Bringing a Dog into the United States | Bringing an Animal into U.S. | Importation (2024)

CDC is extending its temporary suspension of dog importation from high-risk dog rabies countries until July 31, 2024. This suspension includes dogs arriving from countries without high risk of rabies if the dogs have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months. Learn about the current rules: What Your Dog Needs to Enter the United States

CDC issues regulations to control the entry of dogs into the United States from other countries. These rules apply to all dogs, including puppies and service animals. They also apply whether you are a US citizen, legal US resident, or foreign national.

If you don’t follow CDC’s rules, your dog won’t be allowed to enter the United States. If denied entry, your dog will be sent back to the last country of departure at your expense. Country of departure is where the last trip originated—not where the dog was born or where it lives.

In addition, you must comply with US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) and your US destination’s regulations. Regulations of US states or territories may be more strict than federal regulations. Please be aware that dogs imported for commercial (resale or adoption) purposes have additional requirements from USDA.

Determining If You Can Bring a Dog into the United States

Whether you can bring a dog into the United States depends on where the dog is coming from—especially if from a high-risk countryfor dog rabies.

To enter the United States, your dog will be required to meet specific criteria. Start by answering the questions below to determine if you can bring a dog into the United States.

Why Entry of Dogs to the United States Is Controlled

Rabies is fatal: Rabies is over 99% fatal and is 100% preventable. The United States eliminated dog rabies in 2007, but dog rabies is not controlled in over 100 countries—creating a risk to the United States for imported dogs. Through regulations, CDC strives to protect America’s families, communities, and pets by preventing the reintroduction of dog rabies into the United States. Preventing infected dogs from entering the United States is a public health priority. Each rabid imported dog could infect people and other animals and could cost more than half a million dollars to contain.

Why it’s important now: Since 2015, four rabid dogs were imported into the United States. Historically, about 300 dogs annually have been denied entry to the United States due to inadequate paperwork. However, between January and December 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic), CDC documented an increase from previous years with more than 450 instances of incomplete, inadequate, or fraudulent rabies vaccination certificates for dogs arriving from high-risk countries.

The increase in the number of dogs inadequately vaccinated against rabies that importers were attempting to bring into the United States created a public health risk of importing dog rabies.

Protect dogs and people: CDC will use the extended suspension period to improve the importation process to better protect the health and safety of dogs being imported and their US families and communities.

Bringing a Dog into the United States | Bringing an Animal into U.S. | Importation (2024)

FAQs

Bringing a Dog into the United States | Bringing an Animal into U.S. | Importation? ›

Under the new regulations, all dogs entering the U.S. must appear healthy, must be at least six months old, must have received a microchip, and the owner must verify the animal either has a valid rabies vaccine

rabies vaccine
History. Virtually all infections with rabies resulted in death until two French scientists, Louis Pasteur and Émile Roux, developed the first rabies vaccination in 1885. Nine-year-old Joseph Meister (1876–1940), who had been mauled by a rabid dog, was the first human to receive this vaccine.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Rabies_vaccine
or has not been in a country where rabies is endemic in the last six months.

What does your dog need to enter the United States? ›

Appear healthy on arrival; Be at least 6 months old; Have a valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record [PDF – 1 page] or U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate. Rules vary depending on whether the dog was vaccinated in the United States or in a foreign country (see Option A, B or C).

Can you bring a dog from a foreign country to us? ›

Bring a Pet From Another Country into the United States (Import) Animals entering the United States may be subject to regulation by APHIS and other Federal agencies. Depending on your destination State, your pet may need to meet State entry requirements in addition to Federal entry requirements.

Can I bring my dog across the border to USA? ›

You must bring a copy of your dog's current rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian including: Your information: name and address. Your dog's description: breed, sex, age, colour, markings, and other identifying information for the dog. Date of rabies vaccination and vaccine product information.

How long is the CDC dog import ban? ›

Permit FAQs

Starting August 1, 2024, new rules go into effect, and importers can no longer apply for CDC Dog Import Permits. All CDC Dog Import Permits will expire on August 31, 2024, and will no longer be accepted.

How much does it cost to take a dog to the USA? ›

How much does it cost to fly a dog to USA? The cost to fly your dog to USA ranges from £1400 – £6500, depending on a variety of factors. You can find out exactly how much it will cost by clicking here.

How do I clear my pet through customs? ›

The only way to clear your pet through U.S. customs is to provide a physical copy of the air waybill, health certificate and rabies certificate .

Does TSA require pet health certificates? ›

Neither a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), also known as a health certificate, nor a rabies vaccination is required to import a cat into California; however, if traveling into California via airplane, please call the airline as they may have additional requirements.

Do dogs have to quarantine in USA? ›

Most US states and territories do not require quarantine for dogs and cats coming from other countries, provided other health, and veterinary conditions are met.

How to take a dog home from a foreign country? ›

Typically, all that is required is a healthy-looking opens in a new tab dog, a valid rabies vaccination opens in a new tab certificate, and a certificate of health from a veterinarian indicating the dog is in good shape to travel.

Can I take my pet to USA? ›

CDC Dog Import Permit:

As of July 14, 2021, there is a temporary suspension for dogs entering the United States from high-risk dog rabies countries. Hence, all dogs entering the United States from countries classified as high-rabies must apply for an import permit.

Can you bring a dog through customs? ›

Importations of pets and/or wildlife may be subject to state/municipality veterinary health regulations, federal quarantine, agriculture, wildlife, and customs requirements and/or prohibitions. Pets taken out of the U.S. and returned, may be subject to similar requirements as those entering for the first time.

Do dogs need visa for US? ›

You probably have a plan for your own passport, but your animal companion needs one too. All pets traveling to and from the United States need a passport. Keep in mind, a “pet passport” in the U.S. refers to the extra documents you need to travel to other countries with your pet.

Why are dogs being banned from entering the US? ›

The Reason Behind the CDC Dog Travel Ban

This ban is necessary to protect both the health of imported dogs and public safety, as rabies can be fatal if left untreated.

What countries did the US ban dogs from? ›

The U.S. imports about 1 million dogs each year. So starting on July 14, the CDC is banning the importation of any dogs from 113 countries considered at high risk for rabies for a year. The countries are widespread, and include Kenya, Uganda, Brazil, Colombia, Russia, Vietnam, North Korea, Nepal, China and Syria.

What is a CDC dog permit? ›

CDC has the authority to issue a CDC Dog Import Permit to bring in 1 or 2 dogs from a high-risk country for dog rabies. Permits will be issued only for dogs that were vaccinated against rabies in a foreign country.

Do dogs need passports to go to USA? ›

You probably have a plan for your own passport, but your animal companion needs one too. All pets traveling to and from the United States need a passport. Keep in mind, a “pet passport” in the U.S. refers to the extra documents you need to travel to other countries with your pet.

Do pets need a health certificate to fly to us? ›

Pets taken out of the United States are subject upon return to the same regulations as those entering for the first time. CDC does not require general certificates of health for pets for entry into the United States. However, health certificates may be required for entry into some states or may be required by airlines.

Do you need a health certificate to fly with a dog within the US? ›

Check with airlines because they may have restrictions on breed and size. Most airlines also require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) issued within 10 days of travel. Federal regulations require pets to be at least 8 weeks old and they should be weaned at least 5 days before flying.

How much is a dog passport in the USA? ›

A US dog passport can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000. This depends on the fees of the vet clinic you visit and the state you're obtaining the dog passport in. Some states have additional fees due to paperwork.

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