A Pet Owner’s Guide to the Updated CDC’s United States Import Requirements for Dogs and Cats

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.

• Designated Ports for High Risk Countries: A foreign-vaccinated dog that has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies within the last 6 months must enter at one of eight airports with CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities. This applies whether or not the dog has a valid titer; the titer determines whether the dog quarantines once there, not whether the airport requirement applies. Reservations are required for exams and possible revaccination. Current facilities include ATL (Dandie Scottie Kennel), DFW (DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine), LAX (Kennel Club LAX and Rue's Kennels, cargo preferred), MIA (Pet Limo), JFK (The ARK Pet Oasis), PHL (Gateway Animal Care Center), SEA (Dog Gone Taxi, cargo-only reservations), and IAD (Pender Pet Retreat).
• CDC Dog Import Form: Required for every dog. Submit online in advance. Receipt validity depends on risk classification: a dog from a not-high-risk country gets a receipt valid up to six months, provided the departure country stays the same. A dog from a high-risk country gets a single-entry receipt tied to one specific arrival date.
• Rabies Vaccination Certification: CDC now requires specific forms. Vets complete either the US or Foreign Certification form. USDA endorsement is required for US-issued forms when returning from a high-risk country.
• Import Permits: Not required for personal pets. Only commercial or resale dogs need a USDA APHIS permit.

Let's Get Packing: A Step by Step Guide

Pre Departure Prep (start early)

• Vaccinations: Rabies is required for dogs from high-risk countries. It must be given after microchip implant, and the dog must be at least 6 months old. Other common vaccines are recommended.
• Certification Form: Work with your vet to complete the correct CDC form.
• Health Check: Most requirements are built into the CDC forms.
• ACF Reservation: Required for every foreign-vaccinated dog coming from a high-risk country, regardless of titer status. Confirmed reservations typically land 20 to 30 days before departure, once your paperwork is ready, so don't wait to start assembling documents. Atlanta tends to book out 1 to 2 months, so get on the waitlist early if that's your entry point.
• Titer Timing: If your dog was vaccinated abroad, the titer blood sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before entry into the US. Missing this window means the 28-day quarantine path applies regardless of the result.

Shortly Before Takeoff

• Submit the CDC Dog Import Form and bring the receipt.
• Confirm you have the certification form, microchip proof, and any ACF details needed.

Current Entry Scenarios

Scenario 1: US Vaccinated Dog

• Any airport is allowed.
• Dog is 6 months or older and microchipped.
• CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
• Certification of US Issued Rabies Vaccination.

Scenario 2: Dog from a Not-High-Risk Country

• Any airport is allowed.
• Dog is 6 months or older and microchipped.
• CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
• No rabies documentation required at the federal level.

Scenario 3: Foreign-Vaccinated Dog from a High-Risk Country

• Must use one of the eight ACF airports and book in advance. This applies whether or not your dog has a valid titer.
• Dog is 6 months or older and microchipped.
• CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
• Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form completed by the vet.

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.

Keeping Everyone Healthy

• Rabies is a federal focus only for dogs from high-risk countries. Cats have no federal rabies rule, but airlines and states may require vaccination.
• Without a valid titer, CDC requires the ACF reservation itself to include the 28-day quarantine. CDC does not describe any quarantine location other than the ACF.
• States may add their own rules. We check these for every move.

Moving to Hawaii or Guam?

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.

Useful Resources

• CDC Bringing a Dog into the U.S. main page
• CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities list
• High-Risk Country list

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.