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CDC Regulations for Dogs Traveling into the USA Requirements for all dogs: ● Healthy upon arrival (isolation, veterinary exam or testing at importers expense may be required if dog does NOT appear healthy upon arrival) ● At least 6 months of age ● Microchip (ISO-compliant) ● CDC import form receipt submitted 2-10 days in advance **Plus requirements below depending on whether your dog has been to a low-risk OR high-risk rabies country in the past 6 months OR if rabies vaccination was administered in the USA** Dogs not eligible to travel to USA: ● Under 6 months of age ● Have NOT been microchipped for at least 6 months *Any documentation not from the USA must be completed in the country where the dogs travel originates.* ex: if documents issued in France, dog cannot enter USA via land border crossing from Mexico to USA **New regulations do NOT affect cats.** For further information visit the CDC website: From August 1, 2024, Onward: What Your Dog Needs to Enter the United States | Importation | CDC Dogs Traveling from Low-Risk/Rabies Free Countries: *All documents must be completed in the country where the dog's travel originates.* *Dogs MUST arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.* As stated under “requirements for all dogs” plus one of the following: 1) Certification of Dog Arriving from Rabies-Free or Low Risk Country into the USA form endorsed by official vet (CFIA) AND a) valid rabies serology titer OR b) veterinary records for past 6 months prior to travel 2) Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form endorsed by official vet (CFIA) AND a) valid rabies serology titer OR b) veterinary records for past 6 months (valid for single entry) 3) Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form endorsed by USDA before the dog departed USA 4) Valid USDA endorsed export health certificate that either a) is for the dog rabies-free/low risk country where the dog's return itinerary originated (valid for 30 days if no rabies vaccine info) OR b) documents a valid rabies vaccine administered in USA (valid for duration of rabies vaccine, 1 to 3 years) 5) Foreign export certificate endorsed by official vet (CFIA) that states dog is at least 6 months of age, ISO microchip number AND past 6 months of veterinary records (must be issued within 30 days of arrival to USA and valid for single entry) Certificates: ● Stating dog has only been in rabies-free/low risk country 6 months prior to travel with proof through veterinary records ● Stating at least 6 months of age ● Stating ISO-microchip number Microchip: ● ISO compatible ● Implanted prior to any required rabies vaccine ● Implant date must be 6 months before travel ● Must be documented on ALL required forms and veterinary records CDC Import Receipt: ● Submit 2-10 days in advance (can be done right before travel) ● Shows USA port of entry ● Stating ISO-microchip number ● Photo of dog showing face and body (if dog will be less than 1 year old at time of arrival the photo must be taken within 10 days of arrival) ● Must have printed copy ● No charge for submitting form ● If any information changes a NEW form MUST be submitted and state that you are making changes to an existing form Veterinary Records: ● Either European Union pet passports OR ● Proof of payment for vet services received in the exporting low risk country for previous 6 months ● Valid for a single entry into the U.S. for 30 days after it was issued if it does NOT contain information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country, OR ● Multiple entries into the U.S. for the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1 to 3 years) if the rabies vaccination was administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country ● *Must state ISO-microchip number* If Dog had Rabies Administered in USA and have NOT been in a High-Risk Country: As stated under “requirements for all dogs” plus the following: ● A Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form endorsed by USDA before dog departed the USA OR ● USDA endorsed export health certificate stating the dog is 6 months of age or older, ISO-microchip number and document valid rabies vaccine administered in USA (valid until vaccine expires, 1 to 3 years) ● Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form Receipt Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form: ● ISO-microchip implanted before rabies vaccine ● Will NOT be considered valid if administered before microchip ● Vet must scan microchip prior to rabies vax to ensure this ● Vaccine valid for entire duration of travel (if expires while in high-risk country then has to be revaccinated where traveling and meet requirements for foreign vaccinated dogs) ● Must receive initial vaccine at least 28 days before leaving USA - (no valid certificate if first booster done less than 28 days) ● Rabies certificate must be sent to USDA for official endorsement ● Once endorsed only then can you obtain a copy of the rabies certificate ● *MUST have printed copy upon arrival* Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs that have been in a Country with High Risk of Dog Rabies within 6 Months Before Entry: As stated under “requirements for all dogs” plus the following: ● Have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form ○ Dog must have ISO-microchip BEFORE receiving the rabies vaccination and the number must be recorded on the veterinary documents or the vaccine will not be considered valid ○ Verify the dog is at least 12 weeks of age when vaccinated against rabies ○ The dog must have a valid rabies vaccination. If it’s the dog’s first vaccination or if the dog’s vaccination coverage has lapsed, the vaccine must be administered at least 28 days before arrival to the United States. ○ Form must be completed by your veterinarian AND endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country. (CFIA) ● Have a valid rabies serology titer (titer not required if dog has reservation for 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility) ○ The blood sample for the rabies serology titer must have been drawn at least 30 days after the dog’s first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before entry to the U.S. ○ Dogs with a history of multiple valid rabies vaccinations administered after the microchip was placed may have the sample for the rabies serology titer drawn at any time after a rabies booster vaccination as long as the dog’s first vaccine was given at least 30 days before the blood sample was drawn and there has been no lapse in vaccine coverage. If a lapse occurs, the sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the valid booster vaccination was administered. ○ The sample must be sent to a CDC-approved rabies serology laboratory. If there is no CDC-approved laboratory in your country, your veterinarian may draw the sample and send it internationally to a CDC-approved laboratory. ○ Passing results must be obtained in order for a serology to be valid. ○ Rabies serology titer results will be considered valid for the life of the dog as long as the dog’s rabies vaccination coverage does not lapse. If a lapse occurs, a new rabies serology titer will be required, and that sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the new vaccination was administered. ○ If the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer, it will be required to be quarantined at a CDC-registered animal care facility for 28 days after the dog is revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian. ● Have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility for examination and revaccination (and quarantine if the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer) ○ All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the previous 6 months must have a reservation for examination, verification of age, documents, and microchip number, and administration of a rabies booster vaccination at a CDC-registered animal care facility immediately upon arrival in the United States. ○ Dogs that do not have a valid rabies serology titer must also have a reservation for quarantine. Dogs will be quarantined at the facility for 28 days after being revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian. ○ All CDC-registered animal care facility expenses, including exam, revaccination, and quarantine (if required), are the responsibility of the importer. ○ The facility will need copies of all required documents prior to confirming your reservation. ○ Ensure the dog meets any facility-specific requirements (contact facility for additional information). ○ If after arrival the CDC-registered animal care facility determines that your documents are not valid or the dog’s microchip number, age, or description does not match the paperwork provided, the dog may be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at your expense. ○ Dogs that have evidence of illness or are not healthy will be required to have testing to confirm they do not have contagious diseases before they will be eligible for release, which may extend the required quarantine period beyond 28 days. Any required testing or extended stay in quarantine will be at the importer’s expense, so please ensure dogs are healthy upon arrival (including no evidence of fleas, ticks, or skin diseases). ● Have an international flight that arrives directly at the airport with the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation ○ Dogs must arrive in the U.S. at the airport where the CDC-registered animal care facility is located. This must be the location where the dog has a reservation. ○ This must also be the airport listed on the CDC Dog Import Form ○ Domestic flights or other forms of travel to other locations in the U.S. are not permitted until after the dog receives required follow-up services at the CDC-registered animal care facility and is cleared for entry. ● SERVICE DOGS ARRIVING BY SEA: Service dogs, may arrive by sea if they meet the requirements in the “All Dogs” section, have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form and a valid rabies serology titer, and are traveling with their handler. Emotional support animals are NOT service animals under this definition. Travel Checklist for Dogs from Rabies Free/Low-Risk Countries Step 1: Recommend to begin 60-90 days before travel Verify dog will be at least 6 months old on day of travel. Get dog microchipped or have a veterinarian verify its microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records. Visit a veterinarian to get your dog its rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel. ● Rabies vaccination is not required if the dog has been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries for 6 months, but is strongly recommended. It may also be required by the U.S. state or territory to which the dog is traveling. Step 2: Recommend to begin 30 days before travel Ask the veterinarian to complete the Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form† or other CDC-approved documentation ● The veterinarian must submit this form to an official government veterinarian in the exporting country (or to USDA if the dog was vaccinated in the United States) for certification Collect veterinary records for past 6 months. ● These must list an address for the veterinarian in the low-risk country from where the dog is departing for the U.S. and the dog’s microchip number. ● Veterinary records are not needed if the dog’s documentation is a valid Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, or a USDA endorsed export health certificate if the dog is returning from the dog rabies-free or low-risk country listed on the certificate. ● If the dog’s documentation is the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, the importer can present a valid rabies serology titer instead of veterinary records. Receive copy of Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States (or other CDC-approved documentation) from the veterinarian. Begin making travel arrangements and reservations. †The Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form has different entry requirements depending on whether and where the dog was vaccinated. The form is valid for: ● A single entry for 30 days after the form was issued if it does not contain information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country OR ● Multiple entries into the US for the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1 or 3 years) if it contains information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies free or low-risk country Step 3: 2-10 days before travel Take a photo of the dog and complete the CDC Dog Import Form. ● This form requires you to upload a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of the dog showing its face and body. ● Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days of travel. ● Ensure you enter the dog’s microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important. ● Submit a corrected form if any of the information on this form changes. Print copy of CDC Dog Import Form receipt you will receive in your email and ensure it accompanies the dog. Finalize travel arrangements with airline or transport company. Step 4: Day of travel Present the following to the airline before boarding the dog: ● CDC Dog Import Form receipt AND ● Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United form States (or other CDC-approved documentation) ☐ Arrive at the location on CDC Dog Import Form receipt. ☐ Present the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer: ● CDC Dog Import Form receipt and ● Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form (or other CDC-approved documentation) These countries and political units are considered HIGH RISK for importing dog rabies into the United States: