Bringing your dog from the United Kingdom to the United States
Bringing a dog to the United States from a rabies-free or low-risk country is fast: microchip, a dog at least 6 months old, and the free online CDC Dog Import Form. No rabies titre, no quarantine.
Two key conditions: the dog must be at least 6 months old and microchipped at entry; and you must submit the CDC Dog Import Form online (receipt valid 6 months) and show it to the airline and to US Customs (CBP). From low-risk countries there is no rabies titre test and no quarantine.
Calculate your deadlines
Enter your travel date: we work back in time to give you the deadline for each step, personalised for United Kingdom → United States.
The 5 steps, in order
1. Implant an ISO-compliant microchip
Have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted that can be read by a universal scanner. It identifies your dog on the CDC form and at entry.
4. Dog at least 6 months old and healthy
At entry the dog must be at least 6 months old and appear healthy.
3. Submit the CDC Dog Import Form (online, free)
Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online. You receive a receipt by email, valid for 6 months. Show it to the airline before boarding and keep it for US Customs and Border Protection on arrival.
2. Book your dog's flight (well in advance)
Reserve your dog's spot with the airline. Pet places are limited and sell out — this date is a comfortable recommendation to book early, not a hard deadline.
5. Travel to the United States
On the day of travel, carry the CDC receipt and your dog's vaccination records. Your dog can enter at any US airport, seaport or land border, where a CBP officer will inspect it.
From another country?
- dog France → United States
- dog Switzerland → United States
- dog Belgium → United States
- dog Luxembourg → United States
- dog Canada → United States
- dog Germany → United States
- dog Spain → United States
- dog Italy → United States
- dog Netherlands → United States
- dog Ireland → United States
- dog Portugal → United States
- dog Mexico → United States
- dog Argentina → United States
- dog Chile → United States
- dog Brazil → United States
- dog Colombia → United States
- dog Peru → United States
- dog Ecuador → United States
Official sources:
- CDC — Dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries
- CDC — Dog Import Form and instructions
- CDC — Information for air carriers
- CBP — Bringing pets into the United States
Pawscleared provides preparation guidance based on official sources. Rules changed in August 2024 and may evolve; the binding conditions are those published by the CDC, CBP and your airline. Dogs that have been in high-risk rabies countries in the past 6 months face additional requirements. Always confirm with the official links above before you travel.