Pet Travel From the United States to Marshall Islands

Last Modified: December 03, 2024

Electronic Signature ACCEPTED; Original Ink Endorsement REQUIRED

For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

USDA-accredited veterinarians can electronically issue health certificates and use VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System) to submit them to USDA for endorsement.

USDA must ink-sign and emboss the health certificate.

Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type

Carefully read ALL of the requirements related to your pet on this page.

  • This page provides the most recent entry requirements and can change without notice.
  • It is the responsibility of the veterinarian to make sure the pet has met all health requirements of the destination country before issuing a health certificate.
  • Failure to meet the requirements may result in problems gaining certificate endorsement or difficulties upon arrival in the destination country.
  • Health certificates must be legible, accurate, and complete.
     
  1. Limited Veterinary Services are available on a day-to-day basis.  Routine services provided include:
    • rabies inoculations
    • limited care of sick or injured animals
    • special medications if available
  2. A doctor of veterinary medicine visits USAKA approximately two (2) to four (4) times a year on an announced basis for routine animal care.
  3. ALL imported pets will enter USAKA via Hawaii and will complete MANDATORY HAWAIIAN QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS as necessary.
  4. ALL requests for Pet Entry must be accompanied by a letter indicating:
    • type of animal, age, sex, and size
    • address where animal will reside
    • dates of Hawaii Quarantine - if possible
  5. A Health Certificate documenting that the animal has been inoculated against rabies and is generally healthy and free from any signs of diseases; and documentation that the animal has been spayed/neutered prior to entry MUST be presented for examination by the Medical Officer or Veterinary Services Department. 
  6. Animals MUST be dipped or otherwise treated to free the animal of external parasites (i.e. fleas, etc.) within five (5) days prior to entry.  This is to include spraying/treatment of the animal cage.  This is especially important if the animal was purchased in Hawaii because the state is known to have a flea problem. 
  7. ALL animals MUST be registered with the Veterinary Services Department with registration renewed annually.
  8. ALL owners will ensure that proper medical records are maintained and all required shots/inoculations are kept up-to-date at the owner's expense.

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

World Organisation for Animal Health: Members

U.S. Department of State: Foreign Embassies and Consulates

Important Travel Considerations

Considerations for airline travel and cruises:

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.

Learn how you can improve the safety of dogs and cats during air travel.

View additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS endorsement of international health certificates (239.52 KB).

If pets or support animals accompany you on a cruise, you must comply with entry rules for every country or port where your pet or support animal exits the ship.

Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?

View APHIS Requirements

ALERT: If you're traveling with a dog, be aware that the CDC has additional requirements for bringing a dog into the United States. You must follow CDC's requirements, or your dog will not be allowed to enter the United States. 

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.

Need Help?

Still Have Questions?

USDA-Accredited Veterinarians

Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for pets (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.

Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

USDA Endorsement Offices

Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for questions about endorsing a health certificate for pets. 

Looking for Another Country?

Find your destination country requirements by using the dropdown menu below. If your country is not listed in the menu, visit Pet Travel: Unknown Requirements.