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Pet Transport Ghana to USA: CDC High-Risk Pathway and Accra Cargo Options 2026

Relocating a pet from Ghana to United States follows a clear path once you understand what United States asks for. This route takes some organising, and roughly 12-20 weeks of …

12-20 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
High
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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Lead time needed
12-20 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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What's required
MicrochipISO-compatible microchip for dogs. Must …
In short: Preparing to move a pet from Ghana to United States typically takes around 12-20 weeks.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
Start of planning.
ISO-compatible microchip implanted, predating vaccination.

Responsible: Your vet

2
3-5 months before travel.
Primary rabies vaccination confirmed. Note date.

Responsible: Your vet

3
2-5 months before travel.
Serology titre blood drawn 30+ days post-vaccination, 28+ days before US entry, CDC-approved lab. OR reserve CDC facility for 28-day quarantine.

Responsible: Vet and lab

4
6-8 weeks before travel.
VSD export permit applied for, at least 6 weeks before travel.

Responsible: You or agent

5
Before travel.
CDC Dog Import Form completed. VSD-endorsed certification form obtained.

Responsible: You and vet

6
6-8 weeks before travel.
Cargo booked from Accra (ACC) to CDC-accessible US airport.

Responsible: You or cargo agent

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
ISO-compatible microchip for dogs. Must predate rabies vaccination. Source: CDC.
Export permit
VSD export permit required. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel.
Health certificate
Official certificate from Ghana-registered vet, endorsed by Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD). Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form (VSD-endorsed) for CDC high-risk pathway.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Ghana to United States move gets missed.

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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

Delta Air Lines
Delta operates from Accra (ACC) to Atlanta (ATL) and New York (JFK). Delta Cargo accepts pets. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson has CDC-registered facilities. A strong option for Ghana to US pet cargo.
Cargo Only
British Airways
British Airways operates ACC-LHR. Onward cargo connections to US cities via partner carriers. BA is a well-established carrier from Accra; confirm US connection routing.
Cargo Only
United Airlines
United connects via European or African hubs to US cities. Confirm routing and cargo acceptance for Accra to US shipments.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

Serology titre at CDC-approved lab: USD 200-400
VSD permit and endorsement: GHS 200-600
IATA crate: USD 80-300 if needed
Pet cargo Accra to US: USD 1,200-3,000
Agent fees: USD 250-500
Total (titre pathway): USD 1,800-4,200

Critical points

Ghana is CDC high-risk. Dogs must arrive at a CDC-facility-accessible US airport. Delta to Atlanta (ATL) is one of the better-established routings from Accra.

Accra to the US is a long journey with connections. Confirm transit conditions and live animal handling at connecting airports before booking.

VSD permit takes at least 6 weeks and may require animal inspection. Allow adequate lead time.

Ghana's own quarantine (7-day) applies to pets IMPORTING into Ghana, not exporting. Exporting from Ghana does not require a quarantine period within Ghana.

The rules for bringing a pet into United States

United States asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.

How to keep this move on track

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.

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. Ghana appears on the CDC’s list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. All dogs from Ghana require the full high-risk pathway: VSD-endorsed vaccination certification, CDC Dog Import Form, and either a valid serology titre test or 28-day facility quarantine on arrival. Source: CDC cdc.gov/importation/dogs, 2026.
Delta Air Lines operates ACC-ATL (Atlanta), which is the most direct routing from Accra to a CDC-registered-facility-accessible US airport. British Airways from Accra connects to the US via London, but this adds transit complexity. Confirm current cargo availability and routing before booking.
The Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) is Ghana’s national animal health authority under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The CDC requires that the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form be endorsed by the national veterinary authority of the departing country. For Ghana, that is the VSD. Without VSD endorsement, the form is not valid for the CDC high-risk pathway. Source: CDC.
Allow 12 to 20 weeks. VSD permit takes 6 weeks. The titre test pathway requires: 30 days from vaccination to blood draw, CDC-approved lab turnaround (1-3 weeks), and the 28-day pre-entry gap. For dogs with an existing current vaccination, the timeline compresses to around 3-4 months. Start the process as early as possible.
No federal requirements. Cats from Ghana can enter any US airport without a titre test, CDC facility processing, or quarantine. Individual US states may have their own rules, but federally there are no barriers for cats from any country. Source: USDA APHIS.
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