Pet Transport Switzerland to USA: 2026 Guide

The journey from Switzerland to United States for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. This is a middle of the road route, and about 4-8 weeks of …

4-8 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Medium

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

Get my free quote

Lead time needed

4-8 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Medium

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

Start my quote

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

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The import process, in full

Start of planning, at least 4-8 weeks before travel.

Confirm microchip is ISO-standard and rabies vaccination is current (for dogs).

Responsible: Vet

Before travel; in advance rather than on the day.

Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online (dogs only). Free. Complete before travel.

Responsible: Owner

Within the required timeframe before travel (typically within 10 days for US requirements).

Swiss official vet issues health certificate (for dogs), endorsed by the Swiss authority.

Responsible: Swiss official vet

4-8 weeks before travel.

Book cabin space on SWISS (small pets) or cargo space for larger pets.

Responsible: Owner or agent

On travel date.

Travel to the USA. CDC inspection at arrival airport for dogs. Present CDC form and health certificate.

Responsible: Owner / airline

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

Required for all dogs entering the USA. ISO 11784/11785 recommended. If the chip is non-ISO, owner must bring a compatible reader.

Rabies vaccination

Required for dogs. Must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and recorded. Cats have no federal rabies requirement for US entry.

Import permit

No formal import permit. The CDC Dog Import Form is the required registration mechanism for dogs. Cats have no federal documentation requirement.

Health certificate

USDA-endorsed health certificate required for dogs. A Swiss official vet issues the certificate, which is then endorsed by the relevant Swiss government authority. Present at CDC inspection on arrival.

Export permit

No Swiss export permit required for companion dogs and cats.

Health certificate

Health certificate issued by a Swiss official veterinarian, endorsed by the relevant Swiss authority, and meeting USDA APHIS requirements. Must include microchip number, rabies vaccination record, and general health statement.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Switzerland to United States move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

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.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)

Small dogs and cats (max 8 kg including container) in the cabin on direct USA routes. Larger pets via Swiss WorldCargo in the hold. Zurich (ZRH) hub. Direct services to New York JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Washington DC.

Mixed

British Airways

Pets via IAG Cargo. No cabin pets on any BA route. London Heathrow connection from Zurich offers a one-stop option to multiple US cities.

Cargo Only

Delta Air Lines

Delta Cargo on Zurich to USA routes. Some Delta flights also accept small cabin pets on international routes (route-dependent). Check at time of booking.

Cargo Only

American Airlines

American Airlines Cargo on Switzerland to USA routes via Zurich or connecting through European hubs.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

SWISS cabin pet fee: CHF 75 to CHF 120 each way (small pets)

Cargo fee (larger pets, Switzerland to USA): CHF 1,000 to CHF 3,000 depending on size and carrier

IATA-compliant crate (if cargo): CHF 100 to CHF 400

Swiss official vet health certificate: CHF 150 to CHF 400

CDC Dog Import Form: no fee

Total typical range: CHF 700 to CHF 4,200

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 rules for bringing a pet into United States

United States has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.

How to keep this move on track

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.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

FAQ

Common questions

No. There is no routine quarantine for correctly documented dogs from Switzerland entering the USA. You need a CDC Dog Import Form, a current rabies vaccination, and a USDA-endorsed health certificate from a Swiss official vet. CDC inspection at the arrival airport is brief for well-documented pets. Hawaii is the only exception, with its own quarantine programme that applies to all incoming pets regardless of origin.

Cats have no federal documentation requirements when entering the USA from Switzerland. Your airline will likely require a health certificate, so confirm what is needed with your carrier. Hawaii applies strict quarantine rules to cats as well as dogs, separately from the federal requirements.

Yes, on SWISS. Swiss International Air Lines allows small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin (maximum 8 kg including the carrier) on direct Zurich to USA routes. Book the cabin pet space when you book your own ticket. Delta also allows cabin pets on some international routes, though availability varies by flight. Book cabin space early as spaces are limited per flight.

A USDA-endorsed health certificate is a veterinary certificate from a Swiss official vet that has been authenticated by the relevant Swiss government authority to confirm it was issued by an authorised veterinarian. This Swiss-endorsed certificate is accepted by the USA as equivalent to a USDA APHIS endorsement for incoming pets. Present it at the CDC inspection desk on arrival. Your Swiss vet and the Swiss authority handle the endorsement process.

If your pet’s microchip and rabies vaccination are current, allow 4-8 weeks for the health certificate and cargo or cabin booking. The main deadline is the health certificate, which must be issued within the required timeframe before travel. SWISS cabin spaces on popular transatlantic routes fill quickly, so book your flight and the cabin pet space together as early as possible.

Ready when you are

Move your pet

to United States.

Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. Preparation timeline, full cost breakdown, and breed specific advice. No commitment.

Get my free quote

Airline guides

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)
British Airways
Delta Air Lines
American Airlines

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Pet Transport Switzerland to USA: 2026 Guide

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

The rules for bringing a pet into United States

How to keep this move on track

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote