Bringing a dog from Colombia to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)
Colombia is high-risk
Colombia is on CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies, so the stricter rules apply to any dog that was there in the last 6 months. (CDC: High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies)
If your dog was vaccinated in the U.S.
You need the CDC Dog Import Form receipt plus the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form, endorsed by USDA before the dog left the U.S. (or a USDA export certificate issued no later than July 31, 2025). Then the dog can land at any U.S. port that matches the receipt. Carry at least 3 copies of the endorsed form. See returning U.S.-vaccinated dogs. (CDC: Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries)
Round trip: going to Colombia first
The paperwork to enter Colombia is separate from the paperwork to come back. For the trip out, USDA APHIS says personal pet dogs do not need a Colombian import permit, but must have a health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet endorsed by APHIS within 10 days of travel, plus the rabies vaccination certificate and at least one photocopy of the health certificate. No notary or Colombian consular stamp is needed (USDA APHIS: Pet Travel From the U.S. to Colombia).
That Colombian health certificate does not replace CDC's form for the return trip. CDC does not accept USDA export health certificates issued after July 31, 2025 for re-entry, so get the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form endorsed before you leave (CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations).
If your dog was vaccinated in Colombia
- Microchip first, then rabies vaccine at 12+ weeks of age, at least 28 days before arrival.
- Rabies titer at a CDC-approved lab (draw ≥30 days after the first valid vaccine and ≥28 days before travel), or plan a 28-day quarantine.
- Reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility (exam + revaccination).
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, completed ≤30 days before travel and endorsed by an official government veterinarian.
- CDC Dog Import Form (single entry, arrival date and airport must match).
- Fly directly into the airport where the facility is. No Alaska, Hawaii or U.S. territory entry, as there are no CDC-registered facilities there.
(CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries; CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations)
Where to get the titer
CDC's approved lab list (updated July 13, 2026) has no lab in Colombia. Labs in the Americas on the list include ones in Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Canada and the U.S. Results from a lab not on the list are not accepted, must come directly from the approved lab, and must be in English or come with a certified translation. CDC suggests sending the sample at least 60 days before travel. (CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories)
Choosing the U.S. airport
The facility list changes, so check it before booking. As of its Sept 1, 2026 update, CDC's list included facilities serving Atlanta (ATL), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York JFK, Philadelphia (PHL) and Washington Dulles (IAD), some with cargo-only rules. (CDC: CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities)
Sources
- CDC: High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies
- CDC: Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries
- CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries
- CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations
- CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs
- CDC: CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities
- USDA APHIS: Pet Travel From the United States to Colombia
More guides
- Airline and CDC timing: a countdown for flying your dog into the U.S.
- CDC Dog Import Form: step-by-step guide (2026)
- Common reasons dogs are denied entry to the U.S. (and how to avoid them)
- Microchip rules for dogs entering the U.S. (is ISO required?)
- CDC high-risk countries for dog rabies: the list explained
- Bringing a dog from Mexico to the U.S. (CDC rules for 2026)
- Bringing a dog from the Philippines to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)
- Rabies vaccine, titer and certificate rules for dogs entering the U.S.
- U.S. dog entry requirements by risk category (comparison table)
- Returning to the U.S. with your U.S.-vaccinated dog from a high-risk country
- Bringing a dog from Thailand to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)