preflightpet Smoother trips. Happier pets.

Bringing a Dog from the UK to the USA: Requirements

The UK is a low-risk country for the CDC, so this is one of the simplest transatlantic moves — the 6-month age rule is the only real gate.

Rules last verified against official sources: 2026-07-24

Planning for a cat instead? See the cat version of this route →

Pick your travel date to get a dated, backward-planned checklist. (This tool needs JavaScript; the full requirements are listed below either way.)

Because the UK is not on the CDC's high-risk list, a UK dog needs just three things for the US: to be at least 6 months old, a microchip readable by a universal scanner (any UK-implanted ISO chip qualifies), and the free online CDC Dog Import Form — fileable up to 6 months ahead or on the day of travel, with the receipt reusable for 6 months. No rabies certificate, no titer, no quarantine, any port of entry.

On the UK side there's usually nothing either: since August 2024 the UK export health certificate is only needed for certain US states — notably Massachusetts — so most travellers skip it entirely.

Minimum lead time: about 0 months (0 days). Almost nothing to sequence: the free CDC Dog Import Form can be filed the day you travel. The single hard rule is that every dog entering the US must be at least 6 months old.

The requirements, in order

Order matters — several steps are only valid if the earlier ones were done first. This is the same sequence the planner above turns into dated deadlines.

  1. Your dog must be at least 6 months old
    The CDC requires every dog entering the US to be at least 6 months old on the day of entry — no exceptions. This is the only true date gate on this route.
    Official source ↗
  2. Microchip readable by a universal scanner
    Any ISO microchip implanted in the UK qualifies — it just needs to be readable by a universal scanner.
    Official source ↗
  3. File the CDC Dog Import Form (free, online)
    For a dog that has been only in the UK (or other low-risk countries) in the past 6 months, this free online form is the ONLY document the US federally requires. Fill it out up to 6 months ahead or on the day of travel; the emailed receipt is valid 6 months and reusable while the departure country stays the same.
    No rabies certificate is required from the UK — though the CDC strongly recommends keeping vaccination current. Going to Massachusetts? Arrange the UK export health certificate (EHC 8860 dogs / 8696 cats) with an official vet — allow 1–3 weeks.
    Official source ↗

The two footnotes worth checking

First, your destination state: Massachusetts requires a UK export health certificate (EHC 8860 for dogs, 8696 for cats) arranged with an official vet — allow 1–3 weeks — and Hawaii and Guam quarantine arriving cats. Second, your airline, which may want a fit-to-fly letter or rabies proof even though the US federally requires neither.

Cats: even simpler

A cat needs only to appear healthy on arrival — no form, no age minimum, no microchip, no federal rabies requirement. USDA APHIS has no pet-cat requirements at all.

Official sources

These are the only authorities on this route. If anything here disagrees with them, they win — and please tell us.

FAQ

What does my dog need to enter the US from the UK?
Three things: be at least 6 months old, have a microchip readable by a universal scanner, and have a filed CDC Dog Import Form (free, online, day-of-travel OK). No rabies certificate is required from the UK.
Do I need a UK export health certificate?
Usually not — since August 2024 it's only required for certain US states, such as Massachusetts. Going there, arrange EHC 8860 (dogs) or 8696 (cats) with an official vet 1–3 weeks ahead.
Is there a quarantine or waiting period?
No — no quarantine, no waiting period, entry at any US airport, seaport or land crossing.
Is it different for cats?
Simpler still: a cat just needs to appear healthy — no form, age minimum, microchip or federal rabies proof. Hawaii and Guam quarantine arriving cats. Use the cat toggle in the planner.

Other dog routes

Disclaimer: Preflight Pet is a planning aid, not legal or veterinary advice. Import rules change; airlines add their own requirements. Always confirm every step with the official government sources linked on this page, and with your airline and accredited veterinarian, before booking travel.