Arriving in New York State with a cat
What New York State requires when a cat 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.
🏛️ Additional rules for New York State
These requirements come on top of the country's — they can only tighten or add, never loosen.
Health certificate Required
New York requires a health certificate from a veterinarian (in the US called a “CVI” – Certificate of Veterinary Inspection), issued no more than 30 days before entry, with all information in English. If the country of origin has no such form, the required information on the veterinarian’s letterhead is accepted. It must show the full New York destination address (no PO box), state that the examination revealed no clinical evidence of infectious or communicable disease, and include the rabies vaccine product name and date of vaccination. The EU pet passport does not replace it (“We do not accept the Pet Passport.”). New York does not require endorsement by an authority. It can be the same certificate the airline requires, if it also contains these details and meets the airline’s deadline.
⚠️ The EU pet passport does not replace this certificate — New York states explicitly: "We do not accept the Pet Passport."
Notes
Destination inside New York City (JFK, LGA): the regulations of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene apply on top. We have not captured this city level.
🗓️ Read at the state authority on 01/08/2026.
Source: https://agriculture.ny.gov/companion-animal-import-and-export
Arriving from abroad? The rules of USA
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.
🔴 Required
Health certificate Required
Not required by CDC, but by most airlines (usually issued within 7–10 days of travel) and by some states. Check your airline’s deadline before booking; states we have captured are listed below under “Additional rules”.
🟡 Recommended
Import permit Not required
No permit; no CDC form for cats
Microchip Not required
Not federally required (recommended)
Rabies vaccination Recommended
Not required by CDC for cats entering the U.S.; CDC recommends rabies vaccination for all cats. The U.S. destination (state) may have additional requirements.
Minimum age / young animals Recommended
Cats: no CDC minimum age; valid rabies vaccination (~12 weeks).
Rabies titer test Not required
No
Other tests Not required
None
Parasite treatment Not required
Not required
Official endorsement of the health certificate Not required
CDC does not require a health certificate for entry into the United States – and therefore no endorsement by a veterinary authority either.
Quarantine Not required
None
Registration Not required
Standard
🐾 Local rules (in-country)
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).
Breed restrictions On site
No federal breed bans
Muzzle / leash On site
None (cat)
⚠️ Notes & grey zone
Notes
CDC requires that cats appear healthy on arrival. Cats are inspected at ports of entry and may be denied entry if there is evidence of a zoonotic disease; if a cat appears ill, examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense may be required. USDA APHIS Veterinary Services has no animal health requirements for importing a pet cat.
Authority: USDA APHIS (CDC-Hunderegel gilt nicht für Katzen)
Read at the responsible authority on 30/09/2026. 📄 Official source ↗
Check your specific route & airlines →For informational purposes only. Regulations change frequently — verify with the relevant authorities before travel.