Dog rules changed on August 1, 2024, and the CDC list of high-risk countries was last updated in April 2026. Check the CDC website before you book.
Every dog entering the US, including dogs returning from a trip, must:
Be at least 6 months old on arrival.
Have a microchip that a standard scanner can read. If a rabies vaccine is needed, the chip should be put in first.
Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Fill it in online; it is free. Each dog needs its own form. CDC recommends filling it in from a few days to 6 months before travel, and the receipt is valid for 6 months unless the dog visits other countries.
Dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries
If your dog was only in rabies-free or low-risk countries in the last 6 months, the CDC form is usually the only CDC document. The dog may enter at any airport, seaport or land border.
Dogs from high-risk countries
If your dog was in a country on the CDC high-risk list in the last 6 months:
The dog must be vaccinated against rabies. Unvaccinated dogs will not be allowed in.
You need extra documents, and often a rabies blood test (titer) from an approved lab.
The rules differ for dogs vaccinated in the US and dogs vaccinated abroad. Dogs vaccinated abroad may have to arrive at specific airports and may need a stay at a CDC-registered animal care facility.
Use the Dog Importation Navigator on the CDC website to see your exact steps. Start months before travel: blood test results and appointments take time.
The CDC does not require a rabies vaccine for cats entering the US. Cats should look healthy. Some states and airlines require a rabies vaccine and a health certificate, so check your destination.
Each airline has its own rules: carrier size, which breeds can fly (short-nosed dogs like pugs and bulldogs are often limited), cargo seasons and fees.
Some airlines do not carry pets in the cabin on international flights. Call the airline before you buy tickets.
Ask your vet at home for a health certificate close to departure; many airlines want it.
Planning a move with a puppy under 6 months. It cannot enter yet.
Getting the rabies vaccine before the microchip.
Forgetting the CDC form when returning from a trip abroad with your US dog.
Not checking your US state's rules for animals arriving there.