Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
How we source our data →
Overview
Slovenia is not on the CDC’s high-risk countries list for dog rabies, which means the US entry process is the standard non-high-risk route: microchip, vaccination, health certificate, and the CDC Dog Import Form. No serology titer, no CDC facility reservation, no quarantine for vaccinated dogs. The key practical task is routing the cargo from Ljubljana (LJU) via a European hub to a US arrival airport, as no direct Slovenia-to-USA cargo service exists. Cats from Slovenia face no CDC requirements.
Step by step
The Slovenia to United States process
1
Start here. Chip before any rabies vaccination is given.
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) - must precede vaccination
Responsible: Slovenian vet
2
After microchipping. Record the vaccination date precisely. A 28-day period must pass after the vaccination before US entry for newly vaccinated dogs.
Rabies vaccination - dog must be at least 12 weeks old
Responsible: Slovenian vet
3
Allow 2-3 working days for UVHVR endorsement. The form is valid 30 days from vet signature. Must be valid on the day of US arrival.
Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form: vet completes, UVHVR endorses
Responsible: Slovenian vet + UVHVR
4
Within the week before travel. Keep the receipt. Present it at US arrival.
Complete CDC Dog Import Form at cdc.gov/importation
Responsible: Owner
5
4-6 weeks before travel. Transatlantic cargo on live animals books quickly. Confirm live animal acceptance on every leg.
Book cargo from Ljubljana via European hub to US
Responsible: Owner or agent
6
Travel day. Ljubljana to US gateway via VIE or FRA: typically 12-16 hours total including connection.
Travel from Ljubljana to USA via European hub
Responsible: Airline cargo + owner
Checklist
United States of America: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required for dogs. ISO 11784/11785 or comparable standard. Must be implanted before or concurrently with the first rabies vaccination. Chip number must be consistent across all documentation.
Rabies vaccination
Required for dogs. Must be at least 12 weeks old at time of first vaccination. Must be administered after microchipping. A 28-day post-vaccination period must pass before US entry if the vaccination is newly administered.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Slovenia is NOT on the CDC high-risk countries list for dog rabies. A rabies serology titer is not required for dogs from Slovenia.
Quarantine
Not required for vaccinated dogs from non-high-risk countries with valid documentation.
Import permit
Not required for personal companion animals.
Health certificate
Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form completed by the attending Slovenian vet and endorsed by the UVHVR official vet. Valid 30 days from vet signature, single use. Plus the CDC Dog Import Form receipt, submitted online at cdc.gov/importation.
Leaving Slovenia
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
No export permit required for companion dogs or cats leaving Slovenia.
Health certificate
Official export health certificate issued by an officially authorised Slovenian vet and endorsed by the UVHVR. For dogs entering the USA, the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form (or equivalent) must also be completed. Issued within 10 days of US entry.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
UVHVR-endorsed health certificate and Certification form: EUR 100-250
2
CDC Dog Import Form submission: free
3
Cargo LJU to US gateway via European hub: EUR 800-2,200
4
IATA travel crate: EUR 80-250
5
Pet transport agent (recommended): EUR 400-1,000
6
Total typical range: EUR 1,400-3,700
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Slovenia is NOT on the CDC high-risk countries list. Dogs do not need a rabies serology titer for US entry from Slovenia. This simplifies the process significantly compared with high-risk countries.
⚠ Cats from Slovenia face no federal CDC import requirements. Bring basic health records, ensure your cat appears healthy, and you should clear US customs without issue.
⚠ The Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form must be endorsed by the UVHVR official vet, not just signed by your private Slovenian vet. Plan for this endorsement step: it typically takes 1-2 working days.
⚠ No direct Ljubljana-to-USA cargo flights exist. The connection via Vienna (VIE) or Frankfurt (FRA) is standard. Confirm live animal acceptance on both legs, particularly on the transatlantic segment.
⚠ The CDC Dog Import Form expires after a single use and is tied to your specific travel booking. Complete it close to your travel date, not weeks in advance.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Austrian Airlines via Vienna
Austrian Airlines connects Ljubljana (LJU) to Vienna (VIE), where US-bound connections depart with multiple carriers. Austrian Airlines itself operates Vienna to US cities. A practical routing from Ljubljana via VIE to US gateways.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa via Frankfurt
Via Vienna or connecting to Frankfurt (FRA), Lufthansa operates to multiple US CDC-qualified airports. Frankfurt Animal Lounge at FRA is excellent for live animal cargo. Cargo from FRA to JFK, LAX, MIA, ORD, and other US airports is well-established.
Cargo Only
United Airlines via Frankfurt or London
United Airlines operates transatlantic cargo to US airports. Connection from Ljubljana via VIE or FRA to United's US hubs. Confirm live animal acceptance on the transatlantic leg before booking.
Cargo Only
KLM via Amsterdam
KLM connects Ljubljana via connections to Amsterdam (AMS), then AMS to US East Coast. AMS to JFK is a well-established live animal cargo route. KLM Cargo at AMS handles transatlantic live animal shipments with good infrastructure.
Cargo Only
The CDC Dog Import Form and what it means for Slovenian pets
The CDC requires all dog owners to complete a Dog Import Form online at cdc.gov/importation before their dog arrives in the USA. This is a short online form that records your dog’s vaccination history, microchip number, and travel itinerary. Complete it within the week before travel and keep the receipt confirmation.
For dogs from non-high-risk countries like Slovenia, the form is the main CDC requirement beyond the vaccination and microchip. If your dog is up to date on rabies, chipped correctly, and the form is complete, US arrival should be smooth. CBP (Customs and Border Protection) and USDA APHIS inspect dogs at the port of entry.
The Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form is a separate document from the CDC form. It is completed by your Slovenian vet and must be endorsed by the UVHVR (Slovenia’s government veterinary authority). The UVHVR endorsement typically takes 1-2 working days. This document is valid for 30 days from the vet’s signature.
Routing from Ljubljana to the USA
Ljubljana Airport (LJU) does not have direct transatlantic cargo services. The practical routes are: Ljubljana to Vienna (VIE) on Austrian Airlines, then VIE to a US city; or Ljubljana via Vienna to Frankfurt (FRA), then FRA to the US via Lufthansa. Both VIE and FRA have good live animal handling for transatlantic cargo.
KLM via Amsterdam (AMS) is another option: Ljubljana to AMS via connections, then AMS to US East Coast. The AMS-to-JFK route carries live animal cargo regularly.
US arrival airports to consider: JFK, LAX, ORD, MIA, and IAD are all practical depending on your US destination. None require CDC facility reservations for dogs from non-high-risk countries like Slovenia (as long as the dog is vaccinated).
FAQ
Common questions
No. Slovenia is not on the CDC’s list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. The serology titer requirement applies only to dogs arriving from high-risk countries. For Slovenian dogs, a valid rabies vaccination and the completed CDC Dog Import Form are the key requirements. Source: CDC cdc.gov/importation.
No. Dogs from non-high-risk countries with valid rabies vaccinations do not need to arrive at a CDC-registered facility. You can arrive at any US port of entry. The CDC facility reservation requirement applies to dogs from high-risk countries and unvaccinated dogs.
The UVHVR (Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection) is Slovenia’s government veterinary authority. Its endorsement on the health certificate confirms the issuing vet is officially authorised. US Customs and USDA APHIS require the government authority stamp on foreign health certificates to confirm their validity.
No federal CDC requirements apply to cats entering the USA. Cats should appear healthy at the port of entry. Carry basic vaccination records for your cat in case of any inspection. If your cat has any travel-specific health concerns, a basic vet health certificate from a Slovenian vet is worth having even though it is not legally required.