Traveling Abroad with Your Dog? New United States CDC Rules You Can’t Ignore

Traveling with our terriers, Sam and Denver, used to be a bit of a hassle getting to Europe. We had to fit the health certificate into a tight 10-day window, but coming back to the U.S. was a breeze. 

However, new rules from the CDC mean more steps for us and getting our dogs back to California. The process gets even more tricky if you are returning from a high rabies country.

The CDC’s new rules for traveling with your dog starting August 1, 2024, include some updates and some familiar requirements. Here’s what you need to know:

What Hasn’t Changed for Importing Dogs:

• Rabies Vaccination: Dogs still need a valid rabies vaccination certificate to travel.
• Microchip: Dogs must continue to be microchipped with an ISO-compatible chip.
• Rabies Titer Test: This test is required for dogs coming from high-risk countries. Even If your dog was vaccinated outside the U.S., ensure the titer test is done at a CDC-approved lab.

What’s New for Importing Dogs:

Non High Risk Countries

• CDC Dog Import Form: This form must now be submitted online and including a photo of the dog. You’ll need to carry the receipt with you to show at the airport.
• Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form/Health Certificate: The certification of rabies vaccination and microchip must now be endorsed by an official veterinarian in the country where the dog was vaccinated. Also, you need to keep the USDA endorsed health certificate you got when leaving the country and present it as part of returning to the US
• Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United form States: May need to be shown to airlines before boarding, but also given to customs on arrival
• Be at least 6 months of age at time of entry or return to the United States

High Risk Countries

• For dogs originally from US – Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States
• Re-vaccination: If Fido got his jabs outside of the US, the inspection officer will re-vaccinate at the airport regardless
• Pre-scheduled appointments at your arrival airport
• Quarantine: If your dog doesn’t have a valid rabies serology titer test, quarantine at a CDC-registered facility for 28 days upon arrival may be required​
• Be at least 6 months of age at time of entry or return to the United States
• Dogs with foreign vaccinations can only enter in one of 6 CDC certified airports (reduced from 18 ports of entry)

DogBot

DogBot is a chatbot tool on the CDC website that helps you figure out the rules for bringing your dog back to the U.S. It’s easy to start and very helpful. It does direct you to more complicated documents with the requirement details that will take some focus and effort to make sure you are following through with all the requirements

Example Scenarios for Bringing a Dog into the US

It can be helpful to see a specific example of how something will work. The process will be the same for any country in the category, so take a look at a couple of examples. 

Your Trip to Italy and Back: What You Need to Know (Non high risk rabies country) 

You fly with your dog from the US to Italy after August 2, 2024. Stay for 3 months before your tourist visa runs out, you return to the US with your dog.

1. Before Leaving the U.S.:
   • Get a current U.S. rabies vaccination certificate.
   • Microchip your dog with an ISO-compatible chip.
   • Obtain a USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate.
2. In Italy:
   • Keep your dog’s rabies vaccination up to date.
   • You can use an EU Pet Passport to record vaccinations, but now it’s not enough for the return trip. 
   • Don’t lose the USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate. You will need it as part of your re-entry paperwork.
3. Before Returning to the U.S.:
   • Submit the CDC Dog Import Form online that includes a photo of your dog and print the receipt.
4. Travel Day:
   • Show the CDC Dog Import Form receipt and health documents to the airline.
   • Present these documents to U.S. Customs upon arrival.

Everything you need to know about flying with a dog from the US to Italy

Your Trip to Thailand and Back: What You Need to Know (High Risk Rabies Country) 

You fly with your dog from the US to Thailand on August 2, 2024. Stay for 3 months before your tourist visa runs out, you return to the US with your dog.

1. Before Leaving the U.S.:
   • Get a current U.S. rabies vaccination certificate.
   • Microchip your dog with an ISO-compatible chip.
   • Obtain a USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate.
   • Obtain a rabies serology titer test from a CDC-approved lab.
2. In Thailand:
   • Keep your dog’s rabies vaccination up to date.
   • Use the CDC RABIES VACCINATION AND MICROCHIP RECORD  to keep track of any vaccinations given in another country.
   • Don’t lose the USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate. You will need it as part of your re-entry paperwork.
3. Before Returning to the U.S.:
   • Book your flight to the US into one of the 6 approved cities
   • Submit the CDC Dog Import Form online and print the receipt and schedule your examination.
   • Get a Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, endorsed by a Thai vet.
4. Travel Day:
   • Show the CDC Dog Import Form receipt and health documents to the airline.
   • Present these documents to U.S. Customs upon arrival.
   • Be prepared for both a paper screening and exam of the dog.
   • Be prepared for a 28-day quarantine if the titer test isn’t done.

Flying to Thailand with a dog is not easy, but it is definitely possible

Why is the CDC Changing Its Pet Import Policy for Dogs?

The CDC wants to prevent the re-introduction of dog rabies into the U.S. and the CDC website claims there have been a lot of issues in this area. These new rules are supposed to help ensure dogs entering the country are healthy and vaccinated. 

Unfortunately, they also seem unnecessarily complicated and redundant. For example, a titer test should prove the dog has been vaccinated and will not transmit rabies, but foreign vaccinated dogs will still have to be re-vaccinated on point of entry. That seems excessive, but is likely the result of past issues. 

Are the Rules the Same for Cats and Other Pets?

• Cats: Often don’t have to follow the same requirements for rabies as dogs do, so they may not face the same requirements for vaccination, titer tests or documents. It’s important to confirm for the particular country you are coming from as that will make a difference
• Small Mammals: Generally not regulated by the CDC.
• Fish, Birds, and Reptiles: Different regulations apply.

Final Thoughts: Updated CDC Guidelines for Importing a Dog to the United States

Traveling with pets now involves more planning and keeping track of documents. Be prepared and make sure to follow the new guidelines to have a smooth journey.

Appendix: List of Countries on the High Risk List from the CDC 

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Angola
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Bangladesh
• Belarus
• Belize
• Benin
• Bolivia
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Ceuta
• Chad
• China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan)
• Colombia
• Comoros
• Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
• Cuba
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Djibouti
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Eswatini (Swaziland)
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Georgia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Melilla
• Moldova
• Mongolia
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Niger
• Nigeria
• North Korea
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Peru
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Republic of the Congo
• Russia
• Rwanda
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Suriname
• Syria
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania (Including Zanzibar)
• Thailand
• Togo
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Western Sahara
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe