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Travel with Pets to the Netherlands

• 1. Veterinary Certificate (please use the enclosed certificate)
• 2. Explanation and instructions for the certificate
• 3. Commercial Trade
• 4. Pets other than dogs, cats and ferrets
• 5. Contact information

The rules on which this information is based, are in force as of July 3rd, 2004. We note that the Netherlands strictly adheres to EU regulations. Most countries in the EU have harmonized their regulations in accordance with the EU regulation regarding international travel with dogs, cats and ferrets.

Note:Pit Bull terriers (and any pit bull terrier cross breeds) are allowed into the Netherlands. However if the dog shows aggressive behaviour, the dog will be taken into custody to perform a behaviour test. Based on the outcome of this test, it may be decided to euthanise the dog.

1. Veterinary Certificate (please use the enclosed certificate)

Click here to download the certificate. The use of the veterinary certificate provided is mandatory. The documents from your veterinary doctor must include the following information:

Required information
A. Country of Dispatch of the animal
B. Owner/responsible person accompanying the animal	Name Address Country Telephone number
C. Description of the animal	Species Breed Sex Date of birth Coat (color and type)
D. Identification of the animal	Microchip number / tattoo number Location of microchip / tattoo Date of microchipping / tattooing
E. Rabies Vaccination	Manufacturer and name of vaccine Batch number Date of the vaccination Expiration date of the vaccine

The use of the veterinary certificate provided is mandatory. Once signed by the veterinarian or endorsement by the competent authority, the certificate is valid for four months, or until the expiration date of the vaccination, whichever comes first

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2. Explanation and instructions for the certificate

I. The microchip:
If your pet will be identified through a microchip, please be aware that the microchip meets the ISO standard (International Organization for Standardization) Annex A, 2.1, ISO # 11785 (website: www.iso.ch). For your information, the HomeAgain microchip from AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AVID-Eurochip, are manufactured in compliance with Annex A, 2.1, ISO # 11785 and meet the requirements. If your pet will be identified through a microchip which is not in compliance with Anex A, 2.1, ISO # 1785, you can bring your own reader or transponder. This will enable the Custom Authorities in the Netherlands to identify the microchip number of your pet.

II. The United States and Canada are both included in Annex II EC regulation 998/2003, which means that both countries are considered low risk regions for rabies. Therefore no rabies serological test is required. Please find below a transcript of annex II EC regulation 998/2003, which lists all countries that are considered low risk rabies regions:

Countries:

• Switzerland
• Norway
• Iceland
• Andorra
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• San Marino
• Vatican
• Ascension
• Antigua en Barbuda
• Netherlands Antilles
• Australia
• Aruba
• Barbados
• Bahrain
• Bermuda
• Canada
• Fiji
• Falkland Islands
• Croatia
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Saint Kitts en Nevis
• Cayman Islands
• Montserrat
• Mauritius
• New-Caledonia
• New-Zealand
• French Polynesia
• Saint-Pierre en Miquelon
• Singapore
• Sint-Helena
• United States of America
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Vanuatu
• Wallis and Tutuna
• Mayotte

Including territories of the EU-member states: Greenland, Faro Islands, The Balaeren, The Canaries (without Ceuta and Melilla), French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique en Reunion, Gibraltar, de Azores, Madeira.

III. Dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies.
The rules regarding the frequency of the rabies vaccination have changed: the rabies shot will have to be repeated either annually or every two years in accordance with the type of vaccine used. However, when your dog, cat or ferret has never been vaccinated before, this vaccination should be given at least 21 days before leaving to the Netherlands.

IV. Dogs, cats and ferrets less then 12 weeks old are permitted to travel to the Netherlands without prior inoculation against rabies (however the pet does need the chip or tattoo). In addition, the animal must travel with a statement from a veterinary doctor, which declares that the animal resided at the birthplace until travel date and has not been in contact with any animals possibly infected with rabies. Please be aware that other EU member countries might have different rules regarding the import of pets younger then 3 months of age. If you intend on traveling to another European country with your young pet, you will have to contact the Embassy representatives of that particular country to find out if additional requirements apply.

V. For travel to the Netherlands with your dog, cat, or ferret, a tick treatment or a echinococcus treatment is NOT required.

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3. Commercial Trade

The above requirements apply to dog, cats and ferrets, traveling with their owner / care taker. Any dog, cat or ferret traveling alone is considered commercial trade, and is subject to additional requirements:

• commercial animals and pets traveling unaccompanied must have been clinically examined by a USDA or by the Canadian Department of agriculture certified veterinarian within 24 hours before departure to the Netherlands and must travel with a health certificate which states the date and time of the examination.
• a rabies vaccination should be given at least 21 days before travel to the EU or has to be repeated annually or every two years in accordance with the type of vaccine used. Since a rabies vaccination can only be given to pets older than 3 months it is NOT possible to ship pets (without owner/care taker) to the EU younger than 3 months.

PLEASE NOTE:
If your pet is considered commercial trade, a veterinarian at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands will examine the pet at the KLM animal hotel. Since this hotel is owned by KLM your airline will have to confirm before departure in writing with KLM that the animal can be taken, and if necessary, stay at the KLM animal hotel for examination. If you are traveling with KLM this request is not necessary.

For information on taking you cat, dog or ferret back to the United States or Canada, please contact the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Agriculture or the US/ Canadian Embassy or US/ Canadian Consulate in the country from which you will be departing.

If you are departing from the Netherlands, please contact:

the Agricultural AffairsOffice of the US Embassy in The Hague:
Lange Voorhout 102 2514 EJ The Hague The Netherlands Phone: + 31 70 3109300 Fax: + 31 70 3657681

Canadian Embassy in The Hague:
Sophialaan 7 2514 JP The Hague The Netherlands Phone: + 31 70 3111600 Fax: + 31 70 3111620

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4. Pets other than dogs, cats and ferrets

The European Commission is currently drafting a veterinary certificate for pets other than dogs, cats and ferrets. This document has not been finalized. Pets other than dogs, cats and ferrets can enter EU member countries under the current rules, which means that these pets, unless the species of subspecies is listed under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) or the US Endangered Species Act, can enter the Netherlands with a health certificate issued by your local veterinarian. This health certificate can not be older then 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands.
If your animal is listed under CITES or under the US Endangered Species Act special requirements apply. For more information on CITES see the CITES website of the US Fish and Wildlife Service: www.international.FWS.Gov

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5. Contact information

If you have any questions, please contact the Agricultural Office at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Washington DC.

Please note that we don't give any written statements.

We have a strong preference for questions by E-mail. For urgent questions you may also reach us by telephone on the following number 1-877-DUTCHHELP or 1-877-388-2443.

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