Home › From the United Kingdom › Cat to the United States
Bringing a cat from the United Kingdom to the United States
Step-by-step checklist
| Step | What to do | When |
|---|---|---|
| Export health certificate (EHC) | For non-EU destinations the UK requires an export health certificate and an export application form (EXA). Apply online, nominate an official vet (OV), and the vet checks your cat and signs the certificate before travel. The US government does not demand this document — the UK export process and your airline do. | Apply a few weeks ahead; issued close to travel |
| Microchip (recommended, not required) | No US rule requires a cat to be microchipped, but GOV.UK export preparation is built around a chipped pet, it is how your cat is identified on the EHC, and it is cheap insurance if your cat is ever lost or its paperwork is questioned. | Before the EHC appointment |
| Check state and airline rules | Federal rules are minimal, but US states can set their own requirements and airlines set carriage conditions (carrier size, breed limits, seasonal rules). Hawaii and Guam impose their own quarantine rules even on cats arriving from the US mainland — if either is your final destination, plan for their separate process. | Before you book |
Your preparation timeline
- 1A few weeks out — Apply for the UK export health certificate and nominate your official vet
- 2Final days — Official vet examines your cat and signs the EHC
- 3Arrival — Your cat is inspected at the port of entry and released if it appears healthy
Costs you can plan for
There is no US federal fee, form or test to pay for. Your costs are the UK official vet's EHC fee (vets set their own prices; GOV.UK publishes none), the carrier and the flight. If a border officer orders a veterinary exam because your cat looks unwell, that exam is at your expense.
Questions people ask about this route
Does my cat need the CDC Dog Import Form?
No. The form is dogs-only. There is no equivalent federal form, certificate or vaccination proof for cats entering the US.
Does my cat need a rabies vaccination for the US?
Not under federal rules. CDC recommends rabies vaccination, and your destination state or airline may require it, but the federal government does not ask for proof for a pet cat.
Can my cat be quarantined on arrival?
Not under the standard federal process — a healthy cat is released after inspection. Hawaii and Guam are the exception: both run their own quarantine programmes that apply even to cats from the US mainland.
Are any cat breeds banned from entering the US?
No federal breed ban applies to cats. Airlines may refuse certain breeds for carriage reasons, which is separate from import law.
Related guides
- Bringing a dog from the United Kingdom to the United States
- Rabies titer tests (FAVN / RNATT): validity and waiting periods by country
- How many days before travel do you need a pet health certificate?
- Pet quarantine by country: how long, where, and how to avoid it
- Microchip before or after rabies vaccination?
- How far in advance should you start preparing?
Official sources for this page
- GOV.UK — Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad
- CDC — Bringing an animal into the United States
- USDA APHIS — Bringing a pet cat into the US
We check each rule against the exporting country's official page and the destination country's official page. If the two disagree, we show the disagreement instead of guessing.
Want a professional to run this route for you?
Licensed pet relocation companies handle permits, vet paperwork and flights daily. We are adding vetted partners for this route — check back soon.