Pet Movement Legislation
Country of Departure
Pet Transport from the UK to the USA
– Rules and Documents
Bringing a Pet from the United Kingdom to the USA
The United Kingdom is classified by the CDC as a low-risk country for rabies. Therefore, pets entering the USA from the UK are not subject to quarantine or titer testing.
- Dogs must be at least 6 months old at the time of entry.
- A microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccination must be administered at least 28 days before travel.
- Proof of valid rabies vaccination is required (a vet certificate or relevant entry in a UK Pet Passport is acceptable if in English).
- Submit the CDC Dog Import Form prior to travel.
- 👉 Instructions for completing the CDC Dog Import Form can be found here.
Microchipping
For Dogs and Cats: A microchip is mandatory and must comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards. It must be implanted before rabies vaccination.
Rabies Vaccination (Dogs)
Dogs coming from the United Kingdom must have a valid rabies vaccination.
- Dogs must be at least six months old at the time of entry.
- The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 28 days before travel.
Rabies Vaccination for Cats
While rabies vaccination for cats is not mandated at the federal level in the USA, many states and local jurisdictions require it. Laws and regulations frequently change, making it difficult to track exact requirements in every region.
To avoid complications upon arrival and during your stay in the USA, we strongly recommend ensuring your cat is vaccinated against rabies before travel.
Fit-to-Fly Certificate
Highly recommended. Must include details of deworming treatment administered 24–120 hours before entry. This will help prevent potential delays due to misinterpretation of customs instructions regarding pet documentation.
Additional Requirements for Dogs That Have Entered the UK from Another Country
Dogs arriving from high-risk rabies countries must meet additional requirements, but this does not apply to dogs originating from the UK. However, if a dog has been in the UK for less than six months before traveling to the USA, it is still subject to the entry requirements of the country it originally came from before the UK.
Check the entry requirements for your pet’s original country here.
State laws vary, so check the requirements of your destination state before traveling.
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