Bringing a dog into the United States

What the requirements depend on

CDC states that the requirements for returning with your dog, or bringing a dog into the U.S., depend on where the dog was vaccinated and what countries the dog has been in during the 6 months before entry into the United States.

CDC recommends all dogs be vaccinated against dog rabies. CDC's stated aim is to protect America's families, communities and pets by preventing the reintroduction of dog rabies into the United States, and it describes preventing infected dogs from entering the country as a public health priority.

If your dog has been in a high-risk country

CDC lists 111 countries and political units as high risk for dog rabies. If your dog has been in any of them within the 6 months before arriving in the U.S., CDC says to follow the requirements for dogs from high-risk countries.

CDC states that a dog that is not vaccinated against rabies and has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the past 6 months will not be allowed to enter the United States.

CDC also states that dogs that have been in these countries must meet additional requirements such as age, microchip, rabies serology titer, health, and documentation requirements.

See all 111 high-risk countries →

If your dog has not been in a high-risk country

CDC states that if your dog has been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the 6 months before entering the U.S., the additional requirements for dogs from high-risk countries do not apply. CDC strongly recommends vaccination against rabies but does not require it in that situation.

Work out which rules apply to you

CDC publishes a Dog Importation Navigator to determine which requirements apply to your situation. Use it on CDC's own page, linked below.

CDC also states that you must comply with USDA and your U.S. destination's regulations, and that dogs imported for commercial (resale) purposes have additional requirements from USDA.