What Your Dog Needs to Enter the United States

Photo credit: Audilis Sánchez, CDC

The rules for bringing your dog into the United States depend on where the dog has been in the past 6 months.

All dogs must appear healthy upon arrival. Dogs that arrive sick or injured will be required to undergo veterinary examination and testing at the importer’s expense to rule out diseases that can spread to people.

Documents Required in English

Written statements and any documents must be in English or have a certified English translation. A certified translation is a signed statement on professional letterhead issued by a licensed translator declaring that the translation is an accurate and true representation of the original document. The translation must include the name, address, and contact information of the translator and have a signatory stamp or elevated seal with the translator’s license number included. A certified translation service provider can be found online.

Dog from Countries Without High Risk of Dog Rabies

Dogs that have NOT been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months may enter the United States through any port of entry, and importers are NOT required by CDC to present rabies vaccination documentation. However, when your dog enters the United States, you must provide a written or verbal statement your dog has only been in a country NOT at high risk for at least 6 months or since birth if under 6 months of age. There is no limit to the number of dogs.

Dogs from High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies

During the temporary suspension, options for bringing dogs that have been in a high-risk country for rabies within the past 6 months will depend on where the dogs’ rabies vaccinations were administered, and the number of dogs being imported.

All dogs from high-risk countries must:

1. Appear healthy on arrival;
2. Be at least 6 months old;
3. 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).
   • The rabies vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian on or after 12 weeks of age and at least 28 days before arrival if it is the dog’s first vaccination.
   • Booster rabies vaccines administered after 15 months of age are valid immediately.
4. Have an ISO-compatible microchip for identification listed on their U.S. rabies vaccination certificate or CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record [PDF – 1 page].
5. Meet the requirements of either Option A, B, or C below.

Option A: Present a valid U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate at one of 18 airports with a CDC quarantine station.

1. For dogs vaccinated in the United States, use of the CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record [PDF – 1 page] is encouraged, but not required. If your veterinarian does not use the CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record, ALL of the following information must be included on the rabies vaccination certificate (which must be in English):
   • Name and address of owner
   • Dog’s breed, sex, date of birth (approximate age if date of birth unknown), color, and markings
   • Dog’s ISO-compatible microchip number
   • Vaccine product name, manufacturer, lot number, and product expiration date
   • Date of rabies vaccination
   • Date the vaccination expires (date the next vaccination is due)
   • Name, license number or official seal, address, telephone or email address, date, and signature of veterinarian who administered the vaccine

2. 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).

Option B: Owners of foreign-vaccinated dogs may apply for and obtain a valid CDC Dog Import Permit before arrival. CDC will only issue permits for up to 2 dogs per person during the suspension.

1. You must apply online for a CDC Dog Import Permit. It is recommended to apply at least 8 weeks before intended travel. Before beginning the process, your dog must:
   • Have a valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record [PDF – 1 page]
   • Have a valid rabies serologic titer from an approved laboratory. For dogs older than 15 months with booster vaccinations, make sure the CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record [PDF – 1 page] shows the current rabies vaccination and at least one previous rabies vaccination given when the dog was 12 weeks old or older if your dog’s titer was collected less than 30 days from the date of the current rabies vaccination.
2. 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).

Option C: For dogs without a US-issued rabies vaccination certificate or a CDC Dog Import Permit. Please note: This is the only option for persons importing 3 or more dogs into the United States.

1. Your dog must be accompanied by a valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record [PDF – 1 page] upon arrival
   • The rabies vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian on or after 12 weeks of age and at least 28 days before arrival if it is the dog’s first vaccination.
   • Booster rabies vaccines administered after 15 months of age are valid immediately.

2. You must make a reservation at one of the CDC-approved animal care facilities with necessary follow-up services* at your (the importer’s or owner’s) expense.
3. Your dog must arrive at the port of entry where the CDC-approved animal care facility is located. The facility will determine if the dog has a valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record [PDF – 1 page] and serology titer.
   • If invalid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record: dog will be denied entry.
   • If valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record: CDC-approved facility will determine if the dog has a valid rabies serology titer**
     1. If valid titer: Each dog must be examined and re-vaccinated with a US-licensed rabies vaccine by a USDA-accredited veterinarian at the CDC-approved animal care facility upon arrival at your (the importer’s or owner’s) expense.
     2. If invalid titer or no titer: Each dog must have a reservation to quarantine at the CDC-approved animal care facility for 28 days after the exam and re-vaccination at your (the importer’s or owner’s) expense.

**Titer must be from an approved lab drawn at least 45 days and no more than 1 year before arrival.

Like your passport, your dog’s documents should accompany your dog while traveling. CDC recommends that you bring all of your dog’s documents with you when you travel to the United States. This includes the CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record [PDF – 1 page] and the rabies titer test result (if applicable) in addition to your dog’s CDC Dog Import Permit or proof of a reservation at an approved animal care facility.

In addition to CDC requirements, 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 must comply with additional requirements from USDA.