PT
US
Pet Transport from Portugal to the United States
Portugal is not on the CDC high-risk country list, which means dogs from Portugal have a simple path into the USA. Complete the free CDC Dog Import Form online, ensure the dog is microchipped and at …
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Days quarantine on arrival
3
Airlines on this route
Step by step
The Portugal to United States import process
01
Before travel. Free, valid for 6 months for multiple low-risk country entries.
Complete CDC Dog Import Form online and save the receipt
Responsible: Dog owner (at cdc.gov)
02
6-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo with TAP or BA
Responsible: You or your IATA-registered cargo agent
03
Within 10 days of travel for airline purposes.
Vet health certificate or EU pet passport
Responsible: Your Portuguese veterinarian
04
Dogs from non-high-risk countries can arrive at any US airport. Brief inspection for compliant pets.
US arrival: CBP/CDC inspection
Responsible: CDC/CBP at US port of entry
Requirements
United States entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required for all dogs. Must be implanted before rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Strongly recommended but not required by CDC for dogs from low-risk countries. Cats: no federal vaccination requirement.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Portugal is not on the CDC high-risk country list.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
No specific CDC-mandated format for dogs from non-high-risk countries. Standard vet health certificate or EU pet passport required by airlines.
Leaving Portugal
Export requirements
Export permit
No formal export permit required from Portugal.
Health certificate
EU pet passport or Portuguese official vet health certificate. Standard vet documentation required by airlines.
Costs
What this route typically costs
TAP or BA cargo fee from Portugal to USA
IATA-compliant crate
Portuguese vet health certificate
IATA-registered cargo agent fee
Critical points
Dogs must be at least 6 months old to enter the USA. This applies to all dogs regardless of origin.
The CDC Dog Import Form receipt is the key document at the US border. Complete it online before travel and have it accessible on arrival.
Cats from Portugal have no US federal import requirements. Airlines require vet documentation, and some US states have their own rules.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
| Airline | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| TAP Air Portugal | Cargo from LIS and OPO to JFK, Newark, Boston, Miami, and other US gateways. TAP is the primary carrier on this corridor and the most direct route for pets from Portugal to the USA. | Cargo Only |
| British Airways | Cargo from LIS via LHR to US destinations. Two-leg connection at Heathrow. | Cargo Only |
| United | Small pets in cabin on some transatlantic routes. No general cargo service. Not suitable for large dogs. | Cabin Only |
At a glance: Portugal to USA vs other EU-origin USA routes
| Requirement | Portugal to USA | Spain to USA | Italy to USA | France to USA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDC risk classification | Non-high-risk | Non-high-risk | Non-high-risk | Non-high-risk |
| CDC Dog Import Form | Yes (free) | Yes (free) | Yes (free) | Yes (free) |
| Titre test | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Quarantine | None | None | None | None |
| Cats: federal requirements | None | None | None | None |
| Primary carrier | TAP Air Portugal | Iberia | ITA Airways | Air France |
| Complexity | Moderate (cargo) | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. Portugal is not on the CDC high-risk country list. Dogs from Portugal are treated as coming from a non-high-risk country. The process is: complete the free CDC Dog Import Form online, ensure the dog is microchipped, at least 6 months old, and appears healthy. No titre test, no quarantine, no specialist facility required.
TAP Air Portugal is the most direct option, with cargo services from Lisbon (LIS) and Porto (OPO) to JFK, Newark, Boston, and Miami. British Airways provides an alternative via London Heathrow. Confirm current live animal acceptance with your chosen airline before booking.
At the US federal level, there are no requirements for importing pet cats from Portugal. USDA APHIS has no health restrictions. In practice, airlines require a vet-issued health certificate for cargo shipments, and some US states have their own rules. Check your destination state and your airline’s specific policy.
Yes. Dogs from non-high-risk countries including Portugal can arrive at any US airport, seaport, or land border crossing. There is no requirement to arrive at an airport with a CDC-registered facility. The CDC/CBP inspection is brief for compliant pets and the dog is released on arrival.
The CDC Dog Import Form receipt is valid for 6 months and can be used for multiple entries if the dog has remained in non-high-risk countries throughout that period. Complete the form online at cdc.gov before travel. It is free and takes about 15 minutes.
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