Documents for Veterinarians to Complete for Dogs Being Imported into the United States

At a glance

The documents on this website are for veterinarians to complete. The documents are specific to dogs that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the 6 months before arriving in the United States. Which document needs to be completed depends on where the dog was vaccinated (United States or another country).

Recent Changes

CDC values the feedback received from various countries, industry partners, and the public. CDC simplified the process for meeting requirements for dogs arriving from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries.

Starting August 1, 2024, there are no veterinary documents required for dogs arriving from dog-rabies free or low-risk countries. The only form needed for these dogs is the CDC Dog Import Form which is completed online by the importer.

USDA-Accredited Veterinarians

An USDA-accredited veterinarian has two possible government-endorsed documents to complete before a U.S.-vaccinated dog departs the U.S. for a high-risk country.

Option 1: 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. For a dog receiving its first rabies vaccination, the form must be completed no less than 28 days after the vaccine was administered. Booster vaccines are considered valid immediately as long as there has been no lapse in vaccine coverage.
    • During a “transition period,” which will end on July 31, 2025, the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form may be completed retroactively using information in your dog’s veterinary files. For more information about the transition period, visit Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations.
  • 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.

Option 2: USDA endorsed export health certificate

  • This option is available for dog importation until July 31, 2025 (date of issuance), i.e., during the transition period. For more information about the transition period, visit Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations.
  • If it will be used for re-entry, this document must include 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. The rabies vaccination must also have been administered after the dog’s microchip was inserted.

Foreign Veterinarians

A foreign veterinarian has one government-endorsed document to complete for foreign-vaccinated dogs traveling to the U.S. from a high-risk country.

Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form

IMPORTANT:‎

Certain countries use approved variations of the form. Before completing the form, you should confirm with the government of your country that the form you are completing is approved. This will ensure you fill out the correct version.

Submit rabies serologic titer to a CDC-approved laboratory

This titer is needed for foreign-vaccinated dogs from rabies high-risk countries to avoid a 28-day quarantine upon arrival to the U.S. For information on CDC-approved laboratories, see: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs.

When to draw blood sample for titer

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 their microchip was placed can have the sample drawn anytime 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 occurs, the sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the valid booster vaccination was administered.

Where to send blood sample

Send the blood sample to a CDC-approved rabies serology laboratory. If there is no CDC-approved laboratory in your country, 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.

When you receive titer results

Dogs must have passing results to have a valid titer. CDC defines a passing or adequate antibody titer as a titer that is ≥0.5 IU/mL. Dogs that fail to achieve a rabies antibody titer of 0.5 IU/mL must be revaccinated and have their titer redrawn after revaccination. It is recommended to wait at least 14 days between revaccination and titer collection.

Passing titer results are valid for the dog’s life if the dog’s rabies vaccination coverage does not lapse. If a lapse occurs, dogs must get a new rabies serology titer. The blood sample for the new rabies serology titer must be drawn at least 30 days after dogs receive an updated rabies vaccine.

IMPORTANT:‎

If foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries do not have a valid rabies serology titer, the dogs must be quarantined for 28 days at a CDC-registered animal care facility after they are examined and revaccinated.
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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)