Since August 1, 2024 every dog flying or driving into the United States — including US pet dogs coming home from a trip — has to meet the CDC's rules. Here they are in plain English, each linked to the CDC page it comes from.
Since August 1, 2024, every dog entering or returning to the US must be at least 6 months old, have a microchip that a universal scanner can read, appear healthy on arrival, and travel with a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. This applies to US pet dogs coming home from a trip, too.
Source: CDC — Frequently asked questions on dog importations
If your dog has been only in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries for the past 6 months, the CDC Dog Import Form receipt is the only document the CDC requires. The receipt can be reused for later entries as long as the dog has not been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, and the form can be filled in on the day of travel.
Source: CDC — Entry requirements for dogs from dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries
Dogs vaccinated against rabies in the US also need a valid Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form, endorsed by the USDA. They can enter at any port of entry, but it must match the one on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
Source: CDC — Entry requirements for U.S.-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries
These dogs can enter only at a US airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation — not at a land border crossing.
Source: CDC — Entry requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries
A dog that has been in a high-risk country and does not meet the requirements — for example, its microchip cannot be read — may be denied entry and returned to the country it left, at the importer's expense.
Source: CDC — Frequently asked questions on dog importations
Not sure which rules apply to your dog? The CDC's dog importation page has a step-by-step navigator. Your airline and your destination state may add their own rules.
General information, last checked October 31, 2026. Federal rules can change — the CDC pages linked above are the final word.
