At a glance
- If your dog received a rabies vaccine in the U.S. and has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the past 6 months, you will need 2 documents before your dog returns to the U.S.
- The 2 required documents are: 1. the CDC Dog Import Form receipt and 2. the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form
- You can fill out the CDC Dog Import Form online to get the receipt, but a veterinarian must fill out the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form before your dog departs the U.S.
- USDA-endorsed export health certificates issued after July 31, 2025, will not be accepted for re-entry into the United States.
Overview
Changes for U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country
On July 31, 2025, CDC's one-year transition period from the dog importation regulation update ended. There are two changes associated with the end of the transition period:
USDA-endorsed export health certificates issued after July 31, 2025, are no longer accepted for re-entry into the United States.
The Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form may no longer be issued retroactively after a dog has departed the United States.
There are 2 documents CDC requires before your dog returns to the U.S. if your dog was vaccinated against rabies in the U.S. and has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the 6 months before returning to the U.S.
Requirements include:
- The CDC Dog Import Form receipt: You complete this form online. It will only take a few minutes if you have the required information available.
- A Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form: This form is filled out by a before the dog departs the U.S. and is endorsed by the USDA.
If your dog was issued a USDA-endorsed export health certificate no later than July 31, 2025, you can use the health certificate multiple times in place of the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form as long as it:
- Was digitally endorsed by USDA,
- Includes the dog's age (at least 6 months),
- Includes the dog's microchip number, and
- Includes the dog's current and valid (not expired) U.S.-issued rabies vaccination information. Usually, the vaccine lasts for 1 or 3 years. The rabies vaccination must also have been administered after the dog's microchip was inserted.
With these forms, your dog can enter the U.S. at any airport, seaport, or land border crossing, as long as the port of entry matches the one listed on your CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
What else is required for dogs from high-risk countries?
In addition to the forms above:
- Dogs must appear healthy upon arrival.
- Dogs must be at least 6 months old at time of entry or return to the U.S.
- Dogs must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them. The microchip must be implanted before getting the rabies vaccine, or else the vaccine will be invalid. The microchip number must be included on all required forms and supporting documents.
CDC Dog Import Form receipt
Who completes the form?
This form should be completed by the person importing (bringing) the dog into the United States (the importer, owner, or shipper). If you are completing the form on behalf of an importer who has difficulty completing this form, read the statements aloud to the importer and confirm they understand the information provided and agree to the Terms of Acceptance.
How much does it cost?
Free
How many dogs can be included on one form?
Each dog must have its own form. If you are bringing more than one dog to the United States, you must complete a separate form for each dog.
When should the form be completed?
You can fill out the form on the day of travel. We recommend completing it a few days before travel. If anything changes, like date of travel or port of entry, you must submit a new form.
What information will I need to complete the form?
Photo of dog
Please upload a recent picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of your dog, showing its face and body. Dogs under one year old should have their photograph taken within 15 days before travel to the U.S.
Microchip number
Make sure to enter your dog’s microchip number accurately into this form. You can typically find this number on a dog’s veterinary records.
How long is the form's receipt valid?
The receipt is valid for a single entry into the U.S. and is valid for entry only on the date of arrival listed on the receipt. The form can be submitted any time before travel, except for dogs less than one year of age whose photo should be taken within 15 days before travel to the U.S.
How do I show the form's receipt to officials?
CDC Dog Import Form receipt can be printed or shown on a phone screen to U.S. customs officials or airlines (if applicable).
More information
Make sure all the information on the form, including the arrival port for your dog, is accurate before your dog arrives. If any information changes before departure, you must submit a new form and indicate that you are changing an existing form.
Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form
A must complete this document and submit it to the USDA for endorsement before the dog departs the United States. Veterinarians, please refer to the instructions for completing the documents.
Who completes the form?
A completes the form. This can be the veterinarian who gave the dog their vaccine or another veterinarian that is USDA-accredited. Check with your veterinary clinic whether there is a USDA-accredited veterinarian in the practice. See information in the Frequently Asked Questions about what to do if your veterinary clinic has no USDA-accredited veterinarians.
How much does it cost?
Costs are determined by the veterinarian and the USDA. Visit for a list of USDA costs. Contact the veterinarian to request the costs for their services.
Where can I find the form?
The veterinarian can visit Documents for Veterinarians to Complete for Importing a Dog into the U.S., where they will find the form instructions and a link to the system used to complete the form. The veterinarian will complete the form in USDA’s online system and submit it to USDA for endorsement. You can get a copy of the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form from the veterinarian once it has been officially endorsed by USDA.
When should the form be completed?
Your dog must meet specific requirements, like being microchipped and having a valid rabies vaccination, before the veterinarian can complete the form. If your dog is receiving its first rabies vaccine, your dog must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) old at the time of vaccination, and the form must be completed at least 28 days after the vaccine was administered. The form must be completed before the dog departs the United States.
How long is the form valid?
You can use this form multiple times to bring your dog back to the U.S. as long as your dog’s rabies vaccine is still valid. Usually, the vaccine lasts for 1 or 3 years.
How do I show the form to officials?
The document must be signed electronically by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA, then printed. You must bring the form and present it to the airline (if applicable) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival in the U.S.
A USDA-endorsed export health certificate issued no later than July 31, 2025
If your dog was issued a USDA-endorsed export health certificate no later than July 31, 2025, you can use the health certificate multiple times in place of the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form as long as it:
- Was digitally endorsed by USDA,
- Includes the dog's age (at least 6 months),
- Includes the dog's microchip number, and
- Includes the dog's current and valid (not expired) U.S.-issued rabies vaccination information. Usually, the vaccine lasts for 1 or 3 years. The rabies vaccination must also have been administered after the dog's microchip was inserted.
Travel checklist
| Step 1: 60 days or more before travel to a high-risk country (recommended) |
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| Step 2: 30 days before travel out of the United States |
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| Step 3: The week of travel back to the United States |
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| Step 4: Day of travel back to the United States |
Arrive at the location on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Be ready to show the following documents to airlines, cruise ships, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
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