Who can bring a pet?
Separate the plan for dogs and cats. CDC’s high-risk dog rules apply to a dog that has been in Indonesia during the six months before U.S. entry. Cats are not covered by those CDC dog-import steps, but USDA, state and airline rules can still apply. Commercial dogs have additional rules.
Microchip
For a dog that has been in Indonesia, the microchip must be readable and must be implanted before the rabies vaccination used for CDC entry. The number has to match CDC and veterinary forms. Ask the veterinarian to scan and record it before any required vaccine.
Rabies vaccination
Every dog needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. A dog that has been in a high-risk country must have current rabies vaccination. Foreign-vaccinated dogs follow a stricter process; a vaccine given before 12 weeks of age is not accepted for the high-risk pathway.
Rabies titre test
A foreign-vaccinated dog that has been in Indonesia in the past six months needs a valid rabies serology titre from a CDC-approved laboratory. A result below 0.5 IU/ml or no valid result can require a 28-day reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility. U.S.-vaccinated dogs follow a different document route.
Import permit
The CDC Dog Import Form is required for each dog. Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs also need the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip endorsed by an official government veterinarian, plus a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility and arrival at its associated airport.
Government documents
For a foreign-vaccinated dog, prepare the CDC Dog Import Form receipt, endorsed foreign vaccination and microchip certification, qualifying titre report, animal-care-facility reservation, itinerary and English supporting documents. The dog must be at least six months old and appear healthy. Confirm USDA and destination-state rules too. Separately, when a pet actually leaves Indonesia, Barantin asks the sender to report the export through PTK Online and provide destination-required veterinary documents, vaccination records and, for dogs and cats, a protective rabies titre result. The pet is then presented at a designated exit point for quarantine inspection; an Animal Health Certificate is issued if requirements are met. If the final export is from a third country, use that country’s export certificate instead.
Quarantine and arrival inspection
Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries must arrive at the airport connected to the registered facility and complete the reserved services. If a valid titre is missing, the facility reservation must cover 28 days of quarantine. CDC dog rules do not impose this same facility process on cats.
Airline requirements
Book the dog to the U.S. airport where its registered animal-care facility is located; a different arrival airport can make the plan non-compliant. Confirm carrier acceptance and the facility reservation before ticketing. Cat cargo or cabin options depend on airline and U.S. entry requirements.
Travel crate
Ask the airline and, for a dog, the receiving facility to approve the exact crate and itinerary. The crate must permit natural standing, turning and lying, with secure ventilation and water access. Check heat restrictions and connection handling for the full journey.
Timeline
A dog’s plan depends on vaccine history, prior U.S. vaccination, country history over six months, titre timing, government endorsement, facility availability and CDC form validity. Complete the CDC receipt within its allowed pre-travel window. Start early enough to secure the facility airport and any 28-day stay.
Cost factors
Likely costs include vaccines and veterinary forms, CDC-approved titre testing, government endorsement, airport-specific facility reservation and quarantine if required, cargo freight, crate, handling and state-level permits. The facility and route can change the price sharply; request quotes only after determining the dog’s CDC category.
Frequently asked questions
Does the CDC high-risk rule apply to cats?
No. These CDC high-risk-country requirements are for dogs. Cats still need to meet applicable USDA, state, CBP and airline rules.
What makes an Indonesia-origin dog use a CDC facility?
A foreign-vaccinated dog that has been in Indonesia during the six months before U.S. entry must reserve a CDC-registered animal care facility and arrive at its associated airport.
Can I use a rabies titre from any laboratory?
No. The high-risk dog pathway requires a valid result from a CDC-approved laboratory. Confirm its current status and the sample timing before testing.
Official sources
Checked against the linked official sources on 24 October 2026. Rules can change; verify again before preparing your pet.
- CDC: High-risk countries for dog rabies
- CDC: Requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries
- CDC: Dog Import Form and instructions
- CDC: Bringing a dog into the United States
- Barantin: Export procedures for animals
- Barantin: Taking a dog or cat overseas (23 July 2026)
- IATA: Live animal transport and container requirements
- AVMA: Traveling with your dog or cat