Pet Transport from Germany to the United States
Germany to the USA is one of the busiest pet transport corridors in the world. Frankfurt is well-connected to most major US cities, and the German veterinary system is well set up for the USDA documentation process. No titre test, no quarantine, and no long …
The Germany to United States import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Owner (dogs only)
Responsible: Veterinarian
Responsible: Veterinarian + USDA APHIS
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner + airline cargo team
Responsible: CBP and USDA at US airport
What your pet needs to enter United States
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
The CDC Dog Import Form (DIF) is required for all dogs entering the USA since August 2024. Arriving without it risks refusal of entry or confinement at owner's expense. This applies to Germany-origin dogs.
No cabin pets on transatlantic flights. All dogs and cats must travel as cargo. Journey time from Frankfurt to US East Coast is typically 9-10 hours; West Coast 12-13 hours.
Brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs) face year-round cargo restrictions on most carriers. Some carriers will not accept these breeds on any route.
USDA APHIS endorsement of the health certificate must happen before departure from Germany. The certificate cannot be endorsed in the USA after arrival.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
What is the CDC Dog Import Form and does it apply to dogs from Germany?
Since August 2024, all dogs entering the United States require a completed CDC Dog Import Form (DIF), regardless of their country of origin. The DIF is completed through the CDC’s online portal before travel. It records your dog’s microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and confirms the dog has not recently been in a high-risk country for dog screwworm.
Germany is not on the CDC’s high-risk country list, so the process for German-origin dogs is administrative. You complete the form, receive a confirmation, and present it at the US port of entry alongside the USDA-endorsed health certificate. Dogs arriving without a valid DIF risk being refused entry or detained for confinement at the owner’s expense.
Cats are not covered by the CDC DIF requirement. A USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of US arrival is the main document required for cats entering from Germany.
How does the USDA-endorsed health certificate work from Germany?
The USDA-format health certificate must be signed by a licensed veterinarian in Germany and then endorsed by USDA APHIS before the pet boards the plane. USDA APHIS handles endorsements for German-origin pets through its international veterinary export programme. Your vet or a pet transport agent experienced on this corridor can advise on the current submission process and turnaround time.
Allow 1-3 business days for the USDA endorsement after the vet has signed the certificate. The entire certificate must be issued within 10 days of your pet landing in the USA, which requires careful timing. The USDA endorsement fee is approximately USD 38 per certificate (verify at aphis.usda.gov). Pet transport agents experienced on the Germany-USA corridor typically manage the endorsement step as part of their service.
Which airlines carry pets as cargo from Germany to the USA?
All cats and dogs on transatlantic Germany-USA routes travel as cargo. There are no cabin pet options on long-haul transatlantic flights. Frankfurt Airport has a large cargo hub with carriers including Lufthansa, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta all handling live animal shipments on FRA-USA routes.
Lufthansa Cargo is the most established option from Frankfurt. Their Animal Lounge at Frankfurt handles live animals with dedicated facilities and temperature control. For the FRA-JFK corridor, a direct service is preferable to a routing via a European hub, which adds transfer handling. Book cargo pet slots at least four to six weeks in advance, and eight weeks or more for summer departures when temperature embargoes reduce availability for brachycephalic breeds.