TLDR: Every dog entering the US needs a CDC Dog Import Form, to be at least 6 months old, and to be microchipped. A dog from a CDC-listed high-risk country needs extra rabies documentation and must arrive at one of eight designated airports, whether or not it has a valid titer. The titer decides whether the dog quarantines, not whether it lands at that airport. Cats face no federal rabies requirement.
Calling all globetrotting pet parents. The United States updated pet import rules effective August 1, 2024. These changes are meant to keep travel safe and rabies free while making most moves easier. At PetRelocation, we have brought over 40,000 pets home to the US across more than 20 years, and we are ready to guide you through the update.
The updates focus on stronger documentation and rabies protection.
Scenario 1: US Vaccinated Dog
Scenario 2: Dog from a Not-High-Risk Country
Scenario 3: Foreign-Vaccinated Dog from a High-Risk Country
Option A (recommended): Valid rabies titer from a CDC-approved lab, drawn at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 28 days before entry. A qualifying titer means the dog is examined and given a US rabies booster at the ACF without the 28-day quarantine reservation.
Option B: No titer, or results not available. The reservation must include the 28-day quarantine, per CDC's own requirement, plus the exam and booster, all at owner cost.
Neither Hawaii nor Guam has a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility, so a foreign-vaccinated, high-risk dog can't clear CDC entry at either location directly. For Hawaii, your dog clears CDC requirements at a mainland ACF airport first, then continues to Hawaii; meeting CDC's requirements also satisfies Hawaii's Direct Airport Release, so there's no added Hawaii quarantine for a compliant dog. Guam runs its own import program and can accept a dog directly from a high-risk country without routing through a CDC ACF, as long as Guam's own requirements are met, with no added Guam quarantine either. If your move involves an island destination, raise it with your relocation manager early.
For the full country-level breakdown, see our US pet import requirements guide. If your dog is coming from China specifically, see our China to USA moving guide for country-specific document notes.
Feeling overwhelmed? We have got your back. These rules are stricter on paper but easier day to day with the right partner. Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through your options.
How do I know if my dog's country of origin counts as high-risk?
Check the current CDC high-risk countries list linked above. It changes, so confirm your specific country before you finalize travel plans.
What's the difference between Scenario 1 and Scenario 3?
Scenario 1 is a dog vaccinated in the US that later visited a high-risk country; it can land at any port. Scenario 3 is a dog vaccinated abroad that's been in a high-risk country; it must use an ACF airport regardless of titer status. A valid titer changes whether Scenario 3 involves quarantine, not which airport it uses.
Can I avoid the 28-day quarantine?
Yes, if your dog has a valid rabies titer from a CDC-approved lab, drawn in the correct window (30 days after vaccination, 28 days before entry). A qualifying titer means the ACF reservation covers exam and release instead of the 28-day quarantine, though the dog still arrives at that same ACF airport either way.
Does my cat need any of this paperwork?
No. Cats have no federal rabies vaccination requirement and aren't subject to the CDC Dog Import Form or ACF airport rules. Some states or airlines may still ask for proof of vaccination.
Are USDA-endorsed export certificates still valid?
No. CDC's one-year transition period for this ended July 31, 2025. Certificates issued after that date are not accepted for re-entry, and the Certification of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination is now the only accepted form for US-vaccinated dogs returning from a high-risk country. A certificate issued on or before July 31, 2025 remains usable for multiple re-entries until the underlying rabies vaccination itself expires.