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Every dog entering the US needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.The rules

Dog Import Form

File your dog’s CDC Dog Import Form

Answer a few questions about your dog’s trip. We check the CDC rules, file the form for you and email you the receipt.

  1. 1. Trip
  2. 2. Dog
  3. 3. You
  4. 4. Review and pay

Your dog’s trip

Where has your dog been in the last 6 months?

Include the country you fly from and every country your dog stayed in.

How does your dog arrive?

US airports that receive international flights. Not in the list? Choose “Another airport”.

What the CDC requires

It depends on where your dog has been in the last 6 months.

Low riskHigh risk, US-vaccinatedHigh risk, vaccinated abroad
CDC Dog Import Form receiptRequiredRequiredRequired
At least 6 months oldRequiredRequiredRequired
MicrochipRequiredRequiredRequired
Photo of the dogNot requiredRequiredRequired
USDA-endorsed US rabies certificationNot requiredRequiredNot required
Government-endorsed foreign rabies certificationNot requiredNot requiredRequired
Rabies titer testNot requiredNot requiredRecommended
Animal care facility bookingNot requiredNot requiredRequired
Receipt6 months, multiple entriesOne entryOne entry
ArrivalAny airport, land or seaAny airport, land or sea8 airports only
Our fee$29$49$79
Read the full rules

Common questions

I am traveling with several dogs. Do I need one form per dog?

Yes. Each dog needs its own CDC Dog Import Form and gets its own receipt. There is no limit on the number of dogs, so plan one form for every dog in the trip.

When should I fill in the form?

It depends on where your dog has been. For a dog that has only been in low-risk countries, it can be done the day of travel, and the CDC suggests a few days and up to 6 months ahead. For a dog that has been in a high-risk country, the CDC recommends submitting it the week of travel, because the receipt is tied to your arrival date and airport.

Does a service dog need the form too?

Yes. Every dog entering the United States needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, service dogs included. Only dogs that meet the US definition of a service dog count as such: emotional support animals and dogs in training follow the rules for pets.

My dog lives in the US and is just coming home. Does it need the form?

Yes. Every dog entering the United States needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, including US dogs returning from a trip. If your dog spent time in a high-risk country, it also needs a Certification of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination endorsed by USDA before it left the US.

My dog only changes planes in the US. Does it need the form?

Usually not, but only if the dog travels as cargo or checked baggage, does not clear customs, stays with the airline, and its final destination is not the United States. Traveling in the cabin or changing airlines can mean clearing customs, and then the full rules apply.

We are driving in from Canada or Mexico. What does my dog need?

A CDC Dog Import Form receipt, like any other dog. Dogs from low-risk countries and properly documented US-vaccinated dogs can use any land crossing. Dogs coming from Mexico also need a New World screwworm certificate (a USDA rule) based on an inspection no more than 5 days before travel, and dogs vaccinated abroad that have been in a high-risk country cannot enter by land.

All questions

The rules, explained simply