don’t want to manage logistics directly. Worth considering for cargo-only pets, snub-nosed breeds, or owners traveling separately from their pet.

Common situations

Pet relocation services

Companies like Pet Relocation, Pets Across America, and others handle the entire process:

• Initial consultation and document review
• USDA-accredited vet coordination
• APHIS endorsement handling
• Airline booking and IATA kennel
• Optional ground transport on either end
• Door-to-door service

Cost: $1,000-$3,000 depending on services. Worth it for: complex situations, snub-nosed breeds, owner traveling separately, multiple pets.

Bringing multiple pets

Most airlines allow 1-2 pets per passenger. For more pets:

1. Multiple passengers each carry one pet
2. Pet relocation service for additional pets via cargo
3. Combine some in-cabin (small) with cargo (larger)

Pet flying without owner

Possible via cargo, but more complex:

1. Pet relocation service handles the process
2. Some airlines require owner to drop off/pick up
3. Documentation in pet’s name with owner contact info

Pet older or sick

Older pets or those with health conditions need extra consideration:

1. Vet evaluation of fitness for air travel
2. Some airlines refuse very old or sick pets
3. Pet relocation services can use ground transport routes (Mexico land border)

After arrival in Guatemala

Initial settling

• Establish a relationship with a Guatemalan veterinarian
• Familiar food brands (most major US brands available, sometimes more expensive)
• Adapt to climate (dogs from cold areas may need adjustment time in highland Guatemala)
• Identify nearby pet emergency facilities

Veterinary care in Guatemala

Quality vets in Guatemala City and Antigua:

• Hospital Veterinario Universitario Esperanza (Guatemala City)
• Hospital Veterinario Vita (multiple locations)
• Several specialized practices in Antigua (recommended through expat community)

Costs:

• Routine exam: $25-$60
• Vaccinations: $20-$40
• Emergency surgery: $300-$1,500 typical
• Hospitalization: $50-$150/day

Generally 50-70% cheaper than US vet costs.

Annual vaccinations

Maintain regular vaccinations in Guatemala:

• Rabies (annual)
• DHPP (3-year typical for dogs)
• Bordetella (annual for boarding/socialization)

Future US travel

If you’ll travel back to the USA with your pet:

• Same documentation process in reverse
• Guatemalan-accredited vet handles APHIS-equivalent
• US APHIS port of entry inspection
• Process similar but mirrored

What’s next

For pet owners considering the move:

• Pensionado Visa — to establish residency
• Best Neighborhoods for Retirement — pet-friendly considerations
• Real Estate Guides — properties suitable for pets

For specific situations or vet recommendations in Guatemala, email stu@livinginguatemala.com.