Importing Pets into The US

We here at Petmovers.com are committed to moving pets safely around the world. We focus a great deal of attention on all of the regulations for various countries and how to best comply with both the written word and the nuances we have uncovered through years of experience.

However, I am always surprised by the number of requests we get for the regulations for pets coming into the US. Luckily they are pretty easy.

1 - The pets must have a rabies shot which is between 30 days and a year old;

2 - They must have a health certificate dated with 10 days of arrival.

That's it! There is an additional form required if you are importing a puppy or kitten which we can provide.

Some countries do have export regulations and you should check to make sure you comply with those.

Please be aware that if you are coming from the following countries he will need a screw worm test as well or they will be held in customs.

ASIA - Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Macau, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam

CENTRAL AMERICA/CARIBBEAN - Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamica, Trinidad and Tobago

MIDDLE EAST - Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qata, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates

PACIFIC ISLANDS - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paracel Islands, Philippines, Singapore, Spratly Islands

SOUTH AMERICA - Argentina, Brazil, Boliva, Colombia, Easter Islands, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, Venezuela

Also, if your pet is not traveling as excess baggage or in cabin, you will need to make arrangements to clear customs in the US. If your flight is arriving late in the afternoon, you should make arrangements to "pre-clear" your pet so they don't have to spend the night in a kennel waiting for Customs to open.