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

2-4 wks

Preparation needed

See key facts

Quarantine on arrival

Low-Medium

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Lead time needed

2-4 weeks

Quarantine

See key facts

Route complexity

Low-Medium

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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Key facts: United States to Romania

Under EU rules, the United States falls in the group “Listed third countries and territories, Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636”. No rabies antibody titration test needed. Animal health certificate, microchip and rabies vaccination still required; entry through a travellers' point of entry with documentary and identity checks. Montenegro and Serbia were added by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1228. The EUR-Lex text of 2026/636 lists the USA as including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.
Official source
Export health certificate: All pet export health certificates must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian (page updated 18 June 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel Process Overview, checked 2 October 2026
Quarantine: Under EU rules quarantine is tied to non-compliance: a pet that fails the entry checks may be returned to the country of departure, quarantined until it complies, or, if neither is possible, euthanised (Your Europe, last checked 1 September 2026). Separately, Article 29 of 2026/131 lets a Member State admit a non-compliant pet on a permit that may include isolation under official supervision for up to six months. The entry measures for a compliant pet (Article 14 of 2026/131, see other_vaccines_and_tests) include no quarantine. Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
EU rules on travelling with pets and other animals in the EU, checked 1 October 2026

Taken from official government pages, last checked 5 October 2026. Rules change, so open the linked page again before you book.

Official rules on this page checked 5 October 2026

Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Step by step

The import process, in full

Early in planning.

Confirm microchip is ISO-compliant and pre-dates the first rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Your vet

Several weeks before the health certificate appointment.

Check rabies vaccination is current.

Responsible: Your vet

Immediately after vet appointment.

USDA APHIS endorses the certificate. Allow two to five business days.

Responsible: USDA APHIS

Several weeks before travel.

Book cargo space via Lufthansa, Austrian, or another carrier with connections to Bucharest.

Responsible: You

Travel day.

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

Responsible: You and airline

Which Romania rules depend on a pet coming from the United States?

The EU sorts non-EU countries into groups, and the United States falls in “Listed third countries and territories, Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636”.

No rabies antibody titration test needed. Animal health certificate, microchip and rabies vaccination still required; entry through a travellers' point of entry with documentary and identity checks. Montenegro and Serbia were added by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1228. The EUR-Lex text of 2026/636 lists the USA as including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. Official source

The rules that apply to every pet entering Romania, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Romania guide.

What does the United States require before your pet leaves?

Export health certificate: All pet export health certificates must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian (page updated 18 June 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel Process Overview, checked 2 October 2026
Export health certificate: The accredited vet can submit the health certificate to APHIS for endorsement on the owner's behalf (through VEHCS); alternatively the vet gives the paperwork to the owner to submit to the USDA Endorsement Office. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel: U.S. to Another Country, checked 2 October 2026
Export health certificate: VEHCS is APHIS's online system for issuing, submitting and endorsing export health certificates (page updated 9 June 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS), checked 2 October 2026
Export health certificate: Endorsement windows after the vet signs are limited and vary by destination (e.g. 30 days). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel Process Overview, checked 2 October 2026
Other conditions: APHIS endorsement fee (page updated 18 June 2026): USD 101 per certificate with no lab tests; USD 160, 206 or 275 for 1 to 2, 3 to 6 or 7+ tests, plus small per-extra-pet amounts. Paid before endorsement; none for ADA service dogs. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Cost To Endorse Your Pet's Health Certificate, checked 2 October 2026

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United States to Romania move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

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

International pet cargo (USA to Bucharest via hub): USD 650 to USD 1,900

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.

FAQ

Common questions

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.

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Airline guides

TAROM Romanian Air Transport
Lufthansa Cargo
Air France/KLM Cargo
Austrian Airlines

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Sources

Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

USDA APHIS · United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
European Commission · European Commission, movement of pet animals
IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations

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

The import process, in full

Which Romania rules depend on a pet coming from the United States?

What does the United States require before your pet leaves?

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Sources

Get a free pet transport quote