Please keep the following information in mind when shipping dogs to the USA:
Starting 1 August, 2024, all dogs intended for entry into the USA must meet updated requirements before departure. Shippers/ owners are responsible for ensuring compliance with these criteria and submitting the necessary documentation before their dogs are accepted for air travel by Swiss WorldCargo. General requirements apply universally, with additional specific rules based on the dog's travel history and the origin of its current rabies vaccination. Dogs that do not fulfill all requirements will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the shipper’s/ owner’s expense.
Requirements for all dogs:
- Must appear healthy upon departure.
- Must be at least 6 months old.
- Must have a microchip* identifiable by a universal scanner and its number listed on ALL necessary documents.
- Must have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt printed or digital, which must be sent to Swiss WorldCargo for the dog's final acceptance for the flight.
- Must have additional documents based on the dog's travel history and the origin of the rabies vaccine administered to that specific dog.
*For dogs traveling from high-risk countries: The microchip must be implanted before getting the rabies vaccine, or the vaccine will be invalid.
Requirements for dogs that have been in a high-risk country for rabies within the past 6 months:
Dogs that have been in a high-risk country for rabies within the past 6 months prior to entry to the U.S. must fulfill additional requirements. These additional requirements depend on where the dog was vaccinated against rabies:
Please note that foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country for rabies in the past 6 months can only enter the U.S. through the following airports served by Swiss WorldCargo: IAD, JFK, and MIA.
Summary of all requirements for dog travel into the USA (effective 1 August, 2024):
This table summarizes all requirements for dog travel into the USA, serves as guidance and facilitates comprehension of the vital points presented within the regulatory framework.
|
Requlatory Requirements
|
Dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries
|
U.S.-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries
|
Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries
|
| 6 months of age or older |
Required |
Required |
Required |
| Microchips identifiable by a universal scanner |
Required |
Required |
Required |
| CDC dog import form |
Required |
Required |
Required |
| Other documents for entry |
Not required |
One of the following:
- Certification of a U.S. issued Rabies Vaccination form
- USDA-endorsed export health certificate with microchip and valid rabies vaccine (only valid until 31 July 2025)
|
All of the following:
- Confirmation of registration* from CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (at IAD, JFK, or MIA)
- Certification of foreign Rabies Vaccination
- Microchip form
- Valid serology titer** (not required if a dog has a reservation for 28-day quarantine at the same CDC facility, where it has been registered for arrival)
|
| Airport of entry into the U.S |
Any |
Any |
Only with CDC Animal Care Facilities (IAD, JFK, and MIA), which must be reserved before arrival. |
* Shippers/ owners of foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country within the past 6 months must present a confirmation of registration from CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (at IAD, JFK, or MIA) to Swiss WorldCargo. It is the responsibility of the shipper/ owner to ensure that the dog is registered at CDC-registered animal care facility. Without this registration the dog will be denied acceptance.
** Valid rabies serology titer report from a CDC-approved laboratory.
For more details and to understand the exact documents required for your specific situation, please visit the regulatory website: Bringing a dog into the U.S. I Importation I CDC
Please keep the following information in mind when shipping dogs to the USA:
Starting 1 August, 2024, all dogs intended for entry into the USA must meet updated requirements before departure. Shippers/ owners are responsible for ensuring compliance with these criteria and submitting the necessary documentation before their dogs are accepted for air travel by Swiss WorldCargo. General requirements apply universally, with additional specific rules based on the dog's travel history and the origin of its current rabies vaccination. Dogs that do not fulfill all requirements will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the shipper’s/ owner’s expense.
Requirements for all dogs:
*For dogs traveling from high-risk countries: The microchip must be implanted before getting the rabies vaccine, or the vaccine will be invalid.
Requirements for dogs that have been in a high-risk country for rabies within the past 6 months:
Dogs that have been in a high-risk country for rabies within the past 6 months prior to entry to the U.S. must fulfill additional requirements. These additional requirements depend on where the dog was vaccinated against rabies:
Please note that foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country for rabies in the past 6 months can only enter the U.S. through the following airports served by Swiss WorldCargo: IAD, JFK, and MIA.
Summary of all requirements for dog travel into the USA (effective 1 August, 2024):
This table summarizes all requirements for dog travel into the USA, serves as guidance and facilitates comprehension of the vital points presented within the regulatory framework.
Requlatory Requirements
Dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries
U.S.-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries
Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries
One of the following:
All of the following:
* Shippers/ owners of foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country within the past 6 months must present a confirmation of registration from CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (at IAD, JFK, or MIA) to Swiss WorldCargo. It is the responsibility of the shipper/ owner to ensure that the dog is registered at CDC-registered animal care facility. Without this registration the dog will be denied acceptance.
** Valid rabies serology titer report from a CDC-approved laboratory.
For more details and to understand the exact documents required for your specific situation, please visit the regulatory website: Bringing a dog into the U.S. I Importation I CDC