New CDC Requirements for Dog Imports into the U.S.

The CDC’s new requirements for dog imports, effective August 1, 2024, include stricter health, microchipping, and documentation to protect the country from the risk of rabies.

To safeguard public health risks of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV) associated with dog imports into the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has published a final rule with new import requirements that go into effect on August 1, 2024.

The new requirements will apply to all dogs, including puppies, service animals, and dogs that left the United States and are returning, regardless of the importer’s citizenship or residency status.

General requirements for dog imports

To enter or return to the United States, dogs must meet the following requirements:

Age and Health

• Dogs must be at least six months old at the time of entry or return to the U.S.
• Dogs must appear healthy upon arrival. If a dog appears unwell, it may require isolation, a veterinary examination, and additional testing at the importer’s expense to ensure it is not carrying a contagious disease.

Microchip

• Dogs must have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip implanted before any required rabies vaccination.
• The microchip number must be documented on all required forms and veterinary records.

CDC Dog Import Form

• Importers must complete the CDC Dog Import Form online, ideally 2-10 days before arrival. However, it can be completed right before travel if internet access is available. If any information changes before the dog arrives, a new form must be submitted indicating the changes.
• A clear photograph of the dog showing its face and body must be uploaded with the form. For dogs under one year old at the time of arrival, the photo should be taken within 10 days before arrival.

There is no charge for submitting this form.

Additional Documentation

• Documentation requirements vary depending on where the dog has been in the six months before entering or returning to the U.S. and whether the dog has a current rabies vaccine administered in the United States.

You can find more detailed information about the requirements on this CDC page.

Dog imports from high-risk countries

• For dogs that have been in a DMRVV high-risk country in the past six months and were vaccinated in a foreign country, the final rule mandates:
  Arrival at a U.S. airport with a CDC quarantine station and a CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF).
• Airlines must verify that the importer has all required documentation, is scheduled to arrive at an approved U.S. airport, and has a confirmed reservation at the CDC-registered ACF before boarding.

Foreign-vaccinated dogs must also have a serology titer test from a CDC-approved facility to validate their rabies vaccination. However, the lack of approved laboratories in every country can make this process costly and time-consuming.

As an added measure, the rabies vaccination form for foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries must also be endorsed by a government official in the exporting country.

Criticism and concerns over the final rule

Animal welfare groups rescuing dogs overseas criticize the CDC's final rule, highlighting their concern over costs and roadblocks in bringing dogs into the US.

NCBFAA submitted comments on the proposed rule last August, expressing skepticism about the ability of desk-level airline employees/handling agents to know what documents are required from which countries.

However, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), represented by President Dr. Rena Carlson, supports the new dog import regulations. “The AVMA continues to support the CDC’s efforts to improve dog importation standards and is pleased to see the implementation of this new rule that will help protect public health and positively impact canine health and welfare,” Dr. Carlson said.

If you import dogs into the United States, please contact one of our trade professionals to discuss the new requirements and ensure your compliance.