Staff Resources PCS-ing to the U.S. with Pets

PCS-ing to the U.S. with Pets

CDC regulations for the importation of dogs into the United States

Beginning August 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will enforce updated rules for bringing dogs into the United States. This update follows a temporary ban on dog imports from high-risk countries and seeks to improve the health and safety of both people and animals. The revised regulations aim to prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies and better align with the World Organization for Animal Health's standards for international dog transport from rabies-endemic regions.


Entry requirements for ALL dogs (including service dogs) arriving in the United States by AIR must:

  1. - Be at least 6 months of age or older;
  2. - Appear healthy on arrival;
  3. - Be accompanied by veterinary documentation with a microchip number included on the form;
  4. - Be accompanied by a receipt of the CDC Dog Import Form receipt; and
  5. - Have an air waybill (AWB) regardless of whether dogs were transported as cargo, checked baggage, or hand-carried baggage on all flights.

Please reference the CDC Information Sheet for Importers of Dogs Arriving by Air.pdf for more information.


Entry requirements for ALL dogs (including service dogs) arriving in the United States by LAND:

  1. - Must be 6 months of age or older;
  2. - Must appear healthy on arrival;
  3. - Must present veterinary documentation with a microchip number included on the form; and
  4. - Must be accompanied by receipt of the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.

Please reference the CDC Information Sheet for Importers of Dogs Arriving by Land.pdf for more information.


Entry requirements for ALL dogs (including service dogs) arriving in the United States by SEA:

  1. - Must be at least 6 months of age or older;
  2. - Must appear healthy on arrival;
  3. - Must be accompanied by veterinary documentation with a microchip number included on the form;
  4. - Must be accompanied by receipt of the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.

Please reference the CDC Information Sheet for Importers of Dogs Arriving by Sea.pdf for more information.


**Additional entry requirements depend on which countries the dog has been in during the past 6 months and where the dog was vaccinated against rabies.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

CDC Entry Requirements Chart.pdf

CDC Update to Dogs and Cat Regulation.pdf