APHIS Pet Travel Requirements: USDA Rules & International Guide

If you’ve landed here after searching “APHIS pet travel,” “USDA APHIS pet travel,” or “APHIS pet travel website,” you’re probably feeling some version of this:

You’re trying to do the right thing.
You’re reading government sites.
And somehow… it still isn’t clear who’s actually in charge of what.

That confusion is completely normal.

International pet travel isn’t handled by one authority. It’s handled by several, each with different rules, timelines, and responsibilities. APHIS is an important piece of the puzzle but it’s only one piece.

This guide is here to help you understand:

what USDA APHIS actually does
when APHIS applies to your trip (and when it doesn’t)
how pet travel works by region, not just the U.S.
where people most often make mistakes
how to plan without relying on guesswork or panic

You don’t need to memorize everything here. You just need to understand the system well enough to move forward confidently.

What Is APHIS? (In Plain English)

APHIS stands for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and it’s part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

When people talk about “USDA pet travel” or “USDA pet transport,” what they usually mean is APHIS.

APHIS’s role in pet travel is pretty specific:

It oversees export paperwork for pets leaving the United States
It authorizes certain veterinarians to issue international health certificates
It endorses (stamps/signs) those certificates when required by another country

That’s it. APHIS is not a global approval body, and it doesn’t control what other countries allow.

The One Thing That Clears Up Most Confusion

Here’s the mental model that makes everything else make sense:

APHIS controls export paperwork.
Destination countries control entry.
Airlines control transport.

Once you separate those three, the process gets much clearer.

What APHIS Does (and What It Doesn’t)

What APHIS does handle

APHIS is responsible for:

Endorsing international export health certificates
Verifying paperwork against a destination’s stated requirements
Managing the USDA-accredited veterinarian system
Offering guidance through the APHIS pet travel website
Processing endorsements digitally (VEHCS) or on paper

What APHIS does not handle

APHIS does not:

Decide whether your pet is allowed into another country
Override airline pet policies
Control quarantine decisions at arrival
Set import rules for the United States

This is why people can have “approved” paperwork and still run into issues later not because they did something wrong, but because APHIS endorsement is not the same thing as entry approval.

Does APHIS Have Anything to Do With Importing Pets Into the U.S.?

This is a really common question and the answer surprises people.

For dogs, importing into the U.S. is primarily controlled by the CDC, not APHIS.

For cats, there are fewer federal rules, and airlines often matter more.

APHIS may appear in guidance or documentation related to rabies vaccination records, but APHIS does not decide whether a pet can enter the United States.

Why this matters:
If you’re leaving the U.S. with a dog and plan to return, you need to think about re-entry rules before you depart, not after.

USDA-Accredited Veterinarians: Why This Step Matters More Than People Expect

Not every veterinarian can issue paperwork for international pet travel.

A USDA-accredited veterinarian is authorized to:

perform official export health exams
complete international health certificates
submit documents for APHIS endorsement

Two things people often don’t realize:

Accreditation can be state-specific
Accreditation does not equal experience with international travel

This is one of the biggest stress points in the process not because vets aren’t capable, but because international rules change constantly and vary by destination.

The APHIS Pet Travel Website (Helpful, but Not the Whole Story)

The APHIS pet travel website is a good starting point. It gives:

destination-specific guidance
links to required forms
general explanations of the endorsement process

What it doesn’t do:

track last-minute airline policy changes
warn you when rules change quietly
tell you which steps are most likely to cause delays

That’s why APHIS itself advises travelers to verify requirements directly with airlines and destination authorities.

If you want a broader overview of international pet travel requirements our International Pet Travel Hub is a great place to start.

How the APHIS Export Process Works (High Level)

Here’s the big-picture flow, without drowning in forms:

You confirm which authority applies based on where you’re leaving from
You verify destination country requirements
You plan backwards from your travel date
A USDA-accredited vet completes the health certificate
APHIS endorses the certificate (if required)
You confirm airline requirements and travel

This isn’t about doing more it’s about doing things in the right order.

Pet Travel Authorities by Region (Why APHIS Isn’t Universal)

Every country has its own version of “APHIS.”

Understanding this helps whether you’re traveling from the U.S., Canada, Europe, or elsewhere.

United States (export): USDA APHIS
United States (import): CDC (dogs), limited federal rules for cats
Canada: CFIA (if you are leaving Canada you are required to get CFIA endorsement 10 days prior to your trip)
United Kingdom: DEFRA
European Union: Member-state veterinary authorities under EU animal health law. You can see general pet travel EU guidelines here.
Thailand: Department of Livestock Development
Hong Kong: Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department

This page focuses on APHIS, but knowing the broader system helps you avoid assuming the wrong agency applies to your trip.

Airlines vs Governments: Where Many Trips Break Down

This is the part no one wants to hear, but needs to.

Even if your paperwork is technically correct, airlines can still deny transport if:

certificates are outside their validity window
crate requirements aren’t met
breed or temperature restrictions apply
pet capacity on the flight is full

Airlines don’t “bend” rules at the counter — they enforce them.

If you want to understand how airline rules fit into the process, check out our Airline Pet Travel Policies Page

The Most Common APHIS / USDA Pet Travel Mistakes

These come up again and again:

getting certificates too early
vaccinating before microchipping
assuming endorsement equals approval
missing narrow treatment windows
forgetting about re-entry requirements
trusting one source instead of cross-checking

None of these mean you’re careless. They mean the system is unintuitive.

Where People Usually Decide They Want Help

This is the point where most people pause and think:

“I can do this… but I don’t want to miss something.”

That’s exactly why Paws Abroad exists.

We help you:

confirm which authority applies to your situation
map your timeline backwards from your flight
flag high-risk steps early
sanity-check your plan before it becomes stressful

If you want help understanding your specific route and timing:

Plan Your Pet’s Personalized Travel Journey

Frequently Asked Questions About APHIS & USDA Pet Travel

What is APHIS in pet travel?

APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is responsible for overseeing export paperwork for animals leaving the United States. For international pet travel, APHIS endorses health certificates issued by USDA-accredited veterinarians when required by a destination country.

Does APHIS approve pets for entry into other countries?

No. APHIS does not approve pets for entry into other countries. APHIS endorsement confirms export paperwork only. Entry decisions are made by the destination country’s veterinary authority and enforced by border officials upon arrival.

Do I always need APHIS endorsement to travel internationally with my pet?

No. Whether APHIS endorsement is required depends on:

the country you are traveling to
how your pet is traveling (non-commercial vs commercial movement)
airline documentation requirements

Some destinations require USDA endorsement, while others do not. Always verify requirements for your specific route.

Does APHIS control importing pets into the United States?

Generally, no.

Dogs entering or returning to the U.S. are primarily regulated by the CDC.
Cats entering the U.S. have limited federal requirements, with airlines and state rules often applying.

APHIS may provide guidance or documentation before departure, but it does not make U.S. import decisions.

What is the difference between USDA pet travel and APHIS pet travel?

There is no practical difference. When people search for “USDA pet travel” or “USDA pet transport,” they are almost always referring to APHIS, which is the USDA agency responsible for animal health and export certification.

What is the APHIS pet travel website used for?

The APHIS pet travel website provides:

country-specific export guidance
required health certificate templates
general information about endorsement

It is a helpful starting point, but it should always be cross-checked with airlines and destination authorities, as rules can change without notice.

What is a USDA-accredited veterinarian?

A USDA-accredited veterinarian is authorized under the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) to issue official export health certificates for international pet travel. Not all veterinarians are accredited, and accreditation may be state-specific.

Is APHIS endorsement the same as travel approval?

No. APHIS endorsement confirms that export paperwork has been reviewed and endorsed. It does not guarantee airline acceptance or entry approval at the destination.

Why do airlines sometimes reject pets even when paperwork is correct?

Airlines have their own pet travel policies that may be stricter than government rules. These can include:

shorter health certificate validity windows
crate or carrier requirements
breed or temperature restrictions
limits on the number of pets per flight

Airline rules are enforced independently of APHIS or destination authorities.

Can I travel internationally with my pet without using a relocation company?

Yes, many pet owners successfully travel internationally without a relocation company. The key is understanding:

which authority applies to your departure country
destination country requirements
airline policies
timing and sequencing

For complex routes or tight timelines, professional review can reduce risk.

When should I start planning international pet travel?

Ideally, planning should begin 6–8 weeks before travel, and earlier if:

a rabies titer (FAVN) test is required
an import permit is needed
you are traveling to a country with strict timing windows

Starting early gives you flexibility if requirements change.

Where does Paws Abroad fit into this process?

Paws Abroad helps pet owners:

understand which authority applies to their situation
map timelines backwards from travel dates
identify high-risk steps before they become emergencies
plan international pet travel with clarity instead of guesswork

If you want help reviewing your route or timing, you can start from our International Pet Travel Hub or explore planning support.

Final Thought

International pet travel isn’t hard because people aren’t capable.
It’s hard because no single agency owns the entire process.

Once you understand who controls what, and when, the rest becomes manageable.

If you want help turning that understanding into a clear plan, that’s what we’re here for.

APHIS Pet Travel Requirements: What Actually Matters When You Travel Internationally With Your Pet