Traveling to Turks and Caicos with Plants and Animals
Visitors to the TCI should know that there are conditions which must be adhered to by law when bringing in controlled/regulated commodities to the islands.
Animals including Cats and Dogs as well as live Plants and Plant Products e.g. fruits, flowers and seeds are controlled/regulated commodities.
These items may only be imported into the TCI through a port of entry. No controlled/regulated commodity may be imported unless:
- An import permit has been issued by the Department of Agriculture
- The Controlled/regulated commodity meets the import conditions of the permit and
- The controlled/regulated commodity is accompanied by any other documentation required by law
It is the traveler’s responsibility to verify the accuracy and completeness of all import conditions before you arrive into TCI. There are penalties for persons who do not comply with the law.
The process for importation of Pets into the TCI
Applicants will need to complete the International Health Certificate. This clearly states the sanitary requirements (i.e. vaccinations, test, de-worming) and the time frames for doing this. This form has to then be endorsed and stamped by the official veterinary authority of the exporting country in the time frame stated.
The International Health Certificate will vary in terms of the Sanitary Requirements based on the Disease Status of the Exporting Country. Email the department of agriculture at agriculture@gov.tc for more information.
You will need to complete and submit an Import Permit Application to the Department of Agriculture, Turks and Caicos Islands. To complete the Application to import cats and dogs, click on the Application to Import Cats and Dogs.
If this is a first-time entry to the Turks and Caicos Islands for your pet, you are required to apply for a Single-Entry Permit. Please complete Sections A, C, D (13-17), F and G of the application form.
All supporting documents (all vaccination records, microchip records, Rabies titer test, blood results and spay/neuter certificate) must be submitted along with the International Health Certificate and Import Permit Application.
- All animals must be inspected at the Port of Entry
- Advanced information or changes of your date and time of arrival must be communicated 48 hours before entry into TCI
- All animals entering the TCI must be spayed/neutered
- It takes two working days to process an Import Permit upon receipt of your application, provided that you have met all the import requirements
- An Import Permit can only be issued if all the above documents are received
- Without an import permit entry is prohibited
- Exotic animals e.g Primates are not allowed into the TCI
- Birds and other species of exotic animals except primates would require clearance from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources
- An Inspection Fee of 50 USD/animal applies for single entry permits and other fees may apply for other services
- Failure to comply to the requirements will result in Fines, euthanasia of animals or immediate refusal of entry, In accordance with the Animal Health Ordinance
The Importation of meat and meat products into the TCI
- The importation of meat and meat products require an import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture. With the exception of personal qualities (≤ 25lbs) of meat brought in by passengers travelling
- To complete the Application to import Animal and Animal by product, click on the Application to Import Animal and Animal By-Products
- A sanitary export permit from the Competent Sanitary Authority must accompany consignments. A copy of these forms can be obtained from your Vet and the Veterinary Authority
- It takes two working days to process an Import Permit upon receipt of your application, provided that you have met all the import requirements.
- An Import Permit can only be issued if all the above documents are received
- Without an import permit entry is prohibited
Failure to comply to the requirements will result in Fines(tickets), or confiscation for destruction In accordance with the Animal Health Ordinance 2024.
The importation of plants and plant products into the TCI
The importation of the following plant-based and agricultural products listed below require an import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture.
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Cut Flowers
- Propagation Material (Seeds/Seedlings, Suckers, and Vegetative Stems)
- Live plants
- Compost
- Soil
- Used Agriculture Implements
With the exception of personal quantities (≤ 25lbs) of fruit and/or vegetables brought in by passengers travelling.
To complete the Application to import regulated articles, click on the Application to Import Regulated Articles.
Depending of the item of interest, the following document(s) must be submitted along with the application form:
- CITES Export Certificate
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Complete Plant List (consisting of both common and scientific names)
- Seed Analysis
- Soil Analysis Report
It takes two working days to process an Import Permit upon receipt of your application, provided that you have met all the import requirements.
An Import Permit can only be issued if all the above documents are received. Without an import permit entry is prohibited. Failure to comply to the requirements will result in Fines(tickets), or confiscation for destruction in accordance with the Plant Health Ordinance 2024.
Contact Information
The Department of Agriculture
16 Parade Avenue
Butterfield Square,
Providenciales,
Turks and Caicos Islands
British West Indies
Tel Office: 1.649.338.5269, agriculture@gov.tc
Open Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
