New entry requirements for dogs flying into the US went into effect Thursday, a policy change aiming to prevent the reintroduction of canine rabies that will impact thousands of fliers who travel with their furry friends.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the US imports 700,000 dogs each year via air transport—here’s what travelers flying with dogs need to know about the updated regulations, plus expert tips on how to navigate the CDC dog import new rules.

Flying with dogs from low-risk and no-rabies countries

The first thing travelers flying with dogs to the US need to do is determine the rabies risk of the country they are visiting or coming from, by consulting the CDC’s list of high-risk countries.

Beginning on August 1, 2024, the only documentation required for dogs that have only been in countries categorized as “low risk” or “rabies-free” within the past six months is the CDC dog import form. Dogs that have not been outside the US, Canada, or Mexico within six months can also enter the US with the new form alone.

The CDC dog import form should be filled out by the accompanying traveler, and while it can be filled out on the day of travel, the CDC recommends “completing it a few days or up to six months before travel from a dog rabies-free or low-risk country, just to be prepared.”

Each dog entering or returning to the US must have its own unique form, which is free and can be printed or shown on a screen to airline employees and US customs officials. Upon receipt, the form can be used multiple times for six months, barring that the dog does not enter a high-risk country during that period. This is different from the previous process, which required that travelers present confirmation of their pet’s rabies vaccination or a health certificate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Though the new CDC dog import rules may streamline traveling from low-risk and no-rabies countries, it also introduces stricter parameters for pet travel: upon arrival, all dogs must appear healthy, be at least six months old, and possess a microchip recognized by universal scanners. Dogs meeting all of the outlined conditions are permitted to enter the US from any airport, seaport, or border crossing. For the most up-to-date information on the recent regulation update, travelers should bookmark the CDC’s page on flying with dogs from low-risk and no-rabies countries and check the requirements before your trip.

Flying with US-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries

If a dog enters the US from a country identified by the CDC as having a high risk of canine rabies (or has been to one in the past six months), there are two different processes depending on whether it received a rabies vaccination in the US or abroad. High-risk countries include many well-known destinations frequented by travelers, Kimberly Graner, COO of CDC-registered animal care facility Tailwind Global Pet, tells Condé Nast Traveler, “The CDC lists 180+ countries as high-risk for rabies—including many popular travel locations such as China, Turkey, Philippines, Brazil, and Peru. Israel has also been added to the high-risk list effective August 1.”

Graner stresses that with the updated regulations, “travelers must plan months ahead when exporting their pet overseas and when re-entering the United States from high-risk rabies countries. It’s complicated to travel from high-risk countries, and each scenario is different, depending on the country, airline, and pet.” And on the whole, if passengers fail to meet all the new August 1 specifications, they “may be subject to costly fees to accommodate the last-minute reservations. In some cases, pets may be refused entry and returned to the country of origin,” she says.

So, what exactly do travelers need when flying with their furry friends from any of the high-risk countries on the list? Just like from low-risk countries, each dog must have a CDC dog import form associated with it, appear healthy, be at least six months of age, and have a microchip recognized by universal scanners that was implanted prior to receiving its rabies vaccine. (Microchip numbers are mandatory on all forms and supporting documents.)

But unlike the entry form for dogs arriving from low-risk and no-rabies countries, the import forms for dogs coming from high-risk countries must include a photo clearly showing the dog’s face and body. While the form may be submitted anytime prior to arrival, photos must be taken within 15 days of the arrival date if dogs are younger than one year old. You’ll need one form per dog per trip—forms cannot be reapplied for future travels and any change in departure details necessitates a new dog import form.

For now, US-vaccinated dogs traveling from high-risk countries must also have a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or a USDA-issued health certificate registered as a part of their documentation. While the organization’s official stance starting on August 1, 2024, requires the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form, the CDC will observe a transition period until July 31, 2025, during which a USDA-issued health certificate can be accepted instead. When making veterinary appointments to receive these documents, Graner cautions that “not all vets are USDA-endorsed, so please double check with your provider before making an appointment.”

Specific details concerning the logistics and required information for each form can be found on the CDC’s page about flying with US-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.