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Pet Transport USA to Romania: Getting to Bucharest with Your Pet

Relocating a pet from United States to Romania follows a clear path once you understand what Romania asks for. Give yourself roughly 2-4 weeks, though this route carries fewer …

2-4 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Low-Medium
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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Lead time needed
2-4 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Low-Medium
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required, …
Rabies vaccinationValid and current rabies vaccination …
Rabies titre testNot required. The USA is a listed third …
QuarantineNo quarantine required for dogs and cats …
Import permitNo import permit required for personal …
Health certificateEU Annex IV health certificate, …
In short: Preparing to move a pet from United States to Romania typically takes around 2-4 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 import process, in full

1
Early in planning.
Confirm microchip is ISO-compliant and pre-dates the first rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Your vet

2
Several weeks before the health certificate appointment.
Check rabies vaccination is current.

Responsible: Your vet

3
Within 10 days of arrival in Romania.
Book a USDA-accredited vet for the EU Annex IV health certificate.

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

4
Immediately after vet appointment.
USDA APHIS endorses the certificate. Allow two to five business days.

Responsible: USDA APHIS

5
Several weeks before travel.
Book cargo space via Lufthansa, Austrian, or another carrier with connections to Bucharest.

Responsible: You

6
Travel day.
Travel to Bucharest. Your pet clears the BIP at Henri Coanda Airport (OTP).

Responsible: You and airline

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required, implanted before first rabies vaccination. Source: European Commission Regulation (EU) 576/2013.
Rabies vaccination
Valid and current rabies vaccination required.
Rabies titre test
Not required. The USA is a listed third country under EU pet travel rules. Source: European Commission, food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets_en.
Quarantine
No quarantine required for dogs and cats from the USA with correct documentation.
Import permit
No import permit required for personal pets from the USA.
Health certificate
EU Annex IV health certificate, USDA-endorsed, dated within 10 days of arrival.
Export permit
No export permit required.
Health certificate
USDA-accredited vet completes EU Annex IV health certificate, endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of arrival in Romania. Source: USDA APHIS, aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel.
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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

TAROM Romanian Air Transport
TAROM operates from US cities to Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport (OTP) via connecting hubs, typically Paris or Amsterdam. TAROM Cargo accepts pets. The routing usually involves a connection in Western Europe, so confirm pet cargo acceptance on both legs.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
Via Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) with onward connection to Bucharest. Strong US coverage. Practical choice for most US gateways. Brachycephalic restrictions apply.
Cargo Only
Air France/KLM Cargo
Via Paris (CDG) or Amsterdam (AMS) to Bucharest. Good transatlantic coverage and established cargo infrastructure. Confirm pet cargo acceptance for the Bucharest leg.
Cargo Only
Austrian Airlines
Via Vienna (VIE) to Bucharest. Connects with Lufthansa Group transatlantic routes from the USA. Short and reliable Vienna-Bucharest leg.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

USDA-accredited vet health certificate: USD 100 to USD 300
USDA APHIS endorsement: USD 38
International pet cargo (USA to Bucharest via hub): USD 650 to USD 1,900
IATA-compliant crate: USD 80 to USD 350 if needed
Total typical range: USD 870 to USD 2,600

Critical points

There is no direct transatlantic service to Bucharest from the USA. All pet cargo moves via a European hub. Confirm that the complete routing, including the connecting leg to Bucharest, accepts pet cargo.

Romania has specific breed restrictions: certain dog types classified as dangerous require muzzle and leash compliance in public, and some breeds face stricter requirements under Romanian law. Check the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) guidance before travelling.

Romanian winters can be cold. Cold restrictions may apply for short-coated breeds during cargo transit from November to March. Check with your airline.

The USDA health certificate is valid for 10 days from examination to arrival in Romania. Factor in any transit time when planning the vet appointment.

Romania import rules, explained

Romania 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

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.

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Romania is an EU member state, and the USA is a listed third country under EU pet travel regulations. Pets from the USA do not need a rabies antibody titre test to enter Romania. You need an ISO-compliant microchip, current rabies vaccination, and a USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate in EU Annex IV format.
No. There are no direct transatlantic pet cargo routes to Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport (OTP). All moves require a European hub connection, typically via Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Vienna (Austrian Airlines), Paris (Air France), or Amsterdam (KLM). Confirm pet cargo acceptance on both the transatlantic and connecting legs before booking.
The USDA-endorsed health certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of the vet examination to the pet’s scheduled arrival in Romania. Factor in the hub transit time when planning your vet appointment date.
Yes. Romania has regulations governing dogs classified as dangerous. Certain breeds and types are subject to muzzle and lead requirements in public, and some face stricter conditions. The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) and local authorities regulate dog ownership. Check the rules before travelling with a breed that may be subject to restrictions.
At Henri Coanda Airport (OTP), your pet needs: the USDA-endorsed EU Annex IV health certificate, ISO-compliant microchip documentation (scannable on arrival), and vaccination records showing current rabies vaccination. Keep all originals accessible. These are checked by ANSVSA at the Veterinary Border Inspection Post.
For a medium-sized dog: USD 100 to USD 300 for the health certificate, USD 38 for USDA APHIS endorsement, and USD 650 to USD 1,900 for cargo depending on routing and size. Add a crate if needed. Total for a medium dog is typically USD 790 to USD 2,250, with the hub routing adding slightly to the cargo cost compared to direct-served EU destinations.
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Airline guides
  • TAROM Romanian Air Transport
  • Lufthansa Cargo
  • Air France/KLM Cargo
  • Austrian Airlines
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