Bringing Your Pet to the United States

Every requirement below is taken from an official government page, and each one links to the page it comes from. The rules were last checked on 2 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.

Who is in charge

• APHIS states that the CDC is the primary federal authority for dog imports; APHIS Veterinary Services sets animal-disease conditions (screwworm, FMD) on top.
  Bringing a Pet Dog into the United States, checked 2 October 2026

Where your pet travels from

• CDC rules depend on whether the dog has been in a CDC high-risk country for dog rabies in the 6 months before arrival, and where it was vaccinated (US or abroad).
  Bringing a Dog into the United States, checked 2 October 2026
• Dogs that have been in a listed high-risk country in the past 6 months must be rabies vaccinated and meet further age, microchip, titre, health and documentation requirements. CDC list page last updated 15 April 2026. Applies to dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months.
  High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies, checked 2 October 2026

Import permit

• The CDC Dog Import Form (online, receipt emailed) is required for every dog, one form per dog, completed by the importer, owner or shipper, with a photo of the dog's face and body. Page updated 28 April 2026.
  CDC Dog Import Form and Instructions, checked 2 October 2026
• The form needs a photo of the dog (jpg, jpeg or png, max 10MB).
  CDC Dog Import Form and Instructions, checked 2 October 2026
• For dogs only in rabies-free or low-risk countries, the receipt is valid 6 months unless the dog visits a high-risk country or a different low-risk country in that time. Applies to dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• For dogs from high-risk countries the receipt is single-entry and valid only on the arrival date shown on it. Applies to dogs that have been in a high-risk country (US- or foreign-vaccinated).
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Dogs imported for resale or fee-based adoption are commercial: they need an APHIS Animal Care import permit (allow at least 5 business days), plus rabies at least 30 days before entry and DHLPP within 12 months. Privately owned pets are excluded. Applies to commercial dogs (resale or fee-based adoption) only.
  Commercial Dog Import, checked 2 October 2026

Microchip

• Every dog needs a microchip detectable by a universal scanner.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• For dogs from high-risk countries the chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine, otherwise the vaccine is invalid. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• An unreadable chip on a dog from a high-risk country can mean refusal and return to the departure country at the importer's cost. Applies to dogs that have been in a high-risk country.
  Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026

Rabies vaccination

• A dog that has been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months and is not rabies vaccinated will be refused entry. Applies to dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months.
  Bringing a Dog into the United States, checked 2 October 2026
• CDC recommends, but for dogs only from rabies-free or low-risk countries does not list as an entry requirement, rabies vaccination. Applies to dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries.
  Bringing a Dog into the United States, checked 2 October 2026
• For high-risk dogs the first rabies vaccine must be given at or after 12 weeks (84 days) of age; earlier vaccines are not accepted. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Cats need no proof of rabies vaccination for US entry (CDC recommends it; states may require it).
  Bringing an Animal into the U.S., checked 2 October 2026

Rabies titre test

• Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs need a passing rabies serology titre from a CDC-approved laboratory; blood drawn at least 30 days after the first valid vaccine and at least 28 days before entry. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Passing titre results are valid for life while vaccination does not lapse and the lab remains approved. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Not required: US-vaccinated dogs returning from a high-risk country need valid (unexpired) documentation of a US-issued rabies vaccination, not a titre. If that documentation is invalid, the foreign-vaccinated rules (including titre or 28-day quarantine) apply. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
  Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026

Health certificate

• Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries need the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, completed by a vet and endorsed by an official government vet of the departure country. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• That form must be completed no more than 30 days before travel, is single use and is valid 30 days from the vet's signature. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries need the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, completed by a USDA-accredited vet and USDA-endorsed before the dog leaves the US (at least 28 days after a first vaccine). Page updated 28 April 2026. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• USDA-endorsed export health certificates issued after 31 July 2025 are no longer accepted for re-entry; the CDC certification form is needed instead. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• No document beyond the CDC Dog Import Form receipt is listed for dogs only in rabies-free or low-risk countries. Applies to dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Not required: CDC does not require a general health certificate for pets (cats, and dogs only in rabies-free or low-risk countries). Airlines and some states may still ask for one.
  Bringing an Animal into the U.S., checked 2 October 2026

Other vaccines and tests

• APHIS screwworm rule: dogs from screwworm-affected regions need a certificate from a full-time salaried official government vet of the origin region, after a screwworm inspection within 5 days before shipment. Country list sits on APHIS's disease-status page. Applies to dogs from screwworm-affected countries or regions.
  Bringing a Pet Dog into the United States, checked 2 October 2026
• For Mexico the screwworm certificate may be signed by an authorised clinical vet on behalf of the official vet. Applies to dogs from Mexico.
  Bringing a Pet Dog into the United States, checked 2 October 2026
• APHIS FMD rule: dogs from FMD-affected regions must have fur and bedding free of excessive dirt, hay or straw, be bathed on arrival and kept from livestock for 5 days; no documents needed. Applies to dogs from FMD-affected countries or regions.
  Bringing a Pet Dog into the United States, checked 2 October 2026
• APHIS screwworm-affected regions (APHIS Region Health Status page, modified 29 September 2026): Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, DR Congo, Dominican Republic, Easter Island, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paracel Islands, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spratly Islands, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, UAE, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Mexico is not in the screwworm 'Affected' list, but the same APHIS page lists a Temporary Restriction on live animal commodities from Mexico due to New World screwworm, and the APHIS dog page sets a Mexico-specific screwworm certification route, so dogs from Mexico need the screwworm certificate. Applies to dogs from screwworm-affected countries or regions.
  Region Health Status (screwworm affected regions), checked 2 October 2026

Parasite treatment

• Livestock-handling dogs (except from Canada, Mexico and parts of Central America and the West Indies) should show no evidence of tapeworm infection. Applies to dogs used in livestock handling.
  Bringing a Pet Dog into the United States, checked 2 October 2026
• Not required: cats. APHIS Veterinary Services, the federal animal-health authority, states it has no animal health requirements for importing a pet cat (page modified 24 December 2025), so no parasite treatment is required federally. CDC's cat section (https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/index.html) lists none either. Destination states may set their own rules.
  Bringing a Pet Cat into the United States, checked 2 October 2026
• Not listed: pet dogs. CDC's list for dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries (healthy, 6 months, microchip, plus the CDC Dog Import Form) contains no parasite treatment, and neither do CDC's requirement pages for US-vaccinated or foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries or the APHIS dog import page, all read in full on 2 October 2026. Exceptions recorded separately: livestock-handling dogs (no evidence of tapeworm) and the screwworm inspection within 5 days before shipment for dogs from screwworm-affected regions.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026

Quarantine

• Without a valid titre, the dog is admitted only after 28 days' quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility; this can be shortened if criteria are met. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries without a valid titre.
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• All foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs need a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility before entry, where they are examined and revaccinated with a US-licensed rabies vaccine. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Hawaii and Guam have their own locally imposed quarantine for cats, even from the US mainland. Applies to cats going to Hawaii or Guam.
  Bringing an Animal into the U.S., checked 2 October 2026
• The 28-day CDC facility quarantine may be shortened only if all of these are met: personal pet or service dog; documentation of at least 2 rabies vaccines; healthy on exam; the facility gets CDC approval for a prospective serologic monitoring (PSM) assessment; the dog gets a US-issued rabies vaccine under PSM; and a titre is obtained from a CDC-approved US lab (CDC FAQ updated 27 August 2026). Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries without a valid titre.
  Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026
• Hawaii (state rule, Hawaii Department of Agriculture): all dogs and cats, regardless of age or purpose, are quarantined for up to 120 days unless they meet every requirement of the 5 Day Or Less programme (two rabies vaccinations, a passing OIE-FAVN test, 30-day waits, documents received at least 10 days before arrival), which allows direct release at Honolulu airport. Applies to dogs and cats going to Hawaii.
  Animal Quarantine Information Page, checked 2 October 2026
• Hawaii: pets meeting the pre- and post-arrival requirements may qualify for direct release at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu) after inspection. Applies to dogs and cats going to Hawaii.
  Animal Quarantine Information Page, checked 2 October 2026

Arrival points and notice

• Dogs only in rabies-free or low-risk countries may enter at any airport, seaport or land border. Applies to dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs must arrive at the airport where their CDC-registered facility is. CDC list (updated 1 Sept 2026): Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Seattle (SEA, cargo only), Washington DC (IAD). Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities, checked 2 October 2026
• There are no CDC-registered facilities in Alaska, Hawaii or US territories, so foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs cannot enter the US through those places. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026
• US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries may arrive at any airport, land border or seaport matching the receipt. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Not required: no advance notice period. The CDC Dog Import Form can be completed on the day of travel; CDC recommends a few days (or, for low-risk dogs, up to 6 months) ahead. Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs must also hold a facility reservation before entry.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months cannot enter at a land border crossing (Canada or Mexico). Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026

Minimum age

• Every dog must be at least 6 months old on entry or return to the US.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Not listed: cats. CDC's cat section requires only that cats appear healthy on arrival (they may be inspected, examined at the owner's cost if ill, or refused if they show a zoonotic disease); rabies vaccination proof is not required. APHIS states it has no animal health requirements for pet cats (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/cats). Neither sets a minimum age; destination states may.
  Bringing an Animal into the U.S., checked 2 October 2026

How many pets

• Not required: there is no federal limit on the number of dogs, but each dog must meet CDC entry requirements and needs its own CDC Dog Import Form (CDC FAQ updated 27 August 2026).
  Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026
• No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

Banned and restricted breeds

• Not listed: no federal breed restriction for pet dogs. CDC's list for dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries, CDC's requirement pages for dogs from high-risk countries and the APHIS dog import page (all read in full on 2 October 2026) contain no breed rule. This is federal only: CDC says importers must also comply with USDA and their US destination's regulations, and states, counties and cities can restrict breeds, so check the destination address. Airlines set their own rules for snub-nosed breeds.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026

How your pet may travel

• Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs must arrive by air; only service dogs (14 CFR 382.3) may arrive by sea. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Airlines must check documents (including the CDC receipt) before boarding and return refused dogs to the departure country within 72 hours. Applies to dogs arriving by air.
  Information for Air Carriers on Dogs Being Imported into the U.S., checked 2 October 2026
• Not required: no federal restriction on mode of travel for dogs only in rabies-free or low-risk countries; they may arrive by air, sea or land. Cabin, checked baggage or cargo is an airline matter. (Seattle's CDC facility takes cargo-only reservations, and the LAX facilities prefer cargo, for high-risk dogs.) Applies to dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Not required: no federal restriction on how or where pet cats arrive. Under 42 CFR 71.51 (eCFR, up to date as of 22 September 2026) cats may be admitted through any US airport, any US land port and any US seaport. Cabin, checked baggage or cargo is an airline matter. Cats are still inspected on arrival and must appear healthy.
  42 CFR 71.51 Dogs and cats, checked 2 October 2026

Official fees

• All costs at the CDC-registered facility (exam, revaccination, any quarantine) are paid by the importer. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
  Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Not required: the CDC Dog Import Form is free. Costs at a CDC-registered facility (foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs) are separate and paid by the importer.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026

Other conditions

• Every dog must appear healthy on arrival.
  Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
• Cats: APHIS Veterinary Services has no animal-health requirements for importing pet cats (page updated 24 Dec 2025).
  Bringing a Pet Cat into the United States, checked 2 October 2026
• Cats must appear healthy on arrival and may need a vet exam at owner's cost if ill.
  Bringing an Animal into the U.S., checked 2 October 2026
• Onward domestic movement rules are set by the receiving state or territory. Applies to dogs and cats moving on to a US state or territory.
  U.S. State and Territory Animal Entry Requirements, checked 2 October 2026