Bringing a Dog or Cat Into the United States — 2026 CDC & USDA Requirements
Since August 1, 2024, every dog entering or returning to the U.S. needs a CDC Dog Import Form — no exceptions. What changes after that is entirely about where your dog has been in the last 6 months: rabies-free or low-risk countries mean a simple process at any port of entry, while high-risk countries mean a reservation at one of just six specific airports.
Moving your pet abroad from the U.S. is our core business — see our full list of international destinations below. If you're bringing a pet into the U.S., the paperwork is usually best coordinated with a provider in your country of departure; we can help with U.S.-side logistics once your pet lands.
Since the CDC's rule change took effect August 1, 2024, importing or re-importing a dog into the United States is governed by one central requirement — the CDC Dog Import Form — layered with a decision tree based on where your dog has spent the last 6 months and whether the rabies vaccine was given in the U.S. or abroad. This guide walks through the actual scenarios, corrects a few dates that trip people up, and covers what's required for cats (much simpler) and pets affected by the ongoing screwworm restrictions. It's built for two audiences: people bringing a pet into the U.S. from abroad, and anyone confirming requirements before their pet's return trip after moving overseas.
A USDA-Endorsed Certificate Alone No Longer Works for High-Risk ReturnsIf your dog is returning from a high-risk country and you're relying on a USDA-endorsed export health certificate instead of a CDC-specific form, note that certificates issued after July 31, 2025 are not accepted for this purpose. You need the CDC's own Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form (endorsed by USDA) instead — a distinct document from the general USDA export certificate used for most international destinations.
Which Scenario Applies to Your Dog?
The CDC's requirements come down to three main situations, based on your dog's rabies vaccination origin and travel history over the last 6 months.
U.S.-Vaccinated Dog Returning From a High-Risk Country Any Port of Entry
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination (USDA-endorsed, issued on or before July 31, 2025 if relying on the older certificate format)
- Dog is 6+ months old and microchipped
- Can enter at any airport, seaport, or land border crossing
Foreign-Vaccinated Dog From a Low-Risk or Rabies-Free Country Any Port of Entry
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form (or DMRVV low-risk certification)
- Dog is 6+ months old and microchipped
- No reservation or designated airport required
Foreign-Vaccinated Dog From a High-Risk Country 6 Designated Airports Only
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt, with a reservation at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (ACF)
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
- A passing rabies antibody titer test can avoid a 28-day quarantine; without one, expect the full quarantine period
- Entry restricted to airports with a registered ACF: Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York JFK, Washington Dulles (IAD), and Philadelphia (PHL)
- Reservations are limited — arrange them several weeks ahead, since a dog arriving without one can be denied entry or ordered returned
Core Requirements for Every Dog
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CDC Dog Import FormRequired for every dog, no exceptions. Completed online by the importer (no vet review needed), takes under 5 minutes, and the receipt must be shown to the airline and to CBP on arrival.
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Minimum Age: 6 MonthsDogs younger than 6 months cannot be imported. For dogs under 1 year old, a photo taken within 15 days of travel is also required with the form.
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MicrochipRequired and must match the dog's paperwork. A healthy appearance on arrival is also required for every dog, regardless of origin.
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No Import Permit NeededPersonal pets don't require a separate USDA import permit — the CDC Dog Import Form and rabies certification cover entry.
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Form ValidityThe CDC Dog Import Form receipt is valid for 6 months as long as the departure country doesn't change.
Cats Have It Much SimplerNone of the CDC dog rules above apply to cats. Cats need no rabies vaccination documentation and no CDC Dog Import Form — the only requirement is that the cat appears healthy on arrival. Some U.S. states have their own separate entry rules, so it's still worth checking your specific destination state.
Traveling From a Screwworm-Affected Country?Dogs and cats from countries affected by New World screwworm — currently much of South America and parts of Mexico — need an official veterinary inspection certificate dated within 5 days of travel, on top of the standard requirements above. This is a separate, active USDA measure related to livestock screwworm containment, not a rabies rule, and it can change as the outbreak situation develops. Confirm current status for your specific country of departure before booking.
Bringing a Pet Into the U.S.? How We Can Help
For inbound moves, the paperwork — vaccination records, the CDC or USDA forms, ACF reservations if applicable — is generally best arranged with a pet relocation provider in your country of departure, since they have direct access to your pet's local veterinary records and export process. Once your pet is en route or has landed, our team can help with the U.S. side: customs clearance support, ground transport, and onward connections to your final destination. We're especially well positioned to help with arrivals into Seattle (SEA-TAC) and Los Angeles (LAX), our two most active U.S. gateway hubs.
We Serve All Major U.S. Gateways
While Seattle SEA-TAC is our primary operations hub, we coordinate pet travel logistics through gateways across the country — whether your pet is departing the U.S. for an international move or arriving and connecting onward.
Seattle SEA
Our primary operations hub, with the deepest local coordination capability for both outbound and inbound moves.
Los Angeles LAX
A major gateway for both outbound international shipments and inbound arrivals.
New York JFK
A key East Coast gateway, and one of the six CDC-registered ACF airports for high-risk-country dogs.
Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta & San Francisco
Additional gateways we coordinate through regularly, including onward ground transport to your final U.S. destination.
Moving Abroad From the U.S.?
This is where we focus most of our work. Browse our full list of international pet destinations for country-specific requirements, or start with our U.S. pet travel services overview.
Military PCS & Global Moves
We support military pet transportation for families relocating anywhere in the world from the U.S., including PCS moves, deployment, and homecoming.
Official Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all dogs need the CDC Dog Import Form?
Yes, every dog entering or returning to the U.S. needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, regardless of origin country or vaccination history.
What's the minimum age for a dog to enter the U.S.?
6 months old. Dogs under 1 year old also need a photo taken within 15 days of travel submitted with the form.
Does my dog need to enter through a specific airport?
Only if it's foreign-vaccinated and has been in a high-risk country in the last 6 months. In that case, entry is limited to six airports with a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Washington Dulles, and Philadelphia, with a reservation required in advance.
Do cats have the same requirements as dogs?
No. Cats need no rabies vaccination documentation and no CDC Dog Import Form. The only requirement is that the cat appears healthy on arrival, though some states have their own separate rules.
Can I use my USDA export health certificate to bring my dog back from a high-risk country?
Only if it was issued on or before July 31, 2025. After that date, you need the CDC's specific Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, not the general USDA export certificate.
Do you help with pets moving into the U.S.?
We focus primarily on moves from the U.S. to international destinations. For inbound moves, the paperwork is generally best coordinated with a provider in the country of departure, though we can help with U.S.-side logistics once your pet arrives, especially through our Seattle and Los Angeles gateways.
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