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USDA-Accredited Veterinarians:

Certifying Pets for International

Travel

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How To Electronically Issue Health Certificates

USDA accepts pet health certificates (for pets eligible to travel to another country)

that are electronically signed by USDA-accredited veterinarians. The health

certificate must be issued and submitted through the Veterinary Export Health

Certification System (VEHCS).

Some countries also accept health certificates that are digitally endorsed by USDA in

VEHCS. In those cases, the health certificate can be issued (signed by the USDAaccredited veterinarian) and endorsed (countersigned and embossed/stamped by

USDA) entirely online. Access VEHCS to submit an electronic health certificate.

Visit VEHCS Country Acceptance List for Live Animal Exports to determine if and how

VEHCS can be used for your health certificate. If the destination country isn't on the

list, learn what to do when country requirements aren't known.
This page is for USDA-accredited veterinarians to learn about certifying pets for

international travel, completing and submitting health certificates for USDA

endorsement, and using the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS).

How To Issue Export Health Certificates

Know Your Responsibilities as an Accredited Veterinarian

The responsibilities of an accredited veterinarian issuing health certificates is

outlined in 9 CFR 161.4 Standards for Accredited Veterinarian Duties.

Before issuing a health certificate, YOU must ensure that the:

Correct and most current version of the health certificate, for the pet species

and destination country, is being used.

Pet meets all requirements of the destination country.

Health certificate is issued within the timeframe required by the destination

country.

Health certificate includes required and accurate information.
If the pet’s destination country doesn't appear in the list, it's the owner/exporter’s

responsibility to contact the pertinent government official in the destination country

to obtain those requirements. You'll need to review the requirements and ensure the

pet meets them before issuing the health certificate. If you have any questions

about this process or need further guidance, contact your APHIS endorsement office.

Check Your Accreditation Status

There are two ways to check your USDA Veterinary Accreditation status:

1. Use the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) Lookup Tool.

Select “Check my accreditation status.” Enter your National Accreditation Number

(NAN) and last name.

2. Contact your State's NVAP Coordinator.

You should also contact your State's NVAP Coordinator if the information displayed

on the NVAP Lookup Tool doesn't match your understanding of your accreditation

status (for example, your status is other than accredited, or you're not accredited in

the State where you're currently practicing).

Best Practices for Preparing Pets To Meet Country-Specific Requirements

Reference this presentation for an overview of APHIS' role in the international

export of animals.

Have your client provide you with a completed Pet Owner Worksheet for

Preparing Visit With Accredited Veterinarian To Complete Health Certificate

(102.11 KB).

Review the pet’s medical records. Obtain previous records if this is a new

patient or if another veterinary clinic requires medical information to complete

the health certificate.

Carefully review the requirements for your client's destination country.

Determine any identification, vaccinations, testing, or treatments that must be

performed, including when they must be performed and in what sequence.

Make a note of when the pet must be examined and the health certificate

issued, depending on your client's travel date and destination country. DO NOT

issue a health certificate if the pet doesn't meet requirements in the destination

country.
View guidance on how to complete a VEHCS-style health certificate.

Submitting Health Certificates for APHIS Endorsement

Your APHIS endorsement office can accept and endorse a health certificate. You can

submit your health certificate via:

Option 1: Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). For more

information, view how to electronically issue health certificates.

OR

Option 2: Shipping. For more information, select the State or U.S. Territory you're

located in to find your APHIS endorsement office.

We charge fees to endorse health certificates. Learn more about APHIS fees for

endorsing health certificates.

Preventing Endorsement Delays

Complete all fields of the health certificate, taking care to provide all

information required in each field.

Only provide required information in the health certificate. For example, if

the destination country only requires a rabies vaccination, don't provide

information on any other vaccinations administered to the pet.

If a field of the health certificate is lined out or asterisked, don't complete

that field.

If you make a mistake when completing the health certificate, start over or

draw a single line through the incorrect information and initial it.

Double check the information you entered in the health certificate, ensuring

that the animal's description, identification, vaccination, testing, and

treatments match your medical records and any other supporting

documentation exactly.

Double check that you followed the destination country's requirements to the

letter. For example, if internal parasite treatment is required, a fecal exam isn't

a substitute.

If you didn’t administer a required vaccination or perform a required test,

obtain medical records documenting the administration from the veterinarian

who did.
Double check that you signed and printed your name and dated the health

certificate for the actual day you issued it.

Make sure the submission package is complete, including the finished health

certificate, supporting documentation for required vaccinations and testing

(when applicable), import permit issued by the destination country (when

applicable), payment, and a prepaid return shipping label (for nondigitally

endorsed health certificates).

DO NOT issue the health certificate if the destination country requirements

aren't met.

What To Do If an Airline Doesn't Accept the Health Certificate

What if the airline doesn’t accept a country-specific health certificate?

Although a country-specific health certificate may be required by the destination

country, you may also need to complete an APHIS Form 7001 (438.86 KB) for the pet

to board the airplane in the United States. This form may be used to demonstrate

vaccinations, treatments, and examinations in the timeframe required by the airline.

Note: If you issue two health certificates for the pet, USDA can only endorse the

health certificate required by the destination country. Don't submit the APHIS Form

7001 to USDA if it’s not required by the destination country.

What if the airline doesn’t accept a digitally endorsed health certificate?

If the airline doesn't recognize the digital signature and seal on the electronically

issued health certificate as official, provide this letter to the airline to resolve any

concerns. (239.52 KB)

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Travel for Accredited Veterinarians

Pet Travel

VEHCS Help

Access VEHCS

APHIS Endorsement Offices by State

Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian