TRAVELING TO BELGIUM

Taking Pet Dog/Cat/Ferret

There is no quarantine to bring a pet cat or dog to Belgium. Please respect the following procedures to avoid your animal being shipped back to the US.

Traveling from the U.S. to Belgium with your pet
Registration of Dogs in Belgium
Additional Useful Information

Traveling from the US to Belgium with your pets

One person may be accompanied by up to 5 pet animals not intended for sale.

- The Veterinary Certificate

Download a copy here: English, French or Dutch

Please have the Veterinary certificate filled out until part IV because Belgium does not require the following 3 tests: the rabies serological test, tick treatment or Echinococcus treatment.

In the "application for import or transit authorization for live animals" on the line 'Border inspection post' - the first port of entry into the EU should be filled out; even though the final destination might be Belgium.

It is required by law that the veterinary certificate be filled out or stamped by an APHIS accredited veterinarian who certifies animal health status, conducts tests, and records test results for the individual animals being exported. You should check with your current Veterinarian to determine if he/she is an APHIS accredited veterinarian.

The APHIS Area Office for your state can assist you with your questions relating to traveling with your pet, help you locate an Accredited Veterinarian, and inform you of the fee(s) for the USDA endorsement(s). You can locate the VS Area Office for your State at: www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/area_offices.htm

The veterinary certificate must be issued within 10 days prior to departure. The original veterinary certificate travels with the pet.

- The Import Authorization

To obtain an import authorization, the following form must be completed and submitted to the Veterinary Services in Brussels: Application for Import/Transport of Live Animals

The form can be send by fax, e-mail or regular mail to:

The Belgian Veterinary Services
Dhr. Moelans Joan
The Belgian Veterinary Services
Dhr. Moelans Joan
AC-Kruidtuin
Food Safety Center, - (6th floor, office 604)
Kruidtuinlaan 55
1000 Brussel
Tel. : 011.32.2.211.84.59
Fax : 011.32.2.211.84.70
E-mail: import.export@favv.be

Note: Only the Application for Import/Transport of Live Animals form should be send to the Belgian Veterinary Services. No other forms are necessary to obtain the import authorization.

After the Belgian Veterinarian Services in Brussels examine the request from the importer, they will forward him/her an Import Authorization.

Important: The import authorization is valid for six months. An owner can therefore apply for such an authorization far in advance, even when the owner does not know the exact date of the travel and the flight information.

Notice: As of January 01 2012 the cost for an import permit is 42.93 Euros. The office of veterinary services in Brussels will send an invoice and a demand for payment of the fee, to be paid by PAYPAL.

Important: The animal will have to travel with the veterinary certificate and the import authorization.

- The Microchip

All pets must be identified by an electronic chip. The microchip must follow (International Standard Organization) ISO norms # 11784 and 11785. If you want to get more information on these norms please check on the internet.

- The Rabbies Vaccination

Only those rabies vaccinations given after the implantation of the microchip will be considered valid. There is a waiting period of 21 days after the rabies vaccination has been administered, before an animal can enter Belgium.

There will be no derogation granted for a kitten or puppy. Kittens and puppies, like older animals, must be vaccinated against rabies. Only rabies vaccinations admitted from the age of 3 months will be considered valid and the waiting period of 21 days is applicable.

The owner of an animal staying longer than six months will have to register his dog at ABIEC (Belgian Association for Identification and Registration of Dogs). A Belgian veterinarian will be able to assist you with the registration.

Association Belge d'Identification et d'Enregistrement canins (ABIEC)
Boîte postale 168
B-1060 Bruxelles
Belgium
Tel: 070/22.24.45
Fax: 070/22.24.46

• We highly encourage the owner to double check with the airline company about any additional requirements.



• IATA regulations applying to air transport must be respected.



• Some airline carriers, for good reason, do not accept gestating animals on board.



• For information on taking your cat or dog back into the United States, please contact the US Department of Agriculture at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/travel/pets.html



• For any additional questions, you may contact:
  

  The Embassy of Belgium
  3330 Garfield Street, N.W.
  Washington, D.C. 20008
  Tel (202) 333-6900
  Email: Washington@diplobel.fed.be

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