South Africa → United States

Microchip readable by a universal scanner, implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccine (otherwise the vaccine is invalid); the number must be on every form and document.

Rabies vaccine given at 12 weeks (84 days) of age or older — for dogs from high-risk countries a vaccine given earlier is not accepted, whatever the label says. A first vaccine must be given at least 28 days before the dog enters the U.S. The vaccine must still be valid on arrival (next due date after the arrival date). Unvaccinated dogs are refused.

CDC "Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip": completed (typed) by the dog's vet and endorsed by an official government veterinarian of the exporting country (can be the same person), no more than 30 days before travel; valid for one entry, for 30 days after the vet signs. Printed original travels with the dog. Documents must be in English or with a certified English translation.

Reservation, made by the owner before travel, at a CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF) at the arrival airport, for a veterinary examination and revaccination with a U.S.-licensed rabies vaccine on arrival. The facility checks the documents before confirming; the confirmation must be shown to the airline before boarding and to CBP. All facility costs are paid by the importer.

Rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory (result 0.5 IU/mL or more, certified by the official vet on the certification). Blood drawn at least 30 days after the first valid rabies vaccine and at least 28 days before entry. Report in English (or certified translation), sent directly by the approved lab. Valid for the dog's life if rabies vaccination never lapses and the lab stays approved. CDC recommends drawing the blood 60 days or more before travel because lab times vary.

No valid titer: the reservation must also cover a 28-day quarantine at the facility after revaccination. For personal pets and service dogs with at least 2 documented earlier rabies vaccines, the facility can ask CDC to shorten it by prospective serologic monitoring (PSM) — at the importer's cost.

CDC Dog Import Form for this one trip (free, one per dog), naming the ACF airport; valid only on the arrival date shown; new form if the date or airport changes; photo within 15 days for dogs under one year. The airline must refuse boarding without the receipt and proof of the ACF reservation.

Arrive by air, on an international flight, directly at the airport of the facility holding the reservation: ATL, DFW (only DFW), IAD, JFK (not EWR/LGA), LAX, MIA, PHL or SEA (list of 2026-09-01; see the entry points). Some facilities take cargo only (SEA) or prefer cargo (LAX). No domestic connection before the facility's services; no land border; no seaport (except service dogs); no entry via Alaska, Hawaii or U.S. territories (no facility there).

At least 6 months old on arrival.

The airline hands the dog to a CBP-bonded transporter who takes it to the facility for a veterinary examination and revaccination with a U.S.-licensed rabies vaccine; ticks, fleas or illness are reported to CDC, may need tests or treatment, or lead to refusal. The owner collects the dog when the facility releases it (can take more than one day).

USDA APHIS screwworm certificate: signed by a full-time salaried veterinary official (official government veterinarian) of the region of origin, stating that the dog was inspected for screwworm within 5 days before shipment to the U.S. and is free of screwworm (or was infested, quarantined and treated until free). No set template; it may be a separate document or part of an export health certificate. A certificate signed by an accredited (private) vet should be countersigned by an official vet; from Mexico, an authorised clinical vet (SENASICA MVRA directory) may sign on the official vet's behalf. Checked with the dog at the port.