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Frequently Asked Questions About

Traveling With Your Pet

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What do I need to do to travel with my pet?

The destination country sets requirements for pet travel. Most countries require pets

to arrive with a health certificate (also called an international health certificate, a

veterinary health certificate, a veterinary certificate, or an export certificate). Health

certificates are issued (completed, signed, and dated) by veterinarians who examine

your pet and perform (or verify) all required testing, vaccinations, or treatments. If

your destination country needs USDA APHIS to endorse the health certificate, then

your pet’s veterinarian must be USDA-Accredited.

When endorsement of your pet’s health certificate is required, USDA APHIS reviews

and endorses (counter-signed and embossed/ stamped) the health certificate after

your USDA accredited veterinarian issues it. Learn more on obtaining  endorsement

of your pet’s health certificate from USDA APHIS.

How do I find a USDA Accredited Veterinarian to complete my animal's health

certificate?

Does one health certificate work in all countries?
No. Each country establishes its requirements based on the type of animal traveling.

There is not one standard health certificate or set of requirements.

How do I obtain a pet health certificate?

Local veterinarians issue pet health certificates. If your destination country requires

USDA APHIS to endorse the health certificate, the veterinarian issuing your pet’s

health certificate must be USDA-Accredited. 

How do I find a USDA Accredited Veterinarian to complete my animal's health

certificate?

How long does it take before a pet can travel to a

foreign country?

Get started as soon as possible!  The process could take a few weeks to many

months, depending on the  requirements of the destination country. Please work

with your veterinarian as soon you know your pet will travel to another country.

Will the USDA Endorsement Office examine my

pet when the health certificate is endorsed

(stamped)?

You do not need to bring your pet to your USDA Endorsement Office unless

instructed. Very few countries require USDA APHIS to examine your pet before

travel. In most cases, you will only need to provide your pet’s completed health

certificate, signed, and dated by your USDA Accredited Veterinarian, vaccination

certificates, laboratory test reports (when required by the destination country), and

payment for the endorsement fee. 

Read Pet Travel Guidance for Pets Traveling to Another Country from the United

States to learn more.

My pet will be traveling either to multiple

countries OR traveling through multiple countries
on the way to the country of destination. What

does my pet need for each of those countries?

Your pet will need a health certificate for the first country traveled to and clearing

customs after leaving the U.S. The requirements your pet will have to meet for travel

to additional countries will depend on the mode of transportation (e.g., car, ship) as

well as how long your pet will spend in each country. Your responsibility is to ensure

the countries you visit will accept your pet at each border you cross.

Please contact your USDA Endorsement Office for assistance with pet travel to

multiple foreign counties.

I cannot find my destination country OR my type

(species) of pet in my destination country’s page

on the Pet Travel Website. What do I do?

If your destination country or the requirements for your pet are not listed, USDA

APHIS has not been officially informed by the foreign country about the

requirements for your pet’s travel. Although there are  countries with unknown

requirements or countries with requirements not provided for that type of pet, it

does not mean the destination country does not have requirements your pet must

meet. 

You will need to contact a government official of the destination country for more

information. For example, an official at the destination country’s embassy or

consulate in the U.S., or where your pet will cross customs to enter the destination

country (e.g., airport), or their Ministry of Agriculture. Any information the foreign

official gives, please obtain it in writing (in English) and share it with those involved

in your pet’s travel. If you have difficulty reaching a government official of the

destination country, the U.S. Department of State may be able to help.

In some cases, countries require the issuance of an import permit before your pet’s

travel. It is essential that you thoroughly read and understand the import permit as

it may provide specific instructions or requirements for your pet.
What if my pet doesn’t meet any of the

requirements of the destination country?

Your pet must meet the import requirements prior to travel.  Your USDA Accredited

Veterinarian cannot issue the health certificate until the pet meets the

requirements.  If, for considerable reasons, your pet cannot meet the entry

requirements, you can attempt to seek a waiver to the requirement(s) by reaching

out to the ministry of agriculture in the destination country. If the official allows your

pet to still enter the country without meeting all requirements, you must obtain

written permission (in English) and share it with those involved in your pet’s travel.

Neither your accredited veterinarian nor USDA APHIS can waive the requirements of

another country.

If you cannot reach an official in the destination country, please get in touch with

your USDA Endorsement Office as they may recommend possible solutions.

What do I need to take a pet from one U.S. state

or territory to another U.S. state or territory

(travel within the United States)?

USDA APHIS does not endorse health certificates for the movement of pets across

state or territorial lines. You should contact the State Veterinarian’s office in your

destination state for their requirements.

Interstate movement requirements are set by the destination state or territory,

including Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

I’m active duty military relocating to another

country and I want to take my pets. Who can

examine my pet, issue the health certificate and

then endorse (stamp) my health certificate?

In very limited circumstances, active duty military veterinarians and General

Schedule (GS-0701) federal veterinarians working for the military (this does not
include civilian veterinarians working on a military base) can examine your pet as

well as issue and endorse (stamp) pet health certificates. This only applies for dogs,

cats, and ferrets traveling to the European Union, and dogs and cats traveling to

Japan and South Korea. For all other countries and types of pets, if official

endorsement of a certificate is required, the military veterinarian must be USDA

Accredited and APHIS must endorse the certificate. 

I have more questions. Where can I get additional

information or help with this process?

You should work with your pet’s veterinarian first. USDA Accredited Veterinarians

have undergone special training in preparing pets to enter another country, and can

answer your questions about pet travel. If any additional help or information is

needed, please contact your USDA Endorsement Office.

Please read Pet Travel Guidance for Pets Traveling to Another Country from the

United States to learn more.