Flying a cat from Australia to the United States
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Scope and research limits
USA: Federal rules for pets entering the US mainland. Each state can add its own entry rules.
This guide covers the journey and pathways stated here. Residence, travel history and connections may change which requirements apply. Confirm these before using the countdown.
Yes
A cat can enter the United States from Australia without quarantine when every condition is met.
To meet the entry rules
- a healthy appearance on arrival
If a requirement is missed: An animal refused entry after a flight is returned by the airline to the country it left, on the next available flight and at the importer's expense.
Full answer
A cat can enter the United States from Australia without quarantine when every condition is met. It needs a healthy appearance on arrival. If any is missed: An animal refused entry after a flight is returned by the airline to the country it left, on the next available flight and at the importer's expense. Last verified 24 September 2026.
- Rules allow in cabin
- Airline decidesA cat may arrive through any US airport. The federal rules we read set no cabin, hold or cargo limit for cats, so the airline decides.
- Quarantine
- NoneIf a rule is missed: An animal refused entry after a flight is returned by the airline to the country it left, on the next available flight and at the importer's expense.
- Rabies titer
- Not required
- Lead time
- 1 day
Your deadlines, counted back from arrival
None of these steps is a hard deadline. Each step says how long before arrival it falls. Pick an arrival date and your browser works out the calendar dates; it fetches nothing.
Lead time: 1 day
With no arrival time entered, hourly deadlines assume 12:00 local time. Use the local arrival time in the United States (America/New_York).
Pick an arrival date to see the calendar date of each step.
Clinical examination
Have a registered veterinarian perform the final health and welfare examination within 72 hours before departure and complete the signed declaration. Present the crate to that vet for inspection and confirmation that it is suitable. Timing: within 72 hours before departure.
Fails if: The Australian export procedure has not been completed.
Export permit issued
Attend the DAFF appointment with the required documentation and obtain the export permit and health certificate. Export within 72 hours after the permit is issued. Timing: within 72 hours before departure.
Fails if: The Australian export procedure has not been completed.
Arrival day
Requirements without a countdown
These conditions still apply. Choosing an arrival date does not check them.
The cat must appear healthy on arrival and may be inspected at the port of entry.
Fails if: Signs of a disease that can pass to people.
A cat needs no proof of rabies vaccination to enter the United States, but CDC recommends it, and the US destination may ask for more.
CDC does not require a general health certificate, but some states and airlines do.
Submit the Notice of Intention and supporting documents to the DAFF regional office at least 10 working days before departure or the start of isolation. Ask the office about holidays and allow more time; this business-day deadline is stated here but is not converted into calendar dates.
Fails if: The Australian export procedure has not been completed.
This plan assumes one air journey, with every step done before you leave. Unless you give a departure date, it assumes you leave the day before arrival or on arrival day. Times are local to the United States (America/New_York).
Which airlines carry cats on this route
The only airline in our sources gives no plain Yes for cats on this route.
This is what airlines offer. An airline can offer less than the rules allow.
Hold means checked baggage. Manifest cargo is a separate booking, even when the animal travels in the same aircraft hold.
| Airline | Cabin | Hold (checked baggage) | Manifest cargo | Fee from | Snub-nosed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas Freight | Not published | Not published | Quoted on request |
- Qantas Freight: Qantas refuses international puppies and kittens younger than 12 weeks and animals that appear sedated, unwell, injured, heavily pregnant or aggressive. Pets older than 12 years need a veterinary fitness certificate.
- Qantas Freight: Qantas Freight will not carry animals when temperatures are expected above 35°C or below 5°C. Confirm conditions at every station.
- Qantas Freight: Check current station embargoes with the specialist. The public international page still displays dated New York and Dallas restrictions; their current status needs direct confirmation.
No rule changes recorded since
We have recorded no change to the rules on this page since , when our log began. See every recorded change.
Where every rule above came from
- eCFR (Office of the Federal Register / GPO)ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-09-22/title-42.xmlA cat may arrive through any US airport; The cat must appear healthy on arrival and may be inspected at the port of entry; An animal refused entry after a flight is returned by the airline to the country it…; The dog is denied admission and returned to the country it left; The airline must refuse to board a dog whose importer has not shown the CDC Dog Import…
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/catsA cat needs no proof of rabies vaccination to enter the United States, but CDC…
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-importFederal rules for pets entering the US mainland
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/index.htmlThe cat must appear healthy on arrival and may be inspected at the port of entry: what fails; The cat must appear healthy on arrival and may be inspected at the port of entry; A cat needs no proof of rabies vaccination to enter the United States, but CDC…; CDC does not require a general health certificate, but some states and airlines do
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)agriculture.gov.au/export/controlled-goods/live-animals/companionSubmit the Notice of Intention and supporting documents to the DAFF regional office at…; Clinical examination; Export permit issued
- Qantas Freightfreight.qantas.com/en-au/pets/pets-international-travelQantas Freight: route, cabin, hold (checked baggage), manifest cargo; Qantas refuses international puppies and kittens younger than 12 weeks and animals that…; Check current station embargoes with the specialist
- Qantas Freightfreight.qantas.com/en-au/pets/pet-travel-faqsQantas Freight: cabin, hold (checked baggage), fee from, snub-nosed; Qantas Freight will not carry animals when temperatures are expected above 35°C or below…
Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we date every check, but the official page is the authority.
Related pages
See everything that applies in the United States, or what changed across the site.