Pet Transport from Germany to the United States

Dog has been only in these countries for 6 months before entry: CDC Dog Import Form receipt (valid 6 months), age 6 months, microchip, healthy; any airport, seaport or land border. Official source

• Import permit: 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
• Health certificate: 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
• Health certificate: 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
• Rabies vaccination: 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
• How your pet may travel: 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
• 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

• 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
• Minimum age: 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

• Export health certificate: Berlin example: apply to the district veterinary office three to four weeks before travel; fees are time-based under tariff 31050 of the Berlin VSGebO, from EUR 41 to EUR 615. Applies to dogs and cats leaving from Berlin (Treptow-Köpenick).
  Reisen mit Heimtieren, checked 1 October 2026
• Export health certificate: Rhein-Erft-Kreis example: the district veterinary office charges EUR 35 to issue a health certificate for a stay abroad; it is valid for at most 10 days. Applies to dogs and cats leaving from Rhein-Erft-Kreis.
  Gesundheitszeugnis für Auslandaufenthalte von Hunden/Katzen, checked 1 October 2026
• Export health certificate: Official veterinary health and vaccination certificates for pets travelling abroad are issued by the local veterinary office (Veterinäramt) of the city or district (example: Munich city Veterinäramt). Applies to dogs and cats leaving Germany for non-EU countries.
  Tiere im Ausland und bei Reisen, checked 1 October 2026
• Other conditions: Entry rules for dogs and cats vary widely between non-EU destinations (blood tests, parasite treatment, entry permits); owners must check the destination's rules in advance. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Germany for non-EU countries.
  Reisen mit Hund und Katze außerhalb der EU, checked 1 October 2026