Dogs
Dogs can be imported in the U.S. only with permission of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Each adult can bring a maximum of two dogs, and the dogs must be at least 6 months old.
CDC recommends that you apply for a dog import permit at least 8 weeks before travel. This means you have to vaccinate your dog from rabies approximately 13 weeks prior to your planned travel.
To apply for a CDC dog import permit:
- Microchip your dog if it is not microchipped yet. The microchip must be ISO-compatible.
- After the dog is microchipped, vaccinate it from rabies. Have the veterinarian fill out a CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record. Make sure other vaccines are up to date if needed.
- At least 30 days after the rabies vaccine, test the dog for serologic titer at an approved laboratory. You can have the blood drawn at a vet clinic and request that it is sent to a CDC-approved laboratory for analysis.
- Once you have the serologic titer, apply for CDC permit.
Attach to your application:
- CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record filled out by the veterinarian
- The serologic titer. If the documents are not in English, they must have a certified English translation
- Two clear photographs of your dog’s teeth (front view of upper and lower teeth and side view of upper and lower teeth)
- A photo of your passport.
The CDC permit you will receive is valid for entry from 14 days before until 90 days after your planned date of arrival indicated on the application.
Your dog must arrive at one of the 18 airports with a CDC quarantine station: Anchorage (ANC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA), Washington DC Dulles (IAD).
You must re-vaccinate your dog from rabies within 10 days of arriving in the United States.
Cats
The United States does not impose special rules for cat import, however, if your cat appears to be ill, it may be inspected at the border.
Although there are no special requirements, it is still recommended that the cat has an ISO chip, rabies vaccination, all other necessary vaccinations and an international veterinary passport.
Airline Rules
Check pet travel rules of the airlines which you will use on the way to the United States. Do they charge extra fee for transporting a pet? Do they require additional documents regarding the pet’s health, such as a pet travel certificate? How long in advance do you need to register your pet for the flight? Are you allowed to bring the pet in the cabin of the airplane, or will your pet have to travel in cargo? Are there pet carrier size requirements? These rules are typically available on the airline’s website.
State Rules
Each U.S. state may impose its own rules regarding pet import, in addition to federal rules. Before travelling, make sure your pet complies with the rules of the state of your arrival and the state where you intend to live.
Pet import rules for each state can be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/interstate-pet-travel.
If you need a help of immigration lawyer, please use the form below: