UK to USA
Move Your Pet from the United Kingdom to the United States Safely
Everything you need to know about moving your dog or cat from the United Kingdom to the US: CDC and UK export requirements, airline options, costs, and timeline — all in one place.
Here’s the whole picture, in one minute
Everything you need to navigate international pet relocation: import rules, customs, costs, timelines.
United Kingdom to US
Overall Difficulty Moderate
Most pets can move without quarantine, but limited airline cargo options and strict microchip-before-vaccine timing require careful planning.
Planning Time 8–12 weeks from scratch; 3–6 months recommended
Typically Cost £1,200 – £6,000+
Quarantine / Entry None required (US mainland)
Because the UK is not on the CDC’s high-risk list for dog rabies, dogs need only the CDC Dog Import Form rather than a full health certificate — but the microchip-before-vaccine sequence and the 21-day wait after vaccination still apply.
Learn more about USDA health certificates
Requirements Snapshot
Required by Airline
Required (before rabies vaccine)
Required for UK export; not required by CDC
Required
Not Required
Everything you need to know about moving your dog or cat from the United Kingdom to the US: CDC and UK export requirements, airline options, costs, and timeline — all in one place.
Most airlines require a fit-to-fly certificate issued by a vet, typically within 10 days of travel. The CDC does not require a health certificate for dogs from low-risk countries like the UK.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Overall Difficulty Moderate
The Health is certificate required for this route.
Planning Time 8–12 weeks from scratch; 3–6 months recommended
Typically Cost £1,200 – £6,000+
Quarantine / Entry None required (US mainland)