PE
US

Pet Transport Peru to USA: High-Risk CDC Requirements and Lima to US Cargo 2026

Peru is classified as high-risk for dog rabies under the CDC's import rules. Dogs from Lima need the full high-risk pathway: SENASA-endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies …

12-20 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Medium-High
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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What's required
MicrochipISO-compatible microchip for dogs. Must …
Quarantine28-day quarantine at CDC-registered …
Step by step

The import process, in full

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

Responsible: Your vet

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

Responsible: Your vet

3
2-5 months before travel.
Titre test blood drawn at CDC-approved lab, at least 30 days after first valid vaccination and at least 28 days before US entry. OR reserve CDC-registered facility for 28-day quarantine.

Responsible: Your vet and lab

4
6 weeks before travel.
Apply for SENASA export authorisation at least 4 weeks before travel.

Responsible: You or agent

5
Before travel.
Complete CDC Dog Import Form online. Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form from SENASA-endorsed vet.

Responsible: You and vet

6
6-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo from Lima (LIM) to CDC-facility-accessible US airport (MIA, JFK, ATL, IAH).

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 the rabies vaccination. Source: CDC.
Quarantine
28-day quarantine at CDC-registered facility if no valid titre. Owner pays all costs.
Export permit
SENASA export authorisation required. Apply at least 4 weeks before travel.
Health certificate
Official vet certificate from a SENASA-authorised veterinarian, endorsed by SENASA Peru. For dogs, the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form (vet-completed, SENASA-endorsed) is required for the CDC high-risk pathway.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Peru to United States move gets missed.

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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

LATAM Airlines
LATAM operates from Lima Jorge Chavez (LIM) to Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and other US cities. LATAM Cargo is the primary carrier for Peru to USA pet transport. Miami (MIA) is the most direct and has CDC-registered facilities nearby. Book early.
Cargo Only
American Airlines
American Airlines flies LIM-MIA and other US routes. American Eagle Cargo accepts pets from Lima. Miami is a well-established CDC arrival airport for South American pets.
Cargo Only
United Airlines
United operates Lima to Houston (IAH) with cargo services. A viable alternative to Miami if scheduling suits.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

Serology titre at CDC-approved lab: USD 200-400
SENASA export authorisation and cert: USD 80-200
CDC certification form: USD 50-150
IATA crate: USD 80-300 if needed
Pet cargo Lima to US city: USD 900-2,500
Agent fees: USD 200-500
Total (titre pathway): USD 1,500-3,850

Critical points

Peru is CDC high-risk. Dogs must arrive at a US airport with a CDC-registered facility. No domestic US flights before completing facility processing.

The titre blood draw must happen at least 30 days after first valid vaccination AND at least 28 days before US entry. Both gaps must be satisfied independently.

Lima to US cargo mostly routes via Miami. Miami is a practical CDC arrival airport. Confirm the CDC facility status of your chosen arrival airport on cdc.gov before booking.

Peru bans Pit Bull Terriers in Lima (PPP legislation). The USA has no federal breed ban but check your destination state and city.

Titre test vs quarantine: the choice every owner faces

The CDC high-risk pathway gives you a choice. If you can produce a valid serology titre test result, your dog clears the CDC facility in a day on arrival, and there is no prolonged detention. If you cannot, or choose not to do the titre test, your dog spends 28 days at the CDC-registered facility after landing. You pay the facility costs.

For a large dog, 28 days of facility costs can run USD 2,000-3,500. The titre test itself costs USD 200-400 and requires some forward planning. Almost all owners who know about this choice in advance opt for the titre test.

The timing constraint is the thing that surprises people. The blood draw must happen at least 30 days after the first valid rabies vaccination, and the blood draw date must be at least 28 days before your US arrival date. That is two separate time gaps, both of which must be satisfied. If your dog was vaccinated four months ago, the 30-day gap is already covered. The 28-day pre-entry gap is the one to plan around.

Routing from Lima to the USA

Lima Jorge Chavez International (LIM) has good cargo connections to the US East Coast and West Coast. LATAM is the dominant carrier and offers Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), and Los Angeles (LAX) as main cargo routings. American Airlines serves Miami from Lima frequently.

Miami (MIA) is particularly practical for South American pet cargo: it has a high volume of international animal shipments, and CDC-registered animal care facilities operate in the Miami area. Your dog can arrive at Miami, complete CDC facility processing quickly if you have the titre test, and then travel domestically. If you do not have the titre test, Miami’s 28-day quarantine facilities are established and well-run.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. Peru appears on the CDC’s list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. Dogs from Peru face the full high-risk import pathway: SENASA-endorsed vaccination certification, CDC Dog Import Form, and either a valid serology titre or a 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered facility. Source: CDC cdc.gov/importation/dogs, 2026.
The dog is directed to a CDC-registered animal care facility for 28 days of quarantine. The owner pays all facility costs, which typically run USD 1,500-3,500 depending on the facility and dog size. The dog cannot travel domestically within the USA before completing the 28 days. Source: CDC.
Only airports with a CDC-registered animal care facility. The CDC publishes the current list at cdc.gov/importation/dogs. Miami (MIA) is the most common entry point for South American pets. JFK (New York), ATL (Atlanta), and IAH (Houston) are other options. Confirm the facility status of your chosen airport before booking.
No federal CDC or USDA requirements apply to pet cats from Peru. Cats can enter the USA freely from any country at any airport. Individual US states may have their own rules, but federally there are no barriers for cats. Source: USDA APHIS.
Pet cargo from Lima to Miami typically costs USD 900-2,500 depending on crate size. Add the serology titre test (USD 200-400), SENASA documentation (USD 80-200), and optional agent fees (USD 200-500). Total cost on the titre pathway runs USD 1,500-3,850. The quarantine pathway adds USD 1,500-3,500 on top of that.
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