How to Clear Pets for U.S. Customs [2025]

Traveling anywhere with your pet can be challenging, but international travel introduces a level of complexity that many people may not realize until they’re in the thick of it. If you’re traveling to the United States, you need to make sure you’re following U.S. import regulations set by several different agencies.

If you don’t meet customs and public health requirements, authorities may deny your pet entry upon arrival. After a long international trip, the last thing you want is for customs officials to separate you from your pet because of incomplete paperwork.

This guide outlines everything you need to know to clear your pet through U.S. Customs smoothly, including when it may be best to seek expert advice for the journey.

Why Pets Must Clear U.S. Customs

Bringing a pet into the U.S. isn’t just bureaucratic red tape. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces the guidelines from cooperating agencies. These guidelines are to protect the health of U.S. citizens, domestic pets, and livestock. Rules apply to all traveling pets, whether their owners are immigrants moving to or visiting the U.S. or American citizens returning from a trip.

Multiple agencies and each state have guidelines for importing animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains the health guidelines for animals and plants entering the U.S. from foreign countries. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has its own guidelines, mainly regarding rabies. Clearing customs is designed to keep everyone safe — these safeguards help protect people, pets, livestock, and wildlife across the country.

Understanding Health Requirements for Pet Import

Importing cats into the U.S. is generally less complex than importing dogs. Cats are not required to travel with import permits or proof of rabies vaccinations to clear customs. However, some states may require a history of rabies vaccines for cats, so consider federal and state-specific regulations when planning travel.

Hawaii is an exception, requiring all pet owners to show proof of rabies vaccinations, blood titer tests, and tick treatments upon arrival to qualify for direct release. 

Let’s move on to U.S. customs requirements for dogs. Imported dogs should be at least 6 months old at the time of entry, with a microchip easily read by universal scanners. Microchip information should match across health documents.

The airline may ask for additional documents — beyond those required by customs agencies — for all pets and destinations within the U.S. That includes health certificates ensuring pets are healthy enough to fly, and may consist of breed verification or temperature acclimation documentation during certain times of year.

Additional health requirements for dogs vary depending on their country of origin and vaccination history. The sections below outline other health considerations to keep in mind when traveling with your dog.

Rabies

Dogs traveling to the U.S. from rabies-free or low-risk countries — including Canada and Mexico — are only required to fill out a CDC Dog Import Permit Form before travel for customs clearance. The CDC keeps a current list of countries that are high risk. Make sure to verify your origin point before planning your pet’s travel.

Note: Health certificates required by airlines include a section documenting your dog’s history of rabies vaccines. It’s always best practice to have rabies vaccination certificates handy, even if you’re not traveling from countries at high risk for rabies. 

For dogs traveling to the U.S. from high-risk countries with a history of U.S. vaccinations, you need:

• A CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
• A Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form OR 
• An export health certificate endorsed by the USDA.

For dogs traveling to the U.S. from high-risk countries with a history of foreign vaccinations, you need: 

• A CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
• A Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, certified by an official government veterinarian in the exporting country. 
• A rabies serology titer report from a CDC-approved lab (if not already included in the form above).
• A confirmation letter for your appointment at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (ACF).

Other Diseases

APHIS Veterinary Services has additional import requirements for dogs traveling from countries affected by foot and mouth disease (FMD) and/or screwworm. Refer to their list of countries affected by these diseases to ensure you have all the required documents.

For dogs imported from an FMD-affected country, their fur or bedding should be free of excess dirt, hay, or straw. When dogs from these countries reach the U.S., they should be bathed and kept away from livestock for five days.

Dogs coming from screwworm-affected countries need a certificate from an official government veterinarian showing that they’ve received an inspection for the disease within 5 days of import. 

A dog with a current screwworm infestation won’t necessarily be barred from entry. However, it must be held in quarantine and treated in its home country until a vet clears it. 

What Documentation Do You Need?

Assume you’ll need a health certificate ensuring any pet’s fitness to fly for the airline within 10 days of their travel date. Customs clearance for pet cats does not require additional documents.

We’ve mentioned some of the health-related documentation required for dogs imported to the U.S. already, but here’s a quick list:

• CDC Dog Import Form receipt (all dogs): The form is free, available online, and valid for up to 6 months ahead of travel. The CDC recommends filling it out 2-10 days before your pet’s departure. 
• Rabies vaccination forms and serology reports (if needed): Refer to the section above for a breakdown of these by your origin point’s rabies risk.
• ACF appointment confirmation (if needed): This only applies to dogs coming from high-risk areas without a history of U.S.-based rabies vaccinations. Confirmations should include a 28-day quarantine stay if you’re not arriving with a valid rabies titer report.
• APHIS Veterinary Declaration (if needed): This applies to dogs coming from countries affected by screwworm and declares your dog’s treatment and health status.

Unless otherwise stated, all documents should be originals or certified copies. Certificates should be in English or accompanied by an accredited translation.

The Air Waybill

The air waybill is your pet’s official shipping document. The airline issues it and details your pet’s itinerary, ownership, and any special handling instructions. Customs officials need it to verify pet shipments, and you’ll receive a copy to present to them upon arrival in the U.S.

While you’re not responsible for filling this out, you should confirm that it correctly lists your pet and shipment details. If someone other than you is flying with your pet, you must list their name as the consignee on the air waybill. Otherwise, officials may not allow your pet to enter the U.S.

Which Ports Can You Use for Pet Entry?

Pets can enter at any point of entry if they meet these conditions:

• They’ve only been in rabies-free or low-risk countries for the last 6 months.
• They’ve been in a high-risk country in the last 6 months but have a valid Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or a valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate.

If you’re importing a pet from a high-risk rabies country and they don’t have a history of U.S.-based rabies vaccinations, they’ll need to enter through a CDC-registered port of entry. 

The CDC has specially equipped these ports to handle dogs requiring inspection and documentation review with on-site animal care facilities.

Approved entry points for the CDC rabies import program include:

• Los Angeles, California (LAX)
• New York, New York (JFK)
• Miami, Florida (MIA)
• Atlanta, Georgia (ATL)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PHL)

Travelers must schedule an appointment at a CDC-approved ACF in advance. If you’re flying into LAX, Tailwind’s first-class boarding and operations facility, Kennel Club LAX, is available for pet entry. It is one of only 7 CDC-approved locations currently handling these complex entries.

Common Reasons Pets Get Rejected at Customs

Customs agents in the U.S. can reject your pet at any port of entry. While the airline you use to transport your pet will likely make sure you have most of the necessary paperwork, it’s important to double-check each piece before you fly.

Ensuring proper documentation is especially important if you’re traveling from a country at higher risk for rabies. Here are some common reasons why customs officials could reject your pet:

• Your pet appears ill.
• You never filled out a CDC Dog Import Form.
• Their rabies vaccination certification (if needed) is missing or invalid.
• They’re missing a valid rabies serology titer (if needed).
• They’ve arrived at an unapproved port from a high-risk rabies country.
• Your pet is less than 6 months old.
• You don’t have an appointment at a CDC-approved ACF.
• Their microchip is unreadable or doesn’t match their paperwork.
• Their documents are fraudulent or forged.
• Your documents aren’t in English (or don’t come with a certified English translation).

If customs denies your pet entry, they may return them to the country of departure at your expense. Before that happens, double-check all permits, veterinary certificates, vaccination records, microchip info, and port-of-entry requirements. If something is missing, you may be able to board your pet at a nearby quarantine facility as you correct the issue, but that’s not guaranteed. 

What to Expect When Clearing U.S. Customs With Your Pet

Going through animal customs can be a nerve-racking experience, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Here’s a breakdown of a standard import process:

1. Your plane lands, and you proceed through your own customs clearance.
2. You go to the airline’s cargo facility, where airline staff hand over your pet’s paperwork, including the air waybill and any health documentation submitted during transport.
3. You take those documents to the U.S. Customs office, where an officer will review them to ensure they meet all health and import requirements.
4. If everything is in order, the officer will stamp and clear your documents, certifying that you’ve received customs clearance.
5. Take your stamped paperwork back to the cargo facility to retrieve your animal.

Pets arriving from high-risk rabies countries must do so through a CDC-registered port and have a pre-scheduled appointment at a CDC-approved ACF (e.g., Kennel Club LAX). 

The ACF takes custody of your pet at the airport, reviews its records, and monitors their health upon arrival. If your pet meets all criteria, they will be cleared for release within 2-4 hours, depending on the time and day of the week. ACF officials will notify you when your pet is ready.

The Easy Way: Using a Customs Broker

A customs broker’s job is to ensure your pet makes it through U.S. Customs as smoothly and stress-free as possible. They review your documentation in advance and book the flight for you. 

Using a customs broker makes navigating customs easy. They make sure you have the correct paperwork so officials accept your pet at the port of entry. Using a broker simplifies the process — all you have to do is send them the paperwork and pick up your pet after the flight.

Just a note: Tailwind Global Pet provides a customs broker for all of our clients, so you’re not on the hook for figuring out who to trust.

How Much Do Customs Brokers Cost?

Customs broker fees in the U.S. start around $300, but costs can vary depending on the port of entry, the complexity of your paperwork, and any additional services you may need. Customs clearance fees may be lower during regular business hours and higher for last-minute travel. (Watch out for unusually low costs, as they may be a travel scam.)

Some brokers may bundle certain services, like fees associated with your pet’s arrival at an ACF, while others charge separately. It’s also best to ask for a full quote upfront and confirm if services include coordination with customs agencies and the airline. 

Species Restrictions: Can You Bring All Pets to the U.S.?

Bringing pets other than cats and dogs into the U.S. involves species-specific regulations. Bird imports are regulated to prevent diseases like avian influenza, which could mean potential quarantine stays. Rodents and rabbits are generally allowed, except those from Africa, which are banned due to disease risk. 

Reptiles and amphibians face fewer federal restrictions for pet transport, but may require permits if protected under conservation laws. Fish are regulated mainly by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Refer to APHIS for additional requirements by pet species.

FAQs

Let Tailwind Handle Everything So You Don’t Have To

Tailwind makes bringing your pet into the U.S. simple, safe, and stress-free by offering VIP-level care and pet shipper services that go beyond traditional customs brokerage. Tailwind will manage the entire import process with your pet’s comfort and well-being as the top priority.

Here’s what Tailwind can handle for you:

• Flight and cargo logistics
• Customs broker booking
• Health certificate and veterinary documentation
• Pickup at LAX cargo after arrival
• Boarding at Kennel Club LAX
• Compliance with the CDC and USDA import regulations

Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different. Fill out a quote request to get an idea of the costs involved.