United States Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to United States pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets.

These import requirements do not include pet import requirements for Hawaii or Guam. Click on those States for those regulations.

Your dog’s passport will depend on the following information:

The type of pet you are importing.
Your country of origin.
What countries your pet has entered within the past six months.
Where your pet received its most current rabies vaccination (non-rabies-free countries).

If you are importing a cat to the United States, then refer to step 2, step 3, and step 8 for regulations.

Animals Eligible for These Regulations

Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.

Breaking News

The United States Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has just placed a restriction on the import of dogs from Germany due to an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. APHIS will permit the importation of dogs from Germany if their fur and bedding is free of excessive dirt, hay, or straw. The dog should be bathed as soon as it reaches its destination and kept separate from all livestock for five days after entering the United States.   Be sure your dog is cleaned and do not use organic materials such as hay as bedding. (Hay and straw are not recommended as bedding when transporting a pet to any country.)

Pets in the United States

As of 2024, more than 66% of households in the United States own a pet. Dogs and cats are the most popular pets, but pet ownership includes many other types of animals and reptiles. The bond between pets and their owners is strong, with pets often receiving a high level of care and attention.

Pet ownership regulations vary by state and local jurisdictions. Most States require proof of rabies vaccination and a health certificate. Common regulations include mandatory vaccinations, licensing, and leash laws for dogs. Some areas have breed-specific legislation (BSL) restricting certain breeds.

Stray and feral animals are a concern, particularly in urban areas; however, animal control services, spay/neuter programs, and adoption initiatives work to address this issue.

The United States has a vast network of veterinary clinics and hospitals offering a full range of services including basic services as well as specialized veterinary services like dermatology, oncology, and orthopedics. This is important for pet owners looking to export their pets from the United States or those planning further travel.

Many parks, beaches, and hiking trails are pet-friendly, providing areas where pets can exercise and socialize. Some cities also have designated dog parks. Pet-friendly businesses, including cafes and hotels, are also common in the United States.

Flying a Pet to the United States

There are a vast majority of commercial airlines offering service for pets that fly to the United States including but not limited to British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Avianca, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and more. US-based airlines include American and Alaska Airlines (cabin, checked baggage, cargo), Delta (cabin, cargo), United, Southwest, JetBlue and Frontier (cabin only).

Flights to the United States should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.

Quarantine for Pets Entering the United States

Quarantine will not be imposed on your pet if the following regulations are met. Dogs entering the United States from high-risk countries will be subject to 28 days of quarantine if requirements in step 4 are not met. Dogs entering the United States from high-risk countries without proper proof of rabies vaccination (step 3) will be seized and returned to the country of origin. All costs are the responsibility of the importer and/or the airline.

Step 1: Country Classifications – Dogs Only

With regard to the import of dogs, the United States classifies countries as either rabies-free countries or countries with a high risk of rabies:

High risk rabies countries

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Côte D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria,
Tajikistan, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Rabies-free countries

All countries not listed above

Dog owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import regulations for the United States.

Step 2: Pet Microchip – Cats and Dogs

CATS: It is recommended that cats be identified with a microchip prior to import; however, microchipping is not required for cats imported to the United States.

DOGS: The United States does not require that your dog be identified with a pet microchip unless your pet is a dog and is entering the United States under one of the following conditions:

Your dog is entering the United States from any country on or after August 1, 2024. The microchip must be administered before the rabies vaccination (when required).
Your dog is entering the United States from a country with a high risk of rabies (see step 1).
Your dog has entered a country with a high risk of rabies country within the previous six months of entry.
Your dog is entering the United States for commercial reasons (resale, adoption, etc.).
Your dog is entering the United States from a country identified as having African Swine Fever (see step 5).

OTHER ANIMALS: Microchipping is not required except in the case of birds (step 14).

Step 3: Vaccinations – Cats and Dogs

Rabies vaccinations for cats

Rabies vaccinations for cats are not required by the Center for Disease Control; however, pet import requirements may be subject to State and local ordinances. The United States is not a rabies-free country, and it is always wise to protect any pet against contagious diseases when traveling internationally.

Rabies vaccinations for dogs

All dogs over 12 weeks of age entering the United States from countries with a high risk of rabies must be vaccinated for rabies. If your dog is entering the United States from a country classified as rabies-free, rabies vaccination is optional but highly recommended.

Proof of rabies vaccination

Proof of your dog’s rabies vaccination can be one of the following:

Rabies Certificate issued in the United States (not preferred)
Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Form issued in the United States (preferred)
CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Form issued in the United States or foreign country (before August 1, 2024)
Certification of Foreign-Based Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Form issued in a foreign country
EU Pet Passport
Rabies certificate or other proof of rabies vaccination when entering the United States from a rabies-free country.

Note that government-issued vaccination booklets or foreign-issued rabies certificates are no longer accepted.

Administering the Rabies Vaccination

Dogs that have never been vaccinated against rabies must be vaccinated at least 28 days prior to arrival. If your dog is over 15 months of age and you can provide rabies history that your dog has been vaccinated in the United States on or after three months of age and all boosters were administered before the previous vaccination expired, your dog does not need to wait 28 days after their last rabies vaccination.

If your dog is entering the United States from a rabies-free country, you must provide attestation that it has resided in the rabies-free country at least six continuous months or since birth.

The United States does accept three-year rabies vaccinations. If the expiration date of the vaccination is not shown on the health certificate, then the validity of vaccination will be classified as 12 months prior to entry to the United States.

Other Required Vaccinations

Dogs being imported for commercial resale or adoption must also be vaccinated for rabies and distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus (DHLPP). See step 10 for more information.

Step 4: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test – Dogs Only

To avoid quarantine when entering the United States, a rabies titer (serology) test is required for all dogs entering from countries classified as having a high risk of rabies (step 1). The preferred test is the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) Test. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. The test must be administered at least 45 days in advance of entry to avoid quarantine.

Pets entering the United States will need to enter at an airport with an Animal Quarantine Facility. Reservations must be made in advance.

Step 5: CDC Import Permits – Dogs Only

After August 1, 2024, dog owners from ALL COUNTRIES must apply for a Dog Import Form. This can be done online. After submittal and approval, a receipt will be issued which must accompany the dog at entry. Again, this is a new requirement and applies to ALL DOGS entering the United States from any country.

Step 6: Other Requirements to Import a Dog to the United States

After August 1, 2024, all dogs entering the United States from any country must also conform to the following requirements:

Your dog must be healthy and fit for travel
Your dog must be at least six months of age
A clear photograph of your dog showing face and body must be available. If your dog is less than one year, the photograph must be taken within ten days of arrival.

If your dog has a US-based rabies vaccination and has not been in a high-risk country within the past six months, your dog will need one of the following:

An endorsed Certification of U.S.-Based Rabies Vaccination Form or
A CDC Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Certification Form completed in a low-risk country or
An endorsed USDA export health certificate (reentries only) documenting age, microchip number and rabies vaccination or
A foreign export certificate documenting age, microchip number and proof of 6-month residency in a low-risk country (veterinary records) or
A Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-risk Country into the United States Form and proof of 6-month residency in a low-risk country (veterinary records)

If your dog has a US-based rabies vaccination and has been in a high-risk country within the past six months, your dog will need one of the following:

An endorsed Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination Form or
An endorsed USDA export health certificate (dogs that departed the United States prior to August 1, 2024, and are reentering the country) documenting age, microchip number and rabies vaccination or
Reservations at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility

If your dog has a foreign-based rabies vaccination and has been in a high-risk country within the past six months, your dog will need all of the following:

An endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Form reflecting current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after rabies vaccination and
Results of a rabies titer (serology) test (see step 4) and
The dog must enter the United States at designated ports with Animal Care Facilities.

Step 7: Pet Health Certificate – Cats and Dogs

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete and sign an export pet health certificate. This certificate should be in English or be accompanied by a version translated in English. It should identify the animal, the dates of vaccination, the manufacturer and the expiration date of the rabies vaccine. Health certificates are required for most US States and commercial airlines. Additionally, export health certificates are required as a part of export procedures for most countries worldwide.

Step 8: Screwworm Inspections – Dogs Only

If your dog is traveling from the following countries, it must be inspected for certain screwworms within five days prior to entering the United States. Your veterinarian must verify that your pet has been inspected for screwworm, and the results are negative.

Screwworm Countries: Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Congo, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic, Dominican Republic, Easter Island, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, French Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paracel Islands, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South
Africa, Spratly Islands, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Step 9: USDA Import Permit – Dogs for Commercial Resale

All dogs being imported to the United States for commercial resale or adoption must have an import permit issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

An import permit will be required for many live animals including birds entering Alaska from Canada via a land border port. Cats and dogs are not included in this requirement; however, they will need a health certificate with a traceable number. Forms downloaded from the Internet will not be accepted.

Dogs entering the United States from these high-rabies countries will require a rabies certificate and should be vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 3 months of age and wait for 28 days before entering the United States.

Step 10: African Swine Flu – Dogs for Commercial Resale

Additional requirements will apply to dogs entering the US for commercial resale from the following countries identified for African Swine Fever:

Continent of Africa, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Kingdom of Brazil, excluding the State of Santa Catarina, Burma (aka Myanmar), Cambodia, China, People’s Republic of, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Haiti, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China), India,
Indonesia (Republic of), Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of, Korea, Republic of, Kosovo, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Ukraine, and Vietnam.

Additionally, any restricted zone in the European Union (EU) established by the EU or any EU Member State because of detection of African swine fever in domestic or feral swine is affected by these requirements.

The dog and their crate must be free of dirt, wood shavings, hay, straw, or any other organic or natural bedding material.
All bedding that accompanies the dog during transit must be properly disposed of at the U.S. port of entry.
Each dog must have an ISO-compliant microchip implanted, and the individual microchip number must be verified immediately before each dog is bathed.
Each dog must be bathed at the U.S. port of entry within 2 calendar days of arrival in the United States. Bathing must be documented in the Veterinary Services Dog Import Record.

Step 11: Tapeworm Treatment – Dogs Only

Collies, shepherds, and other dogs to be used in the handling of livestock and that are imported from any part of the world except Canada, Mexico, and regions of Central America and the West Indies must have a tapeworm treatment administered by a licensed veterinarian shortly prior to entry to the United States and are subject to inspection and quarantine.

Other Information

Pets Entering the United States

Pets entering the United States by air

Pets from countries that the United States from the following destinations can enter the United States at any international airport if temperature embargoes are not in place.

Dogs entering the United States from rabies-free countries
Dogs with a CDC import permit issued before July 31, 2024
Dogs with a U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination that have not been a high-risk country within sixmonths of import

Pet entering the United States with a foreign-based rabies vaccination without a rabies titer test or not having met the 45-day requirement must enter the US at the following airports: Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), and Philadelphia (PHL).

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry. If the animal is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the
owner’s expense.

All pets entering the United States unaccompanied as air cargo must be claimed by someone with US legal resident status or a citizen of the US. This person must have a valid US address.

It is strongly advised that dog owners importing more than 5 dogs owned personally by them via air cargo contact the Center for Disease Control to avoid having the import be classified as commercial.

Entering the United States by sea

Dogs with a foreign-based rabies vaccination that have entered a high-risk country within the past 6 months cannot enter the United States by sea.

Interstate travel within the United States

All interstate transports where a health certificate is required should use a multi-copy health certificate with a tracking number or the veterinarian must file the certificate electronically. Currently, this requirement primarily applies to airline travel.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to the United States

Kittens are not required to be vaccinated for rabies to enter the United States; however, they should travel with a recent health certificate and can be subject to State requirements which generally require a health certificate.

As of August 1, 2024, the minimum age of import for all puppies is six months of age.

Non-Commercial import of puppies to the United States

Puppies entering the United States for non-commercial reasons from rabies-free countries not listed in step 1 must be vaccinated for rabies at 3 months of age and wait for 28 days before entering the country. Proof of age should be available.

Commercial import of dogs and puppies

Puppies and dogs entering the United States intended for resale* or adoption must be 6 months of age and may not enter the United States from any country until fully vaccinated (rabies and distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus (DHLPP) and accompanied with an import permit.

This includes dogs being imported from Puerto Rico and all US territories. An exception would be dogs being imported for veterinary treatment that is unavailable in the originating country or dogs being imported for research purposes.

*The term “dogs imported for resale” includes dogs imported for sale in wholesale channels, at retail, and for adoption after arrival in the United States, as well as dogs imported for other purposes involving transfer of ownership or control of the dog to another person for more than de minimis consideration after the dog’s arrival in the United States.

This rule does not apply when there is no transfer of ownership or control of a dog to another person for more than de minimis consideration after the dog’s importation into the United States.

Therefore, dogs imported by a person who will use the dog as a personal pet, for sport, for shows or competitions, or for breeding or semen collection are not subject to the 6-month age restriction or any other requirements of this rule.

Breeds Banned from Import to the United States

The United States does not ban breeds; however, there are some cities that do.

Exporting Pets from the United States

All resident pets leaving the United States must send relevant paperwork required for the destination country to the State USDA office for endorsement prior to leaving the country. Additionally, transiting pets whose permits or health certificates have expired will be required to obtain these documents in the United States and have them endorsed by the USDA prior to leaving the country.

Pets returning to the United States are subject to the same passport requirements as those entering for the first time. (see steps above). Pet owners returning to the United States should get a new health certificate issued by a veterinarian in the country you are visiting if you stay for more than 30 days. Other requirements will apply depending on the classification of the country of origin and whether your pet is a cat or dog.

Importing Other Pet Animals to the United States

There are no rabies requirements for other species of rodents, rabbits, ornamental fish, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles imported to the United States. These pets should travel with health certificates issued prior to travel.

Importing Birds to the United States

Birds entering the United States from any country will require permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The following regulations assume an import of 5 or less birds. Birds entering the United States from Canada by air or seaport will require an import permit, health certificate and veterinary inspection.

In addition to these requirements, non-US-resident pet birds entering the US from all countries except Canada must enter the United States must travel directly to quarantine at the New York Animal Import Center in Newburgh, NY or the Miami Animal Import Center in Miami, FL. A 30-day quarantine is required for these pet birds and includes mandatory testing.

Birds entering the United States from Mexico or other HPAI-infected country** must undergo 21 days pretravel quarantine in the origination country. They must enter by air at international airports located in Miami or New York and be subject to 30 days of quarantine. An import permit, health certificate and veterinary inspection will apply.

Birds entering the United States from HPAI-free countries are subject to all requirements above except the 21-day pre-travel quarantine.

Pet birds weighing more than 100 grams, must be identified by one of three approved means (microchip, leg band or tattoo) in order to qualify for home quarantine, in lieu of Federal quarantine, upon returning to the United States from HPAI-FREE countries. The identification must be documented on the accompanying U.S. origin health certificate.

**HPAI-infected countries are:
Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cambodia, Canada, China, Croatia, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Macau, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

Importing Fish to the United States

Live finfish of most species may be imported into the United States without import requirements. There are 8 species of fish that will require an import permit and health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian in the originating country: common carp, including koi carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), Crucian carp (Carassius carassius), tench (Tinca tinca), and sheatfish (Silurus glanis).

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries
participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Search the CITES database.

Related: Read more about CITES.

Need More Pet Import Requirements for the United States?

Pet owners should visit PetTravelStore.com for further detail on import permits, costs, tests and pet import procedures for the United States are available at minimal cost.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to the United States?

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Current Information

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following United States pet import requirements.