CDC Dog Import Form: What U.S. Travelers Need in 2026

The form is required for every dog

The CDC Dog Import Form is required for each dog entering the United States. The person submitting it receives a receipt that must be available for the dog’s arrival.

Complete one form per dog. The form is free. CDC instructions say it can be completed shortly before travel, but completing it earlier leaves more time to correct an error.

Requirements that apply to all dogs

Regardless of country history, CDC says a dog entering the United States must:

• Appear healthy on arrival.
• Be at least six months old at the time of entry.
• Have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner.
• Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.

The microchip number entered on the form should match the dog and any supporting records.

The previous six months determine the document path

The key question is not only where the flight begins. CDC looks at every country where the dog has been during the six months before U.S. entry.

Only low-risk or dog-rabies-free country history

If the dog has only been in countries CDC classifies as dog-rabies-free or low risk during the previous six months, the CDC Dog Import Form receipt is generally the only CDC document required.

CDC instructions state that a receipt for this path can be valid for multiple entries for six months if the dog continues to arrive from the country listed on the form and remains eligible. Read the receipt and current instructions before reusing it.

Any high-risk country history

If the dog has been in a high-risk country during the previous six months, additional requirements apply. The path differs based on where the rabies vaccination was administered and whether the dog is returning with U.S. vaccination records or has foreign vaccination records.

Foreign-vaccinated dogs arriving from high-risk countries can face designated-airport and CDC-registered animal care facility requirements. Do not rely on the basic form alone for this route.

Information to prepare

Before opening the form, gather:

1. The traveler’s contact information.
2. The dog’s age and physical description.
3. The microchip number.
4. The country of departure and arrival details.
5. The dog’s country history for the previous six months.
6. A clear recent photograph of the dog if requested by the form.

Review the generated receipt before travel. A typo in the microchip number can prevent the document from matching the dog.

Airline and destination rules still apply

The CDC form handles federal dog-import requirements within CDC’s authority. Airlines can impose separate acceptance rules. U.S. states and territories can also have animal-health requirements.

Check the airline, arrival jurisdiction, and any transit country in addition to CDC.

When to stop and get route-specific help

Get direct guidance from CDC, the airline, or a qualified pet relocation professional when:

• The dog has any high-risk country history in the prior six months.
• The rabies vaccination record is incomplete or does not match the microchip.
• The dog is younger than six months.
• The itinerary includes a complex transit or a U.S. territory.
• The arrival airport does not appear to fit the required high-risk pathway.