Pet Transport Australia to USA: The Simplest US Entry
A move from Australia to United States with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Around 4-8 weeks should do it, as this is an easier route to plan.
Read on for the requirements, timing and carrier options …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Australia to United States
typically takes around 4-8 weeks.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Australia to United States pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm microchip is in place and pre-dates rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
Verify now.
2
Complete CDC Dog Import Form online at cdc.gov/importation
Responsible: Owner
Before travel. Valid for 6 months. Bring the QR code receipt.
3
Arrange DAFF export documentation
Responsible: Australian accredited vet, DAFF
2-4 weeks before travel.
4
Book cargo space on Australia to US route
Responsible: Owner or agent
4-6 weeks ahead. Qantas direct is the popular option.
5
Accredited vet health certificate for the airline
Responsible: Australian accredited vet
Within the airline-required window before travel
6
Travel to USA as cargo
Responsible: Airline cargo
On travel date. Transpacific flight is long; plan welfare carefully.
7
CBP inspection on arrival. CDC form receipt scanned.
Responsible: US Customs and Border Protection
On arrival. No quarantine. Collect from cargo terminal.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter United States
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required for all dogs. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Not required by the CDC for dogs from low-risk countries such as Australia. Required by most cargo airlines for their booking.
Import permit
No formal import permit. CDC Dog Import Form (free, completed online at cdc.gov/importation) is the registration mechanism.
Health certificate
Not formally required by the CDC for dogs from low-risk countries, but required by cargo airlines.
Export permit (Australia)
Export documentation from DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry). Health certificate from an accredited Australian veterinarian.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Cargo airline fee: AUD 2,500 to AUD 6,000 from Sydney or Melbourne to a US hub
DAFF export documentation and accredited vet certificate: AUD 300 to AUD 700
Pet transport agent fee: AUD 800 to AUD 2,500
IATA-compliant travel crate: AUD 200 to AUD 600
US cargo terminal handling on arrival: $100 to $300
Total typical range: AUD 4,000 to AUD 10,000
Critical points to read before you book
The CDC Dog Import Form is required for ALL dogs entering the USA, including dogs from low-risk Australia. Complete it online before travel and bring the QR code receipt.
The transpacific flight is long (around 13-15 hours direct, longer with connections). Discuss welfare preparation with your vet, especially for older dogs or anxious animals.
If routing via Hawaii, be aware Hawaii has its own strict pet entry rules separate from mainland USA. Transiting through Honolulu requires careful planning.
United Airlines offers cabin-only pet carriage and no cargo service. Qantas cargo is the standard choice for dogs on this route.
Microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
QANTAS
Qantas
Direct Sydney or Melbourne to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas. Primary carrier for this route. Cargo pet service.
Cargo Only
DELTA AIR
Delta Air Lines
Transpacific connections to the US. Cargo pet service on applicable routes.
Cargo Only
HAWAIIAN
Hawaiian Airlines
Via Honolulu. Note: Hawaii has its own strict pet entry rules; transiting requires care.
Cargo Only
UNITED
United Airlines
Cabin only for small pets via LAX or SFO. No cargo service. Not suitable for most dogs.
Cabin
Meeting United States's entry requirements
The requirements for United States are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.
Advice worth following
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
FAQ
Common questions about Australia to United States pet transport
No. Australia is a CDC low-risk (rabies-free) country, so dogs do not need a titre test, quarantine, or any rabies-specific certification beyond what the airline requires. The only mandatory CDC document is the Dog Import Form, completed free online at cdc.gov/importation. This is the simplest category of US dog entry.
A microchip (implanted before any rabies vaccination), the CDC Dog Import Form receipt, and the dog must be at least 6 months old and appear healthy on arrival. While the CDC does not require a rabies vaccination for low-risk countries, most cargo airlines require one for their booking, so your dog will typically have a current vaccination and a health certificate for the airline regardless.
It requires care. Hawaii has its own strict pet entry rules, separate from mainland USA, including potential quarantine and specific documentation. Simply transiting through Honolulu can trigger Hawaii’s requirements depending on how the routing is handled. If your final destination is the mainland, a direct flight to a mainland hub (such as Los Angeles) avoids the Hawaii complications. Discuss routing with your agent if Hawaii is involved.
A direct flight from Sydney or Melbourne to Los Angeles is around 13-14 hours; connections are longer. The cargo hold is climate-controlled and pressurised. For most healthy adult animals the journey is manageable. For older, very young, or anxious pets, talk to your vet about preparation. Sedation is usually not advised for air travel. A direct flight minimises total journey time and is generally the better choice for welfare on long-haul routes.
Airline guides
Qantas
Delta Air Lines
Hawaiian Airlines
United Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for your Australia to United States pet move. Our specialists will map out the entire timeline and costs. No surprises.