Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations

General FAQs

I travel frequently to Canada or Mexico. What form do I need to return to the U.S. with my dog?

For dogs that have not been outside Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., you will only need to fill out the CDC Dog Import Form online. This form is valid for multiple entries into the U.S. for six months as long as your country of departure does not change. For example, if you travel frequently between Canada and the U.S., you can use the same receipt until it expires. If during that time you decide to travel between Mexico and the U.S., you will need a new CDC Dog Import Form receipt listing Mexico as the country of departure. Please see our website for details about bringing dogs to the U.S. from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries.

Can dogs enter the United States from Canada or Mexico at the land border if the dog was in a high-risk country in the past 6 months?

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. Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months are not allowed to enter the U.S. at a land border crossing. They must arrive at an airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility. See information about an exception for foreign vaccinated service dogs arriving by sea below.

Which airport or other port of entry can my dog enter through?

I have questions about the CDC Dog Import Form. Where can I find answers?

The CDC Dog Import Form receipt is required for all dogs entering the U.S. View the instructions for completing the form. If a person importing the dog is unable to complete the form, this form may be filled out by someone else acting on behalf of the importer. It is highly recommended that you fill the form out in advance of your travel dates so you have plenty of time.

For more information about how to fill out the form, visit the requirements that apply to your dog: dogs coming from dog rabies-free or low risk countries, U.S.-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries, or foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.

What if I have a disability and am unable to complete the CDC Dog Import Form due to my disability?

If you have a disability and are unable to complete the form due to your disability, the form may be completed by someone else acting on your behalf (e.g., family member, travel companion, airline staff).

If you need assistance in filling out the form due to a disability, you (or a person acting on your behalf) may contact CDC-INFO for assistance at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/dcs/ContactUs/Form or by calling 800-232-4636 (TTY 888-232-6348). Tell them when you are traveling to determine if assistance should be expedited.

How many dogs may I bring into the United States?

There is no limit to the number of dogs you can bring into the U.S., but they must meet CDC requirements for dogs.

How old must a dog be when it is first vaccinated for rabies?

Dogs must receive their first 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 or older).

For dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the 6 months before U.S. entry, vaccines administered before 12 weeks of age will not be accepted, regardless of manufacturer product licensing.

When can my U.S. veterinarian issue the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form if I’m taking my dog to a high-risk country?

Your dog must receive its first rabies vaccine at least 28 days before leaving the U.S. For a dog receiving its first rabies vaccination, the form must be completed at least 28 days after the vaccine was administered. Booster vaccines are considered valid immediately as long as there has been no lapse in vaccine coverage.

What can I do if my dog already left the United States and I don’t have a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form?

There is a “transition period” for documentation requirements for U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months. During this period, which will end on July 31, 2025, the following two options will be available for these dogs:

1. If your dog left the U.S. without the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form, you may contact a USDA-accredited U.S. veterinarian and request they complete the form retroactively using information in your dog’s veterinary files. Instructions for your veterinarian to complete the form are available here: Documents for Veterinarians to Complete for Importing a Dog into the U.S.
2. As an alternative to the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination, CDC will accept a USDA-endorsed export health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian no later than July 31, 2025. The export health certificate must list the dog’s age (at least 6 months), 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 U.S.

What do I do if there are no USDA-accredited veterinarians at my dog’s clinic?

Discuss the following two options with your veterinarian.

1. Your veterinarian (or another veterinarian at the clinic) can choose to become USDA-accredited, OR
2. You can provide your dog’s veterinary records, including its rabies vaccination certificate, to another veterinary clinic that has a USDA-accredited veterinarian and establish a veterinary record for your dog at that clinic. If you choose to do this, check first if the USDA-accredited veterinarian will agree to issue the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or a USDA-endorsed export certificate based on your dog’s existing rabies vaccination certificate. While CDC doesn't require revaccination, the veterinarian might require your dog to be revaccinated against rabies before the veterinarian issues one of these documents.

Is a specific brand of microchip required?

Your dog’s microchip can be any brand, but it must be ISO-compatible (International Standards Organization) meaning it can be detected with a universal scanner. The microchip number must be listed on all documentation required for dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the 6 months before entering the U.S.

• Check with the microchip company or the dog’s veterinarian to determine whether your dog’s microchip is readable with a universal scanner. If your dog’s microchip number starts with a number other than 9, be sure to check with your veterinarian that it is readable.
• If the microchip cannot be scanned on arrival for a dog that has been in a high-risk country, the dog may be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense.

Does transiting on a connecting flight through a certain country change the requirements for a dog?

If the 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 dogs that have been in a high-risk country if they are transiting through a high-risk country as cargo. Dogs transiting through a high-risk country as hand-carried or excess baggage MUST meet the requirements for dogs from a high-risk country to be eligible to enter the U.S.

If the 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. Dogs transported as hand-carried or excess baggage MUST meet the requirements for U.S. entry to be eligible to transit through the U.S. on their way to another country.

If the dog is transiting from one U.S. location to another U.S. location with no entry into another country, then there is no requirement for the person transporting the dog to complete the CDC Dog Import Form or meet other requirements. This also applies to dogs that are passing through an airport in another country on their way from one part of the U.S. to another, as long as the dog travels as cargo and remains in the custody of the airline during the layover. If the dog travels as hand-carried or excess baggage or leaves the secure area of the airport during transit for any reason, then the dog will need to meet U.S. entry requirements based on the status of the country.

Examples:

• A dog being transported from Guam (a U.S. territory) through Japan (a dog rabies-free country) to the U.S. mainland would not need to meet U.S. importation requirements as long as the dog traveled as cargo and remained in the custody of the airline during the layover. However, if the dog traveled as hand-carried or excess baggage, or left the secure area of the airport during transit for any reason and entered Japan, the person transporting the dog would need to fill out the CDC Dog Import Form to meet the requirements for the dog to enter the U.S.
• A dog being transported from Guam through China (a high-risk country) to the U.S. mainland would not need to meet U.S. importation requirements as long as the dog traveled as cargo and remained in the custody of the airline during the layover. However, if the dog traveled as hand-carried or excess baggage or left the secure area of the airport during transit for any reason and entered China, the dog would need to have all required documents for U.S.-vaccinated dogs arriving from a high-risk country to be eligible to enter the U.S.
• A dog being transported from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territory (or vice versa), without passing through any other countries, would not need to meet U.S. importation requirements because the dog is not leaving the U.S. However, some states and territories have their own importation requirements that would still need to be met. For those requirements, check with the state or territory you are transporting the dog to.

Are the requirements different for dogs that are only transiting through the United States by land (car/truck/bus/etc.)?

All dogs entering the United States at a land border must meet CDC entry requirements even if the dog will be in the vehicle most of the time and will not be spending the night or staying in the United States.

How can I get an air waybill (AWB) for my dog?

Airlines must create an air waybill (AWB) for each dog transported to the U.S. or request a waiver from CDC. If you have questions about whether your dog needs an AWB, please contact your airline.

My U.S.-vaccinated dog got a rabies vaccine booster in a foreign country. Does it require a passing titer to enter the U.S. if it has been in a high-risk country?

• If your dog’s U.S. rabies vaccination certificate is still valid, it can follow the requirements for a U.S.-vaccinated dog.
• If your dog’s U.S. rabies vaccination certificate is NOT valid, it must follow the requirements for a foreign-vaccinated dog.

Can the 28-day quarantine period be shortened for foreign-vaccinated dogs that do not have a valid rabies serology titer?

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

• The dog is a personal pet or service dog
  • 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)
• 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
• The dog receives a U.S.-issued rabies vaccine as part of the PSM protocol and
• The PSM protocol is followed to obtain a rabies serologic titer from an CDC-approved U.S. laboratory. A passing result proves that the dog was previously vaccinated against rabies.

All costs associated with PSM are the importer’s responsibility. Dogs undergoing PSM must remain in quarantine until CDC has reviewed the results and authorized release of the dog.

If the PSM protocol is not followed correctly, the test results will be invalid and your dog will have to quarantine for 28 days.

Dogs that fail the PSM must complete the 28-day quarantine at the ACF and CDC may require the dog to be revaccinated and have additional serology testing to be eligible for release from quarantine.

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

U.S. Government Employees and Military Service Members FAQs

Are there exceptions for U.S. government employees returning to the United States from an overseas official assignment with their dog that has been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months?

U.S. government employees should contact the Department of State Travel Management and Policy Office for information about returning on official orders with a personal pet dog that has been in a high-risk rabies country.

Are there exceptions for U.S. military service members?

All Department of Defense (DOD) veterinarians are USDA-accredited and can access USDA’s online system for USDA endorsement of the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form which will allow the personal pet dogs of service members to enter the U.S. as U.S.-vaccinated dogs. DOD also supplies USDA-licensed vaccines to U.S. military bases overseas. Service members should contact their base veterinarian directly with further questions.

Service members who do not have access to a DOD veterinarian should contact the DOD office managing their travel for information about returning on official orders with a personal pet dog that has been in a high-risk country.

Service Dogs FAQs

Which dogs qualify as service dogs?

To be considered a service dog, the dog must meet the regulatory definition of “service animal” in 14 CFR 382.3. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, and service animals in training are not service animals under this definition.

Do service dogs have to go to a CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF)?

Foreign-vaccinated service dogs that have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries during the past 6 months are not required to go to an ACF upon arrival in the United States.

Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, including service dogs that fall into this category, are required to have a reservation at and go to an ACF upon arrival in the United States (unless the service dog arrives at a seaport and meets all requirements-see below).

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 must meet the same requirements as all other dogs entering the United States. Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months must arrive at an airport where a CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF) is located and have a reservation at the ACF. However, the following accommodations and exception apply for foreign-vaccinated service dogs from high-risk countries:

1. If arriving by air, the airline or ACF where your service dog has a reservation should transport you with your service dog to the ACF for the dog’s examination and revaccination. The ACF should expedite the examination and revaccination process.
   1. Inform the ACF that your dog is a service dog when you make the reservation, and request that they expedite examination and revaccination. This will be subject to availability.
   2. Make arrangements in advance of arrival with both your airline and the ACF to be transported with your service dog to the ACF. Note: This accommodation is available only for service dogs that meet the regulatory definition of "service animal" in 14 CFR 382.3, and only if the dog is traveling with the person with a disability that the dog is trained to assist.
   3. 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 that allows foreign-vaccinated service dogs to arrive by seaport if the dogs meet all other requirements, including having a valid rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory before arrival in the United States. If a service dog is arriving at a seaport, no reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility for examination and revaccination is required. In order to arrive by sea, the dog must be traveling with the person with a disability that the dog is trained to assist.

Foreign-vaccinated dogs, including service dogs, that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months may not enter the U.S. at a land border crossing.

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

To enter the U.S. at a seaport, U.S.-vaccinated service dogs that visit high-risk countries are required to have a valid (unexpired) Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination Form and the CDC Dog Import Form receipt (that lists the port where the ship will arrive).

Foreign-vaccinated service dogs (as defined in 14 CFR 382.3) aboard cruise ships can enter at a U.S. seaport 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 valid rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory; AND
3. Presents a CDC Dog Import Form receipt that lists the port where the ship will arrive

In order to arrive by sea, the dog must be traveling with the person with a disability that the dog is trained to assist.

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.