The APHIS Vet Health Certificate (Form 7001) for International Pet Transport

APHIS Form 7001 for Pet Travel: When You Need It and How the Process Works

If you are moving internationally with your pet from the United States, you may need an international health certificate before travel. One form many pet owners hear about is the USDA APHIS Form 7001, also called the International Health Certificate.

That said, the 7001 is not the right form for every country. Some destinations require a country-specific health certificate instead, and some have different endorsement rules or timing requirements. That is why your first step should always be confirming the exact requirements for your destination.

At PetRelocation, this is one of the most common paperwork questions we get from families planning an international move with a dog or cat.

What is APHIS Form 7001?

APHIS Form 7001 is a U.S. veterinary health certificate that may be used for some international pet moves. In some cases, it can help support travel when a country accepts it. In other cases, the destination country requires a different certificate entirely.

The key point is simple: do not assume the 7001 is the correct form just because you are traveling overseas with a pet.

Do all countries use APHIS Form 7001?

No. There is not one standard health certificate that works for every country.

Each destination sets its own import rules for pets. Some countries accept APHIS Form 7001. Others require a country-specific health certificate with exact language, testing, treatments, and endorsement steps.

Airlines may also ask for certain health documents, even when the destination country has separate government requirements.

Step 1: Confirm the destination country's current pet import requirements

Before filling out any form, confirm what your destination actually requires.

You should check:

• the destination country's current pet import rules
• whether a health certificate is required
• whether APHIS Form 7001 is accepted or if a country-specific certificate is needed
• whether USDA endorsement is required
• timing rules for exams, vaccinations, treatments, and certificate issuance
• any airline-specific document requirements

Requirements can change, and some countries have very exact instructions around signatures, dates, endorsements, and original documents.

Step 2: Work with a USDA-accredited veterinarian

If your pet is traveling internationally from the United States, contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as early as possible.

Your veterinarian helps determine the correct certificate and confirm that your pet has met the destination country's requirements before the health certificate is issued. This can include vaccines, parasite treatments, lab work, microchip review, and other supporting documents depending on the destination.

Not every veterinarian is USDA-accredited, so make sure to ask.

Step 3: Use the correct health certificate for your destination

Once the country requirements are confirmed, your USDA-accredited veterinarian can complete the right health certificate.

That may be:

• APHIS Form 7001
• a country-specific USDA export certificate
• another approved veterinary document required for that destination

This is where pet owners often get tripped up. Downloading a form online without checking the country rules first can create delays, rejected paperwork, or last-minute corrections.

Step 4: Review the paperwork carefully before submission

This part matters more than most people realize.

Before the certificate is submitted for endorsement or used for travel, review everything carefully. Small errors can hold up the process.

Check items like:

• your pet's name, species, breed, sex, age, and date of birth
• microchip number
• vaccination dates and expiration dates
• test dates and treatment dates
• owner and destination information
• whether the correct certificate was used
• whether all supporting records are attached

Health certificates should be complete, accurate, and legible. If something is wrong, fix it before it reaches the USDA endorsement office.

Step 5: Determine whether USDA endorsement is required

Some certificates must be endorsed by USDA APHIS before your pet can travel. Others may not require endorsement, depending on the destination country and the specific certificate being used.

This is another reason to avoid assumptions. USDA endorsement rules vary by country.

If endorsement is required, your accredited veterinarian will guide the submission process and help confirm what the USDA office needs.

Can APHIS Form 7001 be submitted electronically?

In many cases, yes. USDA uses an online system called VEHCS, short for the Veterinary Export Health Certification System.

VEHCS allows USDA-accredited veterinarians to create, issue, submit, and track certain export health certificates online. It can make the process faster and cleaner, but it does not apply the same way to every country.

Some destinations accept digital endorsement. Some still require original ink endorsement. Some only allow digital endorsement for certain certificate types.

So while VEHCS is a helpful option, it is not a one-size-fits-all answer.

Do pet owners fill out VEHCS themselves?

Usually, the process is handled through the USDA-accredited veterinarian, not as a stand-alone do-it-yourself step for the pet owner.

If your veterinarian uses VEHCS for your destination, they can prepare and submit the certificate through the system and let you know what documents or signatures are still needed from you.

How do I send paperwork to USDA for endorsement?

If USDA endorsement is required, the best method depends on your state endorsement office and the destination.

In general, endorsement options may include:

• submission through VEHCS by your accredited veterinarian
• mailing documents to the USDA endorsement office
• an in-person appointment, if available

Processing steps, payment methods, and return shipping instructions can vary, so check with the endorsement office or your veterinarian before sending anything.

How long does USDA endorsement take?

There is no single turnaround time that applies to every case.

Processing time depends on the endorsement office, the certificate type, whether the paperwork is complete, and whether your destination requires original ink endorsement or accepts digital endorsement.

That is why it is smart to start early and build in extra time.

Common mistakes to avoid

• assuming APHIS Form 7001 works for every country
• waiting too long to contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian
• using the wrong certificate
• missing a timing requirement for exams, vaccines, or treatments
• submitting paperwork with errors or missing attachments
• assuming digital endorsement is accepted everywhere
• forgetting that the original endorsed paperwork may need to travel with your pet

Need help with pet travel paperwork?

International pet shipping paperwork can get complicated fast, especially when country rules, USDA endorsement, airline rules, and travel timing all overlap.

PetRelocation helps families move pets worldwide and can guide you through the paperwork, timeline, and travel process so you do not get stuck fixing documents at the last minute.

Get a quote for your pet's move or contact our team if you need help planning the next steps.