Pet Travel Requirements for the USA

Relocating your pet to the United States involves several key steps to ensure a smooth and compliant journey. Below is a guide to the current entry requirements for dogs and cats travelling from the UK.

🐾 Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip. As microchipping is now a legal requirement for all cats and dogs in the UK, most pets will already meet this condition.

🐶 Age and Residency
Dogs must be at least six months old to enter the USA. They must also have lived in the UK since birth or for a minimum of six months prior to travel.

💉 Rabies Vaccination
Dogs: A valid rabies vaccination (commonly Nobivac Rabies in the UK) is required before entering the USA. While there is no mandatory waiting period, we recommend vaccinating at least two weeks before departure to allow your dog time to recover comfortably.

Cats: Rabies vaccination is not required for cats but is strongly recommended, as some states or entry points may request vaccination upon arrival.

🩺 Routine Vaccinations
Routine vaccinations are not a requirement for entry into the USA; however, keeping your pet’s vaccinations up to date helps protect their health and wellbeing during travel and beyond.

📄 CDC Dog Import Form
If you’re travelling with a dog, you’ll need to apply for a CDC Dog Import Form. This is a straightforward online process and, once approved, the form is valid for six months.

🧾 Veterinary Health Check
Your pet must undergo a veterinary health examination within 10 days of departure and be issued with a Fit to Fly Certificate.
SkyPaws’ own experienced veterinary team can arrange this for you as part of your travel package.

✈️ Clearance on Arrival
Pet customs clearance in the USA varies by airport:

Some airports allow owners to clear their pets personally.
Others require a US-based agent or broker to handle the process.
Even where self-clearance is permitted, SkyPaws strongly recommends using a professional agent to reduce stress and ensure everything runs smoothly on arrival.

 
🌎 Ready to Plan Your Pet’s Move to the USA?
Let SkyPaws UK take care of every detail — from paperwork and veterinary checks to flight bookings and arrival arrangements.
Our experienced team ensures your pet’s journey is safe, comfortable, and fully compliant with U.S. regulations.

Contact us today to start your bespoke pet travel plan:📧 [email protected] | 📞 +44 (0) 1202 980 200