Paperwork and Veterinary Requirements

It’s best to have 0x Cargo or an equally qualified IPATA agent help guide and plan your pet’s pre-move preparations. For now, the following information serves as a guide in order to prepare your pet to enter Finland.

Health/Veterinary Requirements

Must be completed at least 21 days before departure

Microchip

Must be administered at least 21 days before departure, and must be completed before Rabies Vaccination.

• Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be identifiable by microchip. There are no exceptions to this rule.

• The microchip should be ISO compliant and 15 digits long.If your pet does not have an ISO compliant chip, your pet will have to travel with a microchip reader attached to the crate. Alternatively, your vet can implant a new ISO compliant chip in addition to the existing non-ISO compatible chip.
  After implanting the chip, your pet will have to be revaccinated in order for the new vaccination to be valid.
  

Vaccinations

Must be conducted at least 21 days prior to departure

• Rabies vaccination must occur on the same day or after microchip implantation. Any rabies vaccine given prior to the microchip implantation is considered invalid and will not be accepted for the purpose of travel.Rabies vaccinations valid for 1 or 3 years are permissible for entry to the EU.
  There is a mandatory 21 day wait period after the primary (or first) vaccination before your pet can enter the EU. If your pet’s most recent vaccination is a booster without a lapse in coverage, a 21-day wait will not be needed.

• Other vaccines are not required, but the vaccines below are recommended, particularly if your pet may need to be boarded before or after travel.Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DHLPP) and Bordetella.
  Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP).
  

Paperwork Requirements

Must be completed 2-30 days before departure

Health Examination

Must be conducted 2-30 days prior to departure

• At this point in your pet’s move, one of our pet shipping specialists will pre-complete the correct health certificate and email it to your veterinarian for signature at the physical appointment. We provide all documents and are available to answer any questions and troubleshoot issues that may arise.

• Finland has two different health certificate options. The health certificate used will depend on whether the pet is traveling within 5 days before or after the owner or designated person, and whether the pet is changing ownership or intended for sale in the EU.Noncommercial health certificate: For pets traveling within 5 days of owner or designated person. Valid for 30 days after USDA Accredited Veterinarian issues it.
  Commercial health certificate: For pets traveling more than 5 days before or after the owner or designated person and for pets changing ownership or intended for resale in the EU. Valid for 48 hours after USDA Accredited Veterinarian issues it.
  

USDA Endorsement

Must be completed before departure and within 10 days of arrival for non-commercial health certificates. For Commercial health certificates, please inquire with us.

• After your pet has been examined by your veterinarian and the correct health certificate has been completed and signed, the health certificate must be submitted to the USDA office to be endorsed. 0x Cargo will coordinate this process with your doctor.

• If a military veterinarian completes your pet’s health certificate, the USDA endorsement is not needed. A military veterinarian is a Veterinary Corps Officer or civilian GS-0701 series government veterinarian employed by the U.S Army Veterinary Service.

In addition to all the requirements above, the following EU countries ALSO require tapeworm treatment: Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway.

TAPEWORM TREATMENT – Must be completed within 24-120 hours of arrival into Finland, Ireland, Malta, and Norway. ONLY these EU countries require tapeworm treatment. This treatment can be administered before or after the USDA endorsement of the health certificate depending on your pet’s unique timeline for travel. USDA will endorse the health certificate with or without this treatment.

The requirements above for moving your pet to Finland can also be found on USDA’s website and the EU rules on travelling with pets and other animals in the EU – Your Europe (europa.eu)