Country requirements
Importing pets and animals into the United States, and exporting from it.
Status: Partly verified — some items awaiting confirmation
Last checked: 12 October 2026
These summaries are not legal advice. Each item shows whether it was verified against the official source on the date shown or is awaiting confirmation. Always check the official source and confirm with your coordinator before travel.
CDC requirements depend on whether the dog has been in a country at high risk for dog rabies in the previous six months, and where it was vaccinated.
Dogs that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies and are not vaccinated against rabies are not allowed to enter. Source (opens official website)
Dogs arriving only from rabies-free or low-risk countries must be at least 6 months old, have a microchip readable by a universal scanner, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt (one per dog, valid for 6 months). Source (opens official website)
Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries must have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility, arrive by air at that facility’s airport, and carry a government-endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip. A titer from a CDC-approved laboratory is required, otherwise a 28-day quarantine at the facility applies. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. Source (opens official website)
U.S.-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries need a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination endorsed by USDA before leaving the United States, and must enter through the port named on the Dog Import Form receipt. Source (opens official website)
CDC no longer accepts USDA export health certificates issued after 31 July 2025 for its dog import requirements. CDC’s FAQ page shows a more recent update; check it for the latest changes. Source (opens official website)
Commercial dog imports (for sale, adoption or transfer) have additional USDA requirements. Source (opens official website)
Cats must appear healthy on arrival and may be inspected. CDC does not require proof of rabies vaccination for cats, but individual states and airlines may. Source (opens official website)
Hawaii and Guam apply their own animal quarantine rules. Source (opens official website)
Health certificates for export are issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS, usually submitted electronically through VEHCS. Some destinations require original ink-signed, embossed certificates. Source (opens official website)
Live animal imports generally require a USDA import permit, an official health certificate from the exporting country, port-of-entry inspection and, for horses, import quarantine whose length depends on the country of origin. Source (opens official website)
Tell us the route, the animal and your preferred dates. A coordinator will review the details and reply with a written quotation or questions — nothing is booked until you and our team confirm.
