Pet Transport Israel to United States: 2026 Guide

The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) operates a tiered import system for dogs based on each country’s rabies status. Countries on the high-risk list require a FAVN titre test, a 6-month wait, and arrival at specific ports. Israel is not on that list, reflecting the country’s longstanding rabies control programme.

For dogs arriving from Israel, the US requires: a current rabies vaccination (administered by a licensed vet), an ISO-compatible microchip, a completed CDC Dog Import Form submitted via dogs.cdc.gov before arrival, and a valid health certificate. There is no titre test requirement, no mandatory waiting period, and no quarantine for compliant arrivals.

The CDC Dog Import Form is required for all dogs arriving in the US regardless of origin country, including from non-high-risk countries like Israel. It is completed online and generates a QR code that you present at the port of entry. The form asks for vaccination history, microchip number, and travel details. Complete it before you travel.

Cats from Israel face no federal US import requirements. The airline’s own pet policy is the main practical constraint for cats.

El Al operates direct flights from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion (TLV) to New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, and Miami MIA. These three destinations are all CDC-approved ports of entry for live animals, which simplifies routing considerably. There is no need to connect through a European hub.

El Al’s pet policy permits small pets in cabin on qualifying routes, subject to weight limits (typically around 8 kg including carrier). Larger pets travel as cargo. Confirm the current cabin and cargo policies with El Al when booking, as policies can change seasonally. For cargo bookings, you will need to provide the kennel dimensions and the pet’s weight.

The MOARD health certificate from an Israeli official veterinarian is the key export document. It must accompany the pet and will be checked by USDA inspectors at the US port of entry. The certificate should include the microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and a declaration of fitness for travel. Have the certificate issued within the validity window for the US (typically within 10 days of travel, though confirm the current requirement with your vet).

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel at US airports conduct arrival inspections for live animals. The process is typically brief for well-documented arrivals from non-high-risk countries. Any concerns about the documentation result in a secondary inspection; arrivals with complete paperwork are usually cleared quickly.

The distinction between dogs and cats matters on the US import side. Dogs are subject to CDC and USDA regulations: rabies vaccination, microchip, CDC Dog Import Form, and health certificate. Cats face no federal import requirements; the only practical constraints are airline policies and the recommendation to have a microchip for re-entry to Israel if you plan to return.

For dogs, the 30-day minimum between first rabies vaccination and travel is not formally set by the CDC for Israel-origin pets in the same way it is for high-risk countries. However, a vaccination given very recently may raise questions at the port of entry about whether it had time to provide protection. Most relocation agents recommend ensuring the vaccination is at least 30 days old before travel, and that the dog has had at least one prior course if this is not the first vaccination.

If your dog is already microchipped and vaccinated and you have all the documentation in order, the preparation timeline for this route can be as short as two to four weeks. That said, booking cargo space on El Al at least four to six weeks in advance is advisable, particularly in peak summer travel season when aircraft hold capacity for live animals fills quickly.