Dogs, including service animals, may not be transported to BOS, BWI, or RDU. These airports do not have a CDC-certified provider to care for dogs that are ill, inadmissible, or subject to quarantine.
Important information
If you are traveling to the United States with a dog from a dog rabies-free or low-risk country on or after August 1, 2024, review the entry requirements.
View entry requirements ↗Requirements for traveling to the United States with dogs from countries at high risk for dog rabies:
Check high-risk countries ↗If your dog was vaccinated in the U.S.:
- Review the entry requirements.
- Make sure the microchip number is documented on all required forms and accompanying records.
If your dog was vaccinated abroad:
- Review the entry requirements.
- Make sure you have a reservation and a confirmation email from an Animal Care Facility (ACF) at a CDC-approved airport, and that the dog matches the information in both.
- The dog may only enter through CDC-approved airports: ATL, JFK, MIA, IAD, and LAX.
Learn more about the CDC's general requirements for importing dogs into the U.S.
View general requirements ↗If you are traveling to or from the United States, you must complete the DOT Air Transportation Form and provide two copies at the airport on the day of your flight's departure.
Open the DOT Air Transportation Form ↗The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) establish the requirements for dogs entering and leaving the country.
Health requirements for dogs entering the country
Main general requirements
1. CDC Dog Import Form
- If the dog has only been in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before travel, the only required documentation is the CDC Dog Import Form.
- The form is completed online. After submitting it, you will receive a receipt that you can print or show on your phone.
- The receipt is valid for 6 months, provided the dog does not visit a high-risk country.
- If you travel frequently between low-risk countries (for example, the U.S. and Canada), the same form may be used as long as it remains valid.
2. The dog's condition upon arrival
- The dog must appear healthy upon arrival.
- It must be at least 6 months old when entering or returning to the country.
- It must have a microchip detectable with a universal scanner, and the number must appear on the documents.
3. Permitted point of entry
- If the dog comes from a dog rabies-free or low-risk country, it may enter through any U.S. airport, seaport, or land border crossing.
Requirements for traveling to the U.S. with dogs from countries at high risk for dog rabies
When the country of origin is considered high-risk for dog rabies, the following requirements apply in addition to those already mentioned:
1. Microchip
- The dog must have a microchip readable with a universal scanner.
- The microchip number must appear on all travel-related forms and certificates.
2. Rabies vaccination
Requirements depend on whether the vaccination was administered in the U.S. or abroad:
If your dog was vaccinated in the U.S.
- You must present a USDA-endorsed Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, or a USDA-endorsed Export Health Certificate issued before July 31, 2025, containing valid and current rabies vaccination information.
- The certificate must be linked to the microchip number.
- The microchip number must also appear on the dog's import forms.
If your dog was vaccinated abroad
- You must obtain a CDC import permit for dogs from high-risk countries.
- You must have a confirmed reservation and a confirmation email from a CDC-approved Animal Care Facility (ACF) at one of the authorized airports.
- Upon arrival, the dog may be evaluated at the ACF to verify its documents, vaccination, microchip, and health.
- The information (microchip, reservation, and ACF confirmation) must match exactly.
3. Authorized airports for dogs arriving from countries at high risk for dog rabies
The dog may enter only through the following CDC-approved airports:
- Atlanta (ATL)
- New York (JFK)
- Miami (MIA)
- Washington, D.C. (Dulles) (IAD)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
4. Risk of denied entry
- If the dog does not meet the requirements, it may be denied entry at the border or returned to its country of origin.
- Passengers are responsible for ensuring that all documentation is complete, legible, and consistent before travel.
Health requirements for dogs leaving the country
- Original health certificate.
- You must present a USDA-endorsed Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, or a USDA-endorsed Export Health Certificate issued before July 31, 2025, containing valid and current rabies vaccination information.
For more information, visit the CDC website:
Visit the CDC website ↗