BRINGING A DOG FROMPortugal to United States
Dog · Moving
Bringing a cat instead?No quarantine. Needs import form, microchip, minimum age and arrival inspection.
Always confirm with the destination's official authority and your airline before travelling.
Entry requirements
Only the free online CDC Dog Import Form, a microchip and a minimum age of 6 months. No federal rabies vaccine, health certificate, titer or quarantine. Dogs from screwworm-affected countries (e.g. Mexico, Argentina, Singapore) also need an official screwworm certificate. The U.S. state of destination and the airline may ask for more (Hawaii: see the us-hi-* rules).
CDC Dog Import Form, filled in online by the person bringing the dog (one form per dog, free). The receipt arrives by e-mail after the e-mail address is confirmed; show it printed or on a phone to the airline before boarding and to U.S. Customs and Border Protection on arrival. From a low-risk country the receipt is valid for 6 months and for several entries from the same departure country; a different departure country or a visit to a high-risk country needs a new form. It can be completed on the day of travel.
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CDC Dog Import Form, filled in online by the person bringing the dog (one form per dog, free). The receipt arrives by e-mail after the e-mail address is confirmed; show it printed or on a phone to the airline before boarding and to U.S. Customs and Border Protection on arrival. From a low-risk country the receipt is valid for 6 months and for several entries from the same departure country; a different departure country or a visit to a high-risk country needs a new form. It can be completed on the day of travel.
Microchip of any brand that a universal scanner can read (if the number does not start with 9, check with the vet that it is readable); implanted before arrival, number entered on the CDC Dog Import Form. A dog without a readable microchip, or whose microchip does not match the documents, is refused and returned.
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Microchip of any brand that a universal scanner can read (if the number does not start with 9, check with the vet that it is readable); implanted before arrival, number entered on the CDC Dog Import Form. A dog without a readable microchip, or whose microchip does not match the documents, is refused and returned.
At least 6 months old on the day of arrival — for every dog, including U.S. dogs coming home. Younger dogs are refused and returned to the country of departure.
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At least 6 months old on the day of arrival — for every dog, including U.S. dogs coming home. Younger dogs are refused and returned to the country of departure.
The dog must appear healthy. Animals are inspected at the port; a dog that looks ill may be held for a veterinary examination and tests at the owner's expense, or refused.
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The dog must appear healthy. Animals are inspected at the port; a dog that looks ill may be held for a veterinary examination and tests at the owner's expense, or refused.
- Any U.S. airport, seaport or land border crossing (see the entry points).
- A rabies vaccine is not required by CDC for these dogs, only recommended (states may require one). — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- From a country affected by foot-and-mouth disease (APHIS list; most of Africa, Asia and South America) no document is needed, but the dog must arrive clean, be bathed at the destination and kept away from livestock for 5 days. — USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
- Legal basis for the screwworm certificate. — USDA APHIS regulation, published by the Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)
- A screwworm certificate signed by a private (accredited) vet needs an official vet's countersignature. — USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
- One receipt covers one dog, several entries from the same country, for 6 months. — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- The regulation (42 CFR 71.51(u)) still lists other documents as proof that a dog has been only in low-risk countries; CDC's pages say the Dog Import Form receipt alone is enough since 2024-08-01 ("temporary flexibilities", see upcoming). Follow CDC's pages.
- Preparation time 1 week: an adult dog can be microchipped and the online form filled in the same day; one week allows for a vet visit and, from screwworm-affected countries, the official inspection within 5 days before shipment.
No quarantine
Timeline
Working out your dates…
Documents
One paper per requirement above; carry originals. 0 of 2 ready.
Official fees
Fees the authorities publish for this route, in their own currency. Vet and airline charges are not included.
- CDC Dog Import Form
- USD 0 per animal
Entry points
Where a pet may enter the United States, per the rules.
- DOGAny point of entry.
Airlines
Airline rules are separate from entry rules and change without notice — confirm in writing when you book. Only what the carriers' own pages say, read 25 Sep 2026. All airlines
- Lufthansa LHCabinYesHoldYesSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- Emirates EKCabinNoHoldYesSnub-nosedCargo: only Nov – Apr
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 45 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: not 1 May – 31 Oct
- Qantas QFCabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedNot stated
- CabinYesHoldNoSnub-nosedHold, cargo: no
- KLM KLCabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no
- Air France AFCabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedCargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: restricted
Announced changes
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDCDC is preparing a proposed rule (RIN 0920-AA87, "Dog Importation") to revise 42 CFR 71.51, mainly to write the current simplified treatment of dogs from low-risk and rabies-free countries (CDC Dog Import Form receipt only) into the regulation. The 2026 Unified Agenda planned the proposal for July 2026; none was published by 2026-09-25 (Federal Register checked). No date of effect.
Return trip to Portugal
Moderate for a returning pet, no lead time. No quarantine.
- Rabies antibody (titer) test — the blood draw must happen before you leave, so plan it into the outbound trip: Favourable rabies antibody titer test done before leaving the EU and recorded in the EU passport. The 90-day wait that applies to the animal health certificate route does not apply.
Source:European Commission (EUR-Lex) (opens official site: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 — animal health requirements for non-commercial movement of pet animals)· checked 04 Oct 2026+1 more
Full checklist for a dog from United States to Portugal
Leaving United States with the pet
- Taking a U.S.-vaccinated dog to a CDC high-risk country and back: have a USDA-accredited vet complete the CDC Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination and get it endorsed by USDA BEFORE leaving; it cannot be issued afterwards.
- Pets living in Hawaii must finish the rabies vaccines and pass the FAVN test before leaving the state to avoid quarantine on return.
- Taking a dog to Mexico (or any other screwworm-affected country) and back: on return it needs the screwworm certificate (inspection within 5 days before shipment). From Mexico a SENASICA-trained and approved clinical vet may sign it (SENASICA's MVRA directory).
- Export papers for the destination country (USDA APHIS endorsement of the health certificate) were not researched.
Questions about the United States
Answered in plain words from the authorities' own pages, each linked to its source.
01Which form must I have for my dog to enter the United States?
Every dog entering or returning to the U.S. needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
02What are the entry requirements for dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries?
These dogs must be at least 6 months old, have a microchip, and appear healthy. They also need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
03Which ports of entry can my dog use if it has been in a high-risk country?
Dogs with foreign rabies vaccinations must use a U.S. airport and have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility.
04Can a dog that was in a high-risk country enter the U.S. via a land border?
Only dogs with U.S.-issued rabies vaccinations can enter at land borders. Dogs with foreign vaccinations that were in a high-risk country in the last 6 months are prohibited from using land borders.
05Does my dog need a specific brand of microchip to enter the U.S.?
Any brand is acceptable as long as it can be read by a universal scanner.
06Is there a limit on how many dogs I can bring into the United States?
There is no limit on the number of dogs, but each animal must meet entry requirements and have its own CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
07How old must my dog be to receive its first rabies vaccination?
The first vaccine should be given at 12 weeks (84 days) of age or older, depending on the manufacturer's guidelines. For dogs from high-risk countries, vaccines given before 12 weeks are not accepted.
08What are the arrival requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries?
These dogs must arrive by air at a U.S. airport that has a CDC-registered animal care facility and must have a reservation at that facility.
09Can the 28-day quarantine for foreign-vaccinated dogs be reduced?
Quarantine can be reduced for healthy personal pets or service dogs that follow a PSM protocol, which includes a U.S. vaccine and a titer test.
10How long is the CDC Dog Import Form valid for dogs traveling from Canada or Mexico?
The form is valid for six months for multiple entries, provided the country of departure remains the same.
11What is required for a US-vaccinated dog returning from a rabies high-risk country?
If the dog visited a high-risk country within the last 6 months, it needs a "Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination" form. A USDA-accredited veterinarian must submit this before the dog departs the United States.
12How old must a puppy be to enter the United States?
Dogs must be at least 6 months old to meet CDC import requirements.
13Does my dog need a screwworm certificate to enter the US?
This is required for dogs from regions where screwworm is present. The certificate must be signed by a government veterinary official, or by an accredited vet and countersigned by a government official.
14Are there additional rules for bringing a dog into a specific US state?
Yes, importers must ensure their dog follows the rules of the specific US State or Territory they are entering. You can find the relevant agriculture department through the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
What they actually checked at the border
Reports from people who made this trip, read by a person before publishing.
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Every requirement above comes from one of these pages. Last researched 25 Sep 2026. Seen a change? Tell us.
- Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries (opens official site)U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · used for: import form, microchip, which origins the rule covers, quarantine, official fees, entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2024-07-22
- 42 CFR 71.51 — Dogs and cats (opens official site)HHS / CDC regulation, published by the Office of the Federal Register (eCFR) · used for: minimum age, arrival inspection, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2024-08-01
- High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies (opens official site)U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · used for: notes, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-04-15
- Bring a Pet Dog into the United States (opens official site)USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) · used for: notes, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-04-01
- 9 CFR 93.600 — Importation of dogs (opens official site)USDA APHIS regulation, published by the Office of the Federal Register (eCFR) · used for: notes, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2021-08-16
- FAQ: Importing Pet Dogs into the United States (opens official site)USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) · used for: notes, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-06-07
- CDC Dog Import Form and Instructions (opens official site)U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · used for: notes, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-04-28
- Unified Agenda 2026 — HHS/CDC item 44: Control of Communicable Diseases; Foreign Quarantine: Dog Importation (RIN 0920-AA87) (opens official site)Regulatory Information Service Center / HHS, Federal Register · used for: announced changes · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-08-14
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 — animal health requirements for non-commercial movement of pet animals (opens official site)European Commission (EUR-Lex) · used for: return trip · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-03-27
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law), Part VI — non-commercial movements of pet animals (opens official site)European Parliament and Council (EUR-Lex) · used for: return trip · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2021-04-21
- Dog Imports: Check Country Disease Status (page and its data file dog-imports-country-disease-status.csv) (opens official site)USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) · used for: leaving with the pet · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-01-21
- Checklist 3 — Only for Dogs and Cats Located in Hawaii that are Departing and Returning (DAR & 5 Day Or Less) (PDF) (opens official site)Hawaii Department of Agriculture (now Agriculture and Biosecurity), Animal Quarantine Station · used for: leaving with the pet · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2023-06-13
- UPDATE: Import Alert: New World Screwworm Restrictions for Live Animals Originating from or Transiting Mexico (PDF) (opens official site)USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services · used for: leaving with the pet · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2025-07-09
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