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Vietnam to USA

Requirements & Procedures for International Travel

Updated: April 2026

Government regulations change frequently. The information contained here is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it may change at any time and should be verified before travelling.

There is no quarantine for cats and dogs in United States if the import steps are followed correctly. We are here to help make the process easy for you. Book your travel consultation today.

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Overview

Your pet must be at least 6 months old. Before entering the destination country, your pet must have:

  • Microchip
  • Rabies vaccination and core dog vaccines
  • Rabies vaccination certificates from both the CDC (if applicable) and the veterinary clinic
  • Rabies titer test for dogs
  • Import permit for dogs
  • Parasite treatment
  • Screwworm certificate
  • Veterinary health certificate
  • Government international health certificate for travel
  • Entry through an approved port of entry

Important USA Travel Requirements for Dogs

Please note:

  • Due to CDC regulations, beginning 14 July 2021, there is a temporary suspension on dogs imported from high-risk rabies countries. The CDC may issue a Dog Import Permit to US citizens on a very limited basis.
  • USDA-endorsed export health certificates issued after 31 July 2025 will not be accepted for re-entry into the United States.
  • The Certification of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination form can no longer be issued retrospectively after a dog has left the United States.

Important USA Travel Requirements for Cats

Importing cats into the United States is generally simpler than importing dogs. Requirements:

  • Microchip (recommended but not mandatory)
  • Rabies vaccination
  • Export certificate from Vietnam endorsed by the government

Microchip

Your pet must be microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If not, they will need to be vaccinated again.

  • The microchip is injected under your pet’s skin near the left shoulder blade.
  • This is not a tracking device, but a way to identify and register your dog or cat.

Rabies & Core Vaccinations

These must be administered no more than one year prior to departure and at least 30 days before travel.

  • Your pet must be at least 3 months old.
  • A rabies certificate is mandatory: it must be endorsed by a veterinarian.

Rabies Antibody Titre Test

This is required for pets travelling to the EU, UK, USA, Japan, Korea, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hawaii, and New Zealand. A blood sample is taken from your pet and sent to a certified laboratory in the United Kingdom. Results are typically received within 6 to 8 weeks.

  • Your pet must have received a rabies vaccination at least 1 month before the test.
  • A microchip is required for the test.
  • The test is valid for the pet’s lifetime in most countries, provided rabies booster vaccinations are given on time, before the previous vaccination expires.

For the United States, entry is allowed 28 days after the blood sample is drawn. Passing results are valid for the dog’s lifetime as long as rabies vaccinations remain up to date.

Parasite Treatment

Before entering the destination country, your pet should be treated for certain internal and external parasites by a licensed veterinarian. This is not mandatory, but is recommended by our team.

  • Treatment should be administered 1 to 5 days prior to entry.

Import Permit

The owner must apply for this document through the CDC website.

Please refer to cdc.gov for current eligibility requirements and application guidelines.

Certificates

The documents below are required. Please bring the documents to your appointment:

  • Veterinary Health Certificate: must be completed by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days of travel
  • Government International Health Certificate: must be completed 7 days prior to departure. Paws International Clinic will complete this step for you.

For USA, a Screwworm Certificate must also be completed by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days of travel.

Cage Requirements

We highly recommend acclimating your pet to their travel crate in advance and practising crate training. This will help reduce stress during travel. During your Travel Consultation, we will measure and weigh your pet to determine the appropriate crate size. The carrier must be IATA-approved.

View Travel Crates

Flight

Please note that each airline has its own guidelines. Before booking your flight, contact the airline well in advance to confirm whether pets are permitted on your chosen route.

There are three ways to transport your pet:

  1. In-cabin travel: your pet may travel with you in the cabin if it weighs between 5 kg and 7 kg, including the soft carrier, depending on the airline. Some airlines no longer offer this option.
  2. Checked baggage: pets weighing over 7 kg and up to approximately 33 to 45 kg, depending on the airline, may travel in the hold as checked baggage. Note that some countries may not accept pets under this category due to specific regulations.
  3. Manifest cargo: your pet can be booked on a separate flight as manifest cargo. This option is generally more expensive than excess baggage. Some airlines no longer offer this service. 

As a general rule, animals weighing 33 to 45 kg or more, including the crate, will be transported as manifest cargo, even if travelling on the same flight as you. It is important to confirm this with the airline, especially if your pet’s weight is close to this range, as policies may vary.

Measure Your Pet

Baggage & Cargo Fees

Checked baggage:

  • Some routes or countries may not allow this option.
  • Estimated fee: 5,500,000 to 14,000,000 VND (approximately 220 to 560 USD)

Manifest cargo:

  • Pets can travel on a separate cargo booking. This option is significantly more expensive than checked baggage.
  • Estimated fee: 135,000,000 to 400,000,000 VND (approximately 5,400 to 16,000 USD)
Government regulations change frequently. The information contained here is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it may change at any time and should be verified before travelling.

Our Pet Travel Logistics Specialist is dedicated to ensuring your pet is transported safely and comfortably. We manage the entire relocation process, including documentation, regulations, and door-to-door logistics, both domestically and internationally.

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