BAHAMAS PET PERMITS

Pet permits are granted by the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) through the online application Click2Clear. The process to get a pet permit only takes 24-48 hours for approval, and the cost is $50 per permit. 

A few essential details about Pet Permits;

• You can include multiple pets in a single application. The permit is issued per trip rather than per pet, meaning all pets traveling with you on the same trip can be covered under one permit.
• The permit is valid for 6 months from the approval date and good for only one entry. 
• The pet(s) must be 6 months or older, free of internal parasites, and recently vaccinated (see list here). 
• The Bahamas restricts the importation of certain breeds – even temporarily by visitors. For dogs, the following are not permitted, including if mixed breed; Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Cane Corso, American Bully, Staffordshire Terrier, Dogo Argentino. For cats, the Savannah Cat, Bengal Cat, and Chausie are not permitted. 
• The applicant will be given a Veterinarian Form (AGR/VS/1A Form), which must be completed by a registered Veterinarian 24 hours prior to travel. 

If you haven't already, you must first register with Click2Clear at www.Click2Clear.gov.bs. Select the “Register” button at the top right of the screen. Fill out the online form to register as an Importer/Exporter. Next, email click2clear@bahamas.gov.bs to request that your account be activated so you can apply for a pet permit with BAHFSA. 

Once activated, go to www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs and click the purple PERMITS & CONCESSIONS button on the top right. From this point, it’s best to follow the instructions in this YouTube video. You will be notified once the permit is approved, typically within 24 hours.   

Print the approved permit document and completed veterinarian health form before your arrival, and present them to the customs officer once you reach Bahamas Immigration and Customs. 

The United States requires dogs entering (even if simply returning after a short trip away) to have an approved CDC Import Form prior to arrival. Upon submission of the form, a receipt will be emailed to you, usually within 30 minutes or less. You can print the receipt or show it on your phone at Customs.    

We highly recommend printing it, plus a copy of your pet's rabies certificate, and keeping it with you to present to the customs officer. The Import Form Receipt is valid for multiple entries for 6 months and includes the expiration date. 

CDC requires that cats appear healthy upon arrival to the United States. Cats are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of a zoonotic disease. If a cat appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense might be required before the cat is allowed to enter the United States.

Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the United States. However, CDC recommends that all cats be vaccinated against rabies