Taking pets (dogs) out of United States
Taking a dog out of United States requires an export health certificate, microchip, and rabies vaccination — with destination rules driving the timeline.
Details
Dog export from United States requires a veterinary export health certificate issued shortly before departure (typically within 10 days), an ISO microchip, and current rabies vaccination. The destination's import rules drive the real timeline: rabies-titre blood tests with waiting periods (up to 180 days for rabies-free jurisdictions such as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan), import permits, and quarantine bookings must be arranged months ahead. Airlines add their own container (IATA Live Animals Regulations) and breed restrictions. Start with the destination's official import checklist and work backwards.
Quantity limits
Per destination import permit
Documentation required
- Veterinary export health certificate
- ISO microchip + rabies vaccination record
- Destination import permit / quarantine booking where required
The other direction
Bringing pets (dogs) into United States(restricted)