What to know
- Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies within the last 6 months must meet several requirements for entry into the U.S. Importers must have proper documents and a reservation for their dogs at a CDC-registered animal care facility, among other requirements.
- Learn more about how to properly import foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a country with a high-risk for dog rabies.
Overview
Requirements for each dog include:
- A Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form. This form is filled out by your veterinarian and endorsed by an official government veterinarian.
- A valid rabies serology titer report from a CDC-approved laboratory.
- A reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility. If you do not have a valid rabies serology titer, this must include a 28-day quarantine reservation.
- An itinerary that has the dog arriving by air at the U.S. airport where the CDC-registered animal care facility is located.
- A microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify the dog. The microchip must be implanted before the dog gets its rabies vaccine, or else the vaccine will be invalid. The microchip number must be included on all required forms and supporting documents.
- Appearing healthy upon arrival A.
- Being at least 6 months old at time of entry.
- Documents and written statements in English or with a certified English translation B.
The CDC Dog Import Form receipt. You complete this form online. It will only take a few minutes if you have the required information available.
In addition, you must comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) and your U.S. destination's regulations. Please be aware that dogs imported for commercial (resale) purposes have additional requirements from USDA.
Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
Who completes the form?
A veterinarian completes the form. The form must then be endorsed by an official government veterinarian in the country where the dog is coming from (the exporting country). The veterinarian who completes the form and endorses the form may be the same person if the official government veterinarian is also the examining veterinarian (this is different in each country). Each country maintains its own list of official government veterinarians. Ask the dog's veterinarian for information about official government veterinarians authorized to endorse the form on behalf of the country's government.
Where can I find the form?
The dog’s veterinarian can find the form and instructions by visiting: Documents for Veterinarians to Complete for Importing a Dog into the U.S.
The form must be endorsed by an official government veterinarian before it can be used to bring a dog in the U.S.
How much does it cost?
Contact the dog’s veterinarian to request the costs.
When should the form be completed?
This form must be completed no more than 30 days before the dog travels to the U.S. The dog must meet specific requirements, like being microchipped and having a valid rabies vaccination, before the dog’s veterinarian can complete the form. If the dog is receiving its first rabies vaccine, your dog must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) old at the time of vaccination, and the vaccine must be administered at least 28 days before the dog enters the U.S.
Dogs must receive their first rabies vaccination at 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.
How long is the form valid for?
You can use this form only one time to enter the U.S. The form is valid for 30 days after it is signed by the dog’s veterinarian.
How do I show the form to officials?
The document must be signed by the dog's veterinarian and endorsed by an official government veterinarian, either electronically or signed manually. The document then must be printed. The printed document must accompany the dog and be shown to the airline (if requested) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival in the U.S.
CDC Dog Import Form
The CDC Dog Import Form is available in English and Spanish. People who complete the Spanish form will receive a receipt in both languages so that U.S. port of entry staff who are not bilingual can read it.
Who completes the form?
This form should be completed by the person importing (bringing) the dog into the United States (the importer, owner, or shipper). If you are completing the form on behalf of an importer who has difficulty completing this form, read the statements aloud to the importer and confirm they understand the information provided and agree to the Terms of Acceptance.
How much does it cost?
Free
How many dogs can be included on one form?
Each dog must have its own form. If you are bringing more than one dog to the United States, you must complete a separate form for each dog.
When should the form be completed?
You can fill out the form on the day of travel. We recommend completing it a few days before travel. If anything changes, like date of travel or the dog's arrival airport, you must submit a new form.
What information will I need to complete the form?
Photo of dog
Please upload a recent picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of the dog, showing its face and body. Dogs under one year old should have their photograph taken within 15 days before travel to the U.S.
Microchip number
Make sure to enter the dog’s microchip number accurately into this form. You can typically find this number on a dog’s veterinary records.
How long is the form's receipt valid?
The receipt is valid for a single entry into the U.S. and is valid for entry only on the date of arrival listed on the receipt. The form can be submitted any time before travel, except for dogs less than one year of age whose photo should be taken within 15 days before travel to the U.S.
How do I show the form's receipt to officials?
CDC Dog Import Form receipt can be printed or shown on a phone screen to U.S. customs officials or airlines (if applicable).
More information
Make sure all the information on the form, including the arrival port for the dog, is accurate before the dog arrives. If any information changes before departure, you will need to submit a new form.
Valid Rabies Serology Titer or 28-day quarantine in a CDC-registered animal care facility
What is a valid rabies serology titer?
This is a passing result on a blood test that indicates the dog is immune to rabies after receiving a rabies vaccine.
When should the blood sample for the titer be drawn?
A veterinarian must draw the blood sample at least 30 days after the dog’s first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before entry to the United States. Dogs with a history of multiple valid rabies vaccinations administered after their microchip was placed can have the sample drawn any time after a rabies booster vaccination if:
- 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 occurred, the sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the new vaccine dose was administered.
Where does the blood sample go for testing?
The veterinarian must send the blood sample to a CDC-approved rabies serology laboratory. If there is no CDC-approved laboratory in your country, the veterinarian can send it to the closest CDC-approved laboratory. CDC will not accept results from any laboratories other than the ones listed on CDC’s approved laboratories list.
The veterinarian must send the blood sample to a CDC-approved rabies serology laboratory.
CDC maintains a list of approved laboratories for rabies serology testing: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs. Use Table 1 on this page to ensure blood samples are sent to an approved laboratory for rabies serology testing. CDC also lists laboratories on this page that were previously approved but recently removed from the list, but there are only specific situations in which serology from those laboratories can be used.
If there is no CDC-approved laboratory in your country, the veterinarian can send it to a CDC-approved laboratory outside of your country. CDC will not accept results from any laboratories other than the ones listed on CDC's approved laboratories list.
How to determine if the rabies serology titer is valid?
The veterinarian will receive the results of the dog's titer. The dog must have passing results to have a valid titer. Passing titer results are valid for the life of the dog as long as vaccination coverage does not lapse and as long as the laboratory remains approved. . If a lapse occurs, the dog must get a new rabies vaccine and then a new rabies serology titer. The blood sample for the new rabies serology titer must be drawn at least 30 days after the dog receives the booster dose.
What documentation of the serology result is needed?
Be sure to have a copy of your dog's serology report from the CDC-approved laboratory accompany the dog when it travels. Your veterinarian should also record the serology result, if available, when they complete the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form.
Reserve a spot at a CDC-registered animal care facility
Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies within the last 6 months must have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility before entering the U.S. This reservation will include an examination and revaccination of the dog. If the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer, the reservation must also include a 28-day quarantine.
Who makes the reservation?
The importer or owner of the dog.
What do I need before reserving a spot?
You need copies of the required veterinary documents listed on this page. We recommend you contact the CDC-registered animal care facility before making a reservation to determine if they have additional requirements. Before issuing a reservation, the CDC-registered animal care facility will review the dog's documents to ensure they meet CDC entry requirements.
How do I reserve a spot?
Contact the CDC-registered animal care facility at the port of entry where the dog will arrive.
What will happen to the dog at the CDC-registered animal care facility?
All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the 6 months before entering the U.S. must have the following services at a CDC-registered animal care facility:
- Examination by a veterinarian
- Revaccination with a U.S.-licensed rabies vaccine
If the veterinarian determines the dog is sick or has evidence of an infection, CDC may require additional tests or treatments. Dogs that arrive sick may be denied entry to the U.S.
If the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer, the dog will also need to be quarantined for 28 days at the CDC-registered animal care facility. The quarantine period can be shortened if certain criteria are met. See the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
How much does it cost and who is responsible for payment?
All costs at CDC-registered animal care facilities are the responsibility of the importer. These include examination, revaccination, and quarantine (if required). Contact the CDC-registered animal care facility to determine costs based on the dog’s situation.
An international flight arriving directly at an airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility
All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country must arrive to the U.S. at the airport where a CDC-registered animal care facility is located. This must be the location where the dog has a reservation for an examination, revaccination, and quarantine (if required).
This must also be the airport listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
Domestic flights or other forms of travel to other locations in the U.S. are not allowed until after the dog receives required services at the CDC-registered animal care facility.
Exception to requirements for service dogs
Foreign-vaccinated service dogs (as defined in U.S. regulations at 14 CFR 382.3) from high-risk countries may arrive by sea. However, these dogs must meet all other requirements above AND be traveling with the person with a disability that the dog is trained to assist. If arriving by sea these dogs do not need a reservation with a CDC-registered animal care facility. Emotional support animals are not service animals under this definition. More information is available at, Service Dogs FAQs.
Travel checklist
Travel Checklist for foreign-vaccinated dogs from rabies high-risk countries
| Step 1: 60 days or more before travel (recommended) |
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| Step 2: 30 days or more before travel to the United States |
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| Step 3: 30 days before travel to the United States |
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| Step 4: The week of travel to the United States |
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| Step 5: Day of travel to the United States | Arrive at the airport listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Be ready to show the following documents to airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
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| Step 6: After travel | Follow the instructions of the CDC-registered animal care facility. This includes where and when to pick up the dog after all services are done. |
- Dogs are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of a zoonotic disease. If a dog appears to be ill or injured, further examination, testing, and treatment by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense might be required before the dog is allowed to enter the United States.
- A certified translation is a signed statement on professional letterhead issued by a licensed translator declaring that the translation is an accurate and true representation of the original document. The translation must include the name, address, and contact information of the translator and have a signatory stamp or elevated seal with the translator license number included. You can find a certified translation service provider online.