Can I Bring a Puppy Into the U.S.? The 6-Month Rule
Short answer: no puppy under 6 months old can enter the U.S. under CDC's dog import rules, from any country. Every dog must be at least 6 months old at arrival (CDC FAQs). The age makes sure there was time for rabies vaccination and, where needed, a titer and waiting period.
Source: CDC dog importation FAQs, last checked 2026-11-02.
Vaccine timing rules that affect puppies
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum entry age | 6 months, all countries |
| First rabies vaccine | Given at 12 weeks (84 days) or older to count |
| High-risk countries | A shot given before 12 weeks is never accepted |
| U.S.-vaccinated dogs leaving the U.S. | A first vaccine must be given at least 28 days before departure |
Sources: CDC FAQs; CDC high-risk page.
Planning a puppy adoption abroad
- Microchip before the rabies shot. For high-risk countries CDC treats a vaccine given before the chip as invalid. See microchip rules.
- Vaccinate at 12 weeks or later.
- From a high-risk country, allow time for the titer and any waiting period; see high-risk rules.
- Arrive after the dog turns 6 months.
Common puppy questions
Can I fly home with a 10-week-old puppy I bought abroad? No. The dog has to be at least 6 months old when it arrives, so wait abroad or arrange for it to travel later.
Does the 6-month rule apply to puppies from Canada or other low-risk countries? Yes. CDC applies the age minimum to every dog, whatever the country.
My puppy was born in the U.S. and we're moving abroad for a short time. Does that matter? The age rule still applies when the dog comes back. If you'll spend time in a high-risk country, vaccinate at 12 weeks or later and at least 28 days before you leave the U.S., so the dog can use the U.S.-vaccinated path when you return.
Is a puppy bought for resale handled differently? Commercial imports have extra USDA requirements on top of CDC's rules.
Sources
Keep going: This page is part of our main guide to bringing a dog into the U.S., which walks through every decision in order. Related questions: Rabies vaccine and certificate rules and Microchip rules. Ready to act? See CDC Dog Import Form step by step.
More guides
- Airline and CDC timing: a countdown for flying your dog into the U.S.
- Bringing a dog from Brazil to the U.S.: CDC high-risk rules
- Bringing a Dog into the U.S. in 2027: Current CDC Rules
- Bringing a Dog From Canada to the U.S. (2026 Rules)
- CDC Dog Import Form: step-by-step guide (2026)
- CDC Dog Import Rule Change: Proposed Rule Status 2026
- China to the U.S. with a dog: CDC rules (and Hong Kong)
- Bringing a dog from Colombia to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)
- 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?)
- Dominican Republic to the U.S. with a dog: CDC rules
- CDC high-risk countries for dog rabies: the list explained
- Bringing a dog from India to the U.S.: CDC high-risk rules
- Bringing a dog from Mexico to the U.S. (CDC rules for 2026)
- Military and Government Families Bringing a Dog Home
- 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
- Service Dogs and CDC Dog Import Rules (2026)
- South Africa to the U.S. with a dog: CDC rules
- Bringing a dog from Thailand to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)
- Bringing a dog from Turkey (Türkiye) to the U.S.: CDC rules
- Bringing a dog from the UAE to the U.S.: CDC high-risk rules
- Vietnam to the U.S. with a dog: CDC high-risk rules