US

Bringing Your Pet to the United States

Moderate to import

The United States has one of the most complex pet import systems in the world, and not for the reasons most people expect. The process is easy for cats, and relatively simple for dogs from low-risk countries. But for dogs from countries the CDC classifies as high-risk for dog rabies, including the UAE and South Africa, the rules are extensive.

The 2024 CDC overhaul changed the picture significantly. All dogs now need a CDC Dog Import Form, regardless of origin. Dogs from high-risk countries without valid serology results must arrive at specific airports with CDC-registered animal care facilities, and may face 28 days of quarantine.

One thing that surprises many people: cats face virtually no federal import requirements into the USA. No health certificate, no vaccination certificate from the federal side. That changes if your destination state has its own rules, so check the state you’re arriving in. But at the federal border, a healthy cat is basically waved through.

Import Requirements

Microchip

Universal scanner detectable. MUST be implanted BEFORE rabies vaccination or vaccine is considered invalid

Rabies Vaccination

Required.

Titre Test

Not typically required.

Quarantine

Required for: Dogs from high-risk countries without valid serology titre.

Import Permit

Not required. Health certificate / travel document serves this function.

Health Certificate

Official veterinary health certificate. Valid for 10 days from issue. Must be endorsed by official authority.

Breed Restrictions

Federal: No federal breed-specific legislation. Check state/local laws.

Approved Entry Ports

Check official sources for approved entry points.

High-risk vs low-risk: what it means for your dog

The CDC classifies countries into high-risk and low-risk based on dog rabies prevalence. If your dog has spent the last six months entirely in low-risk countries (UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong), the process is simple: a CDC Dog Import Form receipt and a healthy-looking dog. No vaccination certificate required by the CDC.

If your dog is from a high-risk country, the process depends on whether they have a valid rabies vaccination. US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries need the Certification of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, endorsed by a USDA vet. Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries need either a serology titre report from a CDC-approved lab, or a 28-day stay at a CDC-registered facility.

Where your dog arrives matters

For dogs from low-risk countries, any airport or land crossing works. For dogs from high-risk countries without a valid titre, you must arrive at an airport that has a CDC-registered animal care facility on site. You cannot connect through another US city first. Check the CDC’s current list of registered facilities and book your flights accordingly. This is not a detail to sort out a week before you travel.

Cats: a different story

Cats entering the US face essentially no federal requirements. There is no health certificate requirement at the federal level, no vaccination requirement, no CDC form. Individual states may have their own rules, so check the destination state’s agriculture department. But for the border crossing itself, a healthy cat on a valid flight is all you need. This is a significant difference from dogs, and worth knowing if you’re travelling with multiple pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, every dog entering the USA needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, regardless of origin country or vaccination status. The form is free and completed online at the CDC website before travel. It generates a QR code you present at the border. For dogs from low-risk countries, this form plus appearing healthy is essentially all you need.

The UAE is on the CDC high-risk country list for dog rabies. Dogs with a foreign-issued rabies vaccination need either a valid serology titre test from a CDC-approved lab (blood drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccine, and at least 28 days before US entry), or a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility for 28-day quarantine. Your dog must also arrive at an airport where a CDC-registered facility is located. No domestic connections beforehand.

At the federal level, no. The USDA has no animal health requirements for importing pet cats. You don’t need a health certificate, a vaccination certificate, or a CDC form for cats. Some states have their own rules, so check the destination state’s agriculture department. But the federal border crossing for a healthy cat is usually a straightforward process.

The CDC maintains a list of registered facilities. The list changes, so check cdc.gov/importation for the current version before booking flights. If your dog is from a high-risk country and has no valid titre, you MUST arrive at one of these airports. Connecting through another US city is not permitted. This affects flight routing significantly.

Dogs must be at least 6 months old at the time of entry. Younger puppies cannot enter. There is no minimum age for cats.

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United States of America

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Quarantine: Required for: Dogs from high-risk countries without valid serology titre.
  • Code: US

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