Dogs can bring endless joy to the lives of their owners. Whether you’re looking to bring a new companion to the United States, or working for a larger organization, there are certain regulations and laws you’ll need to follow to import a dog.

Key Takeaways:

• The CDC has announced new requirements for importing dogs into the U.S., effective August 1, 2024.
• All new imports and entries will require the completion of a CDC Dog Import Form
• Dogs imported from countries that are deemed ‘free of’ or ‘low-risk’ for dog-rabies do not require any additional veterinary documents
• All dogs entering the U.S. must be at least 6 months of age
• Importers can no longer apply for Dog Import Permits from the CDC, and any previously issued permits will expire August 31.
• Export Health certificates previously used for re-entry into the U.S. are being replaced by a rabies-specific document endorsed by the USDA.

Our guide below details everything you need to know to import a dog, including paperwork requirements, health and vaccination records, and how to travel with a dog internationally.

Why Import a Dog?

There are many reasons why people may need to import a dog. People moving often bring their pets, and U.S.-based breeders often import to bring in new bloodlines. Not to mention, there are various rescue operations that operate internationally.  

From the Great Danes of Germany and Shiba Inus of Japan, to street dogs from Mumbai, if you want to get them to the U.S., they need to all follow a set process.

What Agencies Regulate Imported Dogs?

Dog import regulations are set by two organizations:

• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

While all dogs must meet CDC regulations, certain USDA rules will only apply when dogs are brought in for domestic resale. 

Aside from federal agencies, it’s also important to check with laws in the state or territory where the dog is set to arrive. At times, local regulations will require additional steps or may prohibit certain dogs entirely. 

Be aware that CDC rules apply to all dogs entering the United States:

• Puppies
• Adults
• Service animals
• New and returning dogs

The rules are also the same regardless of who is planning the import. U.S. citizens, residents, and foreigners must meet the same qualifications. 

As a quick example, an Italian national entering the U.S. with a mobility assistance service dog, must follow the same rules as a domestic breeder bringing in Dutch Shepard puppies from the Netherlands. 

However, additional special considerations are being taken when dogs are entering the U.S. from countries that are considered to be high-risk for rabies. The list of current high-risk countries is available through the CDC’s database.

CDC Dog Import Requirements

The CDC requires that all imported dogs must be in good health. Additionally, all dogs imported to the U.S. must be vaccinated against rabies and have a valid certification of their rabies immunization.

A rabies vaccine is the only one required by law for entry into the United States. However, if you arrange transport for the dog via an airline, vessel, or commercial truck transport, they may require additional vaccines. 

The same holds true for the use of flea/tick preventions, heartworm preventions, or other parasite concerns. 

Starting August 2024, the CDC is implementing additional requirements in an effort to combat the rise in cases of potentially rabies-positive dogs entering the U.S. using falsified vaccine records. 

Carefully review the following requirements for entry of any dog:

• Dogs must be at least 6 months of age at the time of entry.
  • Even if the dog receives their rabies vaccine prior to being 6 months old, they will not be allowed entry.
• All dogs must have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip implanted before or at the same time as a qualifying rabies vaccine
  • Rabies vaccines administered before the implantation of a microchip are considered invalid
• Completion of a CDC Dog Import Form with a picture that shows the face and body of the dog (accessible starting July 15, 2024)

As of August 1, importers can not apply for an import permit, and previously issued permits expire at the end of the month.

The ISO microchip must be detectable by a universal scanner. If the microchip can’t be scanned, the dog will be denied entry and shipped back to the departure point at the owner/importer’s expense.

Any documents needed, including the rabies certificate, must include the dog’s ISO microchip information. The additional documents required depend on other factors. 

• Where the dog is traveling from and how long it was there
• Whether the rabies vaccine was administered in the U.S. or another country
• Whether the dog is entering the U.S. for the first time or is re-entering within six months of departing

Since I know many of you may be looking to travel internationally with your pets, perhaps for extended vacations or business trips out of the country, we’ll review those requirements first.

Traveling Internationally With a Dog 

If you are leaving the U.S. with your dog, you’ll have to follow CDC import regulations when returning to the country. For live dog re-entry through Customs, the export health certificate is being replaced with the ‘Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination’ form. 

The form must be completed by a veterinarian prior to leaving the U.S. with your pet. If you don’t, Customs will treat your dog as a foreign, first-time entry rather than as a returning pet.

Per the CDC, you should check with the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting to make sure you are following all their rules as well.

You can make re-entry to the U.S. with your dog easier when you complete the following steps:

1. If traveling with a puppy, make sure they will be at least six months old at the point of return.
2. Check that your dog’s rabies vaccine will stay current through the date of your planned return. 
3. Carry an official ‘Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination’ form or a copy of an export health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Either document must be endorsed by the USDA. 
4. Re-enter the country through the location specified on your completed ‘CDC Dog Import Form’. 

If you follow these requirements, then even if you visit a country with a high-risk of rabies, you should have no difficulty in returning. 

Please note, however, that after July 31, 2025, dogs entering the U.S. from those high-risk countries will not be able to use an export health certificate for re-entry purposes. 

Importing a Dog as a Personal Pet

If you have purchased a dog from an overseas breeder, or you are moving to the United States and plan on bringing your dog, this section is for you. 

For starters, the CDC rules outlined earlier that apply to all dogs need to be met. That means a rabies vaccine, ISO microchip, ‘CDC Dog Import Form’, and making sure that the pet is at least six months old. 

There is a difference between high-risk imports and those entering the U.S. through dog rabies-free or low-risk for dog-mediated rabies virus variant (DMRVV) countries.

Requirements when dog comes from a rabies-free or low-risk country: 

• All documents with the pet must include the ISO microchip number
• Documents must be completed in the country of origin by an official veterinarian
• Arrival at the location indicated by the CDC Dog Import Form

Proof of current rabies vaccination status can be provided with either of the following documents:

• Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States
• Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip (valid for single entry)
• A foreign certificate listing the dog’s age, vaccination status, microchip number issued within 30 days of travel to the U.S. (valid for single entry)

Whichever form you go with, a locally qualified veterinarian must endorse each certificate. The vet records that accompany each option must show at least six months worth of history, or contain rabies serology titer results (proof of rabies immunity based on a lab analysis). 

Requirements when a dog comes from a high-risk country:

• Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip (valid for single entry)
• Confirmation via veterinary record that the dog was at least 12 weeks old at the time of rabies vaccine administration
• Administration of initial rabies vaccine at least 28 days before entry to the U.S.
• A valid rabies serology titer completed with a blood sample taken at least 28 days before travel
• Entry through a port with a CDC-registered animal care facility (a reservation must be made in advance)

There are only six airports with CDC approved facilities serving as entry points for such dogs. If your final destination within the U.S. is elsewhere, plan accordingly. Arrival at an unapproved airport without the necessary facilities will result in the dog being shipped back to the country of origin. 

There are definitely more restrictions in place, but import and travel is still possible. Just remember, rabies is considered 100% fatal in dogs that contract it, so it’s really not something you want to leave unchecked in your next potential family pet. 

If for some reason you are not able to meet the time requirements for the rabies vaccines, you can still enter the country. However, the dog will need to serve a mandatory 28-day quarantine at one of the CDC care facilities where they may be re-vaccinated, and you’ll be billed accordingly. 

Many pet rescue organizations work with dogs that come from high risk countries. If you are trying to adopt a dog through such an organization, we advise speaking with a consultant beforehand to ensure that the rescue is completing all the necessary documents to ensure your pet arrives safe and healthy.

Importing Dogs for Commercial Sale

When considering importing dogs for sale, adoption, and any other commercial purpose, know it’s regulated by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Congress passed this legislation in 2008 and the USDA published its specific rules around the AWA in 2014.

According to AWA regulations, and enforced by the USDA, all dogs imported for commercial sale or adoption must adhere to the following stipulations:

• In good health and free of parasites and diseases
• At least 6 months old at time of entry
• Vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before import
• Within 12 months of entry, dogs should also receive vaccines against parainfluenza virus, distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and leptospirosis (DHLPP).
• An APHIS Form 7041: Live Dog Import Health and Rabies Certificate filled out in English by a qualified veterinarian. 

In certain situations, you may be exempt from the requirements of the AWA. This includes dogs imported for medical research reasons. Of course, there are other requirements to review at that point. 

Imports of large groups of dogs are closely examined by the CDC. The new regulations being enforced by that agency and the USDA involving rabies vaccinations actually came about due to the rise in falsified certificates, particularly in large groups. 

Even one dog imported with canine rabies risks reintroducing that version of the disease into the United States.

These findings, published by PLOS One with data obtained from the CDC’s Quarantine Activity Reporting System, show that falsified RVC documents remain the top reason for denial. In fact, these countries actually represented 91% of all dog entry denials in 2020. 

The main takeaway is that the new regulations are there to continue enforcing and ensuring dogs brought in for resale or adoption are healthy and safe. 

Whether you plan on selling, adopting, or training to sell, you’ll need to check state requirements and determine whether you need to apply for a license from the USDA.

Dog Import Bans

Technically, the CDC has suspended the import of dogs from high-risk countries unless a strict set of requirements has been met. At the moment, there are no outright bans on any dogs from any specific country.

Related: U.S. Dog Import Ban

There are also no exceptions to the new vaccine requirements for dog imports since the age limit for importing was raised to six months. 

Neither does the U.S. prohibit the import of any specific dog breeds. However, there are various carriers and airline companies that do restrict which breeds they will transport. 

Health Concerns When Importing Dogs

In general, the rule that all dogs must be healthy upon import covers the need to make sure dogs are clear of any locally found parasites or illnesses. Provided a vet has declared the dog healthy, all is well. 

However, there are three diseases that impact dogs in certain countries which may affect their import into the United States.

In these cases where specific rules are made, it’s often because the U.S. has eradicated something domestically and doesn’t want to see it become a larger problem again. 

Dogs at high-risk of exposure to the following diseases or parasites must follow additional measures: 

• African Swine Fever
• Foot-and-Mouth Disease
• Screwworms
• Tapeworms (specific to livestock guardian/herding dogs)

Dogs being imported from these areas, whether as personal pets or for resale, must show proof they are clear of such issues. In many cases, it requires additional veterinary clearance, quarantine at a U.S. based CDC care facility, and specific bathing procedures.

Shipping crates, pet containers, and bedding must also be thoroughly checked and cleaned out. 

Again, there are certain exceptions. There are places with no evidence of tapeworm infection, so livestock dogs from certain countries in Central America, Mexico, Canada, and the West Indies can enter without additional restrictions beyond what’s required.

For more on these requirements, check out our informative e-book: “A Guide to Importing Dogs”. 

Is a Customs Bond Required to Import a Dog?

The average person traveling with their dog as a companion from another country will not need to obtain a customs bond. 

Someone purchasing a dog from overseas, especially certain purebred dogs, may be subject to the $2,500 value minimum for purchasing a customs bond. However, under HTS code 0106 which includes dogs, most are not subject to tariffs. They are subject to the rules and regulations of the CDC and USDA, so for commercial import a bond may be needed.

Related: How Do I Find My HTS Code?

Related: Types of Customs Bonds

Get the Advice You Need From USA Customs Clearance Experts

USA Customs Clearance does not handle the clearing and import of dogs. However, we can help you navigate the regulations through a consult to make sure that you can handle the process yourself or feel comfortable working with a pet specific carrier service. 

We can ensure you have the proper documents in place to make the import process seamless and easy. 
Our value-added services can simplify the importing process and make importing a headache-free experience. Call USA Customs Clearance at (855) 912-0406 and speak with an expert consultant today.