Foreign Pet Travel

Export: Take your pet from the United States to a foreign country.

The United States has minimal requirements for animals to be exported to other countries. If you are taking your pet out of the United States to another country (permantely or for a visit), you should do the following:

• Contact the APHIS, Veterinary Services Area Office of the State from which your pet will be transported. Your Area Veterinarian-in-Charge can provide you with the current regulations, tests, required forms, documents, and inspections.
• Contact the visiting country’s consulate or embassy for information about any requirements that you must meet. A listing of consulates can be found at the U.S. Department of State website.
• Additional information on Pet exports
• International Export Requirements by Destination Country
• Frequently Asked Questions about Exporting Animals

Import: Bring your pet into the United States from a foreign country.

• Cats and Dogs
• Pet Birds
• State Regulations and Import Requirements
• What you need to know about bringing animals into the United States
• Bringing Pets and Wildlife into the United States: Licensing and Health Requirements
• Other Animals, Fish and Wildlife: APHIS does not have animal health requirements for the importation of fish, reptiles, lions, tigers, bears, mink, rabbits, sugar gliders, foxes, monkeys, endangered species, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, chinchillas, squirrels, mongoose, chimpmunks, ferrets, or other rodents provided they have not been inoculated with any pathogens for scientific purposes. Rodents inoculated with pathogens for scientific purposes require an import permit (VS Form17-129) and can only be released to an approved laboratory.
• Reptiles, Fish, and Endnagered species: Contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Law Enforcement Division, Fish and Wildlife Services.
• Primates: Contact the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Useful Links

• U.S. Department of State Pet Travel Policies
• Disease restrictions – National Center for Import and Export (NCIE).
• U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) publication on pet travel
• Scam Alerts, Tips, and Facts

Pet Containers and Airline Information

• How to measure my dog or cat (shipping)
• Notice: Airline Approved Kennel – There are no pet transport kennels that are pre-approved by any Airline, or IATA, or IPATA, or USDA even if stated on the labels. Please ensure that you purchase the strongest and most secure kennel you can find regardless of misleading labeling. Learn more >>