Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
How we source our data →
Overview
Jamaica is one of the simpler countries to move a dog from into the USA. It is not on the CDC’s high-risk countries list, which means no serology titer test, no CDC-registered facility reservation, and no restricted arrival airport. The requirements are: a CDC Dog Import Form receipt (free, online), a detectable microchip, a dog that is at least six months old, and a current health certificate from a Jamaican vet. American Airlines, JetBlue, and Caribbean Airlines all serve Jamaica-to-US routes.
Step by step
The Jamaica to United States process
1
Immediately. These are the two non-negotiable CDC requirements.
Confirm your dog is at least 6 months old and has a detectable microchip
Responsible: Owner + Jamaican vet
2
Current vaccination is good practice and required by most airlines for transport.
Ensure rabies vaccination is current (recommended, not legally required for CDC)
Responsible: Jamaican vet
3
Within 10 days of travel (airlines typically require a health cert issued recently).
Obtain Jamaican VSD health certificate
Responsible: VSD-registered vet
4
Complete before travel. Receipt can be printed or on a mobile device.
Complete CDC Dog Import Form online at cdc.gov/importation. Keep the receipt.
Responsible: Owner
5
Any time. American Airlines, JetBlue, and Caribbean Airlines have regular direct services.
Book flight from KIN or MBJ to US destination
Responsible: Owner or agent
6
Travel day.
Travel day: arrive early, present CDC Dog Import Form receipt at the airline desk and to US customs on arrival.
Responsible: Owner + airline
Checklist
United States of America: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. Must be detectable with a universal ISO scanner. 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 chip preferred.
Rabies vaccination
CDC strongly recommends current rabies vaccination but does not mandate it for dogs from low-risk countries. USDA APHIS recommends current vaccination for all dogs.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Jamaica is not on the CDC high-risk countries list and is considered a low-risk or rabies-free country for dog import purposes. Source: CDC cdc.gov/importation/dogs, April 15, 2026.
Quarantine
No quarantine. Dogs arriving from low-risk countries can proceed directly after CDC inspection.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
CDC Dog Import Form receipt required. This is a free online form completed at cdc.gov/importation. No government endorsement of a separate cert is required for low-risk countries.
Leaving Jamaica
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
No formal export permit required for companion animals from Jamaica.
Health certificate
Veterinary health certificate from a Veterinary Services Division (VSD) registered vet in Jamaica. Confirms health, vaccination status, and microchip number. Good practice and required by most airlines for cargo or cabin travel.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
VSD health certificate: JMD 3,000-10,000 (approximately USD 20-65)
2
CDC Dog Import Form: free
3
Cargo KIN or MBJ to US destination: USD 200-900 depending on route and crate size
4
IATA crate (if cargo): USD 60-250
5
Airline cabin pet fee (if small enough for cabin): USD 100-200 one way
6
Total typical range: USD 300-1,200
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Jamaica is not CDC high-risk. This route does not require a serology titer or a CDC-registered facility reservation. Do not pay for either of these if a service provider tells you they are required.
⚠ The CDC Dog Import Form is free and completed online by the owner. No vet or government endorsement required for the form from a low-risk country.
⚠ Dogs must be at least 6 months old on the day of US entry. Puppies under 6 months cannot enter the USA.
⚠ Cats have no CDC requirements. No form or titer is needed for cats.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
American Airlines
Direct and connecting flights from Kingston (KIN) and Montego Bay (MBJ) to major US hubs: Miami (MIA), New York JFK, and others. AA allows small pets in cabin (up to 7kg including carrier) on many routes. Cargo service for larger pets via American Airlines Cargo.
Cargo and Cabin
JetBlue
Direct flights MBJ and KIN to New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS). Small pets in cabin on domestic and Caribbean routes. Check cargo pet policy for the Jamaica routes specifically.
Cargo and Cabin
Caribbean Airlines
Caribbean Airlines connects KIN and MBJ to Miami and New York JFK. Their cargo services handle live animals on Caribbean routes.
Cargo Only
Spirit Airlines
Flights from MBJ to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and other Florida gateways. Check current pet in cabin policy.
Cargo and Cabin
What 'low-risk' actually means for Jamaica and the CDC process
The CDC divides countries into two broad categories: those on the high-risk list, where the presence of dog-mediated rabies transmission requires additional documentation and arrival at a CDC-registered facility, and those not on the list, which are treated as low-risk or rabies-free.
Jamaica is not on the CDC high-risk list. For a dog from Jamaica, the only CDC-specific requirement is completing the Dog Import Form online at cdc.gov/importation and keeping the receipt. The form is free and takes about 10 minutes. No titer test, no government endorsement, no restricted arrival airport. The dog can land at MIA, JFK, BOS, ORD, or any other US port of entry.
Cats have no CDC requirements at all. A Jamaican cat can enter the USA with a standard health certificate and no additional steps.
Airline options from Kingston and Montego Bay
Jamaica has regular direct service to US cities on several carriers. American Airlines flies from Kingston (Norman Manley International, KIN) and Montego Bay (Sangster International, MBJ) to Miami (MIA), New York JFK, Philadelphia, and other hubs. JetBlue has direct services from MBJ and KIN to JFK and Boston. Caribbean Airlines connects to Miami and New York as well.
For small pets travelling in cabin, check the specific airline’s weight and carrier size limits. American Airlines allows pets in cabin on Caribbean routes; JetBlue permits cabin pets on select routes. For larger dogs that must travel as cargo, confirm cargo service with the airline well in advance. Many Caribbean routes have limited cargo capacity for live animals.
FAQ
Common questions
No formal export permit is required. You need a VSD health certificate from a registered vet confirming your dog is healthy and vaccinated. The Veterinary Services Division (VSD) of Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture oversees this.
If your dog fits in an airline-approved under-seat carrier with a total weight (dog plus carrier) within the airline’s cabin limit (typically 7-8kg), yes. American Airlines and JetBlue allow cabin pets on Jamaica-to-US routes on many aircraft types. Check the current policy directly with the airline before booking.
Most airlines require proof of rabies vaccination to accept a pet for cargo or cabin transport, regardless of CDC rules. The vaccination is also strongly recommended by the CDC. Bring the vaccination certificate even though it is not a federal CDC entry requirement.
Customs may hold your dog while the form is completed. The form is free and available online, so completing it before travel avoids any delay. You can present the receipt on a mobile device or as a printout.