Transport d’animaux vivants aux Etats-Unis

Animal Transportation to the United States of America

Bringing pets to the United States requires compliance with strict regulations established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).

For more than 20 years, Air Transport Animal has been specialising in international air transport for pets. We offer professional pet transport services and assist private individuals and professionals (breeders, veterinarians, etc.) wishing to transport pets to and from the United States (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and many more). From customs formalities and veterinary protocols to selecting the most suitable transport option (in the cabin, in a climate-controlled hold, or as manifested cargo depending on your pet’s breed and weight), we manage the entire process to ensure your companion travels safe and sound. Our experienced team takes care of your furry friend from start to finish, from their pick-up (either at one of our offices or directly from your home via our pet taxi service) to its arrival at its destination, including assistance with airport check-in.

Important: Beware of Weather Conditions

Some airlines impose restrictions on the transport of live animals when temperatures are excessively hot or cold. For instance, transport of animals in the hold is generally prohibited between 1 May and 30 September to destinations such as Las Vegas or Phoenix because of extreme summer temperatures.

Once these seasonal constraints have been taken into consideration, importing your pet into the United States is relatively straightforward, provided every requirement is carefully followed. Below, you will find everything you need to know about bringing pets to the USA.

Pets Eligible for Transport to or from the United States

Air Transport Animal organises the international transport of domestic pets (dogs, cats) as well as exotic pets (including rodents, birds and reptiles) to and from the United States. As import requirements vary depending on the species, please contact us so we can verify the regulations applicable to your pet.

For dogs, one important rule must be anticipated: the CDC now requires every dog entering the United States to be at least six months (180 days) old, with no exceptions. The importation of very young puppies is therefore no longer permitted.

Cats and kittens may travel at a younger age (generally from 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the airline), as federal CDC regulations mainly require them to appear healthy upon arrival.

In addition, brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, such as Bulldogs, Pugs or Persian cats, may be refused by certain airlines because of the increased respiratory risks associated with air travel. In these cases, transportation as manifested cargo is often the only suitable option for your pet’s relocation.

Besides federal regulations, individual U.S. states may also apply their own rules. For example, ferrets are strictly prohibited from entering California. Before departure, we systematically verify the specific requirements applicable to your final destination, whether you are travelling to New York, San Francisco, Miami, or elsewhere in the United States.

Import Requirements for Bringing Pets to the USA

Whether you are relocating to the United States or organising your pet’s return to France, here are the key steps to prepare your companion’s journey. As import regulations vary based on the type of animal concerned, please do not hesitate to contact us for personalized recommendations on the necessary paperwork and health requirements.

Required Documents

To transport pets to the United States or return with your pet to France, several official documents are required. Here is a checklist of the documents you will need:

Pet Passport or Vaccination Record: European Pet Passport for pets originating from the European Union, including proof of a valid rabies vaccination.
International Pet Health Certificate: required by airlines and the destination country, issued by your veterinarian within 10 days before departure.
CDC Dog Import Form: mandatory for bringing a dog into the United States. This online form must be completed before travel. For dogs that have stayed exclusively in countries considered rabies-free or low-risk (such as France and other EU countries) during the previous six months, neither a photograph of the dog nor proof of rabies vaccination is currently required.

Veterinary Protocol

To travel to the United States, dogs and cats must be identified with an ISO-compliant microchip. Tattoos are not accepted as a valid form of identification by U.S. authorities.

The rabies vaccination protocol to transport pets to the USA depends on the country where your pet has been located during the six months preceding its arrival in the United States:

Pets Travelling from a Rabies-Free or Low-Risk Country: If your dog has remained exclusively in a country classified as rabies-free or low risk during the previous six months (including France and most European Union countries), the CDC Dog Import Form receipt is sufficient. The receipt remains valid for six months from its date of issue, provided the dog does not travel to a high-risk or different epidemiological status country during that period.
Pets Travelling from a High-Risk Rabies Country: If your dog has stayed in a country classified by the CDC as high risk for canine rabies, additional requirements apply. A rabies antibody titre test must be performed in a CDC-approved laboratory, at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, and 28 days before arrival in the United States.

Quarantine Conditions and Duration in the United States

Pet import regulations are established at the federal level by the CDC, although additional requirements may apply depending on the destination state.

In most cases, if your documentation is fully compliant and your pet is travelling from France or another rabies-free or low-risk country, no quarantine is required upon arrival.

A quarantine period only applies in the following situations:

Non-compliance for Dogs Arriving from a High-Risk Rabies Country: If your dog comes from from a country classified as high risk for rabies and does not have a valid rabies antibody titre test, it will be subject to a mandatory 28-day quarantine upon arrival at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility, at your sole expense. Your dog must arrive through one of the six U.S. airports equipped with a CDC-approved quarantine facility: New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), San Francisco (SFO), Atlanta (ATL), Washington, D.C. (IAD).
Special Case for Hawaii and the Territory of Guam: Hawaii and the Territory of Guam enforce their own, more stringent local import regulations, which include a mandatory quarantine period upon arrival.

Discover our PREMIUM Package. We provide several pet transport options and can assist you with all or part of the export and import formalities for your pet travelling to or from the United States, according to your specific needs.