How to Import Animals

The importation of animals into the United States can be tricky. It is very important for the health and well-being of the people of the United States, as well as the animals being imported, that you strictly follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regulations on animal imports and exports. While we have all seen people carrying cats or dogs on a plane, international animal importation regulation is much different.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Obtain an international health certificate for herd and animal health status from the Veterinary Service office of the export country. A health certificate is not required for all animals or for entry into all states. Check the specific requirements in the state of entry as well as with your airline.
2. Show this and other export certificates to animal regulation upon entry to the United States. Information on these documents will be provided from the export country's Veterinary Service office and should not be handwritten.
3. Prove that your dog has a rabies vaccination by presenting a valid certificate completed no earlier than 30 days prior to entry. Dogs that do not have proof of rabies vaccination, including puppies less than 3 months, which are too young to receive the vaccine, may be admitted if the importer signs an agreement to confine the animal until it is considered adequately vaccinated for rabies.
4. Provide general health certificates and rabies vaccination records for cats if required by your airline or the state of entry, however the CDC does not require them.
5. Import pet turtles, which are not subject to certification by the CDC. A person may not import a turtle for commercial purposes if the shell is shorter than 4 inches, however may import as many as six if they are intended for noncommercial purposes. Large turtles are free from restrictions.
6. Register the importation of monkeys and other nonhuman primates through the CDC's Division of Global Migration and Quarantine Office. The Field Operations Branch deals with these special import permissions. Monkeys or nonhuman primates cannot be imported as pets.

Tips & Warnings

• Pet animals are subject to inspection at all ports of entry. Entry may be denied if the animal shows evidence of infectious disease, and will require further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense.
• Un-vaccinated dogs will be allowed entry without a rabies vaccination only if they have been in a rabies free country for 6 months or more. For an official list of rabies free countries, please refer to the CDC website.
• All pets that are imported to Hawaii or Guam, even if from the mainland of the U.S., will be quarantined. Please check with the regulations and requirements of these areas before travel.
• Do not rely on information provided by exporters and brokers alone. It is best to double check with the Veterinary Service office of the export country as will as the CDC in the United States.