Crossing the Canada–U.S. Border With Your Dog: The CDC Dog Import Form Explained

In August 2024 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed the rules for every dog entering the United States, including dogs coming from Canada. Many owners who had crossed the border with their dogs for years were caught off guard. Here's a plain-language summary of what applies to a dog that has only been in Canada or the U.S. in the past six months. Always check the CDC dog importation pages before you travel, because rules can change.

The three basic requirements

1. Age: at least six months old. There are no exceptions for young puppies. If you're buying a puppy from a U.S. breeder or moving with a young dog, plan the timing around this rule.
2. A microchip. The dog needs a microchip that can be read by a universal scanner. Bring the microchip number with you and make sure it matches your paperwork.
3. A CDC Dog Import Form receipt. The form is completed online before travel. It is free and takes about ten minutes. You'll receive a receipt by email, which you should print or keep on your phone.

The dog must also look healthy when it arrives at the border.

How long is the receipt valid?

According to the CDC, the receipt is valid for six months and can be reused for multiple entries during that time, as long as the details (like the country the dog is coming from) stay the same. Frequent cross-border travellers still need to watch the expiry date.

What about rabies vaccination?

For dogs that have only been in low-risk countries like Canada in the six months before entry, the CDC doesn't require a rabies certificate at the border. That doesn't mean you should skip it. Some U.S. states require rabies vaccination, and you will need proof of rabies vaccination to bring the dog back into Canada. Keep the certificate with you.

Dogs that have been in high-risk countries

If your dog has been in a country the CDC considers high-risk for dog rabies in the last six months, much stricter rules apply, including specific entry airports. Driving through Canada doesn't get around this. If that describes your dog, talk to a specialist well before your travel date.

Common mistakes

• Filling in the form with the wrong dates or port. Double-check the arrival details.
• Microchip mismatch. The number on the form must match the chip in the dog.
• Puppies under six months. Border officers can't make exceptions.
• Forgetting the return trip. Coming back to Canada has its own requirements (mainly proof of rabies vaccination for dogs three months and older).

How a transporter helps

When 4Paws Movers carries a dog across the border, we confirm the microchip, check the dog's age and the CDC receipt before departure, and bring copies of every document. We also make sure the return-trip paperwork is in order if the dog will come home later. Our cross-border pet transport page explains the process, and our FAQ covers common questions.

Planning a crossing? Request a quote and we'll send you a document checklist for your dog's specific trip.