New Requirements for Bringing Dogs into the U.S. Effective August 1, 2024

Starting August 1, 2024, the CDC will implement new regulations for importing dogs and cats into the United States. For more information and updates visit www.cdc.gov/dogtravel

All dogs must:

1. Be at least 6 months of age at the time of entry or return to the United States.
2. Have an implanted International Organization for Standardization (ISO) compatible microchip.
   • This must have been implanted prior to any required rabies vaccination.
   • The microchip number must be documented on all required forms and in all accompanying veterinary records.
3. Appear healthy on arrival.
   • Dogs may not enter the United States if they are carrying a disease contagious to people.
   • Isolation of the dog, veterinary examination, and additional testing at the importer’s expense may be required to determine if the dog has a contagious disease and prevent its spread if the dog does not appear healthy upon arrival.
4. Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
   • This form should be filled out online ideally 2-10 days before arrival; however, it can also be completed right before travel (even in line at the border crossing).
   • If the information on the form changes before the dog arrives, you must submit a new form and indicate that you are making changes to an existing form. Most importantly, all information, including the port of entry where the dog is arriving, must be correct at the time of arrival.
   • A clear photograph of the dog showing its face and body must be included with the form, and dogs that will be less than one year of age at the time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days before arrival.
   • There is no charge to importers for submitting this form.

As of July 23, the CDC updated requirements to make it easier for dogs coming from rabies-free and low risk to travel into the United States. The requirements for dogs coming from dog rabies free and low risk countries:

1. If the dog has spent the prior six months in dograbies free or low-risk countries, it will be able to enter the United States with only the CDC Import Form online submission receipt as acceptable documentation.
2. The CDC Import Form can be filled out on the day of travel and the receipt can be shown to airline and border officials as a printed copy or by phone.
3. The receipt is good for travel into the U.S. for six months from the date of issuance and allows for multiple entries.
4. Dogs must still have an ISO microchip and be over six months of age.

A dog must have additional documentation if they have visited a high-risk for dog rabies country in the 6 months before entering or returning to the United States or if the dog has a current rabies vaccine that has been administered in the United States.

Dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the U.S. that have been a high-risk for dog rabies countries must:

1. Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section above.
2. Have a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by the USDA before the dog departed the United States.
   • During the regulatory transition period (which will expire July 31, 2025), the importer may instead present a copy of the USDA-endorsed Export Health Certificate that was issued to ship the dog from the U.S. if that Export Health Certificate was issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and documents the dog’s age, microchip number, and valid rabies vaccination administered in the U.S. This vaccination must be valid on the date of return, or the form will be invalid.
3. Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Formreceipt.
   • This can be any airport, land border crossing, or seaport, but you must select this location when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form.

Dogs without a U.S. Rabies Vaccination form that have visited a high-risk for dog rabies country within 6 months of entry must:

1. Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section above.
2. Have a Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Form.
   • The Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Form must be completed by your veterinarian AND endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country.
3. Have a valid rabies serology titer (titer not required if the dog has a reservation for 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility upon entry).
   • The blood sample must have been drawn 30 days after the dog’s first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before entry to the U.S.
   • The sample must be sent to a CDC-approved rabies serology lab.
   • 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.
4. Have confirmation of 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).
5. Have an international flight that arrives directly at the airport with the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation.

For more information and updates, visit: www.cdc.gov/dogtravel.