CDC Dog Import New Rules: Everything Travelers Need to Know

01.08.2024 - 23:40 / cntraveler.com

New entry requirements for dogs flying into the US went into effect Thursday, a policy change aiming to prevent the reintroduction of canine rabies that will impact thousands of fliers who travel with their furry friends.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the US imports 700,000 dogs each year via air transport—here’s what travelers flying with dogs need to know about the updated regulations, plus expert tips on how to navigate the CDC dog import new rules.

The first thing travelers flying with dogs to the US need to do is determine the rabies risk of the country they are visiting or coming from, by consulting the CDC's list of high-risk countries.

Beginning on August 1, 2024, the only documentation required for dogs that have only been in countries categorized as “low risk” or “rabies-free” within the past six months is the CDC dog import form. Dogs that have not been outside the US, Canada, or Mexico within six months can also enter the US with the new form alone.

The CDC dog import form should be filled out by the accompanying traveler, and while it can be filled out on the day of travel, the CDC recommends “completing it a few days or up to six months before travel from a dog rabies-free or low-risk country, just to be prepared.”

Each dog entering or returning to the US must have its own unique form, which is free and can be printed or shown on a screen to airline employees and US customs officials. Upon receipt, the form can be used multiple times for six months, barring that the dog does not enter a high-risk country during that period. This is different from the previous process, which required that travelers present confirmation of their pet’s rabies vaccination or a health certificate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Though the new CDC dog import rules may streamline traveling from low-risk and no-rabies countries, it also introduces stricter parameters for pet travel: upon arrival, all dogs must appear healthy, be at least six months old, and possess a microchip recognized by universal scanners. Dogs meeting all of the outlined conditions are permitted to enter the US from any airport, seaport, or border crossing. For the most up-to-date information on the recent regulation update, travelers should bookmark the CDC’s page on flying with dogs from low-risk and no-rabies countries and check the requirements before your trip.

If a dog enters the US from a country identified by the CDC as having a high risk of canine rabies (or has been to one in the past six months), there are two different processes depending on whether it received a rabies vaccination in the US or abroad. High-risk countries include many well-known destinations frequented by