Pet travel from the United States to Israel
Welcome! This page will guide you through the rules and requirements for traveling internationally with your pet.
Before You Start the Process
Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
With help from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, you can learn more about your destination country's entry requirements for pets, including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments. We recommend creating a schedule to make sure you meet all requirements within the specified timeframe.
Gather This Information for Your USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
- The type of pet traveling
- The destination country
- If applicable, countries where your pet will stop (for customs clearance or upon leaving the airport or seaport) on the way to the destination country
- The date of departure from the United States
- Whether the pet will be traveling alone, as cargo, or with a person in the cabin of the plane
- Note: If you're traveling with a pet bird or exotic animal, you may need to work with additional agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1.41 MB) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Read These Resources
- Pet Travel Guidance for Pets Traveling to Another Country From the United States
- In Spanish (En Español): Guía de viaje para mascotas que viajan a otro país desde Estados Unidos
- In Chinese (用中文（表達): 宠物出国旅行指南
- Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling With Your Pet
Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type
Health certificates for pet travel to Israel can also be generated by the pet's veterinarian through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). First, the pet's veterinarian will complete the fillable PDF health certificate found on this page. Then they will log on to VEHCS and enter the destination country and commodity to upload the certificate.
For optimal quality resolution, it is preferred that the pet's veterinarian sign the document using the ADOBE signature options, rather than printing, signing and scanning the certificate.
Read restrictions on entry of pets to Israel during COVID-19 (316.55 KB). This applies to all dogs and cats entering Israel, effective June 4, 2020, and until further notice.
A printed paper copy of the completed health certificate must accompany each shipment.
For mixed breed dogs, the USDA Accredited Veterinarian must specify the type of mixed breed on the export health certificate.
The requirements and fillable health certificate for travel of dogs and cats to Israel can be found in the below link to the health certificate. Please note that the pet's microchip must be implanted before or on the same date as the rabies vaccination documented on the health certificate.
The health certificate must be endorsed by APHIS after it has been issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian.
Israel prohibits the import of dogs belonging to the following dangerous breeds, as well as mixed breed dogs that are mixed with the following dangerous breeds:
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Amstaff)
- Bull Terrier
- Argentinean Dogo
- Japanese Tosa
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier (English Staff)
- Pitt Bull Terrier
- Brazilian Fila
- Rottweiler
USDA Accredited Veterinarians must not issue export health certificates for these dogs, unless the owner has a valid translated import license from Israel which is specific for dangerous dogs.
Guidance Information for Pet Dogs and Cats (216.38 KB)
Veterinary Health Certificate for Dogs and Cats (179.85 KB)
Required Israeli Annex B and Annex C documents (112.95 KB)
- A Veterinary Health Certificate is required for pet birds (parrots, psittacine and passerine) entering Israel.
- No more than 2 pet birds are allowed.
- An import permit is not required for pet birds accompanied by owner for non-commercial purposes.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Pet Birds (60.48 KB)
A pre-import/entrance permit from the national wildlife authority in Israel is required. Please contact: Eti.sabag@npa.org.il
A Veterinary Health Certificate is required for chinchilla entering Israel. Requirements and instructions are available on the Health Certificate.
The health certificate must be endorsed by APHIS after it has been issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Pet Chinchillas (148.49 KB)
A Veterinary Health Certificate is required for rabbits entering Israel. Requirements and instructions are available on the Health Certificate.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Rabbits (38.93 KB)
A Veterinary Health Certificate is required for reptiles entering Israel. Requirements and instructions are available on the Health Certificate. The health certificate must be endorsed by APHIS after it has been issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian within 5 days of export.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Reptiles (193.91 KB)
For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially informed by the foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We recommend that you contact a government official of the country you are traveling to for more information.
Country of Destination Contact Information
Countries Participating in the European Union
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Northern Ireland*
Norway**
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland**
* Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (UK), but will continue to follow European Union (EU) requirements even though the UK is no longer part of the EU.
** Norway and Switzerland are not part of the EU but have adopted EU legislation for import of most species of live animals.
Important Travel Considerations
If you are transiting (passing through) the European Union:
If your pet is traveling through (transiting) a country in the European Union (EU) on the way to a third, non-EU country, you will also need a transit health certificate for your pet for the EU. The transit health certificate will be the same as if your pet’s final destination was the EU country. Use the information and steps above under “Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type” to determine which health certificate should be used. View a list of EU countries.
Considerations for airline travel:
Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies and requirements for transporting pets. Check with your airline or shipping representative to determine what requirements they may have.
Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?
View the Requirements
ALERT: Read the CDC Notice of Temporary Suspension of Dogs Entering the United States From Countries Classified as High Risk for Dog Rabies.
Information for Accredited Veterinarians
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