Starting on Aug. 1, 2024, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is simplifying its regulations regarding the entry of dogs into the United States.

CBP still wants to be sure that rabies does not “enter” the United States because the entrance of just one dog with the disease can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for the necessary public health investigations and post-exposure treatments. But the agency has decided that it can make things easier – especially for those who are bringing dogs into the United States hat have been only in low-risk or rabies-free countries during the six-month period prior to their entry.

For those “low-risk” dogs, all that will be required is that the individual bringing in the dog fill out the CDC Dog Import Form – one form for each dog. The form is free and short. It requires some identification information about the individual transporting the dog. The person accompanying the dog may be the dog owner, the shipper, a “flight parent,” or anyone else bringing the dog to the United States and the dog may be coming in as a personal pet, for commercial purposes, as a service animal, as a government-owned working dog, or for education, exhibition, or research. The form also requires information about the dog, including breed, birth month and year, and markings. After submission, the individual will receive a receipt that will be good for multiple entries over a six-month period – as long as the dog does not spend any of that time in a high-risk rabies country. While the form can be filled out on the day of travel (and should only take minutes to process), it is recommended that it be done before to ensure the receipt is received prior to boarding.

In addition to the CDC form, to be eligible for admission, the dog must be at least six months old, appear healthy upon arrival, and have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner for easy identification. These dogs can enter the United States at any air, land or seaport of entry.

After Aug. 1, 2024, if a dog has been in a high-risk country, there are additional requirements including an officially signed rabies vaccination certificate, the dog’s microchip number, and a photograph of the dog. If the dog has been in a high-risk country and was not vaccinated in the United States, there are somewhat different requirements. The dog may be required to enter the United States only at airports that have CDC examination facilities.

For some additional explanations regarding issues such as dogs transiting through the United States and grace periods, please see the CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Importations. Some dog importers and enthusiasts are not happy with the new regulations especially with regard to the age of dogs that can be brought to the United States.