International Import Requirements for Dogs and Cats

Multiple agencies are involved in regulating international pet imports.

If you are importing your dog into the United States from another country, you will first need to check to see if there are any USDA or CDC requirements that impact your travel. Visit the websites below to verify you meet all these requirements.

Please direct questions regarding those requirements to the appropriate agency as we will not be able to answer questions that do not pertain to Illinois Requirements. 

IF ILLINOIS IS YOUR PORT OF ENTRY BUT IS NOT YOUR FINAL DESTINATION, PLEASE STOP AND GO TO THE PAGE FOR THE STATE THAT IS YOUR FINAL DESTINATION TO REVIEW THEIR IMPORT REQUIREMENTS. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MEET ILLINOIS' INTERNATIONAL IMPORT REQUIREMENTS IF ILLINOIS IS NOT YOUR FINAL DESTINATION. 

After you have confirmed you meet international import requirements, if Illinois is your FINAL DESTINATION then the following additional requirements apply:

• If Illinois is your final destination, any dog or cat imported into Illinois shall be accompanied by an official health certificate issued within 30 days of entry
  • Illinois accepts international health certificates that meet the CDC and USPHS entry requirements
  • The health certificate must list Illinois as the final destination and provide a complete origin and destination name and physical address
  • The health certificate must show the age, sex, breed, and description of each dog or cat on the certificate
• Dogs or cats in the shipment must be free from any visible evidence of communicable disease as set forth in Sections 9 and 10 of the Illinois Diseased Animals Act
• Animals may not originate from areas under rabies quarantine
• All dogs and cats 16 weeks of age and older must have been officially vaccinated for rabies and the product used and date of vaccination must be included on the health certificate
• If the animals are going to a facility licensed under the Illinois Animal Welfare Act, a permit number must also be obtained and included on the Health Certificate. The veterinarian issuing the health certificate can obtain a permit using the Online Animal Import Permit system.
• A copy of the health certificate bearing the approval of the Veterinarian/Animal Health Official of the State/Country of origin shall be filed with the Department within 30 days of issue. See contact information below.
• PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST OBTAIN THE HEALTH CERTIFICATE FROM THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.  THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DOES NOT SUPPLY AN INTERNATIONAL FORM
• A copy of the Health Certificate shall at all times during transit be in the possession of the transporter and available for inspection upon demand.
• Prior approval of interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is NOT required for shipment into Illinois.

AGAIN, PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE ONLY TRANSITING THROUGH ILLINOIS, INCLUDING FLYING INTO ILLINOIS ON YOUR WAY TO ANOTHER STATE, YOU MUST CONTACT THE STATE OF DESTINATION FOR ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS. 

ADDITIONAL NUMBERS:

CDC: (773) 894-2960

USDA: (301) 851-3300 or (816) 737 4223

Illinois Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare
P.O. Box 19281
State Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL 62794-9281

217-782-4944
TDD: 866-​287-2999
FAX: 217-558-6033
EMAIL: agr.cvi@illinois.gov