Bring a Pet Dog into the United States
Traveling With Your Dog? Check CDC Requirements!
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the primary authority for dog imports. This includes dogs entering or returning to the United States.
- CDC requires all U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have traveled to a high-risk country for rabies within the past 6 months to have a "Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination" form.
- This form must be submitted by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the United States.
For more information, visit the CDC website.
APHIS Veterinary Services has requirements only if your dog is coming from a country affected by foot-and mouth-disease (FMD) or screwworm.
Additional information about dogs entering the United States from Mexico
For dogs traveling to the United States from Mexico, the required screwworm freedom certification may be issued by a clinical veterinarian trained and authorized to sign on behalf of the official government veterinarian.
A list of authorized veterinarians in Mexico that can issue screwworm freedom certification can be found on Directorio de MVRA en Clínicas y Hospitales Veterinarios (MVRA Directory of Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals)
Requirements for Pet Dogs Imported from FMD or Screwworm-Affected Countries
If your pet dog is coming from a country or region where foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is known to exist, you must meet the following requirements:
- Their fur and bedding must be free of excessive dirt, hay, or straw.
- The dog should be bathed as soon as it reaches its destination and kept separate from all livestock for 5 days after entering the United States.
Note: There is no documentation required to meet FMD requirements.
If your pet dog is coming from a country or region where screwworm is known to exist, it may enter the United States only if it is accompanied by a certificate signed by a full-time salaried veterinary official (official government veterinarian) of the region of origin stating that the dog:
- Has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days before shipment to the United States, and
- Is either free from screwworm or
- Was infested with screwworm, held in quarantine, and treated until free from screwworm before leaving the region.
Certification
For more information about obtaining certificate endorsement by an official government veterinarian, contact the Animal Health Competent Authority of the country your pet is traveling from. The Competent Authority of the exporting country is the governmental entity responsible for establishing and ensuring or overseeing implementation of national standards of animal and veterinary health, international veterinary certification, and approval or accreditation of certifying veterinarians. For additional support in identifying a foreign Competent Authority, visit:
- Members—World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
- U.S. Department of State—Contact Info for Foreign Embassies and Consulates
Note: APHIS Veterinary Services does not have a required template or form for screwworm freedom certification. The certification can be a standalone document or incorporated into an export health certificate issued in the exporting country. Documentation will be reviewed and the dog inspected at the port of entry.
For dogs traveling to the United States from Mexico, the required screwworm freedom certification may be issued by a clinical veterinarian trained and authorized to sign on behalf of the official government veterinarian.
A list of authorized veterinarians in Mexico that can issue screwworm freedom certification can be found on Directorio de MVRA en Clínicas y Hospitales Veterinarios (MVRA Directory of Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals).
Livestock Handling Dogs
Dogs used in livestock handling that are imported from any part of the world except Canada, Mexico, and certain regions of Central America and the West Indies should have no evidence of tapeworm infection.
Dogs for Commercial Resale or Adoption
APHIS Animal Care regulates dogs imported for commercial purposes, such as resale or adoption. View additional requirements for commercial dog imports.
Need Help?
For questions about pre-export certification for dogs that will return to the United States, including how to complete the U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certification:
CDC Animal Imports
For general questions related to the import of a live animal:
Live Animal Import and Export
Email: laie@usda.gov
Phone: 301-851-3300