United States – Importing a Pet

Does the United States allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

The U.S. is open to the importation of common domestic companion animals, including dogs, cats, and birds, though the rules that apply differ considerably by species. USDA APHIS defines a pet as a privately owned companion animal not intended for research or resale, encompassing dogs, cats, and birds, among other categories. Animals falling outside this definition may face entirely different — and frequently far more restrictive — conditions for entry.

Certain animals are prohibited outright. Nonhuman primates, including monkeys and apes, may only be brought into the country for scientific, exhibition, or educational purposes and cannot be imported as pets under any circumstances — a prohibition that also extends to U.S.-origin primates being returned to the country. The CDC has banned the importation of all African rodents into the United States, and the FDA has prohibited the sale, distribution, transport, or release of prairie dogs along with six specific types of African rodents.

Some wild species of dogs, cats, turtles, reptiles, and birds — even those kept as household companions — may be listed as endangered or threatened and could be protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) or other wildlife legislation such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act or the Wild Bird Conservation Act. Endangered and threatened animals, migratory birds, marine mammals, and certain categories of dangerous wildlife are all subject to import restrictions, prohibitions, and permit requirements.

There is no federal ban targeting specific dog breeds in the United States, in contrast to some other countries’ systems. That said, depending on where you are relocating to, your pet may need to satisfy state-level entry requirements in addition to federal ones, and pet owners bear responsibility for meeting all applicable federal and state rules. Some individual U.S. cities and counties enforce breed-specific legislation — always investigate local regulations at your destination before making travel arrangements.

Certain animals known to carry zoonotic diseases — including bats, insects, and snails — require permits from the CDC and other federal agencies before they can be brought into the country for any purpose. Because bats are capable of carrying and transmitting rabies and other viruses, import permits for bats kept as pets are not issued.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering the United States?

Health entry requirements vary substantially between dogs and cats. Dogs are held to the most detailed federal health standards, driven by the U.S. goal of preventing the reintroduction of dog-maintained rabies virus. Because the U.S. is considered free of dog-maintained rabies, the CDC places considerable emphasis on a dog’s vaccination history and the countries it has visited.

The requirements for bringing a dog into the U.S. hinge on where it was vaccinated and which countries it has been present in during the six months before entry. The CDC has identified more than 100 countries that are classified as high-risk for rabies exposure. If your dog has been to any of those countries within six months of entry into the U.S., more stringent rules come into effect. Dogs arriving from low-risk or rabies-free countries face a considerably more straightforward process.

As of August 2024, every dog entering the United States must be at least 6 months of age at the time of arrival, have an implanted ISO-compatible microchip — which must be inserted before any required rabies vaccination — and have the microchip number recorded on all mandatory forms and accompanying veterinary documentation.

Dogs must also present as healthy upon arrival. A dog carrying a disease communicable to humans will not be permitted to enter. If a dog does not appear healthy on arrival, isolation, veterinary examination, and additional testing may be required at the importer’s cost.

For dogs arriving from or having spent time in high-risk countries carrying a foreign-issued rabies vaccination record, a rabies serology (titer) test is required to avoid quarantine. The preferred test is the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) test; samples must be processed at approved laboratories, and the test must take place at least 45 days before entry to sidestep the quarantine requirement.

Cats do not need proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the United States under federal rules. However, the CDC recommends that all cats be vaccinated against rabies, and your destination state may impose its own conditions. Although it is not a CDC requirement, certain airlines and state governments may require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) — also referred to as a health certificate — confirming that your cat is free of contagious illness and fit to travel.

The CDC does not mandate general health certificates for pets entering the United States at the federal level; however, health certificates may be required by some states or by airlines. Always confirm the latest requirements with the CDC, your destination state authority, and your airline well ahead of travel.

What is the application process for importing a pet into the United States, and what paperwork is required?

The process differs depending on whether you are travelling with a dog or a cat, and — in the case of dogs — on the countries your pet has visited during the preceding six months. Unlike countries that issue a single standardised pet travel document (as in the EU Pet Travel Scheme), the U.S. relies on a combination of online submissions and veterinary certifications. The following is a step-by-step guide to bringing a dog into the United States.

1. Microchip your dog first. Your dog must carry an implanted ISO-compatible microchip. It is essential that this is implanted before any required rabies vaccination — if the vaccination is administered first, it will not be treated as valid for import purposes.
2. Ensure your dog is vaccinated against rabies (if required). All dogs must be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccination must be administered after microchip implantation, and the dog must be at least 6 months old at the time of vaccination. The certification form used to record the vaccination depends on where it was given and whether the dog has visited high-risk countries.
3. Obtain the appropriate rabies certification form. For dogs vaccinated in the U.S., the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog departs the United States and digitally endorsed by USDA. For dogs vaccinated overseas and travelling from high-risk countries, a foreign veterinarian must complete a Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, endorsed by an official government veterinarian. This form must be completed no more than 30 days before the dog travels to the U.S.
4. Book a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (if applicable). Dogs that have been present in any high-risk country within the past 6 months and hold a valid Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form may only enter at a U.S. airport that houses a CDC-registered animal care facility and where the dog has a confirmed reservation. Current qualifying facilities are located at ATL, LAX, MIA, JFK, IAD, and PHL airports.
5. Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online. All dog owners must submit the CDC Dog Import Form online before arriving in the country. This enables the CDC to review your pet’s documents and confirm that all import conditions are satisfied ahead of arrival. The form may be completed on the day of travel, and the receipt can be presented to airline staff and border officials either as a printed copy or via phone. The receipt remains valid for U.S. travel for six months from the date of issue and permits multiple entries.
6. Arrive at the port of entry specified on your CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs with a valid Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination may enter through any port of entry. The entry point must correspond to the one listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
7. Present all documents at the U.S. border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection coordinates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA APHIS, and the CDC to prevent the entry of foreign animal diseases and communicable illnesses. Be prepared to produce your CDC Dog Import Form receipt, rabies certification, and microchip records.

For cats, the procedure is far simpler. There are no new federal requirements governing cat importation unless a cat is found to be unwell or deceased during transit to or upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry. Even so, owners should carry veterinary health records and, where airlines or destination states require it, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by a licensed veterinarian.

Import permits are not required for personal pets. Only dogs intended for commercial purposes or resale require a USDA APHIS permit. If you are relocating with your own pet, no separate import licence application is necessary.

Does the United States require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

For the majority of people moving to the United States with a pet, mandatory quarantine will not apply — but it does come into effect under specific circumstances, primarily for dogs entering from high-risk rabies countries without the appropriate documentation or a valid rabies titer test result.

When a dog lacks a valid rabies serology titer, it will be required to undergo a 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility following revaccination by the facility’s veterinarian. Owners must hold a confirmed reservation at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility for examination and revaccination — and quarantine where required.

Quarantine applies only to dogs vaccinated abroad that are arriving from high-risk countries without a valid titer. Home quarantine is not an option — the full 28-day period must be served at an approved facility. This is an important distinction from systems such as New Zealand’s, which also mandates facility quarantine but casts a wider net. The U.S. approach is more focused, targeting specifically the canine rabies risk pathway.

All cats arriving in Hawaii and the territory of Guam — even those travelling from the U.S. mainland — are subject to locally enforced quarantine rules. Hawaii and Guam maintain rabies-free status and operate strict biosecurity programmes more closely resembling Australia’s quarantine system than the rules in force across the contiguous 48 states. If you are relocating to Hawaii, investigate the state’s specific requirements well in advance, as preparation can take a considerable amount of time.

The CDC has the authority to require the quarantine or re-exportation of imported animals, and those who violate import requirements may face fines or imprisonment. Attempting to circumvent the rules is a serious offence — thorough documentation preparation before departure is essential.

Is the United States part of any international pet travel scheme?

The United States does not participate in the EU Pet Travel Scheme or any comparable regional pet passport arrangement. There is no U.S. pet passport document of any kind. Unlike EU member states — where a standardised passport issued by an accredited veterinarian allows relatively seamless movement between participating countries — the U.S. operates through its own set of country-specific federal forms and conditions.

Pets taken out of the United States and subsequently returned are subject to the same entry regulations as animals entering for the first time. These rules apply regardless of whether the person accompanying the animal is a U.S. citizen, a lawful U.S. resident, or a foreign national. This means that even if you previously lived in the U.S. with your pet and are now coming back, current import rules must be followed in full.

For those arriving from countries participating in the EU Pet Travel Scheme or similar arrangements, documentation produced under those systems — such as an EU pet passport — is not automatically recognised in the U.S. You will still need to meet CDC requirements, including submitting the CDC Dog Import Form and ensuring the correct rabies certification is in order. What matters for determining which CDC pathway applies is the physical countries your pet has visited during the previous six months, not the passport or documentation framework used in those countries.

The practical implication for most expats is that preparation for U.S. entry must begin well ahead of departure. If your dog has been residing in a high-risk country, the titer test requirement alone — which must be carried out at least 45 days before arrival to avoid quarantine — means the process should begin several months before your planned move date.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in the United States?

Once your pet has cleared entry into the United States, you will need to be aware of ongoing obligations at the local level. Pet licensing in the U.S. is handled by cities, counties, and municipalities rather than by the federal government, so requirements and associated fees vary substantially depending on where you settle.

Licensing is a legal requirement in the majority of jurisdictions, although the specific rules depend on your location. For example, all dogs in Los Angeles County must be licensed, and in unincorporated areas and most incorporated cities served by the county department, cats must also be licensed, with some limited exceptions.

A licence typically costs around USD $10–$20 and is generally cheaper if your pet has been spayed or neutered (as of 2025, though fees vary by municipality — consult your local authority for current figures). Licences require annual renewal, and proof of a current rabies vaccination must accompany the application. This makes keeping your pet’s rabies vaccination up to date not simply a health issue but a legal obligation in most parts of the country.

Most municipalities require pet registration shortly after you establish residency. When applying, you will typically need to provide documentation of a current rabies vaccination and, in certain areas, evidence of microchipping or spay/neuter status. In unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County, for instance, pet owners must hold a valid pet licence, and their pet must be spayed or neutered and microchipped.

Depending on your destination state, your pet may be required to meet state-level entry conditions in addition to federal ones, and pet owners carry full responsibility for complying with all applicable federal and state rules. States such as Hawaii impose their own quarantine and health requirements on top of federal obligations. Contact your local animal control office or municipal authority as soon as you arrive to understand the specific rules that apply in your area.

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to the United States?

Beyond the core documentation requirements, there are a number of practical considerations that can have a meaningful impact on the cost and logistics of bringing your pet to the United States.

Airline and transport policies: Pets may travel to the U.S. in the passenger cabin, in the aircraft hold as excess baggage, or as manifest cargo. It is important to confirm requirements directly with your airline before travel, as airlines generally require health certificates for travelling pets and may charge fees or restrict certain types of animals on board. Policies differ significantly between carriers — some airlines have discontinued in-cabin pet services entirely, and brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Pugs and Bulldogs are frequently barred from travelling in the cargo hold due to the risks posed by their respiratory anatomy.

Port of entry restrictions: Dogs arriving from high-risk countries with foreign vaccination documentation may only enter through a U.S. airport that has a CDC-registered animal care facility and where the dog holds a confirmed reservation. Turning up at an airport that does not meet these criteria could result in your pet being held or denied entry, so verifying your entry point carefully when completing the CDC Dog Import Form is essential.

Unaccompanied cargo: All pets entering the United States unaccompanied as air cargo must be collected by a U.S. citizen or someone holding lawful U.S. resident status, and that individual must have a valid U.S. address.

Number of pets: Dog owners importing more than five personally owned dogs via air cargo are strongly advised to contact the CDC beforehand, as doing so risks the import being reclassified as commercial — which triggers a separate and considerably more demanding set of USDA APHIS requirements.

Disease-affected countries: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services has specific requirements if your dog is travelling from a country affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) or screwworm. USDA APHIS requires that dogs imported from countries where screwworm is present be accompanied by a certificate confirming that the dog was inspected for screwworm within 5 days before entering the United States and is either free of screwworm or has been treated.

Inspection and facility fees: If your dog needs to be examined or revaccinated at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility, the resulting costs fall to the owner. Fees are set by each facility independently rather than by the federal government and are subject to change — contact the facility where you have made your reservation directly for current pricing information.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into the United States?

Given that regulations in this area are updated frequently, consulting official sources before making any arrangements is essential. The following agencies are the principal authorities on pet importation into the United States:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Importation: The CDC is the lead federal authority for dogs being brought into the United States, including dogs that originated in the U.S. and are returning. The CDC website provides detailed guidance on dog import requirements, including the high-risk country list, the CDC Dog Import Form, and approved Animal Care Facilities. Visit cdc.gov/importation for full guidance, or use the Dog Importation Navigator tool to identify which pathway applies to your situation.
• USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): USDA APHIS is responsible for preventing the introduction and spread of infectious diseases in regulated live animals and animal products. APHIS also oversees requirements for dogs arriving from FMD- or screwworm-affected countries and administers commercial dog import regulations. Visit aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel for APHIS-specific information.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): CBP works alongside USFWS, USDA, and the CDC to guard against the introduction of foreign animal diseases and communicable illnesses at U.S. ports of entry. CBP’s website sets out what to expect at the border and provides general information for arriving travellers. Visit cbp.gov for border crossing guidance.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): The USFWS focuses on the protection of endangered plant and animal species by overseeing the importation, trade, sale, and harvesting of wildlife. If you are travelling with a species that may be protected under CITES or domestic wildlife law, contact USFWS before making any travel arrangements.
• Your destination state’s Department of Agriculture or Animal Control: Depending on where you are relocating, your pet may need to satisfy state-level entry requirements in addition to federal ones. Contact the relevant state authority directly — Hawaii in particular has requirements that differ substantially from those applicable elsewhere in the country.

Regulations in this area are subject to frequent revision — the most recent major overhaul took effect on 1 August 2024. Always verify current requirements directly with these official sources before booking flights or beginning veterinary preparations.

Frequently asked questions about bringing a pet to the United States

What happens if my pet arrives at the U.S. border without the correct paperwork?

It is vital to read and fully understand all import requirements before travelling. Arriving without the correct documentation will cause significant problems at the border, and your pet may be refused entry. The CDC has the authority to require that an animal be quarantined at the owner’s expense or re-exported. In serious cases, violators may face fines or imprisonment. Never attempt to travel without a complete and verified documentation package.

Can I bring a rescue or adopted dog from abroad into the United States?

A dog being adopted from another country, sold to a person in the U.S., or brought over by or on behalf of a rescue organisation or business is treated as a “Commercial” import for entry purposes. Commercial imports carry additional USDA requirements beyond those set by the CDC. USDA already prohibits the importation of dogs younger than 6 months for commercial purposes, which encompasses transfer of ownership through sale or adoption. Always consult both CDC and USDA APHIS guidance before bringing a rescue animal to the U.S.

How long does the full process take from start to finish?

The timeline is largely determined by your dog’s travel history and vaccination status. For dogs arriving from low-risk countries, completing the online CDC Dog Import Form may be the only step required — this can be done on the day of travel. For dogs from high-risk countries with foreign vaccination documentation, the process is considerably longer: a rabies titer test must be conducted at least 45 days before arrival to avoid quarantine, and the vaccination must precede the titer test by at least 30 days. When you factor in microchipping, vaccination, titer testing, paperwork preparation, and booking a CDC-registered facility, a minimum of three to four months of preparation time is advisable. For cats, there is no mandated waiting period at the federal level, though airline and state-level requirements should be taken into account.

Do the rules differ for cats versus dogs?

Yes, considerably. The CDC applies significantly stricter standards to dogs because of the elevated global risk of canine rabies. Dogs must be microchipped, at least 6 months old, and must carry specific rabies certification forms depending on their travel history. Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation at the federal level, though the CDC recommends vaccination and individual states may impose their own requirements. Hawaii is a notable exception, where cats face strict local quarantine rules regardless of their origin.

Is a general health certificate required to enter the United States with a pet?

The CDC does not require a general health certificate for pets entering the United States at the federal level. However, some states require one for entry, and most airlines require a certificate as a condition of travel. It is wise to have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of departure, as this covers most airline requirements and will satisfy state requests upon arrival.

What is the CDC Dog Import Form and when must it be completed?

From August 2024 onwards, all dog owners regardless of origin country must submit a CDC Dog Import Form online before their dog enters the United States. Once submitted and approved, a receipt is generated and must travel with the dog to the port of entry. For dogs arriving from low-risk countries, completing this form is typically the only federal requirement and takes just a few minutes. The receipt is valid for six months from the date of issue and allows multiple entries into the U.S.

Are there restrictions on how many pets I can bring?

There is no fixed federal ceiling on the number of personal pets that may be imported, but practical thresholds apply. Dog owners shipping more than five personally owned dogs as air cargo should contact the CDC in advance, as exceeding this number risks the shipment being reclassified as a commercial import, which triggers additional USDA requirements. At the local level, some municipalities cap the number of animals permitted per household — for example, certain cities limit residents to a maximum of three dogs, three cats, and three ferrets at any single address.

Do I need to register my pet after arriving, and how soon?

Pet licensing is a legal requirement in most U.S. jurisdictions, although the specific rules depend on your location. As a general guideline, you should register your pet with the local municipal authority promptly after establishing your address — most jurisdictions expect registration within 30 days of acquiring a new pet or moving into the area. You will normally need to provide proof of a current rabies vaccination to obtain a licence. Contact your local city or county animal control department for the applicable deadlines and required documentation in your area.