Pet Transport Chile to USA: Chile's Low-Risk Status and What You Actually Need in 2026
Chile's low-risk classification under the CDC's dog import system makes this one of the more straightforward South America to USA routes. There is no rabies titre test requirement, …
The import process, in full
Responsible: Your vet
Responsible: Your vet
Responsible: You
Responsible: You or cargo agent
Responsible: SAG-authorised vet
Responsible: You and airline
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Chile to United States move gets missed.
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
Chile's low-risk CDC status is the key advantage. Unlike dogs from Colombia, Peru, or Ecuador (all high-risk), dogs from Chile do not need a titre test or a CDC-registered facility quarantine. Verify Chile remains on the low-risk list before travel, as CDC classifications can change.
The microchip must predate the rabies vaccination. If your dog was vaccinated first and microchipped later, the CDC treats the rabies vaccination as invalid. The microchip implantation date must be on record before the vaccination date.
Dogs must be at least 6 months old at the time of US entry. Source: CDC.
Cats have no federal CDC requirements. If travelling with a cat from Chile to the USA, check only your destination state's individual import rules, which vary but are rarely onerous for domestic cats.
Chile vs other South American countries: why the risk classification matters
When the CDC updated its dog import rules in August 2024, it divided the world into high-risk and low-risk categories. Dogs from high-risk countries face strict requirements: a foreign-issued vaccination certificate, a serology titre test at a CDC-approved lab, advance reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility, and mandatory arrival at a specific airport.
Chile is not on the high-risk list. That changes the process entirely. Your dog needs the CDC Dog Import Form (free, completed online), an ISO-compatible microchip implanted before the vaccination, a valid rabies vaccination, and a clean bill of health on arrival. The CDC does not require a titre test, a quarantine reservation, or a specific arrival airport.
For owners relocating from Santiago to a US city, this is genuinely good news. The preparation window is weeks rather than months, and the process does not require specialist coordination with CDC-registered facilities.
LATAM and the cargo journey from Santiago
LATAM Airlines has the most extensive network from Chile to the USA and is the primary cargo option for pets on this route. From Santiago (SCL), LATAM operates to Miami, New York, and Los Angeles, with cargo services available on these routes. American Airlines and Delta also serve Santiago with connections to their US hubs.
Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled holds. Book cargo space early, particularly for summer travel (December to February in Chile) when demand peaks. Your pet travels in an IATA-compliant crate sized to allow the animal to stand, turn, and lie down. The cargo team at Santiago handles check-in; collect your pet from the cargo facility at the US destination airport.
Common questions
Move your pet
Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. Preparation timeline, full cost breakdown, and breed specific advice. No commitment.
Get my free quote