It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the animal meets the importing country requirements.

Information about the process required to import dogs into the United States of America (US) can be found on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites.

The requirements to import live animals into the State of Hawaii and the island territory of G​uam (PDF 268 KB)​ are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements. Refer to the separate Micor entries for Hawaii and Guam.

There are new importing country requirements for bringing dogs into the United States that apply from 1 August 2024. These can be found on the CDC website. The new requirements include that all dogs must be healthy upon arrival and at least 6 months of age at time of entry or return to the US.​

Note

Where an importing country issues an import permit, the exporter must ensure the animal meets any requirements in the permit.​

The importation of dogs to the United States for commercial sale or adoption may be subject to further restrictions as set out on the USDA/APHIS website.​

There are new importing country requirements for bringing dogs into the United States that apply from 1 August 2024​. These can be found on the CDC website. The new requirements include that all dogs must be healthy upon arrival and at least 6 months of age at time of entry or return to the US.

From 1 August 2024, dogs entering or returning to the US from dog-rabies free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months must meet the entry requirements and complete the C​DC Dog Import Fo​rm.

You should check the CDC website to confirm if a country is considered dog rabies-free or low-risk, noting that if the country is not listed, the CDC strongly recommends vaccination against rabies, but that the additional requirements for dogs from high risk countries to enter the United States do not apply.

From 1 August 2024, foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries must meet the entry requirements and complete the CDC Dog Import Form​ and Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form provided below.

Agreed health certificate for foreign rabies vaccination and microchip:

Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip (DOCX 38 ​KB​ / PDF 112 KB​)

Note

To be used when Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form is required.

​Transport requirements

The importing country may have specific transport requirements and you should check this.

If your animal is returning to Australia, you should make yourself familiar with the Department of Agriculture's requirements for importing live animals into Australia. This is important as your animal may have been exposed to diseases that do not occur in Australia.

Based on importing country website and information.

Entry last reviewed 25 July 2024.