Pet travel from the United States to Marshall Islands

Last Modified: March 26, 2024
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Welcome! This page will guide you through the rules and requirements for traveling internationally with your pet.

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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

Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type

  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

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.

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


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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For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

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Save Time and Money With VEHCS!

USDA-accredited veterinarians can submit health certificates for electronic signature through VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System).