Pet Transport from the United States to Italy

Italy consistently ranks as one of the most popular European destinations for Americans moving abroad, and the number of US expats in Italy has grown steadily. Italy follows EU pet import rules for …

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Days quarantine on arrival

Airlines on this route

Step by step

The United States to Italy import process

At least 4 weeks before travel. Microchip must predate vaccination; 21-day wait after first dose.

Microchip and confirm rabies vaccination timing

Responsible: USDA-accredited veterinarian

6-8 weeks before travel. Transatlantic cargo space for live animals is limited.

Book cargo space with ITA Airways, American, or BA

Responsible: You or your IATA-registered cargo agent

Certificate within 10 days of Italian arrival. Allow 2-10 business days for USDA endorsement.

USDA-accredited vet issues health certificate, submit for USDA endorsement

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet + USDA APHIS

Ministero della Salute border vet checks documentation. Compliant pets cleared on arrival day.

Italian border vet inspection at FCO or MXP

Responsible: Italian border veterinary authority

Requirements

Italy entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must be implanted before rabies vaccination.

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age 12 weeks. 21-day wait after first vaccination. Booster with unbroken vaccination cover: no additional wait.

Rabies titre test

Not required. The USA is listed as an approved third country under EU Regulation 2026/131.

Import permit

Not required for personal imports.

Health certificate

USDA-endorsed official health certificate, issued within 10 days of Italian arrival. Must include microchip number, vaccination records, and declaration of health.

Leaving United States

Export requirements

Export permit

No formal export permit required. USDA APHIS endorsement serves as export documentation.

Health certificate

USDA-accredited veterinarian completes the official health certificate, endorsed by USDA APHIS (USD 38 per certificate). Must be issued within 10 days of Italian arrival. Process via USDA APHIS Veterinary Services using drop-off, mail, or VEHCS electronic system.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Transatlantic cargo fee (varies by airline, route, and pet size)

IATA-compliant crate

USDA-accredited vet health exam and certificate

USDA APHIS endorsement fee (USD 38)

IATA-registered cargo agent fee (recommended)

Critical points

Allow adequate time for the USDA endorsement. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival, but USDA processing can take up to 10 business days by mail. Use drop-off at a USDA office or the VEHCS electronic system for faster turnaround.

Cats from the USA have no federal US export requirements, but they still need the USDA-endorsed health certificate and valid rabies vaccination for Italian entry.

Large pets travelling cargo need an IATA-compliant crate large enough for the animal to stand, turn, and lie down. Measure carefully: airlines reject crates that do not meet IATA standards.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
ITA Airways	Cargo from JFK to FCO (Rome). ITA Airways is Italy's national carrier with direct transatlantic cargo service. Book through an IATA-registered cargo agent.	Cargo Only
American Airlines	Cargo from JFK, MIA, DFW to FCO or MXP (via connections). American Airlines Cargo accepts live animals on some long-haul routes. Verify current availability.	Cargo Only
British Airways	Cargo from US gateways via LHR to Italian airports. Two-leg connection at Heathrow. BA World Cargo has established live animal handling.	Cargo Only
Delta	Delta allows small pets in cabin on some transatlantic routes. No cargo service available to the general public. Not suitable for large dogs on this route.	Cabin Only
United	United allows small pets in cabin (under 10 kg including carrier). United PetSafe cargo service was suspended; only cabin pets currently accepted. Not suitable for large dogs.	Cabin Only

At a glance: USA to Italy vs other USA-to-EU routes

Requirement	USA to Italy	USA to Spain	USA to France	USA to Portugal
USDA health cert	Yes (within 10 days)	Yes (within 10 days)	Yes (within 10 days)	Yes (within 10 days)
Titre test	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required
Quarantine	None	None	None	None
Import permit	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required
PPP/breed restrictions	No national list	Yes (national PPP)	Varies by region	No national list
Cats: US export docs	None required	None required	None required	None required
Complexity	Moderate (cargo logistics)	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate

Italy has no national breed restriction list, which is an advantage for owners of Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and similar breeds that face PPP rules in Spain. Check local rules for your specific city or region in Italy.

Approved entry airports in Italy for pets from the USA

International pet imports into Italy are handled at designated border control posts. For transatlantic arrivals from the USA, the primary airports are Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Milan Malpensa (MXP). Both have cargo handling facilities and border vet posts for pet inspections.

Bologna (BLQ), Venice (VCE), and Naples (NAP) also handle some international pet arrivals, but if you are planning cargo transit from the USA, confirm that your chosen airport accepts international pet cargo before booking.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. Italy does not impose routine quarantine on pets arriving from the United States. The border vet at the airport checks the USDA-endorsed health certificate, scans the microchip, and verifies the vaccination record. Compliant pets are cleared and released on arrival day.

No. The USA is listed as an approved third country under EU Regulation 2026/131. No titre test is required for dogs or cats from the USA entering Italy. The requirements are: ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination (21-day wait after first dose), and a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival.

ITA Airways is the primary option with direct cargo from JFK to Rome Fiumicino. American Airlines Cargo serves this corridor via connections. British Airways offers connections via London Heathrow. Delta and United accept small pets in cabin on some transatlantic routes but do not offer general cargo for large dogs. Confirm current availability with your chosen airline or a cargo agent before booking.

A USDA-accredited veterinarian (not all vets are accredited, check the USDA APHIS website) completes the health certificate. You then submit it to USDA APHIS Veterinary Services for endorsement. Options include physical drop-off at a USDA office (fastest, usually 1-2 business days), mail submission (5-10 business days), or the VEHCS electronic system where supported. The endorsement fee is USD 38 per certificate. The endorsed certificate must be issued within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in Italy.

Cats from the USA have no US federal export requirements. Italy requires the same documents for cats as for dogs: ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination, and a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. There is no quarantine, no titre test, and no import permit. Check with your airline for their specific cabin or cargo policies for cats.

Airline guides

Breed guides

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