Pet Transport Poland to United States: 2026 Guide

A move from Poland 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 4-8 weeks …

4-8 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Low

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Lead time needed

4-8 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Low

Airlines

2 carriers on this route

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

At least 6 weeks before travel

Ensure ISO microchip is implanted before vaccination.

Responsible: Polish veterinary practice

At least 30 days before travel

Administer rabies vaccination. Must be at least 30 days before US arrival.

Responsible: Licensed vet in Poland

Before booking cargo flight

Complete CDC Dog Import Form online at dogs.cdc.gov.

Responsible: Owner

Within 10 days of travel

Obtain health certificate from Polish vet, issued within 10 days of travel. In English or with translation.

Responsible: Licensed Polish vet

6-8 weeks before travel

Book cargo space on LOT 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 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 to be implanted before vaccination for the vaccination to count.

Rabies vaccination

Required for all dogs. Must be administered at least 30 days before arrival in the US.

Quarantine

No quarantine required for compliant arrivals.

Import permit

No USDA import permit required for pet dogs and cats. CDC Dog Import Form required for all dogs.

Health certificate

Health certificate from a licensed Polish vet, in English or with certified translation, issued within 10 days of travel.

Export permit

No separate export permit required.

Health certificate

Health certificate issued by a Polish veterinarian in a format compatible with US requirements. For cargo shipments, a certificate endorsed by the Polish veterinary authority is typically required.

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

LOT Polish Airlines

LOT operates direct flights from Warsaw Chopin (WAW) to New York JFK, Chicago O'Hare (ORD), and Los Angeles (LAX). Live animals travel as cargo. Book 6-8 weeks in advance and confirm live animal acceptance for the specific flight.

Cargo Only

Delta Air Lines

Delta connects Warsaw to US destinations via Amsterdam or other hubs. Delta Cargo accepts live animals on qualifying routes. Confirm routing and live animal acceptance before booking.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

Health certificate from Polish vet: approximately PLN 200-600 (USD 50-150)

LOT cargo WAW to US (JFK/ORD): USD 700-1,800 depending on crate size

CDC Dog Import Form: free

IATA-compliant travel kennel: USD 80-250

Critical points

The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed before travel. It is required for all dogs entering the US regardless of origin.

The 30-day minimum after rabies vaccination is a firm requirement for dogs from all countries, including non-high-risk ones.

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

The health certificate should be in English or include a certified translation.

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

For the US, the health certificate does not need to go through USDA APHIS endorsement on the Polish side (unlike the US to Poland direction, which requires APHIS endorsement). A certificate from a licensed Polish veterinarian in English is typically accepted. If you are unsure, ask your relocation agent or check the USDA APHIS pet import requirements for Poland directly.

LOT accepts small cats in cabin on some routes, including transatlantic routes, subject to weight limits (typically up to around 8 kg including carrier). Check LOT’s current cabin pet policy and book the cabin pet space at the time of ticket purchase, as cabin pet spaces are limited.

DHLPP vaccination is not a federal US import requirement. It is a standard part of a dog’s vaccination programme in Poland and is recommended by USDA APHIS, but it is not a condition of entry. The rabies vaccination is the only federally required vaccination for US import.

If your dog has never been vaccinated, you will need to: get the microchip implanted, give the primary rabies vaccination, wait 30 days, and then travel. The total preparation time is at least five to six weeks. There is no titre test required for Poland, so you do not need to wait for a titre test result.

The CDC Dog Import Form is an online form at dogs.cdc.gov that all dog owners must complete before bringing a dog into the US from any country. It records the dog’s details, vaccination history, and travel plans. It generates a QR code that you present at the US port of entry. It is free to complete.

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