BAHAMAS PET PERMITS

The Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) is responsible for the importation of pets into The Bahamas. You must apply online to request the permit in advance of your travel, and typically, you will receive approval within 24-48 hours. The cost is $50.00 per permit, which you will pay online when submitting the request. Once approved, it is valid for one entry within a six-month period.  

The system is clunky, but it's not impossible to navigate, and it's a vast improvement over having to mail in your form with an international money order, which can take weeks, if not longer, to receive your permit back. 

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. Be sure to upload your pet's vaccination records, including a rabies certificate, before submitting the application. You will be notified once the permit is approved, typically within 24 hours. 

Return to  Click2Clear after approval notification is received, and after logging in, select "Application Submission" in the left menu to expand, and then select "Search Documents", which should take you to screen where you will see a line that includes "Permit" as the document with the status of "Approved. If you click on the three dots on the far right, you can select "Print" to download the permit in a PDF file. The PDF document also includes an appendix that lists the conditions (vet certificate, required vaccinations, etc.) for your pet to clear into the country, and the form for your vet to fill out and sign. The vet forms are required for entry in addition to the approved permit. 

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

There is an alternate service based in the Bahamas that will complete the application for you for $130 (includes permit fee) - BahamasPetPermit.com. We've used this service before the online system was created, and the benefit of their being local can be helpful to those needing a permit for the first time. 

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.