Bringing an Animal into the United States
Guidance for persons being evacuated or repatriated from China with their pets during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) outbreak.
Dogs imported into the United States from China must be healthy on arrival and have a valid rabies vaccination certificate. On an extremely limited basis, CDC may issue advanced written approval for individuals being evacuated or repatriated from China for pets that do not meet CDC’s entry requirements. Please contact CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov to request advanced written approval.
Cats must be healthy on arrival. A rabies vaccination certificate is not required.
USDA also has requirementsexternal icon regarding importing dogs and cats from China.
CDC regulations govern the importation of animals and animal products capable of causing human disease. Pets taken out of the United States are subject upon return to the same regulations as those entering for the first time.
The CDC does not require general certificates of health for pets for entry into the United States. However, health certificates may be required for entry into some states, or may be required by airlines for pets. You should check with officials in your state of destination and with your airline prior to your travel date.
CDC has learned that Internet scammers are falsely representing themselves as CDC employees in e-mails to US citizens. Learn more about internet adoption scams.
Photo credit: Derek Sakris, CDC