Frequently Asked Questions on CDC Dog Importations

General FAQs

I left the United States with my dog without the Certification of US-issued Rabies Vaccination form. What can I do?

Two options are available to import dogs that have valid U.S. rabies vaccination certificates and have been in a high-risk country but departed the United States without the Certification of US-issued Rabies Vaccinated form:

• You may contact your U.S. veterinarian and request they complete the form. Instructions for your veterinarian to complete the form are available at: From August 1 onward: Required Forms for Importing a Dog to the United States. This option is available during the transition period after the regulation goes into effect.
• If your dog left the United States before August 1, 2024, CDC will also allow your dog to re-enter the United States with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-endorsed export health certificate that your veterinarian issued before your dog left the United States. The export health certificate must list the dog’s microchip number and the date of the most recent U.S.-issued rabies vaccination. The USDA-endorsed export health certificate is valid for re-entry as long as the rabies vaccination has not expired at the time of re-entry into the United States.

If you do not have valid copies of either document listed above, or your dog’s U.S.-issued rabies vaccination has expired, you will need to follow all the rules to import a foreign-vaccinated dog.

What happens if my dog arrives from a high-risk country without a valid Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility?

If your dog does not meet all requirements to enter as a U.S.-vaccinated dog, then your dog must meet all requirements of a foreign vaccinated dog to be eligible for entry. If your dog does not meet entry requirements for either U.S.- or foreign-vaccinated dogs, your dog will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at your expense.

Does the owner have to accompany the dog on the plane and be present at the port of entry?

No. The dog may be shipped via cargo.

Does my dog’s microchip have to be from the United States?

No. Your dog’s microchip can be from any country, but it must be ISO-compatible (International Standards Organization). The microchip number must be listed on all documentation.

• Check with the microchip company or the dog’s veterinarian to determine whether your dog’s microchip is ISO-compatible.
• The importer is responsible for making sure the dog has an ISO-compatible microchip.
• Many universal scanners used in the United States have been unable to detect microchips that begin with the numbers 1 or 8. Please ensure the dog’s chip can be detected by a universal scanner if it begins with a number other than 9. If you are unsure, you can purchase your own scanner (available online) that can detect the microchip or have the dog re-microchipped.
• If the microchip cannot be scanned on arrival, the dog may be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense.

Does a dog need to be microchipped before receiving a rabies vaccine?

Dogs must have an ISO-compatible microchip, and the microchip must have been implanted on or before the date the current rabies vaccination (if required) was administered. Rabies vaccinations received prior to the implantation of a microchip are considered invalid.

How old must a dog be when they are first vaccinated for rabies (if required)?

Dogs must receive their initial rabies vaccination on or after 12 weeks (84 days) of age or in accordance with manufacturer recommendations if licensed for use in older dogs (i.e., 16 weeks of age). Vaccines administered prior to 12 weeks of age will not be accepted, regardless of manufacturer product licensing.

How often does a dog need to be vaccinated against rabies to meet U.S. entry requirements? How long after being vaccinated are they eligible to enter the United States?

Vaccines will be considered valid for a period of 1 or 3 years depending on manufacturer guidelines.

Dog must receive their initial (first) rabies vaccine at least 28 days prior to entering the United States. Booster vaccines are considered immediately valid in dogs over 15 months of age provided the dog has received at least 1 previous rabies vaccine administered on or after 12 weeks of age and there has been no lapse in vaccine coverage. Booster vaccines must be administered according to recognized U.S. vaccine schedules (i.e., administered every 1 or 3 years) and comply with manufacturer’s instructions.

How many previous rabies vaccinations need to be entered on the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form?

The veterinarian must document a current rabies vaccination and all rabies vaccinations administered after the dog’s rabies serology was drawn to prove that vaccination coverage has not lapsed. If there is insufficient space on the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, additional copies of Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form should be used.

Can dogs enter the United States when crossing the land border from Canada or Mexico, if the dog arrived in Canada or Mexico from a high-risk country within 6 months before U.S. entry?

For travel before August 1, 2024: No. Currently, there are no approved land border ports of entry. Dogs coming from high-risk countries must arrive at one of the 18 approved airports with a CDC Dog Import Permit or a valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate, or through a CDC-registered animal care facility if the dogs don’t have a permit or US-issued rabies vaccination certificate.

For travel on or after August 1, 2024: All foreign-vaccinated dogs must arrive via air at a port of entry with a CDC-registered animal care facility. Entry via a land port is not allowed. U.S.-vaccinated dogs can arrive at any port of entry if they have all required paperwork and the port of entry is the one listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.

Does transiting through (i.e., having an airport layover in) a certain country change the requirements for a dog?

If dog is only transiting through a high-risk country before entering the U.S.: Dogs do not need to meet U.S. entry requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs if they are transiting through a high-risk country as cargo. Transiting is not permitted for dogs transported as hand-carried or excess baggage: these dogs MUST meet the requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs to be eligible to enter the U.S. if they are transiting as hand-carried or excess baggage through a high-risk country.

If dog is only transiting through the U.S. to go to another country: Dogs do not need to meet U.S. entry requirements if they are transiting through the U.S. as cargo. Transiting through the U.S. is not permitted for dogs transported as hand-carried or excess baggage: these dogs MUST meet the requirements for U.S. entry to be eligible to transit through the U.S. on their way to another country.

Can the 28-day quarantine period be shortened?

The quarantine period may be shortened if all of the following are met:

• The dog is a personal pet (dogs imported for rescue, resale, adoption, or transfer of ownership are not eligible to request shortened quarantine periods)
  • Due to the high degree of concern for exposure to rabies in high-risk countries, dogs imported for rescue, resale, adoption, or transfer of ownership are not eligible for shortened quarantine periods.
• An importer provides documentation of at least 2 rabies vaccines administered in alignment with U.S. vaccine schedules (i.e., one or three years apart in accordance with manufacturer guidance) for their personal pet dog;
• The dog is healthy on veterinary examination;
• The CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF) requests and receives approval to conduct a prospective serologic monitoring (PSM) assessment from CDC at the importer’s expense;
• The dog receives a U.S.-issued rabies vaccine as part of the prospective serologic monitoring (PSM) protocol; and
• A valid serologic titer using the PSM protocol is obtained from an approved U.S. laboratory at the importer’s expense and demonstrates sufficient proof that the dog was previously vaccinated against rabies.

All costs associated with PSM are the importer’s responsibility. Deviations from the PSM protocol will result in nullification of test results and require a 28-day quarantine. Dogs undergoing PSM must remain in quarantine until CDC has reviewed the results and authorized release of the dog.

Dogs that fail the PSM must complete the 28-day quarantine at the ACF and may be subject to additional serology and vaccination requirements to be eligible for release from quarantine.

To request a PSM, pet owners should work directly with the ACF they have a reservation with.

I am traveling from a high-risk country with my foreign-vaccinated service dog. What options are available to me to ensure I will not be separated from my dog?

Service dogs (as defined in 14 CFR 382.3) are subject to the same requirements as all other dogs entering the United States. However, the following accommodations and exception apply for foreign-vaccinated service dogs from high-risk countries:

1. If arriving by air, the CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF) where your dog has a reservation should transport you with your dog to the ACF for the dog’s examination and revaccination, and expedite the examination process.
   • You should coordinate the request for these accommodations directly with the ACF when making the reservation.
   • To avoid a quarantine requirement for your service dog, ensure your dog has a valid rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory before arrival in the United States.
2. There is an exception for foreign vaccinated service dogs to arrive by sea port if the dog meets all other requirements, including having a valid rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory before arrival in the United States. For more information, see Sea port / Cruise Travel FAQ section.

Foreign-vaccinated dogs, including service dogs, that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months may not enter the United States at a land port of entry.

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.

To determine what is needed to import dogs into the U.S. depending on dates of travel, dog vaccination status, etc., visit Bringing a Dog into the United States.

Serology Titer FAQs

Can I apply for a permit before the 45-day titer waiting period has ended?

For travel before August 1, 2024: You can apply for a permit before the 45-day titer waiting period has ended, but make sure the travel date on the application is at least 45 days after the titer sample was drawn. You must submit the results of the titer as part of your CDC permit application. Apply at least 8 weeks before you intend for your dog to travel.

Plan ahead to make sure you have enough time: to have the titer sample collected (at least 30 days after the dog’s initial vaccination) and sent to the laboratory; to get the results (which can take 3-5 weeks); and to submit your application to CDC at least 8 weeks before the date you intend for your dog to travel.

How do I get a titer if none of the labs in my country are approved?

Have a local veterinarian collect the titer sample and ship it internationally to one of the approved laboratories. CDC will NOT accept results from any laboratories other than the ones listed on our webpage.

How long are the titers results good for?

For travel before August 1, 2024: Titer results are good for one year from the date the sample was collected.

For travel on or after August 1, 2024: Rabies titers are good for the life of your dog as long as there is no lapse in your dog’s rabies vaccination coverage. If your dog’s rabies vaccination expires before you get your dog a booster vaccine, your dog must have another titer drawn at least 30 days after booster vaccination to be eligible for importation. CDC recommends you always keep your dog’s rabies vaccination current.

What is the required waiting period between when a rabies vaccine is administered and when a rabies titer can be drawn?
How long does a dog have to wait after getting a titer test before entering the United States?

For travel before August 1, 2024:

• Titers must be drawn a minimum of 30 days after the dog’s initial vaccination and at least 45 days before U.S. 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.
• If the importer does not have the titer results upon arrival, the dog must undergo a mandatory quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF) for 28 days or until titer results are submitted to the ACF for review.

For travel on or after August 1, 2024:

• Titers must be drawn a minimum of 30 days after the dog’s initial (first) vaccination.
• 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.
• If your dog’s rabies vaccine expires before you get your dog a rabies booster vaccine, your dog must have another titer drawn 30 days after booster vaccination to be eligible for importation. CDC recommends you always keep your dog’s rabies vaccination current.
• Titers need to be drawn at least 28 days before U.S. entry.
• If the importer does not have the titer results upon arrival, the dog must undergo a mandatory quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF) for 28 days or until titer results are submitted to the ACF for review.

My U.S.-vaccinated dog got a rabies vaccine booster in a foreign country but its U.S. rabies vaccination certificate is still valid. Does it require a passing titer to enter the United States?

For travel before August 1, 2024: If a U.S. rabies vaccination certificate is still valid (such as a 3-year vaccine), a titer test and a CDC Dog Import Permit are not required, even if a dog received a foreign vaccine booster after the U.S. vaccine was given.

For travel on or after August 1, 2024: A titer test is not required if you have a valid Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form (such as a 3-year vaccine) for the dog, even if the dog received a foreign vaccine booster after the U.S. vaccine was given.

Which dogs need a rabies serology titer?

Importers of foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries must obtain serologic titer results; otherwise, the dog will be required to quarantine for 28 days at a CDC-registered animal care facility at the importer’s expense.

Importers of dogs which received a USDA-licensed rabies vaccine administered in the United States and maintain a current, valid U.S.-issued rabies vaccination do not have to submit titer results for the dogs to be eligible for importation from a high-risk country if the dogs have the required documentation based on when they will travel to the United States.

For travel before August 1, 2024: a valid U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate

For travel on or after August 1,2024, one of the following:

• a valid Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form
• a valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate that lists the dog’s microchip number and unexpired U.S.-issued rabies vaccination, if the dog left the United States before August 1, 2024

Any lapses in U.S.-issued vaccination coverage while abroad will require that the dog be administered a rabies vaccine overseas and obtain serologic titer results prior to importation and that the importer follow requirements for importing foreign-vaccinated dogs.

What is a passing titer result?

CDC defines a passing or adequate antibody titer as a titer that is ≥0.5 IU/mL. Dogs that fail to achieve a rabies antibody titer of 0.5 IU/mL must be re-vaccinated and have their titer redrawn after re-vaccination. It is recommended to wait at least 14 days between revaccination and titer collection.

Airline FAQs

What are all airlines (including commercial and charter planes) required to do to transport dogs?

For travel after August 1, 2024, all airlines must:

1. Create an air waybill (AWB) for all dogs, including dogs transported as hand-carried or excess baggage
2. Confirm all required documentation prior to boarding
3. Have a representative present in the federal inspection service area until all dogs have been cleared for entry or alternate accommodations have been made for dogs pending admissibility or denied entry
4. Find CDC-approved accommodation (at an ACF or other veterinary clinic or kennel if an ACF is not available) for any dog pending admissibility, denied entry, or ill on arrival. Dogs may not be left in cargo warehouses for more than 12 hours
5. Cover all financial costs associated with the care, housing, and return of dogs abandoned by importers
6. Return dogs denied entry to the country of departure within 72 hours of denial

Should airlines confirm travel histories, vaccination certificates, permits or reservations at a CDC-registered animal care facility before allowing dogs to board flights to the United States?

For travel before August 1, 2024: Yes. Up until July 31, 2024, airlines can verbally confirm travel history of dogs or have importers sign a form that states dogs were not in a high-risk country during the past 6 months. For dogs that were in a high-risk country, airlines should check they are traveling with a valid U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate, a valid CDC Dog Import Permit, or ask for confirmation the importer has a reservation for the dog at a CDC-registered animal care facility (and is arriving at the port where the facility is located).

For travel on or after August 1, 2024: Airlines must confirm the following for all dogs being imported into the United States (including those that left the U.S. and are returning—regardless of the country they are being imported from).

1. Have an air waybill (AWB) generated by the airline (including dogs traveling as hand-carried or excess baggage)
2. Appear healthy
3. Appear to be at least 6 months of age
4. Have a microchip number listed on all required documents
   1. Airlines do not need to scan dogs for microchips.
5. Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt
   1. The CDC Dog Import Form is an online form on CDC’s website. Upon successful completion of the form, a receipt will be autogenerated and immediately emailed to the importer. There is no charge to the importer for submitting this form.
   2. Airlines are required to:
      1. confirm that the importer has the receipt and confirm the information on the receipt matches the importer’s other documentation (e.g., that the description of the dog’s breed, coloring, etc., is the same on all documents).
      2. confirm that the U.S. airport listed on the form is the same as the one where the aircraft is scheduled to arrive.
   3. Airlines do NOT need to contact CDC for approval prior to boarding a dog.
6. Have additional documents depending on where the dog has been in the last 6 months and whether or not the dog was vaccinated against rabies in the United States

For dogs from high-risk countries, one of the following:

1. A valid (i.e., not expired) Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form
2. For dogs that left the United States before August 1, 2024, a valid U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-endorsed export health certificate. The export health certificate must list the dog’s microchip number and the date of the most recent U.S.-issued rabies vaccination, and the vaccination must not be expired.
3. Proof the dog has a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility and is arriving at the port of entry where the animal care facility is located (must be first U.S. point of entry for dog).

For dogs from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries, one of the following:

1. A valid Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccinationform
2. A valid CDC Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Certificationform completed in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country
3. A valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate for the country where the dog’s return itinerary originated
4. A foreign export certificate from a dog rabies-free or low-risk country stating the dog is six months old and listing the microchip number, certified by an official veterinarian in the exporting country; AND veterinary records documenting the dog has been in the country for at least 6 months
5. A Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-risk Country into the United States form AND accompanying veterinary records documenting the dog has been in the country for at least 6 months

What should an airline do if a passenger tries to board with a dog that does not have all required documentation?

The airline should deny boarding and refer the customer to CDC’s website so they can follow the instructions to obtain the required documentation prior to transporting their dog to the United States.

What should an airline do if a passenger has a dog from a high-risk country and attempts to board a flight to an unapproved U.S. port of entry?

For travel before August 1, 2024: During the suspension, dogs with a US-issued rabies vaccination certificate or CDC dog import permit arriving from high-risk countries may enter the United States through any of the 18 approved ports of entry with a CDC port health station.

Dogs without a US-issued rabies vaccination certificate or CDC Dog Import Permit arriving from high-risk countries must enter through a port of entry with an approved animal care facility and must have a reservation in advance.

Airlines should deny boarding to dogs from high-risk countries on flights to unapproved U.S. ports of entry.

For travel on or after August 1, 2024: U.S.-vaccinated dogs can enter through any port, but the port must be listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. If a U.S.-vaccinated dog is scheduled to arrive at an airport that does not match its CDC Dog Import Form receipt the airline should deny boarding and refer the customer to CDC’s website so they can follow the instructions to obtain the required documentation prior to transporting their dog to the United States

Foreign-vaccinated dogs must arrive at the port where the dog has a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility and the port of entry must be listed on the dog’s CDC Dog Import Form receipt. If a foreign-vaccinated dog is scheduled to arrive at a port that does not match the dog’s reservation with a CDC-registered animal care facility and CDC Dog Import Form receipt, or the dog does not have a reservation with a CDC-registered animal care facility, the airline should deny boarding and refer the customer to CDC’s website so they can follow the instructions to obtain the required documentation prior to transporting their dog to the United States.

Cruise Ship Travel FAQs

Cruise ships only allow service dogs aboard their ships.

If a dog on board a cruise ship has been in a high-risk country, what is needed for the dog to enter the United States?

For travel before August 1, 2024:

Up until August 1, 2024, a permit is needed if the dog was vaccinated against rabies outside of the United States. CDC strongly recommends cruise ships require passengers to show their CDC Dog Import Permits or valid U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificates before allowing dogs to board the ship.

For travel on or after Aug 1, 2024:

After August 1, 2024: U.S.-vaccinated dogs that visit high-risk countries are required to have the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination Form and the CDC Dog Import Form receipt (that lists the port where the ship will arrive) to re-enter the U.S.

Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months are prohibited from entry into the United States by sea. Foreign-vaccinated dogs should not be allowed to board a U.S.-bound vessel as they will NOT be allowed to disembark in the United States.

There is an exception for foreign-vaccinated service dogs (as defined in 14 CFR 382.3) aboard cruise ships if, prior to disembarking the cruise ship, the owner:

1. Presents a completed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form; AND
2. Presents a titer from a CDC-approved laboratory; AND
3. Presents a CDC Dog Import Form receipt that lists the port where the ship will arrive

Is a service dog on a cruise ship considered to have been in a high-risk country if the ship docks at the high-risk country but the dog does not disembark?

No, a service dog is not considered to have been in a high-risk country if it remains on a cruise ship (does not disembark) when the ship stops at a port in a high-risk country.