International Pet Travel Document Checklist

No two countries have identical pet entry rules, but the paperwork tends to follow a pattern. Use this checklist, then confirm each item with the destination's official authority. Rules change, so treat the examples below as general guidance, not current requirements.

Travel rules checked October 13, 2026. Verify the destination, transit route, airline and return requirements again before booking. A scan in a record store is not a government-issued certificate or a substitute for required originals. USDA APHIS reports new EU non-commercial certificates effective October 1, 2026; use the current destination-specific form, not an old downloaded template.

Start with USDA APHIS's destination selector for an export from the United States. Select the exact country and species, then confirm with its competent veterinary authority. An EU-issued passport and a US-issued export health certificate are different documents.

The universal checklist

Passport or photo ID for you, and your pet's description
ISO-compatible microchip, with the number recorded on every document
Rabies vaccination certificate, with dates that meet the destination's rules
Destination-specific health certificate, completed by an accredited vet
Government endorsement, if required
Test results, such as a rabies antibody titer, if required
Parasite treatment records, if required
Import permit, if required
Airline or carrier approval and reservation
Return-trip documents

How rules differ by region

European Union and the UK: typically microchip, rabies vaccination with a waiting period, and an endorsed health certificate completed within a short window before arrival. Some countries add tapeworm treatment for dogs

Neighboring countries: often simpler, but still check what's needed for each species

Island nations and rabies-free regions such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand: usually the strictest, with advance planning measured in months, blood tests, import permits or quarantine

Returning to the US: check the requirements for your pet's species, vaccination status and the country you're traveling from

Translation and formatting

Some countries want certificates in particular formats or languages. Ask your accredited vet and the destination authority.

Keep your checklist digital and printed

Scan every document into a digital pet health vault, and carry the paper originals. For a vet who handles travel paperwork, find a nearby veterinarian.