Pet Transport Israel to United States: 2026 Guide

A move from Israel to United States with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Preparation is relatively light here, so plan on about 2-6 weeks …

2-6 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Low

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Lead time needed

2-6 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Low

Airlines

2 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Israel to United States typically takes around 2-6 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The import process, in full

Well before travel

Confirm ISO microchip is implanted and recorded.

Responsible: Israeli veterinary clinic

At least 30 days before departure for dogs, to ensure documentation is clear

Ensure rabies vaccination is current. This is required for all dogs.

Responsible: Licensed vet in Israel

Before departure

Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online (dogs.cdc.gov). Submit or have ready for port of entry.

Responsible: Owner

Within validity window before travel

Obtain MOARD veterinary health certificate from an Israeli official vet.

Responsible: MOARD-authorised vet

4-6 weeks before travel

Book cargo or cabin space on El Al direct flight to the US. Confirm live animal acceptance.

Responsible: Owner or relocation agent

On arrival

Arrive at CDC-approved US port of entry. Present CDC form and documentation.

Responsible: Owner and USDA/CDC inspectors

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 strongly recommended. Required for re-entry to Israel. USDA and CDC both recognise ISO 11784/11785.

Rabies vaccination

Required for all dogs. Must be current at time of arrival in the US.

Quarantine

No quarantine required for compliant arrivals.

Import permit

No USDA import permit required for pet dogs and cats. A CDC Dog Import Form must be submitted for all dogs regardless of origin.

Health certificate

USDA APHIS-compatible health certificate or MOARD health certificate accepted. A USDA-accredited vet examination on the US side may be required depending on entry paperwork.

Export permit

No separate export permit required. MOARD health certificate covers the export step.

Health certificate

Official veterinary health certificate issued by the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MOARD). Must accompany the pet to the US.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Israel 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.

El Al

El Al operates direct flights from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion (TLV) to New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, and Miami. Small pets may be accepted in cabin on some routes; larger pets travel as cargo. Confirm current pet policies and cargo acceptance with El Al directly before booking.

Mixed

United Airlines

United PetSafe accepts cargo pets on qualifying routes from TLV via European connections. Confirm live animal acceptance, kennel requirements, and seasonal embargoes for your specific routing.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

MOARD health certificate: minimal official vet fee

El Al cargo TLV to JFK/LAX/MIA: USD 900-2,500 depending on crate size and route

CDC Dog Import Form: free to submit

Port of entry inspection: minimal or no fee for compliant arrivals

IATA-compliant travel kennel: USD 80-250

Critical points

The CDC Dog Import Form is required for ALL dogs entering the US from any country, including Israel. Complete it before travel.

Israel is not on the CDC high-risk country list, so no titre test is required. However, proof of current rabies vaccination must be available on arrival.

Dogs must arrive at a CDC-approved port of entry. El Al's direct US destinations (JFK, LAX, MIA) are all CDC-approved ports.

Cats from Israel face no federal US import requirements but must comply with airline pet policies.

United States entry requirements at a glance

The requirements for United States are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.

Getting the details right

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.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. At the port of entry, USDA APHIS inspectors will check your pet’s documentation including the health certificate, rabies vaccination record, microchip, and the CDC Dog Import Form (for dogs). The inspection is brief for compliant arrivals. No separate appointment is needed; the inspection happens as part of the cargo or passenger arrival process.

El Al permits small pets in cabin on some routes, subject to weight limits (typically up to around 8 kg including the carrier). For dogs over this weight limit, cargo is the only option. Confirm the current cabin pet policy with El Al when booking, as it is subject to change.

For pets coming from Israel, a USDA APHIS endorsement of the export health certificate is not required on the Israeli side. The MOARD health certificate is the standard outbound document. On the US side, USDA APHIS inspectors at the port of entry review the documentation presented.

Cats from Israel face no federal US import requirements. The airline will require a health certificate issued by a licensed vet for the cat to travel. Some airlines also require a fit-to-fly declaration. Check with El Al or your chosen carrier for their specific health certificate requirements for cats.

Israel’s re-entry requirements for pets include a microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an import permit. The exact requirements depend on whether Israel is on the relevant high or low-risk list at the time of return. Check with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture before finalising your return timeline.

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