On August 1, 2024, new, stricter rules for importing dogs into the United States will come into effect. You can now bring puppies under 6 months into the United States, you must have all animals microchipped, and you must fill out online forms before importing. The rules apply to all dogs, including service dogs and those returning to the United States. The rules apply regardless of whether the dog owner is considered a U.S. citizen or resident or a foreign national. The new rules are designed to strengthen health controls over dogs imported into the United States and address a number of problems such as fraudulent documentation and keeping dogs in unsafe conditions.
The dog must be at least 6 months old when entering or returning to the United States.
The dog must have a current rabies vaccination certificate. The first shot can be given at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age according to CDC standards.
The dog must come from a country with a low risk of rabies, which includes Canada and Mexico. The animal must not have been in a high-risk country for the last 6 months.
The dog must have an implanted microchip that meets the criteria of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The chip must be implanted before rabies vaccination. The microchip number must be indicated on all forms and all accompanying veterinary documents.
For all dogs, you must have confirmation («receipt») received after filling out the animal import form. The form will be available on July 15, 2024 on the CDC website. Confirmation is free of charge. Ideally, this form should be completed online 2-10 days before arrival. At the same time, it can also be filled out right before the trip (even in line at the border crossing), if the owner has access to the Internet. If the information on the form changes before the dog arrives, the owner must submit a new form and indicate that he is making changes to the existing form. All materials, including the port of entry (airport or border crossing), must be current at the time of arrival. If you arrive at a different port of entry, you will need to obtain a new confirmation. The form requires you to upload a clear photograph of the dog, showing its face and body. Dogs that are less than one year old upon arrival must be photographed no earlier than 10 days prior to arrival.
The owner is required to have additional documentation depending on where the dog has been for the 6 months prior to entry or return to the United States or whether the dog has a current rabies vaccine administered in the United States. For example, they may require test results for rabies antibody titers or revaccination upon arrival and a 28-day quarantine.
Upon arrival in the United States, the animal must appear healthy. If the dog does not appear healthy upon arrival, it will be subject to isolation, veterinary examination, and additional testing to determine if the dog has a contagious disease and to prevent its spread.
Dogs that do not meet all entry requirements or do not have valid documentation and proof will be denied entry into the United States and will be returned to the country of origin at the owner's expense. The country of departure is the place from which the last trip was made, not the place where the dog was born or lives. These regulations apply to all dogs, including service dogs and dogs born in the United States.
If you are bringing an animal into the United States by air, provide the following to the airline before boarding: confirmation from the CDC import form and a rabies vaccination certificate or export health certificate. Once you arrive in the United States, present the same paperwork to the US Customs and Border Protection officer again.
At the moment, the most controversial issue seems to be the requirement that proof of vaccination and health status must be issued by a veterinarian certified by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a government agency that is certified by the US Department of Agriculture. The veterinarian should have a certificate of the digital signature displayed on the vaccination document. It is not yet clear whether the United States will accept foreign vaccination certificates without an imprint of the veterinarian's electronic signature, that is, only with a wet seal. If you have any questions, it is recommended to contact thispage.
There are separate requirements for dogs that have been vaccinated against rabies in the United States (1), who have been in a country with a high risk of canine rabies in the 6 months prior to entry and do NOT have adequate documentation of a current rabies vaccine issued in the United States (2), and who have been ONLY in countries where there is no or low risk of dog rabies in the 6 months prior to entry into the United States (3).