The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) San Diego Field Office is informing travelers about upcoming changes to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dog importation requirements, which will take effect on August 1.
“Effective August 1st, the CDC’s new dog importation requirements will be implemented to safeguard public health,” said Sidney K. Aki, CBP Director of Field Operations for the San Diego Field Office. “While these changes are essential, travelers can rest assured that wait times at the ports of entry will not be impacted. We urge everyone to familiarize themselves with the new requirements to ensure a smooth and efficient travel experience.”
On May 13, the CDC published the updated dog importation regulations in the Federal Register. These rules will be enforced starting August 1, following a temporary suspension ending on July 31.
To provide greater flexibility for dogs coming from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries, the new rule effective August 1, 2024, will allow dogs that have spent the prior six months only in these countries to enter the United States with a CDC Import Form online submission receipt as acceptable documentation. This form can be completed on the day of travel, and the receipt can be shown to airlines and border officials either as a printed copy or on a mobile device. The receipt will be valid for travel into the U.S. for six months from the date of issuance, including multiple entries. All dogs entering the United States must have a microchip and be over six months of age.
The CDC has clarified and simplified the process for bringing dogs into the United States from rabies-free and low-risk dog rabies countries to better protect the health of U.S. communities and animals and prevent the re-introduction of dog rabies. These updates incorporate feedback from the public, industry partners, and various countries on the dog importation rule, streamlining the procedures for importing dogs from these low-risk areas. Additionally, the update includes a process for waiver requests specifically for the airline industry.
If a dog originates from Mexico and has not visited a rabies high-risk country in the past six months, it must meet specific requirements to enter the U.S. The dog must be at least six months old, have an ISO-compatible microchip, and present a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Additionally, the following documents are required: a Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form endorsed by an official veterinarian, with either a valid rabies serology titer or recent veterinary records; a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form endorsed by USDA; a valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate with rabies vaccination information; or a certification from a DMRVV-free or low-risk country. Alternatively, a foreign export certificate detailing the dog’s age, microchip number, and veterinary records from the exporting country will also be accepted.
These regulations aim to streamline and standardize the importation process, ensuring all necessary documentation is collected before arrival. Travelers are advised to use the CBP One mobile app to declare their pets in advance and schedule appointments to expedite CBP clearance.