Pet Transport Netherlands to USA: 2026 Guide

Moving a dog or cat from Netherlands to United States is very doable with the right preparation. Expect about 4-8 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines …

4-8 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Medium

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Lead time needed

4-8 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Medium

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Netherlands to United States typically takes around 4-8 weeks.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The import process, in full

At least 4-8 weeks before travel.

Confirm microchip is ISO-standard and rabies vaccination is current (for dogs).

Responsible: Vet

Before travel. Complete in advance.

Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online (dogs only). No fee.

Responsible: Owner

Within 10 days of travel.

Dutch official vet (NVWA-authorised) issues health certificate meeting USDA requirements.

Responsible: NVWA-authorised Dutch vet

4-8 weeks before travel. Cabin spaces are limited on popular routes.

Book cabin space on KLM or Delta (small pets) or cargo space for larger pets.

Responsible: Owner or agent

On travel date.

Travel to the USA from Amsterdam Schiphol. CDC inspection on arrival. Present CDC form and health certificate for dogs.

Responsible: Owner / airline

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

Required for all dogs entering the USA. ISO 11784/11785 strongly recommended. Non-ISO chip owners must bring a compatible reader.

Rabies vaccination

Required for dogs. Must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and recorded. Cats have no federal rabies vaccination requirement for US entry.

Import permit

No formal import permit. The CDC Dog Import Form is the required registration for dogs. Cats have no federal documentation requirement.

Health certificate

Dutch official vet health certificate, endorsed by the NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority), meeting USDA requirements. Present at CDC inspection on arrival.

Export permit

No Netherlands export permit required for companion dogs and cats.

Health certificate

Official health certificate issued by a Dutch official veterinarian (authorized by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, NVWA). Must reference the microchip number, rabies vaccination history, and general health status. USDA APHIS requires the certificate to meet its specific format for US entry.

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

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Small dogs and cats (max 8 kg including bag) in the cabin on international routes. Larger pets via KLM Cargo in the hold. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) hub. Direct services to New York JFK, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Washington DC and Minneapolis.

Mixed

Delta Air Lines

KLM partner (both in SkyTeam). Delta Cargo and cabin pet options on Amsterdam to USA routes. Check cabin availability for your specific Delta flight.

Mixed

United Airlines

United PetSafe cargo is currently suspended for general public bookings. Confirm current availability before planning around United.

Cargo Only

American Airlines

American Airlines Cargo on Netherlands to USA routes via Amsterdam or connecting European hubs.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

KLM cabin pet fee: approx EUR 75 to EUR 125 each way (small pets)

Cargo fee (larger pets, Netherlands to USA): EUR 1,000 to EUR 3,000 depending on size and carrier

IATA-compliant crate (if cargo): EUR 100 to EUR 400

Dutch official vet health certificate (NVWA-endorsed): EUR 100 to EUR 300

CDC Dog Import Form: no fee

Total typical range: EUR 600 to EUR 4,000

Critical points

The CDC Dog Import Form is mandatory for all dogs entering the USA, including from the Netherlands. Complete it before travel. Dogs arriving without the form risk refusal of entry or quarantine at the owner's expense.

Cats have no federal US documentation requirements. Check airline requirements separately, as most carriers require a health certificate even for cats.

KLM allows small dogs and cats in the cabin on direct Amsterdam to USA flights. This is a significant advantage on the approximately 8-9 hour transatlantic journey. Book cabin space at the same time as your own seat.

United Airlines PetSafe cargo is currently suspended for general public bookings. KLM, Delta, and American Airlines are the main options for this route.

Hawaii applies its own quarantine system separate from the federal CDC requirements. If Hawaii is your final destination, research HDOA requirements independently.

What United States requires

Getting a pet into United States is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.

Avoiding the common mistakes

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.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

FAQ

Common questions

No. There is no routine quarantine for correctly documented dogs from the Netherlands entering the USA. You need a completed CDC Dog Import Form, a current rabies vaccination, and a health certificate from a Dutch official vet (NVWA-endorsed). CDC inspection at the arrival airport is brief for well-documented pets from the Netherlands. Hawaii applies its own quarantine programme separately, regardless of where the pet flew from.

Yes, on KLM. KLM allows small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin on direct Amsterdam to USA routes, provided the pet plus bag weighs no more than 8 kg and the carrier fits under the seat. Book the cabin space when you book your own ticket. Delta, as KLM’s SkyTeam partner, may also offer cabin pet options on some transatlantic routes. Check at the time of booking.

Dogs entering the USA from the Netherlands need: (1) a completed CDC Dog Import Form (completed before travel, no fee); (2) a current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed vet; (3) a health certificate issued by a Dutch NVWA-authorised official vet and endorsed by the NVWA. An ISO microchip is required. Present the CDC form and health certificate at the CDC inspection desk on arrival.

Cats have no federal documentation requirements when entering the USA from the Netherlands. Your airline will likely require a health certificate, so confirm with your carrier. Hawaii applies strict quarantine rules to cats, separately from the federal requirements.

For a small pet in the KLM cabin, expect EUR 75 to EUR 125 for the cabin fee plus EUR 100 to EUR 300 for the health certificate. Total typically EUR 300 to EUR 600 for small cabin pets. Larger pets in the cargo hold typically cost EUR 1,500 to EUR 4,000 all in, including crate, health certificate, and cargo fees.

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