Pet Transport UK to Costa Rica: SENASA Declaration and 2026 Requirements
Travelling with a dog or cat from the UK to Costa Rica does not require a titre test or quarantine. Costa Rica's SENASA requires an online health declaration completed before travel and an …
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Responsible: Your UK vet
Responsible: Your UK vet
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Responsible: APHA-authorised UK vet
Costa Rica entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Export requirements
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Critical points
The SENASA online declaration must be completed before travel. This is Costa Rica's import clearance mechanism. Arriving without it can cause delays at SJO.
Routing via a US airport (Miami) introduces USDA transit rules. Routing via Madrid (Iberia) or Amsterdam (KLM) avoids this for a cleaner process.
San Jose Juan Santamaria International (SJO) is the main arrival airport. Confirm your cargo is routed to SJO, not other Costa Rican airports which have very limited international cargo capacity.
Approved carriers on this route
| Airline | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Iberia | Via Madrid (MAD) to San Jose Juan Santamaria International (SJO). Iberia Cargo accepts pets. The Madrid hub has a strong Latin American network. A reliable option for UK to Costa Rica pet cargo. | Cargo Only |
| British Airways | Via Miami (MIA) to San Jose. BA World Cargo accepts pets. Miami transit introduces US USDA entry requirements even for transit animals. | Cargo Only |
| KLM | Via Amsterdam (AMS) to San Jose. KLM Cargo accepts pets. Amsterdam avoids US transit and KLM has established Latin American cargo connections. | Cargo Only |
| American / United | Via Miami, Dallas, or Houston to San Jose. US gateway transits introduce USDA entry requirements. Good frequencies from US hubs to SJO if you are already connecting through the US. | Cargo Only |
Madrid vs Miami: why the transit choice matters
No airline flies directly from the UK to San Jose, Costa Rica. All routes involve at least one transit hub. The choice of hub affects the complexity of the move significantly.
Routing via Madrid on Iberia keeps the journey within the European and Latin American cargo network and avoids USDA entry requirements entirely. Iberia has a strong connection to Costa Rica from Madrid and the cargo handling is established. KLM via Amsterdam offers a similar advantage.
Routing via Miami on British Airways or American introduces a US transit point. USDA veterinary inspection requirements can apply to animals transiting through US airports, even when the final destination is elsewhere. The Miami transit is workable but adds a step. For straightforward moves, the European hub routing is preferable.
SENASA's online declaration and why it must be done first
Costa Rica’s SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal) has moved its import clearance process online. The health declaration for your dog or cat must be submitted via the SENASA portal before travel. Once submitted and approved, you receive the import clearance documentation to present with your APHA health certificate on arrival.
This is similar in function to the AGROCALIDAD permit in Ecuador or the SENASICA permit in Mexico: it is the destination country’s pre-approval. Complete it before your health certificate appointment, as having both documents ready for travel is essential.
Common questions about this route
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