Potential Border Disruptions Come Aug. 1 Due to New CDC Dog Import Rules [Updated]
Trade Update • July 24, 2024
he U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their new policy that is set to come into effect on August 1, 2024.
Updated Requirements for Dogs Entering the U.S.
This week the CDC changed their requirements to saying that “as long as the dog has been in a low-risk or rabies-free country for the last six months, it can cross the border with just an import form that can be completed online on the day of travel.”
As of August 1, 2024, all dogs entering the U.S. from Canada must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the CDC Dog Import Form and receive a receipt, which will be presented to U.S. Customs. Please refer to the instructions on how to fill out the form.
In addition to having a receipt for a CDC Dog Import Form:
- Dogs must appear healthy upon arrival.
- Dogs must be at least 6 months old at time of entry or return to the U.S.
- Dogs must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them.
Please Note:
- The receipt is valid for 6 months from when it’s issued unless the dog visits a high-risk country during that time.
- The receipt can be used for multiple entries into the United States as long as the dog has not been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months.
- Each dog must have its own form. If you are bringing more than one dog to the U.S., you will need to complete a separate form for each dog.
- You can fill out the form on the day of travel. 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.
- The CDC Dog Import Form receipt can be printed or shown on a phone screen to U.S. customs officials or airlines (if applicable).
How do you find out if your dog is rabies-free or low risk?
To find out if a country is dog rabies-free or low-risk, check this website. Only high-risk countries are listed on the website. If the country is not listed on the website, it is considered a dog rabies-free or low-risk country.
Concerns Still Linger
Windsor West MP Brian Masse, who also serves as Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Association Vice-Chair, helped passed a binational motion at the meeting held this week in Columbus, Ohio. “We’re calling for a minimal delay of 18 months, if not a full exemption for Canada. There were some changes that took place and it’s not as difficult as what it was going to be. But we’re still being lumped in with many other places and we don’t have a dog rabies probably at all. So basically it’s a problem seeking a solution. We get ignored, or just rules thrown together by bureaucrats in this case. They don’t understand the consequences, these bureaucrats probably have no idea that there’s so many truckers that actually have their pets with them and that actually could complicate the processes. And for heavens sake we’re building a brand new bridge to actually increase or expediate our trade at the same time we’re putting in policies like this,” he said.
Source of quote – AM800.
Questions about these new requirements for bringing dogs across the border into the U.S.? We are always here to help, contact us.
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