Starting August 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will implement revised regulations for the importation of dogs into the United States. This change follows a temporary suspension of dog imports from high-risk countries and aims to enhance the health and safety of both humans and animals. The new regulations are designed to prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies and align more closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health’s standards for international dog movement from rabies-endemic countries.
Key Changes to Dog Importation Procedures
Beginning in August 2024, all dogs entering the United States must adhere to the following criteria:
- Health and Age Requirements: Dogs must be healthy upon arrival and at least six months old.
- Microchipping: All dogs must have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip implanted before any required rabies vaccinations.
- Mandatory Documentation: Importers must complete a CDC Dog Import Form online. Upon successful submission, a receipt will be emailed immediately to the importer at no charge.
Responsibilities for Airlines and Brokers
Airlines and brokers involved in transporting dogs to the US will have enhanced responsibilities, including:
- Document Verification: Airlines must confirm the receipt of the CDC Dog Import Form and ensure that all details match across different documents, including the description of the dog and the arrival airport.
- Care and Transport: Airlines are responsible for creating an air waybill for all dogs, including those transported as hand-carried or excess baggage. They must also ensure that dogs are transferred to CDC-approved facilities within 12 hours of arrival.
- Non-compliance Protocol: Dogs that do not meet the entry requirements will be denied entry and must be returned to their country of departure at the importer’s expense. Airlines are required to handle the transportation on the next available flight, with no exceptions allowed for payment delays.
How New US Dog Import Regulations Impact Your Clients Traveling Internationally With Their Pets
As a US-based veterinarian, it is crucial to understand how these new rules will affect your clients traveling abroad with their pets. Starting August 1, 2024, in addition to ensuring pets are microchipped (ISO-compatible), you must complete an additional document for clients traveling internationally with US rabies-vaccinated pets to guarantee their smooth re-entry into the US.
Certificate of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination
The Certificate of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination, available exclusively in VEHCS, serves as proof that the rabies vaccination was administered in the US. Upon submission, the USDA will review and endorse the certificate before returning the document electronically via VEHCS. GlobalVetLink is actively working to integrate this new certificate workflow into our product, with availability expected later this year. Detailed instructions for completing the certificate in VEHCS can be found here.
Note : If the pet is returning from a rabies high-risk country, the USDA-endorsed export health certificate (IHC) issued before July 31, 2025, can be shown instead of the Certification of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination form during the CDC’s transition period. The rabies vaccination must be valid upon re-entry into the US, or the form is invalid.
Rabies Vaccination Expiration Before Return Date
If the rabies vaccination is set to expire before the return date, it is recommended to booster the pet’s vaccination in the US before departure. Ensure that the new vaccination complies with the destination country’s requirements, such as a 21-day waiting period, when applicable.
CDC Dog Import Form
The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed by the pet owner, not the accredited veterinarian. This free online form should ideally be filled out 2-10 days before arrival, but it can also be completed right before travel, even in line at the border crossing with an internet connection. The form will be available on the CDC Import website by July 15, 2024.
Check out our helpful resource center to learn more about these upcoming changes.
Feeling Overwhelmed? We’ve Got You Covered!
With GlobalVetLink’s Pet Travel Concierge Service, our pet travel consultant team lightens your paperwork load. Our experienced pet travel team will handle everything from paperwork preparation to USDA endorsement tracking, saving you valuable time.
Our Pet Travel Concierge Service Includes:
- Pet & Travel Details Collection
- Rabies Certificate Review and Certificate of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination VEHCS prep
- International Health Certificate (IHC) Document Preparation
- VEHCS Certificate Preparation
- USDA Endorsement Tracking
By staying informed about these new regulations and utilizing available resources, you can ensure a smooth and safe travel experience for your clients and their pets.
