usda aphis pet travel endorsement

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Navigating Pet Travel? Let APHIS Help.

When planning an international trip, we often want to bring the whole family – including our pets .  But, did you know taking Fido or Fluffy can be a complex, multistep process that requires advance planning and preparation?  To help make this process go smoothly, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has a few simple steps to follow – and a comprehensive website to walk you through the process.

First. Advance preparation is key.  Each country has different animal health requirements that travelers must meet so it’s important to start the process early. Our website covers the requirements for more than 130 countries.  Check the APHIS Pet Travel Website for your destination country’s entry requirements. 

Second.  You will need a health certificate.  Almost all countries require a USDA-accredited veterinarian to issue (complete, sign, and date) an international health certificate within a certain number of days prior to your departure to confirm the health of your pet.  So, as soon as you know where you will be traveling with your pet, contact a local USDA accredited veterinarian to assist you with the process.  With 68,000 private, accredited veterinarians nationwide, it’s likely your vet might be one or can refer you to one. Accredited veterinarians work cooperatively with APHIS to protect U.S. animal health and can certify that your pet is healthy and able to travel.

Third.  Getting the health certificate endorsed.  After the health certificate is issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian, it will typically need to be endorsed (signed and “stamped”) by your local APHIS office .  This can be done by mail or, in some cases, in person.  APHIS Service Centers are set up to process your health certificate as quickly as possible – but keep in mind, we process many certificates each year so be sure to leave plenty of time for us to complete this process.  Endorsement fees for pet health certificates starts at $38, but will cost more if the destination country requires Federal review of test results.  Check the APHIS website here for additional information on endorsement fees. 

Lastly, don’t forget to check with your airline carrier to see if they have additional requirements to transport your pet.  Make sure you know how to collect your pet at the port of entry upon arrival in your destination country.  It’s also important to remember that various U.S agencies regulate the entry of your pet back into the United States – plan ahead and check those requirements on the website before you go.

We know navigating various country requirements for international pet travel can be challenging, and that’s why we’re here to help.  If you have any questions about the process at any step along the way, please contact the APHIS Customer Service Call Center at 844-820-2234 or your local APHIS Service Center for more information.

Bon Voyage , Fido and Fluffy!

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What do I need to do to travel with my pet to a foreign country?

Jun 1, 2023 • knowledge, information.

Getting your pet’s required paperwork to travel overseas can be a lengthy process, taking weeks and sometimes months. We recommend starting as soon as possible!

• Step 1: Visit our APHIS Pet Travel website for import and export information.
• Step 2: Research your destination country’s entry requirements. Select the specific country with our export pet tool located at the bottom of the Pet Export  p age. Step-by-step instructions are provided. Please read the instructions fully and carefully. Many steps must be done within a certain time frame of travel.  
• Step 3: Determine the type of health certificate required and download the appropriate form(s).
• In most cases, an accredited veterinarian will need to examine your pet, verify vaccines, and complete, sign, and date the health certificate.
• Step 4: If your family veterinarian is a USDA-accredited vet, they can complete the paperwork. If they are not, you can use our ‘Locate an Accredited Veterinarian’ tool to find an accredited vet in your area. 
• Once your paperwork is complete, USDA endorsement may be required. Your endorsement office may be out of State so factor in appropriate time to submit your paperwork. Endorsement is often required within a certain number of days of the travel date. We cannot overstate the importance of reading the country-specific instructions carefully and understanding the required timeline when preparing your pet’s paperwork for overseas travel.
• Step 5:  You can find contact information for your State’s Endorsement office here . Country guidelines will specify if a digital endorsement is acceptable or if a hard copy is required.
• Step 6:  Check with your airline or shipping line for their requirements. Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies for transporting pets so ensure you are aware of their requirements as well. 
• Other factors to consider: Some countries require an isolation or quarantine period, lasting from weeks to months, before an animal is eligible for entry into that country. If this pertains to your destination country, you will need to plan accordingly.  If you are traveling with a dog to a high-risk country for dog rabies, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you will need to take additional steps to bring your dog back into the United States. For a list of countries click here , and for additional information click here .

For information on exporting non-pet animals, such as livestock, consult our  Live Animal Exports website . After following all these steps, if you still have questions, you can call our Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Customer Service Call Center at 1-844-820-2234 Monday-Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET or email us at [email protected] .  

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Questions about traveling with a pet?

Contact | email | facebook, usda health certificate endorsement, all pets registered in the united states must have usda endorsement of their dog and cat's health certificates.

All resident pets leaving the United States need a health certificate issued in the United States with an official USDA endorsement stamp. This also includes pets who are traveling through the US whose destination country health certificates have expired.

This endorsement is issued by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) VS (Veterinary Services) Area Office in the State in which your accredited veterinarian resides. Depending on your pet's destination country, this form could be a USDA health certificate, an APHIS 7001 form or your destination country's health certificate.

The following is the procedure for acquiring USDA endorsement.

Have an accredited veterinarian complete the health certificate for the country you are visiting. If you do not have the health certificate for the country your pet is traveling to, you can find it at the Pet Travel Store .

Your accredited veterinarian will complete the form including vaccination information and reflect that your pet is parasite-free and in good health. The accredited veterinarian must then sign it in blue ink. Note that all veterinary certificates which must be endorsed must carry the veterinarian's USDA certification number.

There is a fee of $38.00USD per form which includes rabies vaccination; however, your pet's destination country may allow more than 1 animal to be listed on a form. If your vet uses separate forms for each animal, there will be a separate fee per form. For countries where there are rabies titer or blood tests, there is an additional cost of between $121.00 and $173.00USD per pet depending on the number of tests or non-rabies vaccinations. (1-2 will be $121.00 | 3-6 will be $150.00 | 7 or more will be $173.00) Additional pets included on the same form are between $7.00 and $14.00USD.

You can carry the original of the form to the USDA/APHIS/VS Area Office in your state and they will endorse and stamp them. If you intend to visit, know that many offices require appointments.

If the Area office is not located nearby, you can send the forms by mail. You will need to include:

• Original health certificate(s)
• Original rabies titer or other test results
• Rabies certificate (recommended, especially if your pet will need to produce support for prior vaccinations not administered by your current veterinarian.)
• The payment in the form of credit card information or money order.
• A self-addressed, expedited postage-paid envelope for returning the form to you.

We strongly recommend using expedited service both ways that offers delivery tracking.

Each state has a USDA/APHIS/VS area veterinarian. You can find the nearest USDA State office .

For additional information, call the USDA Veterinary Services office at 301-851-3300. Public inquiries should be directed to the nearest APHIS/VS Area Office.

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Understanding the Complexities of USDA APHIS Pet Travel

by Ali Oaks | February 6, 2024

Navigating the Maze

For veterinarians, ensuring the health and well-being of our four-legged companions is second nature. Yet, when it comes to understanding USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) pet travel regulations, the journey is often riddled with complexities that can be both time-consuming and challenging to navigate. In this blog, we delve into the intricate process involved in USDA APHIS pet travel and shed light on the complications veterinarians face in ensuring compliance.

The USDA APHIS Pet Travel Blueprint: Unraveling the Steps

USDA APHIS regulations are designed to safeguard the health of animals during travel and prevent the spread of diseases. The process involves several key steps that veterinarians must diligently follow:

• Identification and Microchipping: Pets must be accurately identified through a microchip, ensuring that their health records can be linked to the correct individual.
• Vaccinations and Tests: Depending on the destination, specific vaccinations and tests may be required. These vary widely and can include rabies vaccinations, blood tests, and parasite treatments.
• Health Certificates: A crucial component of pet travel compliance, health certificates must be issued by an accredited veterinarian within a specified timeframe before travel. These certificates attest to the overall health and fitness of the animal.
• Endorsement by USDA APHIS: For travel to an international destination, the completed health certificate must be submitted to USDA APHIS for endorsement, adding an additional layer of approval to the process.
• Travel Documentation: Beyond the health certificate, other travel documents may be necessary, such as import permits or specific documentation required by the destination state or country.

A Modern Approach: Streamlining USDA APHIS Pet Travel Compliance

Despite the importance of adhering to USDA APHIS regulations, the process is not without its challenges for veterinarians:

• Ever-Changing Regulations: USDA APHIS regulations are subject to change, and staying abreast of these changes can be a daunting task. Veterinarians must invest time in continuous education to ensure they are aware of the latest requirements.
• Complex Destination-Specific Rules: Different destinations have different rules, and understanding the unique requirements of each country can be overwhelming. This complexity often leads to potential oversights and mistakes in the compliance process.
• Manual Administrative Burden: The entire compliance process is laden with manual administrative tasks, from paperwork to data entry. This not only consumes valuable time but also increases the likelihood of errors that can result in travel delays or, worse, non-compliance.
• Time Sensitivity: Many requirements, such as health certificates, have specific validity periods. Navigating the timing of vaccinations, tests, and certificate issuance within these windows adds extra pressure to veterinarians.

Complications in the Compliance Process: A Veterinarian's Dilemma

In the face of these challenges, there is a growing need for innovative solutions that can streamline the USDA APHIS pet travel compliance process. Digital platforms, such as GlobalVetLink , offer a promising avenue for alleviating the manual burden and enhancing efficiency in managing pet travel requirements. By automating administrative tasks, providing real-time updates on regulatory changes, and offering a centralized platform for documentation, GlobalVetLink empowers veterinarians and simplifies the compliance journey.

Clinics using GlobalVetLink are benefitting from a revolutionized USDA APHIS pet travel compliance process, allowing their veterinarians and staff to focus on what they do best – providing exceptional care for our beloved animal companions.

Getting Started is Free!

With no monthly minimums or subscription requirements and unlimited user accounts for veterinarians and staff, GlobalVetLink brings you the most convenient and comprehensive platform for animal health and movement regulatory compliance.

Create your GlobalVetLink account today to get started automating accurate compliance documents in under 5 minutes. Choose the right plan based on your document volume.

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