As most of you know, we travel the world with our dog. As such, we try to keep abreast of the laws affecting pet travel. We want to share with you a significant update regarding taking a dog to the USA.
Since August 1, 2024, all dogs traveling to the U.S. must comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and (updated) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) import requirements. The entry requirements vary depending on where your dog has been in the 6 months before traveling to the U.S. Before we dive in, please note that regardless of where your dog has been it must:
- Appear healthy upon arrival.
- Be at least 6 months old at the time of entry or return to the U.S.
- Have a microchip to identify them (one that can be detected with a universal scanner)
Category 1: Dogs that have only been in dog-rabies free or low-risk countries in the last 6 months:
If you and your dog have only visited countries with a low-risk for rabies, the only requirement is that you submit a CDC Dog Import Form. You simply complete the (free) form and submit it online. The CDC will email you a receipt that you can show to airline personnel and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents when you enter the United States. You are permitted to show the receipt on your smartphone, but we recommend printing it out. Category 1 dogs can enter the U.S. at any airport, seaport, or land border.
Step one is to confirm that your dog has only been in low-risk countries. Consult the list of High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies provided by the CDC, and if your recently visited countries are not on the list, you are good to go.
Next, fill out the CDC Dog Import Form, where you will need to provide the following:
- Verification that your dog has only been in low-risk countries in the last 6 months.
- Information about you (or the person importing your dog): full name, birthdate, ID number, contact information, etc.
- The physical address where your dog will be staying in the USA
- Your dog’s information: name, age, sex, breed, color, microchip number
- Importation purpose i.e. personal or commercial
- Your signature
- A recent photo of your dog
The receipt is valid for 6 months from the date of issue – unless your dog visits a different country during that time. For example, if you travel back and forth between Canada and the U.S. you could use the same form for 6 months. However, if you leave Canada, take a trip to Italy, and then go to the USA — you will need to fill out a new CDC Dog Import Form listing Italy as your departure country.
Category 2: U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk rabies country in the last 6 months:
If your pup got its rabies vaccination in the United States, but visited a high-risk country before returning to America, you will need to provide two documents at your point of entry:
- The CDC Dog Import Form receipt discussed above.
*Please note: in this case, the receipt is only valid for a single entry into the U.S. and is only valid on the date of arrival listed on the receipt.
- A Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form OR a USDA-endorsed export health certificate.
Both are documents that must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA. They confirm the validity of your dog’s rabies vaccination administered in America. However, it is important to note that export health certificates will only be accepted during the new law’s “transition period,” ending July 31, 2025. After that date, you will need to have a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form.
For more details about the two different forms, please visit the USDA’s Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) Help Page and the CDC’s Instructions to complete the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination Form.
Category 2 dogs can enter America at any airport, seaport, or land border crossing, (as long as the port matches your CDC Dog Import Form receipt).
Category 3: Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk rabies country in the last 6 months:
If your dog was vaccinated for rabies in a country other than the U.S. there are several requirements for entry.
- The CDC Dog Import Form receipt discussed above.
*Once again, the receipt is only valid for a single entry into the U.S. and is only valid on the date of arrival listed on the receipt.
This form must be filled out by a veterinarian in the exporting country and endorsed by an official government veterinarian. Depending on the foreign country, the veterinarian who completes the form and endorses it may be the same person. In some cases, it may be a two-step process — vet visit, then endorsement at a government agency.
You must have your dog’s Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form completed less than 30 days before your trip to America. The form is only valid for one U.S. entry.
- A Valid Rabies Serology Titer Report OR a reservation for a 28-day quarantine in a CDC-registered animal care facility
A rabies serology titer is a blood test. If your dog passes the test, it proves he or she is immune to rabies. Blood must be taken at least 30 days after your dog’s first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before traveling to the U.S. If your dog has had multiple valid rabies boosters administered after their microchip was placed the blood sample can be drawn anytime (so long as there has been no lapse in vaccine coverage).
The blood sample must be sent to a CDC-approved rabies serology laboratory. The CDC defines a passing antibody titer as one ≥0.5 IU/mL. The good news is, passing titer results are valid for your dog’s entire life (so long as there is no lapse in rabies vaccination coverage).
*Please note, if your dog has an adequate serology titer result, your foreign veterinarian should include it on the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form.
All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country are required to have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility. You will need to call the facility at your port of entry. In most cases, your dog will simply need to be examined and revaccinated with a U.S. rabies vaccine. However, if your dog does not have a Valid Rabies Serology Titer Report, he or she will have to be quarantined in said facility for 28 days. If your dog meets certain criteria, the quarantine period may be shortened.
We have done the initial research in order to travel with our own dog, but these new laws can change at any time (especially after the transition period). Be sure to do your own investigation before attempting to bring your furry friend into the United States. It is essential to comply with all government requirements to avoid quarantine and/or rejection at the border.
If you are a dog owner looking for more travel tips, please read our articles Tips For Traveling With Your Dog and Popular Dog-Friendly Hotels for Pet Lovers.