Dear visitors of our website! In this article we will tell you in detail about the features of transporting animals to the United States of America, what documents are required for this and what conditions must be met for successful import.
Basic requirements for importing dogs and cats into the USA
Age of the animal
One of the key conditions for importing dogs into the USA is their age. Since 2017, a requirement has been introduced that the dog must be at least 6 months old. This is due to the need to obtain an Import Permit through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The procedure includes checking the dog’s age, as well as its teeth, to ensure that it has reached the required age. Cats, as before, can be imported starting from the age of 4 months.
New quarantine requirements
Since August 2024, new quarantine requirements have been introduced. Dogs arriving from countries with a high risk of rabies transmission are required to undergo a 28-day quarantine at approved US facilities. Even if the dog is vaccinated and has the necessary documents, quarantine is mandatory. This aims to prevent the spread of the rabies virus in the country.
Vaccination and microchipping
The animal’s veterinary passport must include information about microchipping and rabies vaccination. It is important that the date of chip installation is earlier than the vaccination or coincides with it. Rabies vaccination must be completed at least 30 days for cats and 90 days for dogs before departure.
Rabies antibody test (for dogs)
Importing dogs also requires a rabies antibody test from an accredited laboratory. This test must be performed 31 days after vaccination, and at least 45 days must pass before applying for an import permit.
Also, after receiving the rabies certificate, it is important to sign the CDC rabies certificate form. This document must be signed and sealed by the doctor and the clinic that performed the last rabies vaccination.
Example document:
CDC Import Permit for dogs
To import dogs into the USA, you must obtain a special permit (Import Permit) from the CDC. This permit is obtained personally by the pet owner. The procedure begins by submitting an application on the CDC website, to which you must attach veterinary documents and photographs of the dog’s teeth. This check helps to ensure that the dog has changed its baby teeth, which confirms its age. Compliance with this condition is strictly controlled.
Example Import Permit (CDC) for dogs:
Exceptions
If a dog has been vaccinated in the United States with American vaccines within the last year and is returning from another country, the requirements for antibody testing and CDC approval may be relaxed. In this case, standard documents are sufficient, such as a veterinary certificate and an international certificate.
Specifics of transporting animals to the USA
During the summer period, from June to August, the import of dogs and cats of brachycephalic breeds into some US states is prohibited due to high temperatures. This rule does not apply to other breeds, but it is important to comply with shipping container requirements.
How to avoid customs duties
When filling out the customs declaration, we recommend indicating the value of the pet up to $500 to avoid additional fees. This will also help reduce potential taxes on the US side when receiving an animal.
We are ready to provide full support in preparing documents and organizing the transportation of your pets to the USA.
If you have any questions, please contact us using a convenient method on the “Contacts” page.
