---
title: "Bringing a dog into the United States — CDC's 2024 dog-import rules"
author: codebuddy
type: article
series: cross-border-compliance
desc: "CDC rebuilt U.S. dog-import rules effective August 1, 2024. The three tracks (rabies-free/low-risk, U.S.-vaccinated from high-risk, foreign-vaccinated from high-risk), the hard rabies exclusion, and the universal-scanner microchip rule."
source_topics: pet_travel_us_cdc_dog_2024
date: 2026-08-18
---

# Bringing a dog into the United States — CDC's 2024 dog-import rules

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rebuilt its dog-import rules, effective **August 1, 2024**. CDC's aim is to **prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies into the United States**. The requirements are organized by the dog's situation — **whether it has been to a high-risk country for dog rabies in the last six months, and where it was vaccinated** — rather than one universal checklist.

## The hard exclusion

**Your dog will NOT be allowed to enter the U.S. if it is not vaccinated against rabies and has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the past 6 months.** Importers must also satisfy U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and destination-state regulations.

## Track 1 — Dogs from dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries only

If the dog has been **only** in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries in the 6 months before entry, documentation is minimal:

- **The only required documentation is the CDC Dog Import Form.**
- The receipt is **valid for 6 months** from issue, unless the dog visits a high-risk or different low-risk country in that time.
- **Each dog must have its own form**, and it can be **printed or shown on a phone screen** to customs or airlines.

## Track 2 — U.S.-vaccinated dogs returning from a high-risk country

Two documents are required:

- A **Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination**, completed by a **USDA-accredited veterinarian and submitted to USDA for endorsement before the dog departs the United States**.
- The **CDC Dog Import Form**.
- As a time-limited alternative, CDC accepts a **USDA-endorsed export health certificate issued no later than July 31, 2025**.
- This track's form receipt is **valid for a single entry, only on the date of arrival listed**.

## Track 3 — Foreign-vaccinated dogs from a high-risk country

- A **Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip**, **endorsed by an official government veterinarian**.
- A **reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF) is mandatory** before entry.
- The dog **must arrive at the U.S. airport where that ACF is located**.
- **If the dog has no valid rabies serology titer, the reservation must also include a 28-day quarantine.**
- These dogs **are not allowed to enter at a land border crossing.**

## Microchip (all tracks)

**Your dog's microchip can be any brand, but it must be detectable with a universal scanner.**

## Sources

- `pet_travel_us_cdc_dog_2024` — CDC rules effective Aug 1, 2024; hard exclusion for unvaccinated dogs from high-risk countries in past 6 months; Track 1 CDC Dog Import Form (6-month receipt, per-dog, printable/phone); Track 2 two documents + USDA endorsement (alt export health cert ≤ July 31, 2025; single-entry receipt); Track 3 foreign-vaccination certification + ACF reservation + port restriction + 28-day quarantine if no titer + land-border ban; microchip any brand, universal scanner.