🇫🇷 → 🇺🇸

Moving a pet from France to United States

Here is the whole journey for your dog or cat, from France to the United States: every document, in the order to tackle it, with how early to begin. Plan to start about a month before travel.

Into the US from the EU. Every dog needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt; dogs from rabies-free or low-risk EU countries skip the extra high-risk certification.

This is a rabies-controlled route. Some destinations add a blood titer and a waiting period, which is the single biggest driver of how early to start.

The EU side of this route is governed by Regulation 2026/131, in force since 22 April 2026. Read the 2026 EU rules explained

The documents, step by step

1. 1

   Microchip

   RequiredStart about a month before travel

   The microchip number is what the US import form is built around, so scan it in first.

   ISO microchip; the CDC dog-import form references it.

2. 2

   Rabies vaccination

   RequiredStart about a month before travel

   A current rabies vaccination keeps everyone safe and underpins the health paperwork for the trip.

   Current rabies vaccination.

3. 3

   Health certificate

   RequiredStart about 10 days before travel

   A recent wellness check confirms your dog is fit and happy to fly to the US.

   Vet health certificate for travel.

4. 4

   Country entry form

   RequiredStart a few days before travel

   The CDC form takes minutes online and the receipt is valid for six months. We remind you to carry it for arrival.

   CDC Dog Import Form receipt; the dog must be at least 6 months old.