UK to USA Pet Transport: Dogs, Cats and the CDC Process

Moving from the UK to the USA with a pet is one of the simpler international routes. The UK is a low-risk country in the CDC’s classification for dog rabies, which means most of the complex documentation that applies to dogs from high-risk countries doesn’t apply here.

That said, there are specifics to get right.

For dogs

All dogs entering the USA need a CDC Dog Import Form, completed online before travel at cdc.gov/importation. The form is free and generates a QR code you present at the US border or airport. Don’t skip this step: customs officers will ask for it.

Beyond the form: your dog must be at least 6 months old, appear healthy at the border, and have a microchip. For dogs from the UK (a low-risk country), no rabies vaccination certificate is required by the CDC, though your dog should have one for the health certificate your vet issues.

The health certificate itself is not federally required for dogs from low-risk countries entering the USA. But most airlines require one for live animal cargo bookings. The USDA-endorsed health certificate is the standard for US airport acceptance.

One thing to know: some US states have their own requirements. Hawaii is the main one. Hawaii requires a separate HDOA (Hawaii Department of Agriculture) process, including rabies titre tests and a specific quarantine or direct release procedure. If you’re going to Hawaii, treat it as a completely different process from mainland USA.

For cats

Cats entering the USA face essentially no federal requirements. No health certificate, no CDC form, no vaccination record required at the federal border. A healthy cat arrives and is waved through.

Your airline will still require documentation for cargo bookings, so have a standard health certificate from your vet. But the US government asks for nothing from a cat arriving from the UK.

Airlines on the UK to USA route

This is a well-served route with many options:

British Airways / IAG Cargo: BA operates the route with pet cargo service through IAG Cargo. Accepts dogs and cats in cargo. Note: BA bans brachycephalic breeds from cargo year-round.

Virgin Atlantic: Operates UK to USA routes but does not accept pets in the passenger cabin. Check current cargo pet policy as it varies by route.

American Airlines: Accepts cargo pets on transatlantic routes. Policies on breeds and routes vary.

United Airlines: Has a PetSafe programme for cargo pets. Good reputation on this route. Does not allow pets in the cabin on transatlantic routes but the cargo service is established.

Delta Air Lines: Accepts cargo pets. Check current embargoes and breed restrictions.

Lufthansa, KLM, Air France: All operate via their European hubs (Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris). These can be good options as they allow small pets in the cabin on European connections, and the US legs have cargo pet services. Useful if you want to fly your cat in the cabin to Amsterdam and then ship them as cargo to the US on a separate booking.

What to expect at the US border

Your pet arrives as manifested cargo. You collect them from the airline cargo terminal, not the passenger baggage hall. Cargo terminals are usually in a separate facility from the main terminal.

CBP (Customs and Border Protection) will check your documents: CDC Dog Import Form receipt, health certificate, and microchip verification. For dogs from the UK, this is a quick process. Have originals ready.

Your dog is released to you at the cargo terminal after CBP clearance.

Costs

For a medium dog, London to New York City:

Health certificate from UK vet (USDA-endorsed for US requirements): GBP 150-300 plus GBP 20-40 USDA endorsement equivalent
IATA crate (medium dog): GBP 80-200
IAG Cargo or equivalent airline fees: GBP 500-1,200 depending on dog size
Agent fee (if used): GBP 500-1,500

Without an agent: GBP 800-1,700 total for a medium dog. With an agent handling booking and documentation: GBP 1,300-2,900.

For a cat in cargo: GBP 400-900 all-in.

Timeline

For a UK dog with all vaccinations current: 2-4 weeks lead time is enough. Get the CDC form done first. Book airline cargo. Get the health certificate within 10 days of departure (check the destination state for any certificate validity requirements; federal US entry has no specific window but airlines will have their own).

For a dog starting from scratch (no microchip, no rabies vaccination): allow 4-6 weeks to complete microchip, vaccination, and the 21-day wait before the health certificate appointment.