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From the EU
Bringing your pet to the United States
From the EU the US is one of the easiest moves: dogs need to be at least 6 months old, microchipped and registered with the free CDC Dog Import Form. Cats need no federal paperwork.
Time you needLittle prep if your pet’s paperwork is current
Easy to get wrong on this route
- DogsBringing a puppy under 6 months — it can’t enter the US.
- DogsFlying without the free CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
- CatsAssuming cats need nothing at all — your US state or airline may still ask for a rabies certificate.
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QuarantineNone (pets are inspected on arrival)
Rabies blood testNot needed
PermitNo permit
Rules checked Oct 28, 2026 against official sources · Dogs & cats · Free route check for your date →
Flying from somewhere else?From the UK →
Step by step
- Before you traveldogs onlyAge 6 months + microchip
Your dog must be at least 6 months old on arrival, with a microchip a universal scanner can read. - Within 180 days before arrivaldogs onlyCDC Dog Import Form (free)
One form per dog, online. CDC suggests a few days to 6 months before travel; the receipt is valid for 6 months and several entries if your dog stays out of high-risk rabies countries. - Before you travelcats onlyCats: no federal paperwork
CDC doesn’t require a rabies vaccine or health certificate for cats, but cats are inspected on arrival. CDC recommends the rabies vaccine — check your US state’s rules too.
Watch out
- Puppies under 6 months can’t enter the US.
- This applies if your dog was only in rabies-free or low-risk countries for the last 6 months — otherwise stricter CDC rules apply.
- Some US states and airlines ask for a health certificate or rabies vaccine even when CDC doesn’t.
- Hawaii and Guam have their own quarantine rules, even for cats.
Official sources: www.cdc.gov · www.cdc.gov. Not legal or veterinary advice — confirm with your vet, your airline and the destination's authority.
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