🇺🇸 → 🇫🇷

Moving a pet from United States to France

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

France (EU). Same listed-third-country profile as Germany.

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 chip goes in first. France, like all of the EU, reads the rabies record against this number.

   ISO microchip BEFORE the rabies vaccination.

2. 2

   Rabies vaccination

   RequiredStart about a month before travel

   A 21-day wait after the rabies shot is all the EU asks. We will hold the date for you.

   At least 21 days must pass after vaccination before travel.

   A 21-day waiting period follows this step before travel is allowed. We count every day for you.

3. 3

   Health certificate

   RequiredStart about 10 days before travel

   Once endorsed, the EU certificate stays valid for four months, so there is breathing room near departure.

   EU Annex IV certificate, USDA-endorsed.

4. 4

   USDA endorsement

   RequiredStart a few days before travel

   The USDA endorsement is the official seal France expects. We coordinate the timing with you.

   USDA APHIS endorsement of the EU certificate.