Lead time needed
8-16 weeks
Quarantine
28 days
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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Pet Transport Turkey to the United States: 2026 Guide

Shipping a dog or cat from Turkey to United States rewards owners who start planning early. Expect around 8-16 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting periods. Factor in 28 days of quarantine at the destination. The sections below …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Turkey to United States typically takes around 8-16 weeks. Expect 28 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The Turkey to United States import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
Before any other preparation
Determine CDC pathway for your dog

Responsible: Owner, ideally with a pet transport specialist

2
At least 4 weeks before travel
Confirm microchip and rabies vaccination records

Responsible: Vet

3
Well before travel. Facilities have limited capacity.
Register with CDC and reserve place at CDC-registered facility (if required)

Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent

4
Within certificate validity window
Obtain TRGM-endorsed health certificate

Responsible: TRGM-authorised vet

5
Once documentation is confirmed
Book cargo on Turkish Airlines or connecting carrier to CDC-approved US airport

Responsible: Owner or agent

6
On departure date
Arrive at CDC-approved US airport with all documentation

Responsible: Airline cargo

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter United States

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
Microchip required. Must be readable by a universal scanner.
Rabies vaccination
Turkey is a CDC high-risk country. Dogs vaccinated outside the US must follow …
Quarantine
Dogs not following the CDC high-risk pathway face 28-day quarantine at a …
Health certificate
No standalone USDA health certificate required for US entry. Turkish export …
Export permit
No export permit required for dogs and cats from Turkey.
Costs

What this route typically costs

TRGM-endorsed health certificate: TRY 3,000 to TRY 6,000 …
CDC facility stay (if required): USD 1,000 to USD 3,500
Cargo airline fee Istanbul to US gateway: USD 800 to USD 2,800 …
Pet transport agent fee: USD 400 to USD 1,200
IATA-compliant travel crate: USD 100 to USD 500
Total typical range: USD 2,500 to USD 7,000 all in

Critical points

Turkey is a CDC high-risk country. If your dog was vaccinated in Turkey, you must follow the foreign-vaccination CDC pathway on entry to the US. Understand this before booking.

Dogs must arrive at a CDC-approved airport. Not all US airports are approved for dogs from high-risk countries.

Cats have no CDC high-risk classification. A cat from Turkey enters the US with only a standard health inspection. No titre test, no facility reservation.

Turkey bans certain breeds including Pit Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Terriers. The TRGM health certificate may reference breed, so confirm your dog's documentation is consistent.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Turkish Airlines Cargo
Direct Istanbul to New York JFK, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and other US gateways. …
Cargo Only
American Airlines
Connecting via European hubs. American Airlines Cargo. Breed restrictions apply.
Cargo Only
United Airlines
Connecting via European hubs. United PetSafe cargo. Size and breed restrictions apply.
Cargo Only

What United States requires

Bringing a pet into United States involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.

Avoiding the common mistakes

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

Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.

Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes, if you follow the correct CDC pathway. Dogs vaccinated in Turkey (a high-risk country) need to arrive at a CDC-approved airport with an advance reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility. This facility handles the processing and the dog is not subject to an additional quarantine stay if documentation is complete. If the reservation is not made in advance or documentation is incomplete, the dog may face a 28-day quarantine. Start the CDC registration process well before departure.
The US does not require a USDA-endorsed health certificate for pet imports in the way some countries require for export. The CDC process for high-risk country dogs has its own documentation framework. Turkey does not require a USDA-equivalent endorsement for export, so the Turkish OV-issued health certificate serves as the main document. A US-side agent or receiving facility handles arrival processing.
The CDC maintains a list of airports approved for dogs from high-risk countries. Major airports typically on the list include JFK, LAX, Chicago O’Hare, Miami International, and Atlanta Hartsfield. Turkish Airlines serves several of these directly. Always verify the current CDC approved airport list before booking, as the list is updated periodically.
For a dog vaccinated in Turkey, allow eight to twelve weeks minimum. This covers: confirming documentation, registering with the CDC, making a facility reservation, obtaining the health certificate, and booking cargo. The CDC facility reservation is the most time-sensitive step, as spaces are limited and popular facilities book out weeks in advance.
The US CDC does not require a titre test for dogs from high-risk countries in the same way the UK does. The CDC focuses on the vaccination pathway: was the dog vaccinated in the US or abroad, and does the vaccination meet CDC standards? A titre test is not part of the CDC entry process. The UK, by contrast, requires a titre test plus a three-month wait for dogs from Turkey.
Airline guides
  • Turkish Airlines Cargo
  • American Airlines
  • United Airlines
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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TR USTurkey to United States
International pet transport route
Lead time8-16 weeks
Quarantine28 days
ComplexityHigh
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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