Answers to the most common questions about shipping a pet domestically or internationally from the United States. Every answer links to a detailed guide with the full breakdown.
Cost and Pricing
How much does it cost to ship a pet internationally?
International pet shipping from the U.S. typically costs $2,000 to $5,000 for a medium-sized dog to most destinations. The total depends on your pet’s size, destination requirements, airline cargo fees, and whether the destination requires quarantine or a rabies titer test. Domestic in-cabin travel costs $150 each way on American, Delta or JetBlue. For a full breakdown by destination, see our pet shipping cost guide.
What is included in full-service pet relocation?
Full-service pet relocation typically includes route planning, airline cargo booking, USDA health certificate coordination, IATA-compliant crate provision, import permit applications, airport delivery and check-in, and destination-side customs clearance coordination. Learn more in our step-by-step process guide.
Documents and Health Certificates
What is a USDA health certificate and do I need one?
A USDA health certificate is a government-stamped document confirming your pet is healthy and meets the import requirements of the destination country. It is required for virtually all international pet moves from the United States. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel and costs $101 to $275 for USDA endorsement, depending on how many laboratory tests the destination requires, plus your vet exam fee. Full details in our USDA health certificate guide.
What is a rabies titer test and which countries require one?
A rabies titer test is a blood test measuring your pet’s rabies antibody levels. Countries including Japan, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the UAE require it. The test must be done at least 30 days after rabies vaccination, costs $200 to $350, and some countries require a 180-day waiting period after a successful result. See our rabies titer test guide.
Airlines and Travel Logistics
Which airlines allow pets in cargo?
Delta ships pets only for active US military and State Department Foreign Service personnel with permanent change of station orders. United publishes its own policy on its pets page. American Airlines Cargo carries pets for the general public through its PetEmbark service. Some international airlines publish a cargo route of their own: KLM says a pet whose transfer is 3 hours or longer can travel through its Cargo service, Lufthansa says snub-nosed dogs and cats it bars from the hold can travel as air freight, for example with Lufthansa Cargo, and British Airways says its sister company IAG Cargo can help bring a pet to the UK. Each has different size limits, breed restrictions, and seasonal policies. See our airline pet policies guide.
Can brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds fly?
American and Delta will not carry brachycephalic, or snub-nosed, dogs and cats in the hold, and Alaska Air Cargo says it generally does not accept them there. Alaska Air Cargo says short-nosed dogs and cats may still travel in the cabin with their passenger, provided the carrier fits safely under the seat in front. Options for larger brachycephalic breeds include ground transport, charter flights, or an airline that will carry such a pet on your route. Which airlines take one, on which routes, and whether in the cabin, as checked baggage or as cargo, differs from one carrier to the next. Full details in our breed restrictions guide.
What are airline heat embargoes?
American and Alaska Air Cargo use 85F as the upper temperature limit for pets in the hold, and Delta uses 80F. American checks the actual or forecast temperature at each flight’s departure and arrival time for every station on the itinerary. Alaska Air Cargo says many of its stations have seasonal temperature embargoes for animal shipments over a summer season that generally runs from May 1 to October 16. See our summer pet shipping guide.
Destinations
How do I ship my pet to the United Kingdom?
Requirements include a microchip, rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before arrival, and a USDA-endorsed health certificate. No quarantine for U.S. pets with proper documentation. The process takes 4 to 8 weeks. See our UK destination guide.
How do I ship my pet to Australia?
Australia requires a rabies titer test with a 180-day wait, multiple treatments, an import permit, and mandatory quarantine (minimum 10 days). The process takes 6 to 8 months and costs $5,000 to $10,000+. See our Australia destination guide.
Military and Special Situations
How do I move my pet during a military PCS?
DLA may help offset costs. OCONUS moves require the same health certificates and country-specific paperwork as civilian moves, often on compressed timelines. See our military PCS pet relocation guide.
Should I hire a pet relocation service or do it myself?
DIY works for domestic in-cabin travel and simple moves. Professional help is worth it for international moves, complex destinations, large pets in cargo, and restricted breeds. See our detailed comparison.
Preparation
What do I need to prepare before shipping my pet?
The complete checklist includes microchip, vaccinations, titer tests if needed, health certificate, airline booking, IATA crate, and document organization. See our pet travel checklist with timeline milestones.
Get Help With Your Move
Every pet move is different. Request a quote for an itemized plan with all the steps, timing, and costs for your specific route.
