Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Start of planning.
Confirm microchip is ISO 11784/11785 compliant and was implanted before first rabies vaccination.
Responsible: Your vet
2
Several weeks before health certificate appointment.
Check rabies vaccination is current. Schedule a booster if needed.
Responsible: Your vet
3
Immediately after vet appointment.
USDA APHIS endorses the certificate. Allow two to five business days by mail.
Responsible: USDA APHIS
4
Several weeks before travel.
Book cargo space with SAS, Delta, or Lufthansa. Stockholm is well-served from US gateways.
Responsible: You
5
Travel day.
Travel to Stockholm. Your pet clears the Veterinary Border Inspection Post at Stockholm Arlanda (ARN).
Responsible: You and airline
Which Sweden 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 Sweden, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Sweden 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
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United States to Sweden move gets missed.
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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.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
SAS operates from New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Los Angeles (LAX) to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN). Pets travel as manifested cargo. Good pet cargo infrastructure at ARN. No pets in cabin on transatlantic routes. Seasonal heat and cold restrictions apply; brachycephalic breed restrictions in place year-round.
Cargo Only
Delta Air Lines
Delta has seasonal direct services from Atlanta (ATL) to Stockholm. Delta Cargo accepts pets. Confirm breed eligibility and seasonal restrictions before booking.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
Via Frankfurt (FRA) with onward connection to Stockholm. Good US gateway coverage. Brachycephalic restrictions apply.
Cargo Only
Finnair
Via Helsinki (HEL) to Stockholm. A slightly longer routing than direct from Frankfurt, but Finnair Cargo is well-established for pet transport. Useful for connecting from certain US cities.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
USDA-accredited vet health certificate: USD 100 to USD 300
International pet cargo (USA to Stockholm): USD 650 to USD 1,900
Total typical range: USD 870 to USD 2,600
Critical points
Swedish winters are cold. Cold restrictions on pet cargo apply for short-coated breeds when temperatures drop significantly. If travelling November to March, confirm cold weather cargo eligibility with your airline.
Sweden requires all dogs to be registered in the Swedish national dog registry after arrival. This is a post-arrival task and does not affect the entry process.
Brachycephalic breed restrictions apply on all transatlantic routes to Sweden, including SAS and Lufthansa. Flat-faced breeds may not be accepted as cargo.
FAQ
Common questions
SAS Scandinavian Airlines operates direct services from JFK, ORD, and LAX to Stockholm Arlanda (ARN). Delta has seasonal direct services from Atlanta. Lufthansa routes via Frankfurt are a good option from other US cities. All accept pets as manifested cargo. No cabin pets on transatlantic routes.
Sweden does not have a federal breed ban but applies strict welfare regulations to all dogs under the Animal Welfare Act (Djurskyddslagen). Dogs must be kept under control in public. Some municipalities may have additional rules, but Sweden’s approach focuses on individual dog behaviour rather than specific breeds. The Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) can advise on current requirements.
The certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of the vet examination to the pet’s scheduled arrival in Sweden. USDA APHIS endorsement takes two to five business days after submission. Plan the vet appointment so the certificate is endorsed and valid for the arrival date.
Yes. Dogs in Sweden must be registered in the national dog registry (Nationellt hundregister) run by Jordbruksverket. This is done after arrival, not as a pre-travel requirement. The registration includes the dog’s microchip number, owner details, and breed. There is a small fee.
Yes. Airlines apply cold restrictions when temperatures fall below certain thresholds during transit. Swedish winters are genuinely cold, with temperatures in Stockholm dropping well below freezing from November to February. Short-coated breeds may be refused for cargo shipments during cold periods. Confirm cold weather restrictions with your airline if travelling in winter.
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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