Taking your dog or cat from Norway to United States comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Plan on roughly 2-4 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. No routine …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Norway to United States
typically takes around 2-4 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Norway to United States import process
01
As early as possible
Confirm ISO microchip and current rabies vaccination
Responsible: Owner and vet
02
Before travel
Complete CDC Dog Import Form online at cdc.gov
Responsible: Owner
03
Appointment within 10 days of US arrival
Book Mattilsynet-authorised vet for health certificate
Responsible: Owner
04
At least 4 weeks before departure; transatlantic pet spaces are limited
Confirm airline pet space booking
Responsible: Owner or agent
Requirements
United States entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required
Rabies vaccination
Valid rabies vaccination required
Rabies titre test
Not required. Norway is not a CDC high-risk country for dog rabies
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets from non-high-risk countries
Import permit
No import permit required
Health certificate
Official Mattilsynet-endorsed health certificate; CDC Dog Import Form completed by owner
Leaving Norway
Export requirements
Export permit
No export permit required
Health certificate
Official health certificate issued by Mattilsynet (Norwegian Food Safety Authority) authorised veterinarian
Costs
What this route typically costs
Health certificate from Mattilsynet vet: NOK 1,500-4,000
Air cargo Norway to US: USD 800-1,800 depending on pet size
Airline cabin fee (small pets): USD 100-200 each way
Professional relocation agent: USD 400-900 (optional)
Critical points
The 10-day health certificate window applies from certificate date to US arrival, not departure.
CDC Dog Import Form must be completed before arrival. Without it, entry can be refused.
Norwegian Air Shuttle does not accept in-cabin pets on transatlantic routes.
Brachycephalic breed restrictions apply on many airlines for transatlantic cargo routes.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
OSL to JFK, IAD and other US gateways. Small pets in cabin where permitted; larger dogs as cargo.
Mixed
Norwegian Air Shuttle
OSL to various US cities. Pets as cargo only on transatlantic routes.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa (via Frankfurt)
OSL to US via FRA. Cargo-only for pets on the Atlantic leg.
Mixed
United States entry requirements at a glance
Getting a pet into United States is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.
Getting the details right
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. Norway is not classified as a high-risk country for dog rabies by the CDC. A valid rabies vaccination and official health certificate are sufficient. No titre test is required.
A Mattilsynet-authorised veterinarian. Not all private vets hold this authorisation, so confirm before booking. The certificate must be dated within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in the US.
The CDC Dog Import Form is required for all dogs entering the US, regardless of origin country. It is completed by the owner at cdc.gov before travel. Cats have no equivalent federal requirement.
No. Norwegian Air Shuttle does not offer in-cabin pet transport on transatlantic routes. Pets travel as cargo only. SAS is the main option for small in-cabin pets from Oslo to the US.
SAS operates direct services from OSL to JFK (New York) and IAD (Washington Dulles). Other US cities typically require a connection, either via a European hub or via another US gateway.
Airline guides
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
Norwegian Air Shuttle
Lufthansa (via Frankfurt)
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.