International travel with pets involves preparation and planning far in advance of your departure date. Requirements for taking your pet to a foreign country are set by the destination country. If you are you traveling to another country and bringing along your pet you’ll need to meet the animal health requirements of the country you are visiting. As soon as you know your travel details, contact your local veterinarian to assist with the pet travel process. Factors to consider may include meeting time frames for obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, diagnostic testing, or administration of medications/ treatments. Prepare well in advance for traveling. Some countries require blood tests at least 6 months before departure to prove that your pet is vaccinated against rabies. Also, airlines may have separate and additional requirements for international travel with pets. Check with your airline to determine what requirements they may have, if any.

Taking a Pet From the United States to a Foreign Country (Export) – APHIS

Your destination country may have specific health requirements that must be met before your pet can enter the country. Since export requirements are determined by each country and can change frequently, every time you plan pet travel you will need to verify the export requirements. In addition, airlines may have separate requirements. Check with your airline to determine what requirements they may have, if any. Read more here.

Bringing a Pet Into the United States From a Foreign Country (Import) – APHIS

Animals entering the U.S. may be subject to regulation by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) as all well as other federal agencies. Depending on your destination state, your pet may need to also meet additional health requirements. Read more here.

Taking a Pet From One U.S. State or Territory to Another (Interstate) – APHIS

Your destination State or Territory may have animal health requirements, such as obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, diagnostic testing, or administering treatments. APHIS doesn’t regulate the interstate movement of pets. Domestic movement requirements are set by the receiving State or Territory. Read more here.

Bringing an animal into the United States – CDC

CDC regulations govern the importation of animals and animal products capable of causing human disease. Animals regulated by the CDC: dogs; cats; turtles; monkeys; civets; african rodents; and bats. Animals not regulated by the CDC: fish; small mammals & non-africana rodents; and horses. Pets taken out of the United States are subject upon return to the same regulations as those entering for the first time. The CDC does not require general certificates of health for pets for entry into the United States. However, health certificates may be required for entry into some states, or may be required by airlines for pets. You should check with officials in your state of destination and with your airline prior to your travel date. Read more here.

Bringing a dog into the United States – CDC

As of August 2, 2024: If you are bringing a dog to the U.S., there are new steps you need to take, depending on where your dog has been in the past 6 months. CDC simplified the process for meeting requirements for dogs arriving from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries. For dogs that have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries for the last 6 months, the one form you will need is the CDC Dog Import Form. First of all, review the list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. If your dog has been in any of these countries within the 6 months before arriving to the U.S., follow the requirements for dogs from high-risk countries. if your dog was vaccinated against rabies in the U.S. and has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the 6 months before entering or returning to the U.S. there are 2 documents required: The CDC Dog Import Form receipt and a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or a USDA-endorsed export health certificate. If your dog is not vaccinated against rabies and has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the past 6 months your dog will NOT be allowed to enter the U.S.These rules apply to all dogs, including puppies, service animals, and dogs that left the United States and are returning. Read more here.

Bringing a cat into the United States – CDC

A general certificate of health is not required by CDC for entry of pet cats into the United States, although some airlines or states may require them. However, pet cats are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. If a cat appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner’s expense might be required at the port of entry. Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the United States. However, CDC recommends that all cats be vaccinated against rabies, and some U.S. states may have additional requirements. All pet cats arriving in the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam, even from the US mainland, are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements.

International Regulations for Animal Exports

International health certificates for the export of animals from the United States are completed by the accredited veterinarian who certifies herd and animal health status, conducts tests, and records test results for the individual animals being exported. Completed and signed international health certificates for the export of animals from the United States must be endorsed by a Veterinary Services area office in order to be valid. More information can be found here.

If you are taking your pet out of the United States to another country, whether permanently or for a visit, you should do the following:

1. All veterinarians must be licensed or legally able to practice veterinary medicine in the state that they work. In addition to a state veterinary license, many countries require the veterinarian who issues (completes and signs) the international health certificate to be USDA-accredited. You should contact your local veterinarian to see if he or she is currently USDA-accredited through the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP). This is especially important when traveling to a country that requires an Accredited Veterinarian’s signature – because if they are not, you’ll need to find a veterinarian who is to complete your paperwork. If you are traveling with a bird, make sure that your veterinarian has the appropriate accreditation status for completion of international health certificates for birds (Category II). Find an Accredited Veterinarian
2. Veterinary Services (VS) Endorsement Offices are responsible for the endorsement of your pet’s International Health Certificate. While there are VS Endorsement Offices located in most U.S. States, all appointments and questions are routed through six primary locations. Contact your local VS District Office to determine the best way to get your documents endorsed. Options generally include mailing your documents or scheduling an appointment with the Area Office. You do not need to bring your animal or pet to the VS Area Office. Find a Veterinary Services (VS) Endorsement Office

International Health Certificate APHIS FORM 7001

Each country has its own regulations regarding live imports, aimed at keeping out diseases and invasive species. All countries require basic vaccinations and official proof of your animal’s good health before letting it in. Some countries require a specific health certificate they have developed. Some countries require your pet to use the US-origin international health certificate APHIS FORM 7001 (“United States Interstate & International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals”). Download APHIS FORM 7001

Pet Regulations for Entry into Various Countries; Customs/Quarantine Pet Restrictions

Use the drop down menu below to find a country’s rules for importing pets. Always confirm the pet travel regulations with the appropriate embassy or consulate office, and the airline on which your pet will be traveling.

Please select a Country: — COUNTRY — Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Australia Austria Bahamas Barbados Brazil British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands China Costa Rica Dominican Republic European Union Fiji France Germany Hong Kong India Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Malaysia Mexico New Zealand Norway Portugal South Africa Spain Switzerland United Kingdom (UK) United States