Pet Transport Switzerland to USA: 2026 Guide
Moving a pet from Switzerland to the USA is a manageable route with the right preparation. Dogs need a CDC Dog Import Form, a current rabies vaccination, and a USDA-endorsed health …
The import process, in full
Responsible: Vet
Responsible: Owner
Responsible: Swiss official vet
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner / airline
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Switzerland to United States move gets missed.
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
The CDC Dog Import Form is mandatory for all dogs entering the USA, including from Switzerland. Complete it before travel. Dogs arriving without the form risk refusal of entry or quarantine at the owner's expense.
Cats have no federal US documentation requirements. Check airline requirements separately, as carriers typically require a health certificate even for cats.
SWISS allows small dogs and cats in the cabin on direct Zurich to USA flights. This avoids the stress of a transatlantic hold journey for small pets. Book cabin space early.
United Airlines PetSafe cargo is currently suspended for general public bookings. SWISS, Delta, British Airways, and American Airlines are the main alternatives.
Hawaii applies its own strict quarantine programme, separate from federal CDC requirements. If Hawaii is your destination, research HDOA requirements independently.
The CDC Dog Import Form for Switzerland-based pets
The CDC Dog Import Form is required for every dog entering the United States regardless of origin, including Switzerland. It is completed online at the CDC website and links the dog’s microchip number to a travel record. There is no fee.
Switzerland is treated as a low-risk country for US import purposes. Dogs from Switzerland with a current, US-licensed or equivalent rabies vaccination and a USDA-endorsed health certificate from a Swiss official vet do not face additional US facility certification requirements. CDC inspection at the arrival airport is typically brief for well-documented pets from Switzerland.
Complete the CDC form before travel and carry a copy with your travel documents. Do not leave it until the day of the flight.
SWISS cabin travel across the Atlantic
Swiss International Air Lines operates direct flights from Zurich (ZRH) to New York JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Miami, and Washington DC. SWISS allows small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin, provided the pet plus container weighs no more than 8 kg and the carrier fits under the seat.
On a 9-10 hour transatlantic flight, cabin travel is considerably less stressful for a small pet than a cargo hold journey. The SWISS cabin pet fee is typically CHF 75 to CHF 120 each way. Book the cabin pet space at the same time as your own seat; space is limited per flight.
For larger pets that exceed the 8 kg cabin limit, Swiss WorldCargo handles pets in the pressurised hold. The crate must be IATA-compliant and appropriately sized. Confirm maximum accepted dimensions with SWISS at the time of booking.
Common questions
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