What a USDA health certificate is and who needs one

A USDA health certificate (formally called a USDA-endorsed international health certificate or APHIS Form 7001) is an official government document that confirms your pet is healthy, vaccinated, and fit to travel. It is required for nearly every international pet move departing the United States.

Your veterinarian fills out the certificate after examining your pet. Then the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reviews and endorses it. Without this endorsement, most airlines will not accept your pet for international cargo travel, and the destination country’s customs will reject the animal at arrival.

Which moves require a USDA health certificate

You need one for almost all international pet travel from the US. This includes moves to:

Some domestic moves also require a health certificate (often called a certificate of veterinary inspection or CVI), though these do not need USDA endorsement. Check your airline’s requirements for domestic travel.

The step-by-step process

Step 1: Confirm your destination’s requirements

Each country has its own rules for what must appear on the health certificate. Some require specific blood tests, parasite treatments, or vaccination timelines. Check our destination guides for country-specific details, or contact us and we will map out exactly what your destination requires.

Step 2: Visit a USDA-accredited veterinarian

Only a USDA-accredited vet can complete an international health certificate. Not every vet has USDA accreditation, so confirm this before scheduling. You can search for accredited vets in your area through the USDA APHIS website.

The vet will examine your pet, verify microchip, confirm vaccinations are current, and complete the health certificate form for your destination country.

Step 3: Submit to USDA APHIS for endorsement

After your vet completes the certificate, it goes to your local USDA APHIS Veterinary Services office for review and endorsement. This is the step that makes it an official government document.

You can submit in person at the APHIS office or use the USDA’s VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System) for electronic submission, which is faster. Processing typically takes 1 to 3 business days, though it can take longer during busy periods.

Step 4: Travel within the validity window

This is the part where timing gets tight. Most countries require the health certificate to be issued and endorsed within a specific window before travel. For EU countries, the certificate must be endorsed within 10 days of departure. Other countries have their own windows.

If the certificate expires before your pet travels, you have to start over. This is one of the most common problems in international pet shipping, and it is entirely preventable with the right planning.

How much it costs

The total cost for a USDA health certificate typically breaks down as:

  • Veterinary exam and certificate completion: $100 to $250
  • USDA APHIS endorsement fee: $38
  • Express shipping (if mailing to APHIS instead of using VEHCS): $25 to $40

Total: roughly $165 to $330, depending on your vet’s fees and submission method.

The timing window explained

The validity window is the most important thing to understand. Here are common destination requirements:

  • EU countries (UK, Germany, France, etc.): endorsed within 10 days of departure
  • Australia: endorsed within 10 days of export, but the entire process must start months earlier due to other requirements
  • Japan: endorsed within 10 days of departure
  • Canada: within 30 days of travel (for dogs entering under CFIA rules)
  • Mexico: within 10 to 15 days (varies)

The practical challenge: your vet visit, the USDA processing time, and the travel date all have to line up inside a narrow window. If APHIS takes 3 business days to process, and your destination requires endorsement within 10 days of travel, you need to schedule the vet visit carefully.

What to avoid

Going to a vet who is not USDA-accredited is the most common delay. The certificate will not be accepted for endorsement.

Using the wrong form is another. Different countries have different bilateral health certificate forms. The EU form is different from the Australia form, which is different from the Japan form. Your vet or relocation advisor needs to use the correct one.

Getting the vet visit too early is the timing mistake. If you go to the vet two weeks before travel but APHIS takes three business days, you are fine for most destinations. But if you go three weeks early and the endorsement expires before departure, you start over.

Missing a required treatment is also common. Some destinations require specific parasite treatments (tapeworm treatment for the UK, for example) to be administered and recorded on the certificate within a set timeframe.

How we handle it

When you work with Pet Travel Advisors, we manage the entire health certificate process. We identify the correct form for your destination, coordinate the vet visit timing to land inside the validity window, handle the USDA submission, and make sure every required vaccination, test, and treatment is documented correctly before your pet reaches the airport.

Ready to start planning your pet’s move?

Request a quote and we will put together a detailed plan and price for your specific route.

Prefer to talk? Give us a call at 1-877-540-0555.

Frequently asked questions

Can my regular vet do the USDA health certificate?

Only if they are USDA-accredited. Many vets are, but not all. Call your vet’s office and ask specifically about USDA accreditation for international pet travel. If they are not accredited, they can refer you to one who is.

How long does the USDA endorsement take?

Typically 1 to 3 business days when submitted electronically through VEHCS. Paper submissions sent by mail can take longer. During peak travel seasons (summer, holiday periods), allow extra time.

What if my health certificate expires before travel?

You will need to get a new examination, a new certificate, and a new USDA endorsement. There are no extensions. This is why timing the vet visit correctly is critical.

Do I need a separate certificate for each pet?

Yes. Each animal traveling internationally needs its own health certificate and USDA endorsement.

Is a USDA health certificate the same as a vet health certificate?

No. A standard veterinary health certificate (CVI) is issued by your vet for domestic travel. A USDA health certificate is the same document after it has been reviewed and endorsed by the USDA APHIS office. The endorsement is what makes it valid for international travel.