GE
Georgia
✈️
US
United States
Pet Transport Georgia to USA: 2026 Guide
12-16 weeks
Typical preparation
28 days
Quarantine on arrival
High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Georgia to United States
typically takes around 12-16 weeks.
Expect 28 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
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Overview
A move from Georgia to United States with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Around 12-16 weeks is sensible here, with a few steps that must happen in a strict order. Factor in 28 days of quarantine at the destination.
Whether a rabies titre test is needed depends on your pet's origin, so confirm against the rules below. Read on for the requirements, timing and carrier options for this route.
Step by step
The Georgia to United States process
1
Start here. Chip before any rabies vaccination is given.
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) - before any vaccination
Responsible: Georgian vet
2
After chipping. Record the date precisely.
Rabies vaccination - dog at least 12 weeks old
Responsible: Georgian vet
3
At least 30 days after the vaccination. Ship sample internationally if needed. Allow 3-5 weeks for results.
Serology titer blood draw at a CDC-approved laboratory
Responsible: Georgian vet + CDC-approved lab
4
Book as soon as you have a travel window in mind. Facilities fill up.
Reserve place at CDC-registered facility at your chosen US arrival airport
Responsible: Owner or agent
5
Allow time for NFA endorsement step. Must be within 30 days of US entry.
Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form: vet signs, NFA vet endorses
Responsible: Georgian vet + NFA official vet
6
In the week before travel. Keep the receipt.
Complete CDC Dog Import Form at cdc.gov/importation
Responsible: Owner
7
Travel day. Typically 14-20 hours total journey TBS to US gateway via hub.
Depart TBS. Present all documents at CDC facility on arrival at US airport.
Responsible: Airline cargo + owner
Checklist
United States of America: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. ISO 11784/11785 compliant. The chip number must be consistent across all documentation. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required for dogs. Dog must be at least 12 weeks old at first vaccination. A 28-day post-vaccination period must pass before US entry. |
| Rabies titre test | Required for dogs from Georgia. Georgia is on the CDC high-risk countries list. Rabies serology titer at a CDC-approved laboratory required. Blood drawn at least 30 days after the first valid vaccination and at least 28 days before arrival. Minimum 0.5 IU/mL. Passing titer valid for life if vaccination coverage does not lapse. Source: CDC cdc.gov/importation/dogs, April 15, 2026. |
| Quarantine | 28-day quarantine at the CDC-registered facility if no valid titer is presented. No quarantine for dogs with a passing titer after examination. |
| Import permit | Not required for personal companion animals. |
| Health certificate | Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, completed by the attending vet, endorsed by NFA official vet. Valid 30 days from vet signature, single use. Plus the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. |
Leaving Georgia
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal export permit required for companion cats and dogs. |
| Health certificate | Official export health certificate from an NFA-authorised vet in Georgia, endorsed by the National Food Agency (NFA). For the USA, the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form also requires NFA government vet endorsement. Departure airport: Tbilisi International (TBS). |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Serology titer blood draw and lab processing plus international shipping: GEL 400-1,200 (approximately USD 140-440) |
| 2 | Certification form and NFA government endorsement: GEL 200-500 (approximately USD 70-180) |
| 3 | CDC facility reservation and examination: USD 200-600 |
| 4 | Cargo TBS to US gateway via hub: USD 700-2,200 |
| 5 | IATA crate: USD 80-300 |
| 6 | Pet transport agent (recommended): USD 400-1,000 |
| 7 | Total typical range: USD 1,500-4,500 over 3-4 months |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Georgia is a CDC high-risk country. Dogs cannot enter the USA on a standard health certificate alone. The serology titer and Certification form are legal requirements.
⚠ Cats from Georgia have no CDC requirements. The above process is for dogs only.
⚠ The Certification form expires 30 days from the vet's signature. Plan the NFA endorsement carefully so the form is valid on the day of travel.
⚠ If your dog does not have a valid titer on arrival, expect 28 days at the CDC facility. This is at your expense and disrupts your relocation timeline.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Turkish Airlines via Istanbul
TBS to IST, then connecting US services. Turkish Airlines Cargo handles live animals. IST is the main hub for Georgia-to-USA routing via cargo. Check that the transatlantic leg accepts live animals.
Air France via CDG
TBS to Paris CDG via connecting service, then AF Cargo to US hubs. Connections from CDG to JFK, LAX, and MIA available.
Lufthansa via Frankfurt
Frankfurt (FRA) hub with Animal Lounge. Via connecting service from TBS to FRA, then onward to US CDC airports.
Meeting United States's entry requirements
Bringing a pet into United States involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.
Advice worth following
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
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
Without a valid titer, your dog can still enter but will be held for 28 days at the CDC-registered facility at your arrival airport. This quarantine is at your expense. Presenting a passing titer avoids quarantine entirely. Source: CDC, April 2026.
The form is first completed and signed by your attending vet in Georgia. It then requires a second endorsement from an NFA (National Food Agency) official vet. The NFA is Georgia’s government veterinary authority. Your pet transport agent can help coordinate this endorsement step.
No. Georgia’s EU agreements affect trade and movement within the EU context. The CDC’s classification of Georgia as a high-risk country is based on independent US assessment and is not altered by Georgia’s EU association status.
No. The CDC high-risk rules apply only to dogs. Cats from Georgia face no federal CDC import requirements. Bring basic health records, ensure your cat appears healthy, and you should clear US customs without issue.
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