United States Pet Import & Biosecurity Regulations
Official Statutory Guidelines (2026 Standards)
Official biosecurity entry protocols for domestic dogs and cats traveling to United States. Enforces mandatory ISO 11784/11785 microchipping, rabies serology titer tests, authorized veterinary health certificates, and airport border inspection procedures.
The 4 Pillars of United States Pet Entry
Every dog or cat imported into United States is assessed against these 4 statutory requirements under CDC Dog Importation Regulations (42 CFR 71.51, updated August 1, 2024) & USDA 9 CFR Part 91.
Conditional (High-Risk Rabies Origins)
Dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries (e.g. EU, UK, Canada, Australia) do not require a titer test and enter seamlessly on the free online CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs originating from high-risk rabies countries (e.g. India, China, Brazil, Philippines) require a CDC-approved serological titer test (≥ 0.5 IU/mL) or a mandatory reservation at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (ACF) for examination and revaccination.
0 Days (Subject to ACF clearance if high-risk)
Direct release upon CBP document check for low-risk origins. High-risk origin dogs undergo immediate veterinary clearance at airport Animal Care Facilities (e.g. The ARK at JFK) without quarantine shelter stays.
28 Days to 3 Months
Dog must be ≥ 6 months of age at arrival. 28-day rabies vaccination wait + online CDC Dog Import Form submission + USDA endorsement if applicable.
CDC Dog Import Form Receipt & Certification of Foreign Rabies Form
Digital receipt of the online CDC Dog Import Form with QR code, plus official CDC Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form endorsed by an official government veterinarian for dogs vaccinated outside the US.
Verified Inbound Corridors to United States
Statutory entry timelines, titer rules, and quarantine mandates from major departure hubs.
Check Rules from Your Origin
United Kingdom
Canada
Germany
Mexico
India
United States Statutory Requirements Checklist
Check off your pet's veterinary records against Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) & USDA APHIS rules to spot timing gaps and missing certifications before departure. Your progress is saved locally.
Interactive Entry Readiness Assessment
Minimum 6 Months (24 Weeks) Age Threshold
Sequence Protocol: Federal Biosecurity: Dogs under 6 months will be denied boarding by airlines or returned at owner expense.
Universal 15-Digit ISO 11784/11785 Microchip
Sequence Protocol: CBP Verification: Customs officers scan microchips and verify matching IDs against the CDC Import Form.
CDC Digital Import Form Receipt & QR Code
Sequence Protocol: Boarding Gate Requirement: Airlines will not issue boarding passes for companion dogs without validating the CDC digital QR receipt.
Valid Rabies Immunization & 28-Day Window
Sequence Protocol: CDC Latency Rule: Day 0 is injection date; Day 28 must be completed before flight.
Official Endorsed CDC Foreign Rabies Certificate
Sequence Protocol: Border Clearance: Inspected alongside the CDC QR receipt at CBP primary inspection.
Mandatory ACF Reservation (High-Risk Rabies Origins)
Sequence Protocol: Customs Transfer: Dogs are transferred under bond directly from the aircraft to the airport ACF for physical examination and revaccination.
Screwworm Freedom Certification (Endemic Regions)
Sequence Protocol: USDA Border Post: Verified by USDA veterinary medical officers at port of entry.
State Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
Sequence Protocol: State Compliance: Validated by state departments of agriculture upon domestic transit.
Entry Ports & Breed Restrictions
Designated international entry airports equipped with veterinary inspection posts, plus statutory breed bans enforced under CDC Dog Importation Regulations (42 CFR 71.51, updated August 1, 2024) & USDA 9 CFR Part 91.
Approved Ports of Entry
Authorized Border Inspection Posts (BIPs)All pets entering United States must arrive at a designated international border post with on-site veterinary inspection:
Restricted & Prohibited Breeds
Sovereign import prohibitions & hybrid rulesNo Outright Breed Prohibitions
United States does not enforce an outright statutory ban on specific domestic dog breeds for companion animals, provided standard ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate protocols are fulfilled.
CDC & USDA Cat Import Regulations & Entry Rules for the USA
Under federal CDC and USDA APHIS biosecurity statutes, domestic cats and kittens entering the United States enjoy streamlined entry compared to dogs, with zero federal age restrictions, no mandatory federal rabies titer, and no CDC Dog Import Form required.
Veterinary Health Protocols
Core requirements for feline entry
ISO 11784/11785 Microchip Standard
While not strictly mandated by federal CDC statute for cats, an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip is strongly recommended and required by international airlines for in-cabin and cargo boarding.
FVRCP & Rabies Immunization
Federal CDC regulations do not require proof of rabies vaccination for pet cats entering the USA; however, virtually all individual US destination states (e.g. California, New York, Texas, Florida) and commercial airlines legally mandate active rabies vaccination for cats 3 months of age or older.
Quarantine & Direct Release Assessment
0 Days Quarantine. Pet cats enter the United States directly upon customs inspection by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at airport terminals.
Official Health Certificate & Import Licences
A bilingual or English veterinary health certificate issued within 10 to 30 days of travel stating the feline is healthy, free of infectious disease, and fit to fly.
Pre-Travel Checklist
Prohibited Hybrid Breeds (Bengal & Savannah)
Hybrid domestic cat crosses (such as Savannah cats or Bengal cats F1–F4) may require US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) import permits and CITES documentation. F5 generation and beyond are classified as domestic felines.
Recommended Pet Travel Guides for United States
FAVN Rabies Titer Test Guide (2026)
Understand the ≥ 0.50 IU/mL antibody threshold, approved international laboratories (KSU, Auburn, ANSES), and post-draw waiting clocks enforced by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) & USDA APHIS.
USDA APHIS VEHCS Endorsement Guide
How to obtain sovereign veterinary endorsement for international health certificates within the mandatory 10-day pre-flight examination window.
IATA-Approved Dog Crate Requirements
Official mathematical sizing formulas (CR-1), mandatory metal nuts and bolts hardware, four-sided ventilation, and dangerous breed CR-82 guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions: United States Pet Import
Key biosecurity rules, quarantine exemptions, and veterinary documentation explained.
Need Pet Import Requirements for Other Destinations?
Compare biosecurity protocols, rabies titer rules, and quarantine lead times across 15+ destination guides.
Verify Your Pet's Documents for United States
Upload your pet's vaccination records, titer reports, and microchip certificates. We check date sequences and mandatory waiting periods against official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) & USDA APHIS rules before your veterinary appointment.