What New Jersey requires when a dog arrives — whoever you are arriving from. These rules hang off the arrival, not the trip type: a flight from Frankfurt and a flight from Los Angeles are treated the same here. Requirements can change — always confirm with the authority before you travel.
These requirements come on top of the country's — they can only tighten or add, never loosen.
New Jersey requires a health certificate for dogs, issued by a veterinarian licensed in the country of origin and signed within 30 days of travel. It must state that the dog is free from rabies and other communicable disease, and give breed, sex, age, point of origin, point of destination and the owner's name and address.
Anyone staying in New Jersey for more than 10 days with an unlicensed dog must register it with the municipality; from 7 months of age licensing is mandatory and requires a current rabies vaccination. This obligation applies after arrival, not before.
⚠️ New Jersey does not specifically require rabies vaccination for import — it becomes mandatory via municipal licensing: "Although rabies vaccination is not specifically required for importation of dogs into the State…"
🗓️ Read at the state authority on 01/08/2026.
Source: https://www.nj.gov/health/vph/documents/requirements-to-import-dog-cat-into-nj.pdf
Arriving from Germany/the EU, the national entry requirements of USA apply on top. Arriving from another part of the same country means crossing no international border — then only the section above applies.
No classic import permit needed, but the CDC Dog Import Form is mandatory for all dogs: complete online at cdc.gov/importation/dogs before travel (DogBot); allow 2–10 business days; bring the receipt to the airport.
Yes – readable by universal scanner
Dogs: minimum age 6 months (CDC requirement).
No additional tests from Germany.
No separate CDC health certificate needed (CDC Dog Import Form: see import permit). Nearly all airlines require a veterinary health certificate (often valid max. 10 days before departure). Please check with your airline.
Not required from low-risk country (recommended)
No (from Germany)
Not required
Keine
State/municipal rules
These apply on the ground in the destination country — to everyone, not as an entry condition — and depend on the breed and situation (e.g. public transport, listed breeds).
No federal breed bans (states/municipalities vary)
State/municipal rules
Dog must be ≥6 months old; states may differ
States may add requirements
Authority: CDC (Hunde) + USDA APHIS
🗓️ Read at the responsible authority on 20/07/2026.
Check your specific route & airlines →For informational purposes only. Regulations change frequently — verify with the relevant authorities before travel.