Pet Transport Colombia to USA: CDC High-Risk Requirements for 2026
Colombia is classified as a high-risk country for dog rabies under the CDC's August 2024 import rules. Dogs from Colombia need the full high-risk documentation pathway: a …
The import process, in full
Responsible: Your vet
Responsible: Your vet
Responsible: Your vet and lab (Option A), or facility coordinator (Option B)
Responsible: You or agent
Responsible: You or cargo agent
Responsible: You and your vet
Responsible: You and airline cargo team
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 Colombia 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
Colombia is a CDC high-risk country. Dogs cannot arrive at just any US airport. They must arrive at an airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility if they do not have a valid titre test. Check the CDC website for the current list of approved arrival airports.
The serology titre blood draw must happen at least 30 days after the first valid vaccination AND at least 28 days before US entry. Both time gaps must be satisfied. Source: CDC.
The Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form must be completed by the Colombian vet and endorsed by ICA. Without ICA endorsement, it is not accepted. This is the critical document beyond the CDC Dog Import Form.
Dogs from Colombia arriving with the quarantine option (no titre test) must complete the full 28 days at the CDC-registered facility at the owner's expense, and cannot fly to a different US city first. There are no domestic connections until facility services are complete.
Cats from Colombia face no federal requirements. If travelling with a cat only, the process is straightforward.
The two pathways for dogs from Colombia
Under the CDC high-risk pathway, Colombian dog owners choosing to enter the USA have two options: the titre test route, or the quarantine route.
The titre route requires a serology titre test (blood drawn from your dog at a CDC-approved laboratory) at least 30 days after the first valid rabies vaccination, and the blood must be drawn at least 28 days before your US entry date. If those two conditions are met and the result is valid, your dog arrives like any other pet: processed at the CDC-registered facility near the arrival airport, released the same day after verification.
The quarantine route is for owners who cannot or choose not to do the titre test. The dog is quarantined for 28 days at a CDC-registered animal care facility after arrival. The owner pays all facility costs, which vary but typically run USD 1,500-3,500 for the 28 days. The dog cannot be collected early, and no domestic US flights can be taken before completing the quarantine.
Most families moving from Bogota to the US choose the titre route. It is more work upfront but avoids a month of quarantine.
Bogota cargo and documentation
Bogota El Dorado International (BOG) is well served by carriers to the US. Avianca, American, United, and Delta all fly to major US cities from BOG. Miami (MIA) is the most frequent connection and has CDC-registered facilities in the area. JFK (New York), ATL (Atlanta), and IAH (Houston) are alternatives with CDC facility access.
The ICA-endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form is the document that carries the most weight in the CDC process. Your Colombian official vet completes it; ICA endorses it. It must be accurate, covering the microchip number, vaccination date, and vaccination product details. Any discrepancy between this form and the dog’s travel history can create complications at the US arrival 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