At a glance
The documents on this website are specific to the importation of dogs under CDC’s updated dog and cat regulation, effective August 1, 2024.
Overview
All suspension rules remain in effect through July 31, 2024. If your dog is entering the United States before August 1, 2024, you must follow the rules of the temporary suspension. Please find relevant information at What Your Dog Needs to Enter the United States. On August 1, the new requirements become effective.
Note:
Required documents for dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry:
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- The CDC Dog Import Form is available.
- The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed by the importer of the dog. It is free and can be completed on the day of travel (we recommend completing it a few days before travel).
- Importers must submit a new form if any information changes, such as dates of travel or the port of entry.
- You will need to know your dog's microchip number and must upload a photo of your dog showing its head and body.
- After submitting the form, importers will receive a receipt. They must show that receipt (printed or on their phone) to airline staff or port of entry officials.
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form
- The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the United States. USDA-accredited veterinarians can access the form and its instructions at Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) Help Page
- Instructions for veterinarians are available here: Instructions to complete the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination Form.
- The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the United States. USDA-accredited veterinarians can access the form and its instructions at Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) Help Page
- During the transition period (which will expire July 31, 2025): U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-endorsed export health certificate that was issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and documents the dog’s age (at least 6 months), microchip number, and valid rabies vaccination administered in the United States.
- This document can be shown instead of the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form during the transition period.
- The rabies vaccination must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.
- This document can be shown instead of the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form during the transition period.
Required documents for dogs that departed the United States and have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before entry:
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- The CDC Dog Import Form is available.
- The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed by the importer of the dog. It is free and can be completed on the day of travel (we recommend completing it a few days before travel).
- Importers must submit a new form if any information changes, such as dates of travel or the port of entry.
- You will need to know your dog's microchip number and must upload a photo of your dog showing its head and body.
- After submitting the form, importers will receive a receipt. They must show that receipt (printed or on their phone) to airline staff or port of entry officials.
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
AND one of the following:
- Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form
- The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the Unites States. USDA-accredited veterinarians can access the form and its instructions at Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) Help Page
- Instructions for veterinarians are available here: Instructions to complete the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination Form.
- The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the Unites States. USDA-accredited veterinarians can access the form and its instructions at Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) Help Page
OR
- USDA-endorsed export health certificate that documents the dog’s age (at least 6 months) and microchip number, and either:
- Lists the destination as the dog rabies-free or low-risk country from which the dog is returning (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information), or
- Documents a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
- Lists the destination as the dog rabies-free or low-risk country from which the dog is returning (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information), or
Required forms for dogs that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry (and do not have Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form)
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- The CDC Dog Import Form is available.
- The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed by the importer of the dog. It is free and can be completed on the day of travel (we recommend completing it a few days before travel).
- Importers must submit a new form if any information changes, such as dates of travel or the port of entry.
- You will need to know your dog's microchip number and must upload a photo of your dog showing its head and body.
- After submitting the form, importers will receive a receipt. They must show that receipt (printed or on their phone) to airline staff or port of entry officials.
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form Fillable Adobe PDF forms don’t function properly within web browsers (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, etc). You should download fillable PDFs and complete them using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
- Instructions to complete the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form Fillable Adobe PDF forms don’t function properly within web browsers (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, etc). You should download fillable PDFs and complete them using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
- Confirmation of reservation at CDC-registered Animal Care Facility
- For information on CDC-registered animal facilities, see: CDC-registered animal care facilities.
- For information on CDC-registered animal facilities, see: CDC-registered animal care facilities.
Optional, in addition to above forms, to avoid 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility:
- Rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory
- For information on CDC-approved laboratories, see: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs.
- For information on CDC-approved laboratories, see: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs.
Required documents for dogs that have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk during the 6 months before entry (and do not have Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA-endorsed export health certificate)
Option 1:
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- The CDC Dog Import Form is available.
- The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed by the importer of the dog. It is free and can be completed on the day of travel (we recommend completing it a few days before travel).
- Importers must submit a new form if any information changes, such as dates of travel or the port of entry.
- You will need to know your dog's microchip number and must upload a photo of your dog showing its head and body.
- After submitting the form, importers will receive a receipt. They must show that receipt (printed or on their phone) to airline staff or port of entry officials.
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form
- Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form Fillable Adobe PDF forms don’t function properly within web browsers (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, etc). You should download fillable PDFs and complete them using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
- Instructions to complete the Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form
- The form is valid for (1) 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 (2) 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
- Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form Fillable Adobe PDF forms don’t function properly within web browsers (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, etc). You should download fillable PDFs and complete them using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
- Veterinary records (including microchip number) for the previous 6 months
Or
Option 2:
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- The CDC Dog Import Form is available.
- The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed by the importer of the dog. It is free and can be completed on the day of travel (we recommend completing it a few days before travel).
- Importers must submit a new form if any information changes, such as dates of travel or the port of entry.
- You will need to know your dog's microchip number and must upload a photo of your dog showing its head and body.
- After submitting the form, importers will receive a receipt. They must show that receipt (printed or on their phone) to airline staff or port of entry officials.
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form Fillable Adobe PDF forms don’t function properly within web browsers (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, etc). You should download fillable PDFs and complete them using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
- Instructions to complete the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
- The form must be completed within 30 days before arrival to the United States and is valid for a single entry.
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form Fillable Adobe PDF forms don’t function properly within web browsers (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, etc). You should download fillable PDFs and complete them using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
- Valid rabies serology titer OR veterinary records (including microchip number) for the previous 6 months
Or
Option 3:
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- The CDC Dog Import Form is available.
- The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed by the importer of the dog. It is free and can be completed on the day of travel (we recommend completing it a few days before travel).
- Importers must submit a new form if any information changes, such as dates of travel or the port of entry.
- You will need to know your dog's microchip number and must upload a photo of your dog showing its head and body.
- After submitting the form, importers will receive a receipt. They must show that receipt (printed or on their phone) to airline staff or port of entry officials.
- Instructions for filling out the CDC Dog Import Form are available here.
- Foreign export certificate endorsed by official veterinarian (includes dog’s age and microchip number
- Contact your local veterinarian in the country of export for assistance obtaining this form.
- The certificate must be issued within 30 days before arrival to the United States and is valid for a single entry.
- Contact your local veterinarian in the country of export for assistance obtaining this form.
- Veterinary records (including microchip number) for the previous 6 months