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Pet Transport Pakistan to USA: CDC High-Risk Requirements and 2026 Routing

Getting a pet from Pakistan to United States is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. Set aside roughly 14-22 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the …

14-22 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
High
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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Lead time needed
14-22 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
High
Airlines
4 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 Pakistan to United States typically takes around 14-22 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
Primary rabies vaccination confirmed. Note date.

Responsible: Your vet

3
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
AQD export permit applied for, at least 6 weeks before travel.

Responsible: You or agent

5
CDC Dog Import Form online. AQD-endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form completed.

Responsible: You and vet

6
Cargo booked from LHE, KHI, or ISB to CDC-accessible US airport via Gulf hub.

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 vaccination.
Export permit
AQD export permit required. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel.
Health certificate
Official cert from AQD-endorsed Pakistani vet. Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form (AQD-endorsed) for CDC high-risk pathway.
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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.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
PIA does not have direct Pakistan-USA flights. US routing goes via a connecting hub. PIA to Toronto, then onward, or via European gateways. Confirm current routing options and live animal acceptance with PIA Cargo.
Cargo Only
Emirates
Via Dubai (DXB) from LHE, KHI, or ISB. Emirates SkyCargo connects to New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Houston (IAH). CDC-facility-accessible airports. Summer heat embargoes at DXB.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways Cargo
Via Doha (DOH) from Pakistani cities to US destinations. Qatar Airways Cargo accepts pets. A reliable Gulf hub routing for Pakistan to USA pet cargo.
Cargo Only
British Airways
From LHE or ISB to London Heathrow, then onward cargo connections to US cities. Two transits but on well-established carriers.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

Serology titre test: USD 200-400
AQD permit and endorsement: USD 18-55
IATA crate: USD 80-300 if needed
Pet cargo Pakistan to US (via Gulf hub): USD 1,200-3,500
Agent fees: USD 250-500
Total (titre pathway): USD 1,750-4,755

Critical points

Pakistan is CDC high-risk. Dogs must arrive at a US airport with a CDC-registered facility.

There are no direct Pakistan to USA cargo flights. All routes transit through Gulf hubs (Dubai, Doha) or European hubs. This is a long journey for your pet, typically 18-24+ hours including transit.

Summer heat embargoes at Dubai (June-September) affect Emirates SkyCargo. Plan around this or use Qatar Airways or the European routing.

AQD may require animal inspection in Pakistan before issuing the export permit. Factor this into the timeline.

United States import rules, explained

United States has a detailed set of import rules, and each one needs to be satisfied before travel. None of it is unusual, but the order and timing are what catch people out.

Practical tips for this move

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. Pakistan is classified as a high-risk country for dog rabies under the CDC’s import rules. Dogs from Pakistan require the full high-risk pathway: AQD-endorsed vaccination certification, CDC Dog Import Form, and either a valid serology titre or 28-day facility quarantine. Source: CDC cdc.gov/importation/dogs, 2026.
Airports with CDC-registered animal care facilities, including New York JFK (accessible via Emirates or Qatar from Gulf hubs), Los Angeles LAX (Emirates), Houston IAH, and others. Check cdc.gov for the current approved list. JFK is the most common destination for Middle East and South Asian cargo routings.
Yes. British Airways from Lahore (LHE) or Islamabad (ISB) to London Heathrow, then onward to a US city, avoids Gulf summer heat embargoes. This adds an extra transit and extends journey time, but it is a valid option for June to September travel.
No federal requirements. Cats from Pakistan can enter any US airport without titre test, CDC facility, or quarantine. Individual US states may have their own requirements. Source: USDA APHIS.
Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB) have the strongest direct connections to London (British Airways) which then connects to the USA. Karachi (KHI) has strong Gulf connections via Emirates and Qatar. Choose based on your location and the routing that best suits your travel dates and carrier preference.
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Airline guides
  • Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
  • Emirates
  • Qatar Airways Cargo
  • British Airways
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