In short:
Preparing to move a pet from France to United States
typically takes around 4-6 weeks.
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Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
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Overview
If you are relocating a pet from France to United States, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Allow around 4-6 weeks. The requirements are modest compared with stricter destinations.
Use the timeline below to plan backwards from your travel date.
Step by step
The France to United States process
1
Verify now.
Confirm microchip is in place and pre-dates any rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
2
Before travel. Valid for 6 months. Bring the QR code receipt.
Complete CDC Dog Import Form at cdc.gov/importation
Responsible: Owner
3
4-6 weeks ahead.
Book flight (Air France cabin for small pets, or cargo)
Responsible: Owner or agent
4
Within the airline-required window before travel
French vet health certificate for the airline
Responsible: French veterinarian
5
On travel date.
Travel to USA
Responsible: Owner / airline
6
On arrival. No quarantine. Released to owner.
CBP inspection on arrival. CDC Dog Import Form receipt scanned.
Responsible: US Customs and Border Protection
Checklist
United States: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
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 France. Required by airlines and advisable.
Import permit
No formal import permit. The CDC Dog Import Form (free, online at cdc.gov/importation) is the registration mechanism.
Health certificate
Not federally required by the CDC for dogs from low-risk France, but required by airlines for cabin or cargo booking.
No export permit required from France for cats and dogs.
Health certificate
Health certificate from a French veterinarian for the airline booking. EU pet passport documents the vaccination history.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Air France cabin pet fee: approximately EUR 70 to EUR 125 per leg for small pets
2
Air cargo fee (larger pets): EUR 1,000 to EUR 3,000 from Paris to a US hub
3
French vet health certificate for the airline: EUR 50 to EUR 150
4
Pet transport agent fee if used: EUR 400 to EUR 1,200
5
IATA-compliant travel crate (if cargo): EUR 80 to EUR 350
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The CDC Dog Import Form is required for ALL dogs entering the USA, including from low-risk France. Complete it online before travel and bring the QR code receipt.
⚠ The dog must be at least 6 months old and appear healthy on arrival.
⚠ Hawaii is not mainland USA and has its own strict entry rules. If moving to Hawaii, treat it as a separate process with titre test and advance paperwork.
⚠ United offers cabin-only carriage and no cargo. For larger dogs, Air France cargo or Delta cargo is needed.
⚠ Microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Air France
Allows small pets in the cabin on many routes, plus cargo for larger pets. Paris to US hubs.
Mixed
Delta Air Lines
Paris to US hubs. Cargo pet service. Partner of Air France-KLM.
Cargo Only
United Airlines
Cabin only for small pets. No cargo service.
Cabin
How United States handles incoming pets
United States keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.
What experienced owners do
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. France is a CDC low-risk country, so dogs do not need a titre test, quarantine, or a CDC-registered facility. The only mandatory CDC document is the Dog Import Form. Airlines require a rabies vaccination for their booking, so your dog will typically have one, but it is not a CDC entry requirement for low-risk France.
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. The airline will require a health certificate for the booking. There is no titre test and no quarantine on the France to USA route for mainland destinations.
Yes, on Air France or United. Air France allows small pets in the cabin on many routes, with larger pets in cargo via Air France or Delta. United offers cabin-only carriage for small pets but no cargo. For small pets, cabin travel on Air France is a comfortable option that keeps your pet with you.
Yes, considerably. Hawaii has its own strict pet entry rules separate from mainland USA, including the HDOA programme with a rabies titre test, specific vaccination timing, and advance paperwork. If your destination is Hawaii, treat it as a separate, more involved process and start at least 6 months ahead. For mainland destinations, the simple CDC low-risk process applies.
Airline guides
Air France
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.