Pet Transport USA to Malta: USDA Health Certificate and EU Requirements in 2026
Moving a dog or cat from the USA to Malta requires a USDA-endorsed EU-format health certificate. The USA is listed by the EU, so no titre test is needed. Dogs require tapeworm treatment (24-120 hours …
Get your free quoteThe United States to Malta import process
Responsible: Your US vet
Responsible: Your US vet
Responsible: Your USDA-accredited vet and USDA APHIS
Responsible: Your vet
Malta entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Export requirements
What this route typically costs
Critical points
The USDA endorsement step takes 2-3 weeks and cannot be rushed. The health certificate is completed by the vet, then submitted to USDA for endorsement, and only then is it valid for EU entry. The USDA-endorsed certificate is what Malta requires.
Many US pets have non-ISO microchips. Malta requires ISO 11784/11785. If your pet has a non-ISO chip, bring a compatible reader or have an ISO chip implanted.
No direct US to Malta flights exist. All routings involve a transit. The UK (London) and Netherlands (Amsterdam) are the most practical transatlantic staging points.
Both tick treatment and tapeworm treatment are required for dogs. Time both treatments from Malta arrival, not US departure.
Approved carriers on this route
| Airline | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Air Malta / KM Malta Airlines (via European hub) | No direct US to Malta flights. Route via London Heathrow (British Airways from US, then Air Malta LHR-MLA), Amsterdam (KLM from US, then Air Malta or connection AMS-MLA), or Rome (ITA Airways from US gateways). KM Malta Airlines accepts pets on the MLA leg. | Cargo Only |
| British Airways | British Airways from major US cities (JFK, LAX, BOS, MIA) to London Heathrow, with onward connection to Malta. BA World Cargo accepts pets. The London hub is a practical transatlantic staging point. | Cargo Only |
| KLM | KLM from US cities to Amsterdam, with onward connection to Malta. KLM Cargo accepts pets. Amsterdam Schiphol has good Malta connections via KLM or Air Malta. | Cargo Only |
Two transit options compared: London vs Amsterdam
Without direct flights, the choice of transatlantic hub determines which carriers you use for the Malta leg. London Heathrow is served by British Airways from major US cities, with connecting options to Malta via Air Malta or British Airways cargo. Amsterdam Schiphol is served by KLM from the USA, with Malta connections from Amsterdam.
Both are practical. The London routing is often more familiar for US travellers and has more frequent Malta connections. The Amsterdam routing via KLM has established cargo operations and good EU connectivity. Choose based on your US departure city and the flight availability on your specific dates.
The USDA endorsement process and the microchip issue
The EU requires its own formatted health certificate, not the standard USDA export health certificate. Your USDA-accredited vet completes the EU-format document, which you then submit to the nearest USDA APHIS State Veterinarian office for endorsement. The endorsement takes 2-3 weeks.
The microchip issue is worth addressing early. The EU requires ISO 11784/11785 microchips. Most US vets implant ISO chips now, but many older US pets have AVID 9-digit chips or similar non-ISO formats. These chips can still be scanned by European readers that include a universal mode, but border inspectors may flag them. Having an ISO chip implanted is the cleanest solution if your pet has a non-ISO chip.
Common questions about this route
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