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Bringing a dog into the United States from a low-risk country
CDC publishes a list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. Every country not on that list is treated as rabies-free or low-risk — Mexico and Canada are confirmed low-risk examples in CDC's own FAQ. What matters is where your dog has been in the 6 months before entry, not where it was born.
There is no rabies vaccination document, no titer test and no quarantine on this route, and you can arrive at any airport, seaport or land border. Fill in the form online, verify your email, and keep the receipt on your phone or printed for the airline and Customs and Border Protection.
Two cautions. First, USDA rules still apply on top of CDC's — for example a screwworm certificate for dogs from countries where screwworm is known — and your destination state can add its own rules. Second, if your dog sets foot in a high-risk country at any point in the 6 months before entry, this simple route no longer applies.
Related questions
How long is the Dog Import Form receipt valid on this route?
Six months from issue, for multiple entries, as long as every entry is from the same country of departure. Visit a high-risk country, or depart from a different country, and you need a new form.
Does my dog need a rabies vaccination certificate?
CDC does not require one on the low-risk route. Airlines and destination states may ask for health documents, so carry your vaccination records anyway.
Can I fill in the form on the day of travel?
Yes. CDC says the form can be completed on the day of travel, and recommends doing it a few days — up to six months — ahead.
What if my dog is under 6 months old?
Dogs under 6 months cannot enter the US under CDC's rules, on any route.
Official sources for this page
- CDC — Dogs from rabies-free and low-risk countries
- CDC — Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries
- CDC — U.S.-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries
- CDC — Dog Import Form instructions
- CDC — High-risk countries for dog rabies
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.