Pet Transport Poland to United States: 2026 Guide

The United States applies a tiered import system for dogs based on each origin country’s rabies status. Poland, as an EU member state with effective rabies control, is not on the CDC’s high-risk list. This means dogs from Poland do not need a FAVN titre test to enter the US, unlike dogs from high-risk countries such as Jordan or Vietnam.

The requirements for dogs arriving from Poland are: an ISO-compatible microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination; a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days before arrival; a completed CDC Dog Import Form submitted via dogs.cdc.gov; and a health certificate from a licensed Polish veterinarian in English or with a certified translation. There is no quarantine for compliant arrivals.

The 30-day minimum after vaccination is a firm CDC rule that applies to all dogs from all countries, not just high-risk ones. If you are travelling soon and your dog’s current vaccination was given recently, check the date against the travel date to confirm the 30-day minimum will have elapsed by the time of arrival.

Cats from Poland face no federal US import requirements. Airline pet policies are the main practical constraint for cats.

LOT Polish Airlines is the main carrier for Warsaw to US routes and the most practical option for pet owners. LOT operates direct flights from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to New York JFK, Chicago O’Hare (ORD), and Los Angeles (LAX). All three destinations are CDC-approved ports of entry for live animals.

Pets travel as cargo on LOT’s Warsaw to US routes. LOT Cargo handles live animal shipments and requires bookings well in advance; six to eight weeks is a reasonable planning horizon, particularly during summer and Christmas periods when cargo capacity is reduced. Provide the kennel dimensions and combined weight of pet plus kennel when making the inquiry.

The IATA kennel must allow your pet to stand at full height, turn around, and lie down. The kennel must have a water container and ventilation on at least three sides. LOT may have specific kennel requirements beyond the IATA minimum; confirm these before purchasing a kennel.

The health certificate must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation. Polish vets who regularly handle international shipments will be familiar with the format. The certificate should include the microchip number, species, breed, date of birth, vaccination record, and a fitness-for-travel statement. Most are valid for 10 days from issue, which aligns with the US requirement for health certificates.

When your pet arrives as cargo at a CDC-approved US port of entry, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspectors check the documentation. They verify the health certificate, scan the microchip, confirm the vaccination history shows the 30-day minimum, and check the CDC Dog Import Form for dogs.

For well-documented arrivals from non-high-risk countries like Poland, the inspection is typically brief. USDA inspectors are looking for completeness and consistency in the documentation; if the microchip number on the health certificate matches the chip in the animal, and the vaccination record shows an eligible date, the process moves quickly.

After the USDA clearance, the pet is released from the cargo facility. Arrange for collection from the cargo terminal rather than the passenger terminal; cargo collection has different access and opening hours. Your cargo agent or relocation agent can give you the specific collection instructions for the airport you are arriving at.