Pet Transport Georgia to USA: 2026 Guide
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
The Georgia to United States process
Responsible: Georgian vet
Responsible: Georgian vet
Responsible: Georgian vet + CDC-approved lab
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Georgian vet + NFA official vet
Responsible: Owner
Responsible: Airline cargo + owner
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. |
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). |
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 |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
The CDC high-risk process in plain terms
When a country is on the CDC high-risk list, the standard approach of vaccination plus health certificate is not enough. The CDC requires proof that your dog’s immune system has actually responded to the rabies vaccine, via a laboratory serology titer. Blood is drawn at least 30 days after the first valid vaccination, sent to a CDC-approved laboratory, and must return a result of 0.5 IU/mL or above.
The titer is valid for life as long as vaccination coverage does not lapse. So a dog that was vaccinated and titered in Georgia two years ago, with no gap in booster coverage, can use that titer for entry. However, if you are starting fresh, build in 60-90 days for the vaccination-to-titer process before you can set a final travel date.
How to route your dog from Tbilisi to a CDC-registered US airport
No direct Tbilisi-to-USA cargo route exists. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul is the most commonly used path, with connections from IST to JFK, LAX, ATL, and other CDC-registered US airports. Air France via CDG and Lufthansa via Frankfurt are alternatives.
Confirm that live animals are accepted on the specific transatlantic segment before booking. Cargo space is limited and airlines sometimes restrict live animals seasonally or on specific aircraft types. Your chosen US arrival airport must have a CDC-registered facility. The CDC publishes the current list of qualifying airports at cdc.gov/importation.
Common questions
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