TravelingWithDog

Rules & paperwork

Bringing a dog into the United States: the CDC rules explained

Updated: · Joan

Quick answer

Every dog entering the US must be at least 6 months old, have a microchip, appear healthy on arrival, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt (free, filled online before travel). If the dog has only been in low-risk or rabies-free countries in the last 6 months, that is usually all. If it has been in a CDC high-risk country, add proof of rabies vaccination and, depending on the case, arrival at a port with a CDC-registered animal care facility.

TL;DR

  • The CDC Dog Import Form is filled online, is free, and the receipt is checked by the airline at boarding.
  • Dogs under 6 months cannot enter the US, from any country.
  • The microchip must be ISO-compatible and listed on the form.
  • Where the dog was in the previous 6 months decides the track: low-risk is simple, high-risk adds rabies paperwork.
  • Rules changed in August 2024: guides older than that are wrong.

This guide summarizes the CDC's own importation pages, linked below with the date we checked them. The US system changed on 1 August 2024 and a lot of advice online still describes the old world, so trust the source links over blog posts, including ours, and reverify before you fly.

The three universal requirements

1. Six months old, minimum

No exceptions by country or airline. If your puppy is younger, it waits.

2. Microchip

ISO-compatible, implanted before any required rabies vaccination, and its number goes on the import form.

3. CDC Dog Import Form

Filled online before travel, free. You get a receipt with a QR code, valid for multiple entries for 6 months, tied to one dog and one owner. Airlines check it at check-in.

The fork: where was the dog in the last 6 months?

The CDC keeps a list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. If your dog has only been in countries NOT on that list (that includes the EU, UK, Canada, Australia and most of the Americas minus a few), the universal requirements are typically enough. If the dog was in a high-risk country, it needs proof of a valid rabies vaccination: a US-issued certificate, or a foreign one plus serology and a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility at specific airports. Those slots are limited, so book the facility before the flight.

What surprises people at the airport

The receipt is per dog, the airline may refuse boarding without it, and the dog must look healthy: visible illness triggers a vet inspection at your expense.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the CDC Dog Import Form cost?

Nothing. It is free and filled online. If a site charges you for it, it is a middleman you do not need.

How long is the form receipt valid?

Six months from issuance, for multiple entries with the same dog and owner.

My dog only lived in Spain. Does it need a rabies certificate for the US?

Spain is not on the CDC high-risk list, so under current rules the universal three (age, chip, form) are typically enough. Reverify the list before flying because CDC updates it.

Can my 4-month-old puppy fly to the US?

No. The minimum age is 6 months for all dogs entering the US, regardless of origin country.

Does the US require a specific health certificate for dogs from low-risk countries?

The CDC itself does not for low-risk arrivals, but your airline might ask for a fit-to-fly note, and your DESTINATION state or return trip may add requirements. Check both.

What counts as proof at boarding?

The CDC form receipt (printed or on your phone), the microchip number matching it, and for high-risk origins the rabies documentation. Airlines verify before boarding because they are responsible for returning a non-compliant dog.

Sources