What Pennsylvania 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.
Under Pennsylvania law, dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies within four weeks after reaching 12 weeks of age and must maintain current immunity.
⚠️ This is worded as a keeping requirement for animals in Pennsylvania, not explicitly as an entry condition. For international imports the authority refers to the USDA.
Pennsylvania's certificate requirement applies to dogs entering a licensed kennel — not to your own pet travelling with you. The state requires no permit for dogs or cats. If a certificate is present: Pennsylvania honours it for 60 days regardless of what the originating form says, and APHIS Form 7001 has not been accepted since 1 March 2018.
⚠️ The DAPP vaccination requirement named in the same source is a content requirement of that kennel certificate and therefore does not apply to a private owner either. The regulation text 7 Pa. Code Ch. 3 itself was not read.
🗓️ Read at the state authority on 01/08/2026.
Source 1: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/animals/diseases/rabies
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.