How to Bring a Dog to the USA: Vaccines & Paperwork

The rules to import a dog to the continental USA have changed multiple times in recent years. Initially in July 2021 what were termed temporary measures were introduced, that targeted dogs from high-risk countries for rabies. In August 2024, a new system and a new form for all dog owners was introduced.

The difficulty in importing a dog to the United States depends on what countries your dog has visited in the last six months. There are few requirements for dogs being imported from rabies-free or low-risk countries for rabies, unless you are heading to Hawaii or Guam. It is much more difficult to import a dog that has visited high-risk countries for rabies in the last six months.

Here’s what you need to organise before taking your pet dog to the USA, whether you are visiting from abroad, relocating with your dog, or returning home after taking your dog out of the USA.

A Note on Flying with Dogs to the USA

In August 2024, along with new requirements for dogs owners, new requirements were introduced for airlines flying dogs to the United States, including in the cabin and as excess luggage. This includes an air waybill for each dog, unless a waiver is granted, as well as arrangements for dogs who are denied entry to the USA.

Due to these increased requirements, a number of airlines (in particular European airlines) stopped taking bookings for dogs flying into the United States (but not out of the United States). Although some of these bans have already been rolled back (as of early August 2024).

Even before the introduction of the latest requirements, a number of airlines based in high-risk countries for rabies had already stopped transported dogs to the United States, in particular a number of airlines in South America. Some airlines in other parts of the world may not accept pets that have visited high-risk countries for rabies.

Double check your airline still transports dogs into the United States. Don’t assume if you can book your dog on a flight out of the United States that you can just as easily return to the United States with your dog.

Overall Rules for Dogs Entering the USA

The regulations to import a dog to the USA are controlled by multiple departments as well as the state that you’re travelling to, meaning you need to check multiple sources of information.

There are two US government departments that control the regulations for dogs entering the USA are, so there are two main websites that you need to check for the latest rules. Make sure you check the website of both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC for short) and the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Planet Health Inspection Service (or USDA APHIS for short).

Additional requirements may also apply for pets being imported for resale, including adoptions, and working dogs, and are outside the scope of this article.

CDC Requirements for All Dogs

In August 2024, the CDC introduced some new requirements for all dogs being imported to the United States, whether or not the country is high-risk for rabies or not.

There was already a requirement that dogs must appear healthy on arrival in the United States. If a dog appears to be sick at entry, further inspection by a licensed veterinarian at your expense may be required.

Additionally now, all dogs must now have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner and be at least six months old.

It is no longer possible to bring puppies under six months old into the United States. This also applies if you temporarily leave the USA with your dog (to a country that permits dogs under six months to enter) and then try to return – so no quick trips across the border to Canada or Mexico with puppies!

Importing Dogs from Non High-Risk Countries For Rabies

The additional requirements for dogs entering the USA set by the CDC depend on whether or not your dog has visited any high-risk countries for dog rabies in the last six months. Not just the export country is considered, but every country your dog has visited in the last six months (including transiting in the cabin or as excess baggage).

The list of high-risk countries are listed here – note that it may be different from the list used by the EU. Canada, Mexico and most European countries are not listed as high-risk countries for rabies, so just these simpler steps apply.

The only extra requirement to import dogs from low-risk or rabies-free countries is to complete the CDC Dog Import Form, linked from this page. This simple form can be completed on the day of travel, but ideally a few days in advance.

The form is valid for up to six months, so you can even complete the form well in advance, as long as you know the travel details for the first time your dog will enter the USA. The form can also be used multiple times, as long as your don’t visit any high-risk rabies countries in the meantime.

There is no requirement for a rabies vaccine certificate for dogs being imported from low-risk or rabies-free countries, although individual states may require this (see below), and even some airlines (for instance, United Airlines on all international flights). The CDC also recommends all dogs are vaccinated against rabies (as the United States is not rabies-free).

Additionally, dogs entering the USA from low-risk or rabies-free countries can enter the country at any airport, seaport, or land border crossing.

Importing Dogs from High-Risk Rabies Countries

Since August 2024, a new set of requirements have been put into place for dogs being imported into the United States from high-risk countries for dog rabies, including any dogs that have visited these countries in the last six months.

Firstly, dogs that have not been vaccinated against rabies are not permitted to enter the United States. Secondly, the procedures that apply depend on whether your dog has a valid rabies vaccine administered in the United States or overseas.

US-Vaccinated Dogs

Dogs that have a valid rabies vaccine that was administered in the United States require a Certification of US-issued Rabies Vaccination form. This form must be completed by a a USDA-accredited veterinarian and submitted to the USDA for endorsement before the dog departs the United States.

Note that following an initial rabies vaccine, this form can be only completed once 28 days has elapsed. Your dog also needs to be microchipped prior to the rabies vaccine listed in the certificate.

It can be completed by the veterinarian who gave your dog their vaccine or another veterinarian that is USDA-accredited. It is valid for multiple entries, up until the rabies vaccine listed elapses, usually after one or three years.

Alternatively, up until 31st July 2025, a USDA-endorsed export health certificate can be substituted for this form. During the transition period, for dogs that have already left the USA, a Certification of US-issued Rabies Vaccination form can also be completed retroactively.

For further details, see the full guidelines for importing a US-vaccinated dog that has visited high-risk countries for rabies and the FAQ.

Additionally, you will also need to complete the CDC Dog Import Form, linked from the above page. This form is only valid for a single entry.

These dogs can enter the United States at any airport, seaport, or land border crossing, but the port (and date of import) must match the CDC Dog Import Form.

Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs

For dogs that have been vaccinated against rabies outside of the United States, more onerous steps apply.

Firstly, a Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form must be completed by your veterinarian and endorsed by an official government veterinarian. This form is only valid for 30 days after it is signed by the dog’s veterinarian for a single entry.

Secondly, your dog must have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility. In order to do this, dogs must only enter the country on an international flight to an airport with an animal care facility. The only exemption is for service dogs arriving by sea.

If your dog has a valid rabies titre test, completed by a CDC-approved laboratory, at the animal care facility they will be examined by a veterinarian and re-vaccinated with a US rabies vaccine. Enquire with the animal care facility how long they expect the dog to remain – this may be 2-3 days and a charge will apply.

If your dog is sick or has parasites, additional test or treatments may be required. They may even be denied entry. Otherwise they will be released into the United States.

However, if your dog does not have a valid rabies titre test, they will also require a 28-day quarantine reservation at the CDC-registered animal care facility. The quarantine period can be shorted if certain criteria are met.

Finally, your dog also needs a completed CDC Dog Import Form. This form is only valid for a single entry.

For further details, see the full guidelines for importing a foreign-vaccinated dog that has visited high-risk countries for rabies and the FAQ. Make sure you allow plenty of time to understand and complete all the requirements.

Importing Dogs from Countries with Screwworm

There are some additional requirements for dogs entering the USA from selected countries, as specified by the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services.

Firstly, there is an additional step for dogs travelling from countries or regions where screwworm is present. To see the affected countries, view this list. Many countries in Asia, Africa and South America are affected.

A certificate needs to be issued by the official government veterinarian of the region of origin. This certificates needs to state that the dog was inspected for screwworm within five days of the dog’s departure and they are free of screwworm. Alternatively, the certificate can state that they were held in quarantine and treated until free of screwworm.

Importing Dogs from Countries with Foot and Mouth Disease

Secondly, there are some simple requirements for dogs arriving from countries that are not free from Foot and Mouth Disease. These include that their fur and bedding is free of excessive dirt, hay or straw, they are bathed as soon as possible and kept away from livestock for at least five days.

To see the affected countries, view the same list. Canada, Australia and most countries in Central America, the Caribbean, and Western and Central Europe are not affected.

State Requirements for Importing Dogs

It’s also necessary to check the requirements for the state that you are travelling to in the USA. To view these requirements, select the state on this map and you’ll be provided with the relevant state website.

In my experience, some of these regulations only apply for the commercial transport of pets or pets permanently relocating, although always carefully check.

For example, I flew into New York. Here’s the rules for New York State. In addition to requiring dogs to be vaccinated against rabies, they require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or Health Certificate. At the time of my visit, it was stated this wasn’t required for stays of less than 30 days, but these days that exemption seems to only apply to interstate arrivals.

States and territories that require additional steps for all dog owners include Hawaii and Guam (due to their rabies-free status), and Alaska.

Read more about the preparation required to take your dog to Hawaii (and skip on a stay in quarantine)

Is a Health Certificate Required?

If you’re flying to the USA, in many cases a health certificate is required by the airline. Additionally, a health certificate is required by some states, depending on your circumstances.

However, there is no blanket requirement for a health certificate for dogs entering the USA, unlike for many countries. Naturally, though, your dog should be healthy, as required for entry, and often a combined health and rabies certificate is issued by vets.

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