From the CDC’s Website:
“Bringing a Dog into the
United States”
At a Glance: Starting on
August 1, 2024, dogs entering or returning to the United States must meet new,
specific requirements depending on where they have been in the 6 months before
entering the U.S. and where they received their rabies vaccines (if required).
All dogs must:
Be at least 6 months of age at
time of entry or return to the United States
Have an implanted International
Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip
This must have been implanted
prior to any required rabies vaccination
The microchip number must be
documented on all required forms and in all accompanying veterinary records
Appear healthy upon arrival
Dogs may not enter the United
States if they are carrying a disease contagious to people.
Isolation of the dog, veterinary
examination, and additional testing, at the importer’s expense, may be required
to determine if the dog has a contagious disease and prevent spread if the dog
does not appear healthy upon arrival.
Have a CDC Dog Import Form
receipt
black and white French bull dog
This form should be filled out
online ideally 2-10 days before arrival; however, it can also be completed
right before travel (even in line at the border crossing) if you have internet
access. If the information on the form changes before the dog arrives, you must
submit a new form and indicate you are making changes to an existing form. All
information, including port of entry where the dog is arriving, must be correct
at time of arrival.
This form requires you to upload
a clear photograph of the dog showing its face and body. Dogs that will be less
than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within
10 days before arrival.
There is no charge to importers
for submitting this form.
Have additional documentation
which varies depending on where the dog has been in the 6 months before
entering or returning to the United States, or if the dog has a current rabies
vaccine administered in the United States
Additional requirements for dogs
with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States
Additional requirements for dogs
that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months
before entry and do NOT have appropriate documentation of current US-issued
rabies vaccine
Additional requirements for dogs
that have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk in the 6
months before entry
Dogs that do not meet all entry
requirements or do not have accurate and valid forms will be denied entry to
the United States and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s
expense. These requirements apply to all dogs, including service dogs and dogs
that were born in the United States.
Requirements for dogs with a
current and valid rabies vaccination administered in the United States
Specific requirements depend on
whether the dog has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the past 6
months.
Dogs with a current rabies
vaccination administered in the United States that have been in a high-risk
country for dog rabies must:
Meet all requirements in the “All
Dogs” section above
Have a Certification of
U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog
departed the United States
The Certification of U.S.-issued
Rabies Vaccination form is required for the importation (re-entry) of
U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in high-risk countries for dog rabies
within the 6 months before re-entry into the United States.
Please note, during the
transition period (which will expire on July 31, 2025), the importer may
instead present a copy of the USDA-endorsed export health certificate that was
used to ship the dog from the United States, if that export health certificate
was issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and
documents the dog’s age (at least 6 months), the microchip number, and valid
rabies vaccination administered in the United States. The rabies vaccination
must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.
Arrive at the location listed on
the CDC Dog Import Form receipt
This can be any airport, land
border crossing, or sea port but you must select this location when you
complete the CDC Dog Import Form.
Dogs with a current rabies
vaccination administered in the United States that have NOT been in a high-risk
country in the last 6 months must:
Meet all requirements in the “All
Dogs” section above
Have one of the following
documents:
A Certification of U.S.-Issued
Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the
United States; or
A USDA endorsed export health
certificate. The export certificate must demonstrate the dog is 6 months of age
or older, list the microchip number, and either:
Be for the dog rabies-free or
low-risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated (the form will
only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination
information), or
Document a valid (unexpired)
rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid
for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
Arrive at the location listed on
the CDC Dog Import Form receipt
(This can be any airport, land
border crossing, or sea port but you must select this location when you
complete the CDC Dog Import Form.)
Important information about
the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form
The Certification of U.S.-Issued
Rabies Vaccination form must be completed before the dog departs the U.S.
Before asking your veterinarian to complete this form, verify the following
requirements will be met:
Ensure your dog will be at least
6 months of age on date of return to the U.S.
Have your dog microchipped with
an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip
(implanted before any required rabies vaccinations)
Once your dog is at least 12
weeks (84 days) of age, have a USDA-accredited veterinarian vaccinate your dog
against rabies with a U.S.-licensed vaccine in accordance with manufacturer
instructions
Ensure the veterinarian scans the
dog for the ISO-compatible microchip and records the microchip number at the
time of vaccine appointment. Rabies vaccines administered prior to microchip
implantation will not be considered valid.
Ensure the rabies vaccination
will be valid for the entire duration of your travels. If your dog’s
U.S.-issued rabies vaccination lapses while overseas and your dog has been in a
high-risk country in the past 6 months, your dog will need to be revaccinated
overseas and meet requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs to return to the
U.S., including having a rabies serology titer, arriving at a specific port of
entry, and possible quarantine requirements.
Your dog must receive its initial
(first) rabies vaccine at least 28 days before leaving the United States.
USDA-accredited veterinarians should only issue the Certification of
U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form for dogs that received their initial (first)
rabies vaccine at least 28-days previously. Booster vaccines are considered
valid immediately.
Have the USDA-accredited
veterinarian that administered the rabies vaccine to your dog complete the
Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form
Ensure the veterinarian submits
this form to the USDA for official endorsement through the VEHCS portal
Obtain a copy of the
Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form from your veterinarian
once it has been officially endorsed by the USDA
Your dog must travel with a
printed copy of the official endorsed form upon your dog’s return to the United
States if your dog has been in a high-risk country within the 6 months before
returning to the U.S.
During the transition period
(which will expire on July 31, 2025), U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in a
high-risk country in the past 6 months, may have either the Certification of
U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or the USDA endorsed export health
certificate for re-entry into the United States. Without one of these forms
your dog will need to meet the requirements specific to the risk category of
the countries where they have been in the 6 months before returning to the
United States.
The export health certificate
must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and
document the dog’s age (at least 6 months), microchip number, and the rabies
vaccination date. The rabies vaccine must be valid (not expired) on the date of
return or the form will be invalid.
Travel Checklist for
U.S.-vaccinated dogs
Step 1: Recommend to begin
60 days before travel out of the United States to allow sufficient time to
prepare for travel
Verify dog will be at least 6
months old on day of travel back to the United States.
Get your pet microchipped or
have your veterinarian verify their microchip number. Make sure the microchip
number is listed on all veterinary records.
Visit veterinarian to get your
dog their rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.
Your dog must be at least 12
weeks (84 days) old when it gets its first rabies vaccination.
Make sure your dog’s rabies
vaccination will be valid (not expired) for the entire duration of travel.
Step 2: Recommend to begin
30 days before travel out of the United States
Contact your veterinarian to have
them complete either:
the Certification of U.S.-Issued
Rabies Vaccination form, or
the USDA endorsed export health
certificate if your dog will be only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries
and will return from the country listed on the certificate or that documents a
valid rabies vaccination issued in the United States (if your dog will be in a
high-risk country, this option is available during the transition period [which
will expire on July 31, 2025])
Step 3: 2-10 days before
travel back to the United States
Print a copy of the
Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed
export health certificate from USDA.
Take a photo of your dog and
complete the CDC Dog Import Form.
This form requires you to upload
a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of your dog showing its face and body.
Dogs that will be less than one
year of age at time of return to the United States should have the photograph
taken within 10 days before travel.
Ensure you enter your dog’s
microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.
Submit a corrected form if any of
the information on this form changes.
Print a copy of CDC Dog Import
form receipt you will receive in your email and travel with it.
CDC recommends you travel with at
least 2 copies of this form in case the country you are visiting keeps one copy
for their records. You will need to present this form for re-entry into the
United States.
Finalize travel arrangements
with the airline or transport company.
Step 4: Day of travel back
to the United States
If traveling by air, present the following to
the airline before boarding your dog:
CDC Dog Import Form receipt and
Certification of U.S.-issued
Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate
Arrive at the location on CDC Dog
Import Form receipt
Present the following to the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection officer:
CDC Dog Import Form receipt and
Certification of U.S.-Issued
Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate
Requirements for
foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a country with high risk of dog
rabies within 6 months before entry
Dogs, including service dogs,
that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months
before entry and do not have appropriate documentation of current U.S.-issued
rabies vaccine must:
Meet all requirements in the “All
Dogs” section
Have a complete Certification of
Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
Ensure the dog is microchipped
with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible
microchip before receiving the rabies vaccination and the number is recorded on
the veterinary documents or the vaccine will not be considered valid
Verify the dog is at least 12
weeks (84 days) of age when vaccinated against rabies
The dog must have a valid (i.e.,
non-expired) rabies vaccination. If it’s the dog’s first vaccination or if the
dog’s vaccination coverage has lapsed, the vaccine must be administered at
least 28 days before arrival to the United States.
The Certification of Foreign
Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form must be completed by your veterinarian
AND endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country.
Have a valid rabies serology
titer (titer not required if dog has reservation for 28-day quarantine at a
CDC-registered animal care facility)
The blood sample for the rabies
serology titer must have been drawn at least 30 days after the dog’s first
valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before entry to the U.S.
Dogs with a history of multiple
valid rabies vaccinations administered after the microchip was placed may have
the sample for the rabies serology titer drawn at any time after a rabies
booster vaccination as long as the dog’s first vaccine was given at least 30
days before the blood sample was drawn and there has been no lapse in vaccine
coverage. If a lapse occurs, the sample must be drawn at least 30 days after
the valid booster vaccination was administered.
The sample must be sent to a
CDC-approved rabies serology laboratory. If there is no CDC-approved laboratory
in your country, your veterinarian may draw the sample and send it
internationally to a CDC-approved laboratory.
Passing results must be obtained
in order for a serology to be valid.
Rabies serology titer results
will be considered valid for the life of the dog as long as the dog’s rabies
vaccination coverage does not lapse. If a lapse occurs, a new rabies serology
titer will be required and that sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the
new vaccination was administered.
If the dog does not have a valid
rabies serology titer, it will be required to be quarantined at a
CDC-registered animal care facility for 28 days after the dog is revaccinated
by the facility’s veterinarian.
Have a reservation at a
CDC-registered animal care facility for examination and revaccination (and
quarantine if the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer)
All foreign-vaccinated dogs that
have been in a high-risk country in the previous 6 months must have a
reservation for examination, verification of age, documents, and microchip
number, and administration of a rabies booster vaccination at a CDC-registered
animal care facility immediately upon arrival in the United States.
Dogs that do not have a valid
rabies serology titer must also have a reservation for quarantine. Dogs will be
quarantined at the facility for 28 days at the importer’s expense after being
revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian.
All CDC-registered animal care
facility expenses, including exam, revaccination, and quarantine (if required),
are the responsibility of the importer.
The facility will need copies of
all required documents prior to confirming your reservation.
Ensure the dog meets any
facility-specific requirements (contact facility for additional information).
If after arrival the
CDC-registered animal care facility determines that your documents are not
valid or the dog’s microchip number, age, or description does not match the
paperwork provided, the dog may be denied entry and returned to the country of
departure at your expense.
Dogs that have evidence of
illness or are not healthy will be required to have testing to confirm they do
not have contagious diseases before they will be eligible for release, which
may extend the required quarantine period beyond 28 days. Any required testing
or extended stay in quarantine will be at the importer’s expense, so please
ensure dogs are healthy upon arrival (including no evidence of fleas, ticks, or
skin diseases).
Have an international flight that
arrives directly at the airport with the CDC-registered animal care facility
where the dog has a reservation
Dogs must arrive to the U.S. at
the airport where the CDC-registered animal care facility is located. This must
be the location where the dog has a reservation.
This must also be the airport
listed on the CDC Dog Import Form
Domestic flights or other forms
of travel to other locations in the U.S. are not permitted until after the dog
receives required follow-up services at the CDC-registered animal care facility
and is cleared for entry.
SERVICE DOGS ARRIVING BY SEA:
Service dogs, as defined in 14 CFR 382.3, may arrive by sea if they meet the
requirements in the “All Dogs” section, have a complete Certification of
Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form and a valid rabies serology
titer, and are traveling with their handler. Emotional support animals are not
service animals under this definition.
Travel Checklist for
foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries
Step 1: Recommend to begin
60-90 days (or more) before travel
Verify the dog will be at least 6
months old on day of arrival in the United States.
Get the dog microchipped or have
a veterinarian verify its microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is
listed on all veterinary records.
Visit a veterinarian to get the
dog its rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.
Vaccination must be current on
date of arrival.
The dog must be at least 12 weeks
(84 days) of age when vaccinated against rabies.
Rabies vaccination must be
administered at least 28 days before arrival if it is the dog’s first rabies
vaccine or if its rabies vaccination coverage has lapsed.
Have the veterinarian collect a
blood sample (at least 30 days after first valid rabies vaccine) to send to a
CDC-approved laboratory for a rabies serology titer if you wish to avoid a
quarantine for the dog.
You may have this completed at a
different time point, but the sample must be collected at least 30 days after
the dog’s first rabies vaccination. Note that results may take weeks to obtain
from the laboratory and samples must be drawn at least 4 weeks (28 days) before
entering the United States.
Step 2: Recommend to begin
30 days before travel
Contact veterinarian to have them
complete the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form.
The veterinarian must submit this
form to an official government veterinarian in the exporting country for
certification
If not done already: last chance
to have a veterinarian collect a blood sample to send to a CDC-approved
laboratory for a rabies serology titer to avoid a quarantine for the dog.
Titers MUST be collected at least 28 days before travel to the U.S.
Receive copy of endorsed
Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form from the
official veterinarian in the exporting country.
Book a reservation at
CDC-registered animal care facility.
All foreign-vaccinated dogs that
have been in a high-risk country must have a reservation for (at minimum)
examination, verification of age, microchip, and documents, and administration
of a rabies booster vaccination.
If the dog will not have a valid
rabies serology at time of entry to the United States, you must also make a
reservation for quarantine.
Print a copy of the reservation
confirmation from the CDC-registered animal care facility. This reservation
confirmation MUST accompany the dog.
Finalize the dog’s travel
arrangements.
Make sure the itinerary has the
dog’s first point of arrival in the United States at the airport with the
CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation.
Step 3: 2-10 days before
travel
Take a photo of the dog and
upload it to complete the CDC Dog Import Form.
This form requires you to upload
a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of the dog showing its face and body.
Dogs that will be less than one
year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days
before arrival.
Ensure you enter the dog’s
microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.
Ensure the airport entered into
the form is the same one where the CDC-registered animal care facility where
the dog has a reservation is located.
Submit a corrected form if any of
the information on this form changes.
Print a copy of CDC Dog Import
Form receipt you will receive in your email and ensure it accompanies the dog.
Finalize travel arrangements with
airline or transport company.
Step 4: Day of travel
Present the following to the
airline before boarding the dog:
CDC Dog Import Form receipt and
reservation confirmation for the
CDC-registered animal care facility
Arrive at the location where the
CDC-registered animal care facility is located and that is printed on the CDC
Dog Import Form receipt.
Present the following to the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:
CDC Dog Import Form receipt and
reservation confirmation for the
CDC-registered animal care facility
Follow instructions provided by
CBP and the CDC-registered animal care facility to ensure the dog is
transferred to the facility.
Step 5: After travel
Follow the instructions of the CDC-registered
animal care facility regarding where and when to pick up the dog after required
services have been completed.
Requirements for dogs that
have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk during the 6
months before entry
Countries that are not on the
list of countries at high risk for dog rabies are considered to be free of or
low risk for dog-mediated rabies virus variant (DMRVV) (called dog rabies-free
or low-risk countries on these webpages).
Dogs, including service dogs,
that have been ONLY in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6
months before entry into the United States must:
Meet all requirements in the “All
Dogs” section
Have one of the following (note:
any documentation that is not from the United States must be completed in the
country where the dog’s travel originates):
Certification of Dog Arriving
from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form endorsed by an
official veterinarian in the exporting country; AND valid rabies serology titer
OR veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the
exporting country for the 6 months before traveling to the U.S. This form must
be for the dog rabies-free or low risk country where the dog’s return itinerary
originated. The form has different entry requirements depending on whether and
where the dog was vaccinated. The form is valid for:
A single entry into the U.S. for
30 days after it was issued if it does not contain information about rabies
vaccination administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country, OR
Multiple entries into the U.S.
for the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1 or 3 years) if the rabies
vaccination was administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country
Certification of Foreign Rabies
Vaccination and Microchip form, including the endorsement by an official
veterinarian of the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog has been
located; AND EITHER (1) a valid rabies serology titer OR (2) veterinary
records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting
country for the previous 6 months. The form must be completed within 30 days
before arrival to the United States and is valid for a single entry.
Certification of U.S.-Issued
Rabies Vaccination form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the
United States
Valid USDA-endorsed export health
certificate that either:
Is for the dog rabies-free or
low-risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated (the form will
only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination
information), or
Documents a valid (unexpired)
rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid
for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
Foreign export certificate that
documents the dog is at least 6 months of age, lists the dog’s International
Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip number, and has
been endorsed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country; AND
veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the
exporting country for the previous 6 months. The certificate must be issued
within 30 days before arrival to the United States and is valid for a single
entry.
Arrive at the location listed on
the CDC Dog Import Form receipt (This can be any airport, land border crossing,
or sea port but you must select it when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form.)
Any documentation that is not
from the United States must be completed in the country where the dog’s travel
originates. For example, if the dog’s documents were issued in France, the dog
may not enter the U.S. via a land-border crossing from Mexico to the U.S.
*Examples of veterinary records
that must accompany completed forms are European Union pet passports or proof
of payment for veterinary services received in the exporting low-risk country
for the previous 6 months. Records must include the dog’s microchip number.
Travel Checklist for dogs that
have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk in the 6
months before entry
Step 1: Recommend to begin
60-90 days before travel
Verify dog will be at least 6 months old on
day of travel.
Get dog microchipped or have a
veterinarian verify its microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is
listed on all veterinary records.
Visit a veterinarian to get your
dog its rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.
Rabies vaccination is not
required if the dog has been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries for
6 months, but is strongly recommended. It may also be required by the U.S.
state or territory to which the dog is traveling.
Step 2: Recommend to begin
30 days before travel
Ask the veterinarian to complete
the Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the
United States form† or other CDC-approved documentation
The veterinarian must submit this
form to an official government veterinarian in the exporting country (or to
USDA if the dog was vaccinated in the United States) for certification
Collect veterinary records for past 6 months.
These must list an address for
the veterinarian in the low-risk country from where the dog is departing for
the U.S. and the dog’s microchip number.
Veterinary records are not needed
if the dog’s documentation is a valid Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies
Vaccination form, or a USDA endorsed export health certificate if the dog is
returning from the dog rabies-free or low-risk country listed on the certificate.
If the dog’s documentation is the
Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, the importer
can present a valid rabies serology titer instead of veterinary records.
Receive copy of Certification of
Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States (or
other CDC-approved documentation) from the veterinarian.
Begin making travel arrangements and
reservations.
†The Certification of Dog
Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form has
different entry requirements depending on whether and where the dog was
vaccinated. The form is valid for:
A single entry for 30 days after
the form was issued if it does not contain information about rabies vaccination
administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country OR
Multiple entries into the US for
the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1 or 3 years) if it contains
information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies free or
low-risk country
Step 3: 2-10 days before
travel
Take a photo of the dog and
complete the CDC Dog Import Form.
This form requires you to upload
a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of the dog showing its face and body.
Dogs that will be less than one
year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days
of travel.
Ensure you enter the dog’s
microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.
Submit a corrected form if any of
the information on this form changes.
Print copy of CDC Dog Import Form
receipt you will receive in your email and ensure it accompanies the dog.
Finalize travel arrangements with
airline or transport company.
Step 4: Day of travel
Present the following to the
airline before boarding the dog:
CDC Dog Import Form receipt and
Certification of Dog Arriving
from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United form States (or other
CDC-approved documentation)
☐ Arrive at the location on CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
☐ Present the following to the
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:
CDC Dog Import Form receipt and
Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form (or other CDC-approved documentation)
If you have questions or need
more information, please contact CDC-INFO at (800) 232-4636.
^ In case you wondered what the
CDC was currently doing now that they can’t focus on Covid – they are going
after Dogs.
Every single Dog entering the
United States (even Service Dogs, Dogs of Foreigners, Dogs of US Military
Soldiers and Dogs of American Citizens) have to go through a weeks-long process
every single time.
It seems this new CDC Policy was
created by a Dog-Hater (or at a Cat Lover) since it is extremely confusing and
near-impossible to get down and yet Cats don’t have to do anything new to enter
the US.
This new CDC Dog Policy Openly
Discriminates against the Disabled and their Service Dogs and places
unnecessary and an undue Burden on the Disabled.
This is American Tax Dollars at
work! ^
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