CDC Simplifies Dog Importation Process
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has clarified and simplified the process to import dogs to the U.S. following concerns coming from industry partners and various countries that planned changes to the importation rules would make the importation process too complicated.
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The effective date remains Aug. 1 for the changes.
In May, the CDC finalized new requirements for imports of dogs to address the risk of rabies (see 2405080054). Among other changes from its July 2023 proposed rule (see 2307110062), the agency said it no longer would require that U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in countries at high risk for rabies be imported through a port with a CDC quarantine station, although foreign-vaccinated dogs would still be subject to that requirement.
However, trade associations such as the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, the International Air Transport Association and the American Kennel Club, raised concerns over the summer about the rule, saying the modifications to import requirements were too far-reaching, affecting even service dogs (see 2407170029). The groups were concerned that the rule would have required airlines to issue an air waybill for all dogs entering the U.S., even service dogs, that are carried in the cabin of an aircraft or checked in as baggage. They said that action would have departed from the existing procedure of using an air waybill only for actual cargo that is subject to CBP and TSA clearance procedures.
In response to industry concerns, the CDC said on July 22 that it has made the process for importing dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries simpler. The airline industry will have a process for waiver requests, the agency said. Dogs that have spent the prior six months only in dog rabies-free or low-risk rabies countries will also be able to enter the U.S. with only a CDC Import Form online submission receipt as acceptable documentation. This form can be filled out the day of travel, and the receipt can be shown to airlines and border officials as a printed copy or by phone, the CDC said.
On its website, the American Kennel Club said it "continues to be concerned with the disproportionate impacts the new rule will have on low-risk importations for dogs between 4 and 6 months of age."