Lead time needed
4-6 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Low
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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Pet Transport UK to USA: Straightforward, With a Few Specifics to Get Right

Relocating a pet from United Kingdom to United States follows a clear path once you understand what United States asks for. Give yourself roughly 4-6 weeks, though this route carries fewer hurdles than most. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to United States typically takes around 4-6 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The United Kingdom 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
Verify immediately.
Confirm microchip is in place and pre-dates rabies vaccination

Responsible: Vet to confirm

2
Before travel. Valid for 6 months. Complete it early and bring the receipt.
Complete CDC Dog Import Form online at cdc.gov/importation

Responsible: Owner

3
4-6 weeks ahead. Peak periods book up quickly.
Book cargo space on UK to US route

Responsible: Owner or agent

4
Within 10 days of travel date
APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian issues health certificate

Responsible: APHA-authorised vet

5
On travel date.
Travel to USA. Pet transported as cargo.

Responsible: Airline cargo

6
On arrival. Documents checked, CDC form receipt scanned.
US Customs and Border Protection inspection at arrival airport

Responsible: US CBP

7
After CBP clearance. Cargo terminal is separate from passenger terminal.
Collect pet from airline cargo terminal

Responsible: Owner

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
Required for all dogs. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination or the …
Rabies vaccination
Not required by the CDC for dogs from low-risk countries such as the UK. …
Rabies titre test
Not required. The UK is a low-risk (rabies-free) country.
Quarantine
Not required. Dogs from low-risk countries clear US customs without quarantine.
Import permit
No formal import permit. CDC Dog Import Form (completed free at …
Health certificate
Not formally required by the CDC for dogs from low-risk countries, but required …
Export permit
No formal UK export permit required.
Costs

What this route typically costs

Cargo airline fee: £800 to £2,500 from Heathrow to a US hub depending …
APHA-authorised health certificate: £150 to £400 including endorsement
Pet transport agent fee if used: £400 to £1,200
IATA-compliant travel crate: £80 to £350
US cargo terminal handling on arrival: $100 to $300
Total typical range: £1,500 to £4,000

Critical points

The CDC Dog Import Form is required for ALL dogs entering the USA, regardless of origin country or vaccination status. Complete it at cdc.gov/importation before you travel and bring the QR code receipt.

United Airlines has suspended its PetSafe cargo program for the general public. It does not currently accept cargo pets on UK to US routes.

Hawaii is not mainland USA. Moving to Hawaii requires the HDOA 5-Day-Or-Less programme with titre test, specific vaccination timing and advance paperwork. Start the Hawaii process at least 6 months before travel.

Brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persian cats and similar) face restrictions from most major airlines on the North Atlantic route. Check your specific breed before booking.

Microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination. Many UK vets sequence this automatically but always verify before the health certificate is issued.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

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

British Airways / IAG Cargo (via PetAir UK)
Main UK option. PetAir UK manages exports from the UK on BA routes. No in-cabin pets on …
Cargo Only
Delta Air Lines
Heathrow to JFK, Atlanta, Boston and other US hubs. Cargo pet service available.
Cargo Only
American Airlines
Heathrow to Dallas/Fort Worth, New York, Chicago, Miami. Cargo service available. Seasonal …
Cargo Only
Virgin Atlantic
Heathrow to JFK and other US cities. Verify current cargo pet acceptance at time of …
Cargo Only

United States import rules, explained

United States keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.

Practical tips for this move

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.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

FAQ

Common questions

Not under CDC rules. The UK is classified as a low-risk country, so the CDC does not require a rabies vaccination certificate for dogs from the UK. However, most cargo airlines do require a current rabies vaccination as part of their booking conditions. It is also strongly recommended from a welfare and safety standpoint. In practice, nearly all UK pets travelling to the USA will have a current rabies vaccination even if it is technically not a federal entry requirement.
Direct options exist. Heathrow to JFK (New York) is served by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic (cargo only for pets), and Delta offers connections. Going direct reduces journey time and reduces handling stress. A direct flight from Heathrow to JFK is around 7-8 hours in cargo. Your pet is collected from the JFK cargo terminal after CBP clearance.
Your pet arrives at the airline cargo terminal, not the passenger baggage hall. Cargo terminals are often in a separate building from the main terminal, sometimes a few kilometres away. CBP will check the CDC form receipt, the health certificate, and the microchip. After clearance, you collect your pet from the cargo terminal. The exact process varies by airport and airline; your agent or the airline cargo team will give you specific instructions for your arrival airport.
Crate size and dog weight affect the cargo fee (priced by volumetric weight) and in some cases airline acceptance. Very large crates may not fit on certain aircraft or may be subject to weight limits on specific routes. Breed restrictions are separate from size restrictions: brachycephalic breeds (flat-nosed dogs) face restrictions from most carriers regardless of size. Discuss your specific dog’s measurements and breed with your agent or airline before finalising bookings.
Almost none of it. Cats entering the USA from the UK face no federal import requirements. No CDC form, no health certificate at the US border, no quarantine. Your airline will require a health certificate for the cargo booking, but US Customs does not inspect cats on arrival. The process is straightforward: health certificate for the airline, cargo booking, travel. Some US states have their own cat import requirements, so check your destination state if moving outside a major city.
Airline guides
  • British Airways / IAG Cargo (via PetAir UK)
  • Delta Air Lines
  • American Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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GB USUnited Kingdom to United States
International pet transport route
Lead time4-6 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityLow
Airlines4
ServiceDoor to door
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