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Bringing a dog from the United Kingdom to the United States

Yes — and from the UK this is one of the simplest long-haul routes there is. The United Kingdom is not on CDC's high-risk list for dog rabies, so the only US federal document your dog needs is the free CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Your dog must be at least 6 months old, carry a microchip a universal scanner can read, and arrive looking healthy. No titer test, no quarantine, no US import permit.
1 form
US paperwork
CDC Dog Import Form receipt — that is all
6 months
Receipt validity
Multiple entries from the same country
6 months
Minimum age
No dog under 6 months may enter the US
No test
Rabies titer
Not required from a low-risk country

Step-by-step checklist

Requirements — Dog · the United Kingdom → the United States
StepWhat to doWhen
MicrochipYour dog needs a microchip that a universal scanner can read — CDC can refuse entry if the chip cannot be detected at the port. GOV.UK export rules also require the chip to be in place before, or on the same day as, the rabies vaccination. Before anything else
Fill in the CDC Dog Import FormComplete the free online form before travel — one form per dog. The receipt is emailed to you; keep it on your phone or printed to show the airline and US Customs and Border Protection. It is valid for 6 months and covers multiple entries, as long as every entry is from the same low-risk country and your dog has not visited a high-risk country in the meantime. A few days before travel (same day is allowed)
Export health certificate (EHC)The UK treats this as an export: for non-EU destinations you apply for an export health certificate and an export application form (EXA), and nominate an official vet (OV) who checks your dog and signs the certificate. CDC itself does not ask for this certificate — but UK export process and most airlines do, so do not skip it. Apply a few weeks ahead; certificate issued close to travel
Check state and airline rulesCDC's form is the only federal requirement, but your destination state and your airline can add their own — many airlines ask for a recent rabies vaccination certificate even though CDC does not. Keep your dog's UK vaccination record with you. Before you book

Your preparation timeline

  1. 1A few weeks out — Apply for the UK export health certificate and nominate your official vet
  2. 2A few days out — Submit the CDC Dog Import Form and save the emailed receipt
  3. 3Travel day — Official vet signs the EHC after checking your dog; fly
  4. 4Arrival — Show the CDC receipt to Customs and Border Protection; your dog is inspected for visible illness and released if healthy
The mistake that causes trouble on this route: The last-6-months rule. The simple route only applies if your dog has ONLY been in rabies-free or low-risk countries for the 6 months before entry. A holiday in a high-risk country inside that window moves your dog onto the strict high-risk route — extra forms, a titer test and arrival only at an airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility. Check your dog's travel history before you assume the form is all you need.

Costs you can plan for

The CDC Dog Import Form is free, and there is no US federal import fee for a pet dog from a low-risk country. Your real costs are on the UK side: the official vet's fee for the export health certificate (vets set their own fees — GOV.UK does not publish a price), any vaccinations that need updating, and the flight. Some US states and airlines add their own paperwork checks but no federal charges apply.

✈️ Government rules are only half the trip. Airlines set their own pet carriage rules (crate size, breed limits, seasonal embargoes). Re-confirm carriage with your airline after you meet the rules above.

Questions people ask about this route

Does my dog need a rabies vaccination to enter the US from the UK?

CDC does not require proof of rabies vaccination for dogs that have only been in low-risk countries. Your airline or destination state may still ask for it, and GOV.UK export rules assume a valid rabies vaccination, so keep it current and carry the record.

Can my dog arrive at any US airport?

Yes. On the low-risk route a dog may enter at any airport, seaport or land crossing named on the receipt — the airport restrictions only apply to dogs arriving from high-risk countries.

How long is the CDC receipt valid?

Six months from issue, for multiple entries from the same country. If your dog visits a different country — or any high-risk country — you need a new form.

Are any dog breeds banned from entering the US?

There is no federal breed ban, and neither CDC nor GOV.UK lists one. Some US cities and counties restrict specific breeds locally, so check the rules where you will actually live.

Related guides

✓ Last verified: 2026-11-12

Official sources for this page

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?

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