United States

✈️

France

Pet Transport USA to France: 2026 Field Guide

6-10 weeks

Typical preparation

None

Quarantine on arrival

Medium

Route complexity

✓ Managed

Full door-to-door service

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Lead time needed

6-10 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Medium

Airlines

3 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from United States to France typically takes around 6-10 weeks.

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Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →

Overview

Planning a pet relocation from United States to France is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. This is a middle of the road route, and about 6-10 weeks of preparation usually covers it.

The guide below walks through each stage so nothing gets missed.

Step by step

The United States to France process

Verify now.

Confirm microchip pre-dates rabies vaccination and 21-day wait is complete

Responsible: Vet

Before booking.

Choose route: Air France (cabin for small pets), Delta cargo, or United cabin

Responsible: Owner

4-6 weeks ahead.

Book flight

Responsible: Owner or agent

Within 10 days of travel

USDA-accredited vet completes EU health certificate

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

After vet signs. Allow 2-10 business days. Use VEHCS for speed.

USDA APHIS endorsement of EU health certificate

Responsible: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services

On travel date. Present documents at EU point of entry.

Travel to France

Responsible: Owner / airline

Checklist

France: entry requirements

Requirement	Detail
Microchip	Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination	Required. At least 21 days must have passed since the primary vaccination course before EU entry.
Import permit	No import permit required for companion animals entering France.
Health certificate	USDA-endorsed EU health certificate, valid for EU entry and 4 months of onward EU travel. Issued within 10 days of travel.

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Leaving United States

Export requirements

Requirement	Detail
Government endorsement	USDA APHIS endorsement required. Allow 2-10 business days.
Health certificate	USDA APHIS-endorsed EU health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Examination within 10 days of travel. VEHCS endorsement is fastest.

Costs

What this route typically costs

1	Air France cabin pet fee: approximately EUR 70 to EUR 125 per leg for small pets
2	Air cargo fee (larger pets): $1,000 to $3,500 from a US hub to Paris
3	USDA-accredited vet examination and EU health certificate: $200 to $500
4	USDA APHIS endorsement fee: $38 per certificate
5	Pet transport agent fee: $400 to $1,500
6	IATA-compliant travel crate (if cargo): $100 to $450

Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ The health certificate must be the EU format, completed by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed by USDA APHIS. Allow 2-10 business days for endorsement, and remember the examination must be within 10 days of travel.

⚠ France has dangerous dog legislation: Category 1 dogs (including Pit Bull Terrier types) are banned, and Category 2 dogs (American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Tosa) require a muzzle and lead in public. These are in-country rules separate from entry.

⚠ United offers cabin-only carriage and no cargo. For larger dogs, Air France cargo or Delta cargo is needed.

⚠ Microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination, and the 21-day wait must be complete before EU entry.

Carriers

Airlines on this route

Air France

Allows small pets in the cabin on many routes, plus cargo for larger pets. US hubs to Paris.

Mixed

Delta Air Lines

US hubs to Paris. Cargo pet service. Partner of Air France-KLM.

Cargo Only

United Airlines

Cabin only for small pets. No cargo service. Suitable for small pets only.

Cabin

The rules for bringing a pet into France

France 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

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, on Air France or United. Air France allows small pets in the cabin on many routes, with larger pets travelling in cargo via Air France or Delta. United offers cabin-only carriage for small pets but no cargo, so larger dogs need Air France or Delta cargo. For small pets, cabin travel on Air France is a comfortable option.

No. France does not quarantine pets arriving with correct documentation. With a valid USDA-endorsed EU health certificate, an ISO microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, and a current rabies vaccination (21-day wait complete), your pet enters France without quarantine and without an import permit.

Electronic submission via VEHCS typically processes in 2-5 business days; mail takes 5-10. Since the EU health certificate examination must be within 10 days of travel, time the endorsement carefully. Most owners schedule the vet examination 7-8 days before travel and submit immediately via VEHCS so the endorsed certificate is ready before departure.

Yes. France classifies dangerous dogs into two categories. Category 1 (Pit Bull Terrier types and certain others) are banned. Category 2 (American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Tosa) are permitted subject to a muzzle and lead in public, registration, and ownership conditions. Check whether your dog falls into either category before moving, as these rules affect keeping the dog in France.

Airline guides

Air France
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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