The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to enforce dog importation regulations designed to prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies into the United States. These requirements apply to all air carriers transporting dogs into the U.S., including commercial airlines, charter operators, and business aviation operators.

For business aviation operators, compliance responsibilities extend beyond documentation verification and include obligations that begin before departure and continue through arrival and clearance.

CBP enforcement of these requirements has become more consistent. Operators relying solely on veterinary documentation without the CDC-required paperwork have encountered complications at customs clearance, even when all other aspects of the trip were in order.

Air Waybill (AWB) Requirements

Air carriers transporting dogs into the United States must generate an Air Waybill (AWB) for each dog, including those traveling in-cabin or as checked baggage. Operators that cannot generate AWBs for hand-carried or excess baggage dogs may apply for a CDC waiver.

AWB Waiver Process

Operators unable to create AWBs should follow these steps:

1. Email CDCAnimalImports@cdc.gov and identify whether you are a commercial air carrier or general aviation operator.
2. CDC will provide waiver application materials. Submit the completed application to CDCAnimalImports@cdc.gov.
3. CDC will review the application and may request revisions.
4. If all requirements are met, CDC will issue an AWB waiver.

Operators may continue transporting dogs while their waiver application is under CDC review.

Once approved, AWB waivers remain in effect until further notice unless CDC changes its guidance or revokes the waiver. If an application is denied, operators must generate an AWB for all dogs flown as checked or in-cabin baggage.

Important: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may still require AWBs at specific ports of entry, even when a CDC waiver has been granted.

Operator Responsibilities

Before allowing a dog to board a flight destined for the United States, operators must confirm that:

• The dog appears healthy.
• The dog appears to be at least six months old.
• The dog has a microchip.
• The importer has a valid CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
• All additional documentation requirements have been satisfied, if applicable.

Operators must deny boarding if required documentation is missing or incomplete.

Beyond pre-departure checks, operators carry additional responsibilities that extend through arrival:

• A representative must be present in the federal inspection service area until all dogs have been cleared for entry or alternate accommodations have been arranged.
• Operators must arrange acceptable accommodation, at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (ACF) or an alternate veterinary clinic or kennel if an ACF is not available, for any dog pending admissibility, denied entry, or ill on arrival. Dogs may not be held in cargo warehouses for more than 12 hours.
• Operators must submit veterinary documentation for any ill or deceased animals to the CDC Port Health Station with jurisdiction for the port of entry.
• Operators are financially responsible for the care, housing, and return of any dog abandoned by its importer.
• Dogs denied entry must be returned to the country of departure within 72 hours of denial.

Documentation Requirements

Dogs from Rabies-Free or Low-Risk Countries

Operators must verify:

• CDC Dog Import Form receipt
• Microchip compliance
• General eligibility requirements

Additional rabies documentation is generally not required unless specific circumstances apply. Note that for dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries, the microchip number does not appear on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Operators do not need to scan dogs for microchips.

Dogs from High-Risk Rabies Countries

Additional documentation is required, including one of the following:

• A valid Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form
• A valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate issued no later than July 31, 2025 (certificates issued after that date are not accepted for re-entry)
• Proof of a reservation at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility, with the dog arriving at the airport where that facility is located

Operators must also verify:

• CDC Dog Import Form receipt showing the dog’s microchip number
• That information on the receipt matches all supporting documentation
• That the arrival date on the receipt matches the planned travel date
• That the port of entry on the receipt matches the approved arrival airport

Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries must arrive at the specific airport where their CDC-registered ACF reservation is located. If the scheduled arrival airport does not match, operators must deny boarding.

CDC Dog Import Form

All dogs entering the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. The form is completed online by the importer and generates an electronic receipt that may be presented digitally or in printed form. There is no charge to submit the form.

If an importer does not have the receipt at boarding, they may complete the form on their phone before boarding.

For dogs arriving from rabies-free or low-risk countries, the receipt is valid for multiple entries over six months from the date of issuance. The port of entry and arrival date will not be listed on this version of the receipt.

For dogs arriving from high-risk countries, operators must confirm that the receipt matches supporting documentation, lists the correct arrival date, and reflects the correct port of entry.

Disability Accommodations

CDC recognizes that some importers may be unable to complete the CDC Dog Import Form due to a disability. In those cases, another authorized person, such as a family member, travel companion, or airline staff member, may complete the form on the importer’s behalf.

For service dogs from high-risk countries arriving by air, operators should coordinate with CBP to allow the person with a disability to remain with their dog during transport to a CDC-registered ACF. The ACF should expedite required services when possible. These accommodations must be arranged in advance. Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under the applicable definition (14 CFR 382.3).

What Happens if Documentation Is Missing?

If a dog does not meet CDC entry requirements, operators must deny boarding and direct customers to CDC’s dog importation resources at www.cdc.gov/dogtravel before attempting travel.

Failure to verify documentation can result in delays, denied entry, or significant financial liability for the operator, including costs associated with housing, transportation, and return of the animal.

Business Aviation Considerations

Business aviation operators should establish internal procedures to:

• Verify all documentation before departure.
• Review country-specific rabies risk requirements.
• Confirm microchip information when required.
• Coordinate with handlers, customs officials, and CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities when necessary.
• Ensure a representative is available at the port of entry through clearance.
• Maintain awareness of CDC and CBP procedural updates.

Because requirements vary depending on the dog’s travel history and country of origin, operators should begin the review process well before departure.