As of July 14, 2021, the United States has restricted the importation of dogs from several countries around the world. To the list of «disadvantaged» more than 100 countries where there is a risk of the spread of rabies have been affected. It included Ukraine, Russia and all the powers of the former USSR, except the Baltic states. Mexico was not included in this list.
Are dogs allowed to be brought into the US through Mexico? There is a possibility if the animal, after being imported from a «unfavorable» states to Mexico stayed here for at least 6 months. However, the process of such importation is no easier than if the dog was born in Mexico. In addition, such animals cannot be transported to the United States across the land border.
If the dog has been in the country for less than 6 months after arriving in Mexico, it cannot be officially brought into the United States. But between Mexico and the United States there is a simplified regime for the movement of dogs. For this reason, in fact, if you have Mexican veterinary documents, importing dogs from third countries to the United States through Mexico is quite possible.
Here we will talk about the sequence of paperwork for importing dogs into the USA from «disadvantaged» countries using the example of imports from Ukraine and Russia. So far, there are many stories on the Internet about the US refusal to grant permission to import a dog upon individual request, but the situation may change.
So, if a dog is imported into the United States from a «disadvantaged» country or has been in such a country within the last 6 months, you must have prior written import authorization from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If the dog flew from a prosperous state through a disadvantaged one, but did not go through customs control in the latter, permission should not be obtained.
An application for such a permit must be submitted no later than 30 working days (6 weeks) before the expected date of import of the animal. It is not possible to purchase an entry permit upon arrival in the United States, and animals without a permit will be returned to the country of origin at the owner's expense.
The CDC states on its website: «We will respond to you within 6 weeks». In fact, the decision is made within a week. The permit is valid from the date of issue and 14 days after the expected date of import of the animal indicated in the application. If a request to import a dog into the United States is denied, CDC's written refusal is considered final and cannot be appealed.
While the US does not require any documentation other than a dog's import permit, vaccination certificate and antibody titer, airlines have additional requirements. Thus, the USA does not require an International Veterinary Certificate, but the airline will definitely require it.
Get vaccinated against rabies and get a vaccination certificate. After 30 days, titer for antibodies. Microchip the animal. After another month, ask the CDC for permission to import the dog into the United States. No later than a month before departure, get other required vaccinations with a multivalent vaccine (complex vaccination). Some airlines may also require treatment for helminths and external parasites.
3 days before departure, visit the state veterinary clinic and request a veterinary certificate (Form 1).
Upon arrival at the departure airport, find the veterinary service office and exchange the veterinary certificate for an International Veterinary Certificate, with which you will continue traveling. Complete a customs declaration for the export of the animal. Register your dog with the airline.
The presence of the animal at all stages is mandatory.
From Russia
The algorithm for exporting dogs from Russia is almost the same as from Ukraine. But in Russia, an International Veterinary Certificate can be issued at the airport without a veterinary certificate, based on the vaccination records in the international animal passport.
The export of animals from Russia for sale has its own specifics, however, since the import of such dogs into the United States is prohibited, we do not consider it here.
You can learn about the rules for importing dogs into the USA from Mexico from this page.publications.