Destination Sheet: United States

Last verified: 23 February 2026
Competent health authority: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / USDA APHIS
Official URL: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html

Overall destination classification

Regulatory model

Model C: no general quarantine, with retention authority. The United States does not apply routine quarantine to animals that meet the requirements. The CDC maintains legal authority under the Final Rule (42 CFR Part 71, in effect since 1 August 2024) to deny entry or redirect the animal to a registered animal care facility if documentation is insufficient or the animal comes from a high-risk country with foreign-administered vaccine.

Rabies status of the destination country

Advanced control. The United States has eradicated the canine-origin rabies virus variant (DMRVV) but maintains endemic status in wildlife.
Source: WOAH — https://www.woah.org/en/disease/rabies/

Country-of-origin classification system

Yes. The CDC divides countries into two categories: high-risk canine rabies countries and low-risk or rabies-free countries. The classification determines the requirements applicable to the animal regardless of flight itinerary. A dog that transits through a high-risk country without sterile transit assumes the requirements of that country automatically.
Verification URL: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/high-risk.html

Peru is classified as high risk. Sharing this category in Latin America and other regions: Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Suriname, Venezuela, and most of sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. Owners travelling from any of these countries are subject to the same reinforced requirements.

Requirements for dogs

Microchip

— Required standard: ISO 11784/11785 (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html).
— Must it be implanted before vaccination? Yes. The Final Rule establishes that vaccination administered prior to microchip implantation is not considered valid for the import process.
— If the chip was implanted later: the animal must be revaccinated after implantation and fully comply with the new waiting periods.

Rabies vaccination

— Mandatory: Yes, for dogs from high-risk countries, including Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and all Latin American countries classified in this category.
— Minimum age for vaccination: 12 weeks / 84 days (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html).
— Minimum post-vaccination period: 28 days before the date of entry (CDC Final Rule, 42 CFR Part 71).
— Recognised validity: 1 or 3 years according to the manufacturer’s data sheet, provided the vaccine was administered after the microchip.
— Accepted vaccine types: inactivated or recombinant vaccines officially approved in the country of origin.
— If expired: mandatory revaccination and 28-day additional wait before any entry attempt.

Rabies antibody titre (RNATT)

— Mandatory: Yes, conditional. Required for dogs from high-risk countries—including Peru and the entire classified Latin American region—with vaccine administered outside the United States.
— Minimum threshold: 0.5 IU/mL (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dog-import-form-instructions.html).
— Minimum post-vaccination period for sample collection: 30 days (CDC Final Rule).
— Post-result waiting period: with foreign-administered vaccine, the animal must proceed to a CDC-registered animal care facility on arrival. It cannot enter the territory directly (42 CFR Part 71).
— Accredited laboratory list: https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/scientific-expertise/reference-laboratories/
— If the result is below threshold: mandatory revaccination and new sample collection 30 days later.

Other vaccines required by primary regulation

Not identified in primary regulation consulted. The CDC and USDA APHIS do not establish other mandatory vaccines at federal level for importation.

The same logic applies to all Latin American countries of origin. Each national zoosanitary authority requires its own complete vaccination scheme to certify export, regardless of what the destination country requires. Without that scheme, the country-of-origin authority does not issue the certificate and the process cannot proceed.

Antiparasitic treatments

— Mandatory: Yes, conditional. Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela and other Latin American countries are listed as screwworm-affected zones (Cochliomyia hominivorax).
— Required substance: no specific chemical treatment is required. The regulation requires documented clinical certification of freedom from larvae following physical inspection (USDA APHIS, https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel).
— Time window: the inspection must be carried out within the 5 days prior to export.
— Who applies and documents: veterinarian accredited by the official authority of the country of origin, with subsequent endorsement (SENASA in Peru; equivalent in each country).

Health certificate

— Official name: International Health Certificate (IHC) / Certificado Sanitario Internacional (CSI).
— Who may issue it: veterinarian accredited by the official health authority of the country of origin.
— Time window: No exact number of days established by the CDC identified in primary regulation consulted. Institutional practice with SENASA (Peru) places endorsement within 10 days prior to travel.
— Does it require endorsement? Yes. In Peru: SENASA. In each Latin American country: the equivalent national animal health authority.

Official entry document

— Exact name: CDC Dog Import Form.
— Who issues it: generated by the owner or authorised representative in the CDC portal.
— Time window: between 2 and 15 days before the date of arrival in the United States (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dog-import-form-instructions.html).
— Form URL: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dog-import-form-instructions.html

Mandatory digital forms

CDC Dog Import Form: mandatory for all dogs entering the United States without exception, regardless of country of origin.
URL: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dog-import-form-instructions.html

Quarantine

— Mandatory: conditional. Dogs from high-risk countries—Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and equivalents—with foreign-administered vaccine must present confirmed reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility before the flight.
— Duration: No fixed number of days identified in primary regulation consulted. Duration depends on clinical examination at the ACF and revaccination protocol if applicable.
— Facilities: consult the official updated list at https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/animal-care-facilities.html
— Cost: borne by the owner.
— What may prolong it? Incomplete documentation, serological result below threshold, or discrepancy in microchip number between the digital form and the physical chip.

Breed restrictions

None at federal level. Verify state legislation of the final destination within the United States.

Minimum age for entry

6 months (180 days) for dogs from high-risk countries, including Peru and all Latin American countries classified in this category (CDC Final Rule, in effect since 1 August 2024, 42 CFR Part 71).

Requirements for cats

Microchip

Not identified in primary regulation consulted as a mandatory CDC requirement for cat entry.

Rabies vaccination

Not required by the CDC for entry into the territory. Most states require it after arrival for residence. Verify state legislation of the final destination.

Serological titre (RNATT)

Not required for cats.

Other vaccines required

Not identified in primary regulation consulted.

Antiparasitic treatments

Same as dogs. Screwworm inspection applies equally to cats from Peru and other affected Latin American countries.

Health certificate

Not required by the CDC for cat importation. USDA APHIS and airlines may require it for transport. Verify with the carrier before each case.

Official entry document

Not required by the CDC for cats.

Mandatory digital forms

Not identified in primary regulation consulted.

Quarantine

Does not apply routinely or conditionally for cats under current CDC federal regulation.

Breed restrictions

None at federal level.

Minimum age for entry

No federal minimum age established for cats, provided the animal is weaned and in clinical condition to travel.

Variations by country of origin

Differentiated requirements by origin?

Yes.

Risk classification system

CDC’s own list based on canine-origin rabies risk (DMRVV). It does not use the WOAH classification directly as the sole criterion, but its own epidemiological analysis. Current status verification URL: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/high-risk.html

The concrete consequence of coming from a high-risk country is the mandatory CDC Dog Import Form, the minimum age of 6 months, and prior reservation at an ACF if the vaccine was not administered in the United States.

Situation of Peru and Latin America

Peru is in the high-risk category. Sharing this classification in the region: Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Suriname and Venezuela. Owners travelling from any of these countries are subject to exactly the same reinforced requirements detailed in this sheet. Outside the region, the same category applies to most of sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East and parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Transit through third countries

Yes, transit changes the requirements. If the dog transits through a high-risk country and the transit is not sterile, the destination treats it as originating from that country, activating all high-risk requirements. The CDC applies the highest-risk country of the complete itinerary.

Common errors

ERROR 1: Animal under 6 months old at the time of the flight

What happens: the owner schedules the trip without correctly calculating the date of birth against the date of arrival in the United States. Common in cases from Peru, Colombia and Brazil where the process starts early but the age milestone is not monitored.
Regulatory consequence: immediate return shipment to the country of origin at the owner’s expense, with no possibility of temporary retention (42 CFR Part 71).
How to prevent it: calculate the arrival date from the documented date of birth and add a minimum margin of 5 days.

ERROR 2: Rabies vaccine administered before the microchip

What happens: the vaccination certificate shows a vaccination date prior to the chip implantation date. Systematic error in clinics unfamiliar with CDC regulations.
Regulatory consequence: the vaccine is considered invalid; the animal is left without documented coverage and must be revaccinated, restarting the 28-day period.
How to prevent it: physically verify the chronological record of microchip and vaccination before issuing any export document.

ERROR 3: Absence of ACF reservation before the flight

What happens: dogs from high-risk countries—Peru and equivalent Latin American countries—with foreign-administered vaccine arrive at an authorised airport without confirmed placement at a CDC-registered animal care facility.
Regulatory consequence: the animal cannot leave the airport facility; the CDC may order return shipment (42 CFR Part 71).
How to prevent it: arrange the ACF reservation at least several weeks in advance. Places are limited and are not guaranteed at flight time.

ERROR 4: Microchip number discrepancy in the CDC Dog Import Form

What happens: one digit transcribed incorrectly between the animal’s physical chip and the digital form submitted to the CDC. Common when the number is copied manually instead of from the reader.
Regulatory consequence: the form is considered null; critical customs delay with risk of retention or return.
How to prevent it: scan the chip with an ISO-certified reader and copy the number directly, without manual transcription.

ERROR 5: Health certificate without screwworm inspection clause

What happens: the CSI issued by the official veterinarian does not include the explicit declaration of freedom from Cochliomyia hominivorax with inspection date. Affects all cases from Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Venezuela.
Regulatory consequence: retention for clinical examination at the port of entry (USDA APHIS).
How to prevent it: require the issuing veterinarian to expressly record the inspection within the 5 days prior to shipment.

ERROR 6: CDC Dog Import Form completed outside the permitted window

What happens: the form is completed more than 15 days before arrival or less than 2 days before. Common in cases managed well in advance or where the flight is brought forward without updating the form.
Regulatory consequence: the form becomes invalid; the animal arrives without acceptable digital documentation for the CDC.
How to prevent it: schedule form completion between 15 and 2 days before the exact date of arrival, not departure.

Minimum timeline from scratch

Scenario A — Animal with current vaccination and microchip implanted before vaccination

— Day 0: verification of existing case file. Start of ACF reservation process.
— Day -15 to Day -2 before arrival: opening and submission of the CDC Dog Import Form.
— Day -5 before arrival: clinical screwworm inspection and CSI issuance.
— Day -2 before arrival: CSI endorsement by the official authority of the country of origin (SENASA in Peru; equivalent in each Latin American country).
— Minimum total time: 15 days, provided prior documentation is complete and in order.

Scenario B — Animal with no prior history, from scratch

— Day 0: ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation.
— Day 0: rabies vaccination with the animal in suitable condition (minimum age 12 weeks completed).
— Day 30: sample collection for RNATT (minimum 30 days post-vaccination, CDC Final Rule).
— Day 60-75: estimated receipt of results from WOAH-accredited laboratory.
— Day 180: the animal reaches the minimum age of 6 months required for high-risk countries (42 CFR Part 71). This milestone is the determining factor for cases initiated with young animals from Peru and the entire classified Latin American region.
— Day 165-175: opening of the CDC Dog Import Form.
— Day 175: screwworm inspection and CSI issuance.
— Day 178: endorsement by official authority.
— Minimum total time: 6 months, conditioned by the minimum age for entry. If the animal already exceeds 6 months when starting the process, the limiting factor becomes the RNATT: minimum 75-90 days from scratch.

Authorised points of entry

Yes, there is point-of-entry restriction for dogs from high-risk countries with foreign-administered vaccine. The animal must enter only through an airport with an operational CDC-registered animal care facility.

Official and updated list:
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/animal-care-facilities.html

Airports with facilities referenced in the regulation include JFK (New York), MIA (Miami), ATL (Atlanta), LAX (Los Angeles), IAD (Washington D.C.) and ORD (Chicago). Verify current operational availability at the official URL before each case, as ACFs are private entities and their operation may change without notice.

Authority directory

Cited applicable regulation

1. 42 CFR Part 71 — Control of Communicable Diseases; Foreign Quarantine: Importation of Dogs. Relevant sections: §71.51 and §71.56. URL: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-71 — Verified: 23 February 2026.
2. CDC Final Rule, in effect since 1 August 2024 — Updated Requirements for Dog Importation into the United States. Establishes high-risk country classification, minimum age of 6 months, CDC Dog Import Form and ACF requirements. URL: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html — Verified: 23 February 2026.
3. USDA APHIS — International Pet Travel Requirements — Screwworm inspection requirements for affected countries, including Peru and Latin American countries in the risk zone. URL: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel — Verified: 23 February 2026.

The CDC Final Rule of August 2024 changed the nature of this destination structurally. The United States ceased to be the technically simple destination it was for animals from Peru, Colombia, Brazil and the entire high-risk classified Latin American region. The most critical point is not the vaccine or the RNATT, which are manageable procedures: it is the minimum age of 6 months. I receive cases from owners who have completed all documentation correctly and cannot fly because the animal is 5 months and 3 weeks old. There is no exception or alternative procedure.

The error that appears most frequently in practice is the microchip discrepancy within the CDC digital form. It is not a knowledge error, it is a process error: someone transcribes by hand instead of copying directly from the reader. In the CDC context, that invalidates the entire form after months of correct work.

What differentiates this destination from almost all others is that the administrative burden falls largely on the owner, who must generate their own entry form within a very specific window. There is no official third party that issues it. If the owner does it wrong or out of time, the case fails at the last step.

What genuinely surprises colleagues with experience in other destinations is that the ACF is not a quarantine in the classical sense, but functions as a de facto filter. The system is nominally Model C, but the requirement for prior reservation at a private facility for animals with foreign-administered vaccine operationally approximates it to Model B for most cases departing from Lima, Bogotá, Mexico City or São Paulo.

Manage this destination as if it were the most demanding in your portfolio, because for an animal leaving from any high-risk Latin American country, in practice, it is.

This sheet was verified against primary sources on 23 February 2026. Requirements may change without notice. Always verify directly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before initiating any export process.