Taking a dog to the US: six months of travel history matters
Why the final departure country does not determine every entry requirement.
Look at the dog’s whole route
CDC bases requirements on the countries the dog visited during the six months before entry and where it was vaccinated. Use its official Dog Importation Navigator. Spending a few days in an intermediate country does not erase previous travel history.
Prepare one table for the veterinarian
Collect country dates, microchip details, vaccinations and existing certificates. Do not buy testing or transport based on someone else’s chat checklist: identify your applicable pathway first. Check owner spelling and the microchip number across documents before arranging the necessary veterinary work.
Entry and flying are separate budgets
USDA and destination requirements can apply in addition to CDC rules; the carrier has its own transport conditions. Obtain separate costs for paperwork, examinations, a carrier, transport and any arrival services. Leave time flexibility: the cheapest ticket is useless if documents do not fit the route.
Keep this checklist
- Every country visited by the dog over six months recorded.
- CDC pathway identified before buying a non-refundable ticket.
Sources and review date
Reviewed 2026-09-13Editorial practical guidance; individual legal and tax circumstances require a separate assessment.