USA – New entry requirements for dogs

What you need to know before transporting dogs to the United States

General requirements for all dogs

Updated CDC entry rules apply from 1 August 2024

Beginning 1 August 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implements new import regulations for dogs, primarily to prevent the spread of rabies. Universal requirements apply to all dogs, while additional documentation is needed based on the dog’s recent travel history and the country where its rabies vaccine was administered. Shippers and dog owners are responsible for ensuring full compliance prior to acceptance by SWISS WorldCargo. Dogs that do not meet all requirements will be denied entry and returned to the country of origin at the shipper’s or owner’s expense.

Health and age

Dogs must appear healthy at the time of departure and must be at least 6 months old.

Microchip identification

All dogs must have a microchip that is identifiable by a universal scanner. The microchip number must appear on all documentation. For dogs from high-risk countries, the microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, or the vaccine will be considered invalid.

CDC Dog Import Form

A CDC Dog Import Form must be completed, and the receipt (printed or digital) must be provided to SWISS WorldCargo in advance of the dog’s final acceptance for transport.

Additional documentation depending on history

Further documents may be required depending on where the dog has traveled in the past 6 months and the origin of its rabies vaccination.

Requirements for dogs that have been in a high-risk country for rabies within the past 6 months

Dogs that have been in a high-risk country for rabies within the past 6 months prior to entry into the U.S. must fulfill additional entry requirements. These requirements vary depending on where the dog received its rabies vaccination:
Vaccinated within the U.S.: Refer to CDC guidance for documentation and certification requirements.
Vaccinated within a foreign country: Dogs must follow stricter protocols and must enter through designated CDC Animal Care Facility airports: IAD, JFK, and MIA.
It is the responsibility of the shipper or owner to ensure that all documentation and CDC facility registrations are completed in advance.
View list of high-risk countries
Requirements for U.S.-vaccinated dogs Requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs

Summary of entry requirements

This table provides a quick overview of dog transport requirements into the U.S., depending on country of origin and rabies vaccination status.

Requirement Dogs from low- or no-risk countries U.S.-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries

Age: 6+ months

Required

Required

Required

Microchip (universal scanner)

Required

Required

Required

CDC Dog Import Form

Required

Required

Required

Other documentation

None

One of the following:

1) Certification of a U.S. issued rabies vaccination form

2) USDA-endorsed export health certificate with microchip and valid rabies vaccine (only valid until 31 July 2025)

All of the following:

1) Confirmation of registration* from CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (at IAD, JFK, or MIA)

2) Certification of foreign rabies vaccination

3) Microchip form

4) Valid serology titer** (not required if a dog has a reservation for 28-day quarantine at the same CDC facility, where it has been registered for arrival)

Airport of entry

Any

Any

JFK, IAD, or MIA only (with CDC facility, must be reserved before arrival)

* Shippers/ owners of foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country within the past 6 months must present a confirmation of registration from CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (at IAD, JFK, or MIA) to SWISS WorldCargo. It is the responsibility of the shipper/ owner to ensure that the dog is registered at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility. Without this registration the dog will be denied acceptance.

** Valid rabies serology titer report from a CDC-approved laboratory.

For more details and to understand the exact documents required for your specific situation, please visit the regulatory website: Bringing a dog into the U.S. I Importation I CDC

Contact our live animals experts for more information.

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