Bringing a pet into the United States
USA: Federal rules for pets entering the US mainland. Each state can add its own entry rules.
Last verified Applies to dogs and cats29 primary sourcesSite-wide weekly check due
Entry permitted: no quarantine when compliant
To meet the entry rules
- A dog from a dog rabies-free or low-risk country needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt and a microchip, and must be at least 6 months old and appear healthy when it arrives.
- A dog from a country under APHIS foot-and-mouth disease conditions must have clean fur and bedding, and is kept away from livestock for 5 days after it arrives.
- A cat must appear healthy on arrival. It needs no proof of rabies vaccination.
Full answer
A dog from a dog rabies-free or low-risk country needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt and a microchip, and must be at least 6 months old and appear healthy when it arrives. A dog from a country under APHIS foot-and-mouth disease conditions must have clean fur and bedding, and is kept away from livestock for 5 days after it arrives. A cat must appear healthy on arrival. It needs no proof of rabies vaccination.
- 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.
- Titer required
- Not required
- Rules allow in cabin
- AllowedA dog may fly to the United States in the cabin, as checked baggage in the hold, or as cargo.
- Banned breeds
- None in our sources
Requirements, in the order they must happen
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | The dog is at least 6 months old on the day it arrives.Dogs only; Only: Dog rabies-free or low-risk country (CDC) | at least 6 months before arrival | Done less than 6 months before arrival. |
| Import form | The importer submits a complete CDC Dog Import Form before the dog arrives; it can be filled in on the day of travel.Dogs only; Only: Dog rabies-free or low-risk country (CDC) | on or before arrival | Done after arrival. |
| Import form | The receipt is valid for 6 months from when it is issued, so the form is submitted no more than 6 months before the dog arrives. A visit to a high-risk country, or to a different low-risk country, in that time needs a new form.Dogs only; Only: Dog rabies-free or low-risk country (CDC) | within 6 months before arrival | Done more than 6 months before arrival. |
| Requirement | The dog has a microchip that a universal scanner can read.Dogs only; Only: Dog rabies-free or low-risk country (CDC) | — | No microchip, or one a universal scanner cannot detect. |
| Requirement | The dog must appear healthy on arrival and is inspected at the port of entry.Dogs only; Only: Dog rabies-free or low-risk country (CDC) | — | Signs of a communicable disease when the dog is inspected on arrival. |
| Note | The regulation also tells airlines to refuse boarding unless the importer shows documentation that the dog is over six months old, has a microchip and has been only in low-risk or rabies-free countries for the last six months. CDC's own pages name the Dog Import Form receipt as the only document required.Dogs only; Only: Dog rabies-free or low-risk country (CDC) | — | — |
| Note | CDC strongly recommends a rabies vaccination, but the extra rules for dogs from high-risk countries do not apply.Dogs only; Only: Dog rabies-free or low-risk country (CDC) | — | — |
| Requirement | The dog's fur and bedding are free of excessive dirt, hay or straw. On arrival it is bathed and kept away from all livestock for 5 days. No document is needed.Dogs only; Only: Under APHIS foot-and-mouth disease conditions for dogs | — | Fur or bedding with excessive dirt, hay or straw. |
| Requirement | The cat must appear healthy on arrival and may be inspected at the port of entry.Cats only | — | Signs of a disease that can pass to people. |
| Note | 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.Cats only | — | — |
| Note | CDC does not require a general health certificate, but some states and airlines do. | — | — |
Routes into the United States
- Australia → United StatesDog · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: allowed
- Australia → United StatesCat · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Canada → United StatesDog · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: allowed
- Canada → United StatesCat · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- European Union → United StatesDog · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: allowed
- European Union → United StatesCat · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Great Britain → United StatesDog · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: allowed
- Great Britain → United StatesCat · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Japan → United StatesDog · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: allowed
- Japan → United StatesCat · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- New Zealand → United StatesDog · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: allowed
- New Zealand → United StatesCat · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Northern Ireland → United StatesDog · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: allowed
- Northern Ireland → United StatesCat · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
Leaving the United States with a pet
To Great Britain
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vet signs the health certificate | A USDA-accredited vet completes and signs the Great Britain pet health certificate. It is valid for 30 days after signing. | within 30 days before arrival | Done more than 30 days before arrival. |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | APHIS endorses the certificate in ink within 10 days before the pet arrives in the UK. The original travels with the pet. | within 10 days before arrival | Done more than 10 days before arrival. |
| Fee | APHIS endorsement fees start at $101 per certificate. APHIS does not say which fee tier a Great Britain certificate is in. | — | — |
To Northern Ireland
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vet signs the health certificate | A USDA-accredited vet issues the non-commercial health certificate and submits it through VEHCS for USDA endorsement. It is valid for 30 days after the vet issues it. | within 30 days before arrival | Done more than 30 days before arrival. |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | USDA endorses the completed certificate, signing and embossing it in ink, within 10 days before the pet arrives. A printed copy of the endorsed certificate travels with the pet. | within 10 days before arrival | Done more than 10 days before arrival. |
| Requirement | The owner or designated person completes and signs the Declaration on the certificate's final page. It travels with the pet and the certificate. | — | No signed Declaration travelling with the certificate. |
| Tapeworm treatment | An accredited vet gives the tapeworm treatment and records it in the Anti-Echinococcus treatment table of the certificate. It can come before or after USDA's endorsement. | — | — |
| Note | This assumes a non-commercial move: the owner travels with the pet on the same flight, or a designated person travels with it no later than 5 days after the owner, and five or fewer pets travel together. | — | — |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | New non-commercial health certificates take effect on October 1, 2026. An old certificate already in process can be endorsed on or before September 30, 2026. | — | — |
| Fee | APHIS endorsement fees start at $101 per certificate. APHIS does not say which fee tier a Northern Ireland certificate is in. | — | — |
To the European Union
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vet signs the health certificate | A USDA-accredited vet issues the non-commercial health certificate and submits it through VEHCS for USDA endorsement. It is valid for 30 days after the vet issues it. | within 30 days before arrival | Done more than 30 days before arrival. |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | USDA endorses the completed certificate in ink within 10 days before the pet arrives in the EU. A printed copy of the endorsed certificate travels with the pet. | within 10 days before arrival | Done more than 10 days before arrival. |
| Requirement | The owner or designated person completes and signs the Declaration on the certificate's final page. | — | No signed Declaration with the certificate. |
| Tapeworm treatment | An accredited vet gives the tapeworm treatment and records it in the Anti-Echinococcus treatment table of the certificate. It can come before or after USDA's endorsement. | — | — |
| Note | This assumes a non-commercial move: the owner travels with the pet on the same flight, or a designated person travels with it no later than 5 days after the owner, and five or fewer pets travel together. | — | — |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | New non-commercial health certificates take effect on October 1, 2026. An old certificate already in process can be endorsed on or before September 30, 2026. | — | — |
| Fee | APHIS endorsement fees start at $101 per certificate. APHIS does not say which fee tier an EU certificate is in. | — | — |
To Hawaii
A move from the mainland to Hawaii is a move within the United States. Hawaii's own entry rules apply.
To Japan
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | A USDA-accredited veterinarian completes Form AC for the owner declaration and health certificate. Obtain APHIS endorsement and arrange return of the endorsed paper document before travel. | on or before departure | Done after departure. |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | Dogs and cats can use APHIS digital endorsement through VEHCS. An APHIS-endorsed printed paper copy must accompany the animal; an electronic record alone is insufficient. | — | The APHIS-endorsed paper document does not accompany the pet. |
| Note | The export steps use the civilian USDA-accredited veterinarian and APHIS route. Active-duty military families may have a separate military-veterinarian certificate option. | — | — |
To Canada
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | For the covered owner-accompanied personal-dog journey, USDA says proof of current rabies vaccination is sufficient for the border health paperwork. Confirm carrier requirements separately. Unaccompanied puppies follow a different certificate procedure. | — | — |
| Note | USDA says pet cats do not require a border health certificate for Canada. Carry the required rabies vaccination documentation or kitten proof of age and confirm the airline’s separate requirements. | — | — |
To Australia
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | Have a USDA-accredited veterinarian complete the US-specific Australian health certificate and submit it for USDA endorsement within five days before export. Carry the endorsed health certificate, RNATT declaration and laboratory reports. USDA permits electronic issue and digital endorsement through VEHCS for this US route. | within 5 days before departure | Done more than 5 days before departure. |
| Requirement | Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian in the state where each preparation is performed, including microchip checks, blood sampling and laboratory submissions. | — | Preparation was performed by a veterinarian without the required accreditation. |
To New Zealand
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | Follow USDA’s certificate instructions for the actual New Zealand arrival date. Before April 1, 2027, a USDA-accredited vet completes Certificate A and USDA endorses it and completes Certificate B. For later arrivals, confirm that the negotiated new certificate has been posted before booking. USDA requires ink signature and embossing on the health certificate; carry the required rabies declaration and endorsed laboratory reports. | on or before departure | Done after departure. |
| Requirement | Obtain the USDA-endorsed rabies declaration for the chosen arrival period: the Official Veterinary Declaration for the legacy pathway or the Rabies Certification Form for the new pathway. The form must be ink-signed and embossed, and accompany the animal. Scan the microchip when collecting the RNATT sample and record the sampling date correctly. | — | The required original endorsed rabies declaration or matching laboratory records are missing. |
Routes out of the United States
- Dog to Australia
- Cat to Australia
- Dog to Canada
- Cat to Canada
- Dog to the European Union
- Cat to the European Union
- Ferret to the European Union
- Dog to Great Britain
- Cat to Great Britain
- Ferret to Great Britain
- Dog to Hawaii
- Cat to Hawaii
- Dog to Japan
- Cat to Japan
- Dog to New Zealand
- Cat to New Zealand
- Dog to Northern Ireland
- Cat to Northern Ireland
- Ferret to Northern Ireland
Where every rule above came from
- eCFR (Office of the Federal Register / GPO)ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-09-22/title-9.xmlThis assumes the dog will not be used to handle sheep or other livestock
- 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; Import form; Birth; The dog must appear healthy on arrival and is inspected at the port of entry; and 5 more
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-importFederal rules for pets entering the US mainland
- CDC (US)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/high-risk-countries.htmlDog rabies-free or low-risk country (CDC); Dogs from a CDC high-risk country follow extra CDC rules this site does not cover yet; CDC strongly recommends a rabies vaccination, but the extra rules for dogs from…
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/rabies-free-low-risk-countries.htmlDog rabies-free or low-risk country (CDC); This assumes the dog has been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past…; A dog may fly to the United States in the cabin, as checked baggage in the hold, or as…; Import form; and 3 more
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/rabies/resources/countries-risk/rabies-data-editor_1.jsonDog rabies-free or low-risk country (CDC)
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/dog-imports-country-disease-status.csvUnder APHIS foot-and-mouth disease conditions for dogs
- USDA APHIS VSaphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/import-alert-hpai-cyprus.pdfUnder APHIS foot-and-mouth disease conditions for dogs
- USDA APHIS VSaphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/import-alert-fmd-austria-hungary-slovakia.pdfUnder APHIS foot-and-mouth disease conditions for dogs
- USDA APHIS VSaphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/import-alert-greece.pdfUnder APHIS foot-and-mouth disease conditions for dogs
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/regionalization-evaluation-services/region-health-statusUnder APHIS foot-and-mouth disease conditions for dogs
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/ferretsNo federal rule covers pet ferrets
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/layovers.htmlThis also assumes the dog does not clear customs during a layover in a high-risk country
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/dogsThis covers pet dogs; The dog's fur and bedding are free of excessive dirt, hay or straw
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/dog-import-form-instructions.htmlA dog may fly to the United States in the cabin, as checked baggage in the hold, or as…; Import form
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/php/dog-importation-airlines/index.htmlImport form
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/faqs.htmlThe dog has a microchip that a universal scanner can read
- 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
- 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/us-to-foreign-country/cost-to-endorseAPHIS endorsement fees start at $101 per certificate
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/live-animal-import/state-regulationsA move from the mainland to Hawaii is a move within the United States
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category-3-step-by-step-guide-for-catsHealth certificate issued or endorsed
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-united-kingdom-great-britain-england-scotlandVet signs the health certificate; Health certificate issued or endorsed
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-finland-malta-ireland-including-northernVet signs the health certificate; Health certificate issued or endorsed; The owner or designated person completes and signs the Declaration on the certificate's…; Tapeworm treatment; This assumes a non-commercial move: the owner travels with the pet on the same flight…
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-austriaVet signs the health certificate; Health certificate issued or endorsed; The owner or designated person completes and signs the Declaration on the certificate's…; This assumes a non-commercial move: the owner travels with the pet on the same flight…
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-japanHealth certificate issued or endorsed; The export steps use the civilian USDA-accredited veterinarian and APHIS route
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-canadaFor the covered owner-accompanied personal-dog journey, USDA says proof of current…; USDA says pet cats do not require a border health certificate for Canada
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-australiaHealth certificate issued or endorsed; Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian in the state where each preparation is performed…
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-new-zealandHealth certificate issued or endorsed; Obtain the USDA-endorsed rabies declaration for the chosen arrival period: the Official…
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.