How to Apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit

NOTE: Dogs for other purposes are not eligible. If the dog is not your personal pet and is intended for other purposes, such as adoption, resale, or transfer of ownership, your dog isn’t eligible for a permit.

Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspension—they can enter the United States without a permit. Dogs vaccinated outside the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Permit to enter the United States.

Your application must include:

(Complete ALL items)

1. Proof of eligibility
   • Official government travel orders* authorizing the movement of household goods and dependents
     • * Official government orders are designed to provide travel expenses for an employee and immediate family members and transportation expenses to move and store household goods, personal effects, and specific allowances related to movement overseas or back to the United States.
     • US government employees must submit Tour of Duty (TDY) orders, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, Rest and Relaxation (R&R) orders, travel authorization, or an assignment cable authorizing the movement of household goods and dependents.
     • Foreign government employees must have a letter from the consulate or foreign government stating they will begin working in the United States.
2. Photo of identification page of the importer’s US passport or Lawful Residence card. Foreign government employees may provide a foreign passport if they don’t have a US residence card.
3. Two clear photographs of your dog’s teeth:
   
   
   • front view of upper and lower teeth
   • side view of upper and lower teeth
4. Current and previous rabies vaccination certificates issued outside the United States
   • Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspension—they can enter the United States without a permit. Dogs vaccinated outside the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Permit to enter the United States.
5. Proof of microchip number, such as a vaccination certificate, microchip registration card, or other veterinary record with the microchip number listed
6. Rabies serologic titer from an approved laboratory
   • A list of approved laboratories can be found here.
   • Titers must be drawn a minimum of 30 days after initial rabies vaccination and at least 45 days before US entry.
   • Dogs due to receive rabies vaccination boosters may have their titers drawn at any time, but titers are most easily detected at least 30 days after vaccination.

NOTE: Dogs for other purposes are not eligible. If the dog is not your personal pet and is intended for other purposes, such as adoption, resale, or transfer of ownership, your dog isn’t eligible for a permit.

Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspension—they can enter the United States without a permit. Dogs vaccinated outside the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Permit to enter the United States.

Your application must include:

(Complete ALL items)

1. Proof of eligibility
   • Explanation and proof of relocation, such as an offer of new employment, an offer of university acceptance, or other proof of permanent relocation to the United States
2. Photo of identification page of the importer’s US passport or Lawful Residence card
3. Two clear photographs of your dog’s teeth:
   
   
   • front view of upper and lower teeth
   • side view of upper and lower teeth
4. Current and previous rabies vaccination certificates issued outside the United States
   • Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspension—they can enter the United States without a permit.
   • Dogs vaccinated outside the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Permit to enter the United States.
5. Proof of microchip number, such as a vaccination certificate, microchip registration card, or other veterinary record with the microchip number listed
6. Rabies serologic titer from an approved laboratory
   • A list of approved laboratories can be found here.
   • Titer must be drawn a minimum of 30 days after initial rabies vaccination and at least 45 days before US entry.
   • Dogs due to receive rabies vaccination boosters may have their titers drawn at any time, but titers are most easily detected at least 30 days after vaccination.

In accordance with US Department of Transportation regulations at 14 CFR part 382, emotional support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, and service animals in training are NOT considered service animals.

NOTE: Dogs for other purposes are not eligible. If the dog does not assist you with a disability and is intended for other purposes, such as adoption, resale, or transfer of ownership, the dog isn’t eligible for a permit.

Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspension—they can enter the United States without a permit. Dogs vaccinated outside the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Permit to enter the United States.

Your application must include:

(Complete ALL items)

1. Proof of eligibility
   • US Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]external icon.
2. Photo of identification page of the importer’s passport
3. Two clear photographs of your dog’s teeth:
   
   
   • front view of upper and lower teeth
   • side view of upper and lower teeth
4. Current and previous rabies vaccination certificates issued outside the United States
   • Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspensionthey can enter the United States without a permit.
   • Dogs vaccinated outside the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Permit to enter the United States.
5. Proof of microchip number, such as a vaccination certificate, microchip registration card, or other veterinary record with the microchip number listed
6. Rabies serologic titer from an approved laboratory
   • A list of approved laboratories can be found here.
   • Titer must be drawn a minimum of 30 days after initial rabies vaccination and at least 45 days before US entry.
   • Dogs due to receive rabies vaccination boosters may have their titers drawn at any time, but titers are most easily detected at least 30 days after vaccination.

1. A representative of the institution must contact CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov for the application requirements.
2. Note: Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspension—they can enter the United States without a permit. Dogs vaccinated outside the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Permit to enter the United States.

Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspension—they can enter the United States without a permit. Expired US rabies vaccination certificates will not be accepted.

Dogs with a rabies vaccination certificate issued outside of the United States or with an expired US rabies vaccination certificate aren’t eligible to return to the United States during the temporary suspension. Be sure to have your dog vaccinated against rabies and microchipped in the United States before leaving the country.

Not eligible for permits. CDC Dog Import Permits will NOT be issued for:

• Dogs intended for other purposes, such as adoption, resale, or transfer of ownership.
• US citizens and lawful residents traveling temporarily out of the United States with their dogs that were vaccinated outside the United States. CDC highly recommends getting your dogs vaccinated and microchipped in the United States before traveling.
• Non-US residents traveling temporarily to the United States with their dogs (such as for vacation or to visit friends and family).
• Dogs with rabies vaccination certificates issued outside of the United States who are participating in conformation shows (dog shows), obedience trials, dog sporting shows, or other types of exhibition not meeting the definition in 42 CFR 71.50external icon

Note: Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspension—they can enter the United States without a permit. Expired US rabies vaccination certificates will not be accepted. If the US-issued rabies vaccination certificate has expired, you must apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit.

Because of the high-volume of applications, it can take up to 30 business days or 6 weeks to process a complete and valid permit application. However, if required information is missing from the application, the process can take longer. We will respond to you within 6 weeks.

The permit is valid from the planned date of arrival in the United States until 30 days after the planned date of arrival.

Provide the complete physical address in the United States where the dog is expected to stay during the first 10 days in the United States. The address does NOT need to match the owner’s address on the rabies vaccination certificate.

Submit an application without the travel itinerary at least 30 business days (6 weeks) in advance of anticipated travel. You must enter the port of entry and date of entry in order for CDC to issue the permit. The permit is valid for entry at any of the approved ports of entry during the period of validity listed on the permit. If your arrival date changes to fall outside of the period of validity after your permit has been issued, notify CDC immediately at CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov.

CDC will accept a US government travel authorization or assignment cable in lieu of your official orders.

During the temporary suspension, return travelers who left the United States temporarily (such as for vacation or to visit friends and family) may bring their dog back to the United States without a permit ONLY if the dog has a 1) valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate, 2) is at least 6 months old, 3) is microchipped, 4) is healthy, and 5) returns at one of the approved ports of entry. Expired US rabies vaccination certificates will not be accepted.

Return US travelers with dogs that were vaccinated against rabies in a foreign country aren’t eligible to bring their dog back to the United States during the suspension. Be sure to have your dog vaccinated and microchipped in the United States before traveling abroad. Otherwise, your dog will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at your expense.

No. Your dog’s microchip can be from any country, but it must be ISO-compatible (International Standards Organization).* However, the microchip number must be listed on the rabies vaccination certificate, or a separate document, such as a veterinary record, or a printout from the website where you registered the microchip.

*Check with the microchip company or your vet to determine whether your dog’s microchip is ISO-compatible.

No permit is needed if a dog from a non–high-risk country for rabies transits through a high-risk country without going through customs clearance on its way to the United States. The dog can enter any US port of entry—as long as the dog is healthy upon arrival.

However, if the dog goes through customs while transiting through the high-risk country, a CDC Dog Import Permit or a valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate is required, and the dog must arrive at an approved US port of entry. Customs clearance in the high-risk country is the key determining factor.

Customs clearance in the United States is the key determining factor.

Dogs that don’t go through customs clearance when transiting through the United States don’t need to meet CDC entry requirements. They can transit through any US port of entry without a permit. Dogs traveling in cargo usually don’t go through customs clearance while in transit.

However, if the dogs go through US customs (such as hand-carried baggage or as checked-baggage) before transiting to their final destination, then they are subject to CDC’s temporary suspension of dogs from high-risk countries for rabies.

Dogs from high-risk countries with rabies vaccination certificates issued outside of the United States are not permitted to transit through the United States on passenger flights (as hand-carried or checked-baggage) if they are required to go through customs clearance before boarding the next flight. These dogs will be denied entry to the United States and will be returned to the country of departure.

No. Currently, there are no approved land border ports of entry. Dogs coming from high-risk countries must arrive at an approved port of entry with a CDC Dog Import Permit or a valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip.

For dogs vaccinated for the first time and for dogs younger than 15 months old: Submit a current rabies vaccination certificate showing the rabies vaccine was given on or after 12 weeks of age and at least 28 days before the arrival date.

For dogs older than 15 months with booster vaccinations: Submit a current rabies vaccination certificate and at least one previous certificate for a rabies vaccination given on or after 12 weeks of age. Enter the date of the most recent rabies booster into the application and submit the certificates with the application as required supporting documents. With these records, your dog does not have to wait 28 days after the booster dose before arrival.

If you are relocating with your dog from a high-risk country to the United States for the purpose of work or education, you must submit a letter on official letterhead from your employer or educational institution verifying an offer of new employment or university acceptance. The letter must include the intended start date and verification that your relocation to the United States is required for your new position or course of study.

No, rescue dogs from high-risk countries aren’t allowed. Permits won’t be granted for these dogs as they are at the greatest risk of importing rabies. CDC does not recommend US citizens, including government employees and military service members, attempt to adopt a dog if they plan to return to the United States in the next 6 months.

• A US government employee or a foreign government employee traveling on official orders to work in the United States
• A US citizen or lawful US resident relocating to the United States, such as for employment or education; or
• An owner of a service dog that is trained to assist a person with a disability.
  • In accordance with US Department of Transportation regulations at 14 CFR part 382, emotional support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, and service animals in training are not considered service animals.
  • Must submit a completed US Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]external icon.
• Importers wishing to import dogs for science, education, or exhibition, as these terms are defined in 42 CFR 71.50, or for bona fide law enforcement.

CDC Dog Import Permits will NOT be issued for dogs if:

• intended for adoption, resale, or transfer of ownership.
• US citizens and lawful residents traveling temporarily out of the United States with their dogs during the suspension.
  • Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspension—they can enter the United States without a permit. Expired US rabies vaccination certificates will not be accepted. If the US-issued rabies vaccination certificate has expired, you must apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit, if eligible.
  • Dogs vaccinated against rabies outside the United States aren’t eligible to return to the United States during the suspension. You must have your dog rabies-vaccinated and microchipped in the United States before traveling to a high-risk country for rabies if you intend to return with your dog.
• Non-US residents traveling temporarily to the United States with their dogs after July 14 (such as for vacation or to visit friends and family).
• participating in conformation shows (show dogs)
• participating in obedience trials or dog sport shows
• involved in any other type of exhibition not meeting the definition in 42 CFR 71.50external icon

No. CDC Dog Import Permits will NOT be issued for these show dogs if they were in a high-risk country.

No. During the temporary suspension  all dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months can only enter the United States through an approved port of entry. If you do not follow these instructions, your dog will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at your expense.