TW
US

Pet Transport from Taiwan to the USA: 2026 Guide

Taiwan is a CDC low-risk country for dog rabies, which makes the US entry process considerably simpler than from most other Asian origins. No CDC facility reservation is needed, no titre test, and no quarantine. The main documentation is the BAPHIQ-endorsed …

Step by step

The Taiwan to United States import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
Before any travel booking
Confirm microchip is implanted and readable

Responsible: Vet

2
At least 3 months before travel if booster needed
Confirm rabies vaccination is current

Responsible: Vet

3
As early as practical once travel dates are confirmed
Book cargo on EVA Air or China Airlines to US gateway

Responsible: Owner or agent

4
Within certificate validity window, close to travel date
Obtain BAPHIQ-endorsed health certificate from Taiwan vet

Responsible: BAPHIQ-authorised vet

5
Before departure. Form must be available for inspection on arrival.
Complete CDC Dog Import Form

Responsible: Owner

6
On departure date
Travel to US. Present BAPHIQ certificate and CDC form on arrival.

Responsible: Airline cargo

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter United States

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
Microchip required. Must be readable by a universal ISO-compatible scanner.
Rabies vaccination
Taiwan is a CDC low-risk country (rabies-free since 2013). Standard CDC Dog …
Quarantine
No quarantine for dogs or cats from Taiwan. Standard customs health inspection …
Health certificate
BAPHIQ-endorsed health certificate from Taiwan. No USDA-endorsed certificate …
Export permit
BAPHIQ-endorsed export health certificate required. No separate export permit.
Costs

What this route typically costs

BAPHIQ-endorsed health certificate: TWD 2,000 to TWD 5,000 …
Cargo airline fee Taipei to US West Coast gateway (direct): USD 700 to …
IATA-compliant travel crate: USD 100 to USD 500
Pet transport agent fee (optional): USD 300 to USD 1,000
Total typical range: USD 1,000 to USD 4,000 all in

Critical points

Taiwan is CDC low-risk, which makes the US entry process significantly simpler than from most Asian countries. No CDC facility reservation is required for dogs from Taiwan.

The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed and available for inspection on arrival. This is a straightforward online form but it must not be forgotten.

Cats from Taiwan have no US entry requirements beyond standard customs inspection. No health certificate is required by the US government (though airlines may require one for the cargo booking).

EVA Air and China Airlines offer direct Taipei to US West Coast cargo services, which is a significant advantage for this corridor.

The US does not require a USDA-endorsed health certificate for pets arriving from Taiwan. The BAPHIQ-endorsed certificate from Taiwan suffices for US entry.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

EVA Air Cargo
Direct Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) to Los Angeles (LAX) and other US gateways. Main routing for …
Cargo Only
China Airlines Cargo
Direct TPE to Los Angeles and other US West Coast cities. Alternative direct routing.
Cargo Only
United Airlines
Connecting services. United PetSafe cargo. Size and breed restrictions apply.
Cargo Only

CDC low-risk: what Taiwan's status means in practice

Taiwan has been officially rabies-free since 2013 and the CDC classifies it as a low-risk country for dog rabies. The practical impact on this route is significant: dogs from Taiwan do not need to follow the CDC high-risk pathway, do not need to arrive at a CDC-approved airport, and do not need a facility reservation.

The requirements for dogs from Taiwan are: a microchip, a current rabies vaccination, a CDC Dog Import Form completed before departure, and a BAPHIQ-endorsed health certificate. That is the full list for US entry. No quarantine, no titre test, no facility reservation.

Cats from Taiwan face even fewer requirements: standard customs inspection on arrival, no US government health certificate requirement (though airlines may ask for one for the cargo booking).

Direct cargo from Taipei to the US

EVA Air and China Airlines both operate direct cargo services from Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) to US West Coast cities including Los Angeles. This is a meaningful advantage: a direct service eliminates mid-journey hub transfers and reduces total journey time for your pet.

EVA Air in particular has a strong reputation for live animal cargo handling and is the carrier most commonly recommended for this corridor by pet transport agents. Confirm live animal cargo availability on your specific flight when booking, as not every scheduled service accepts live animals.

For US East Coast destinations, a connection is typically needed. Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific connections via their Asian hubs are used for some routings, depending on your destination city.

The CDC Dog Import Form

The CDC requires a Dog Import Form to be completed for all dogs entering the US, regardless of origin. For dogs from low-risk countries like Taiwan, this form is a straightforward declaration: the dog’s microchip number, vaccination details, and owner information. There is no advance registration or facility booking involved.

The form is completed online on the CDC website before departure. Keep a copy of the completed form accessible for inspection when you arrive in the US. This is a simple step but one that should not be left to the last minute.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Taiwan is a CDC low-risk country, which means dogs from Taiwan do not need a CDC facility reservation. The high-risk pathway (facility reservation, approved airport arrival) applies to dogs from countries the CDC has classified as high-risk. Taiwan’s rabies-free status since 2013 means your dog from Taiwan enters under the straightforward low-risk process: current vaccination, microchip, CDC Dog Import Form.
Yes, from a US government perspective. The US does not require a health certificate for cats arriving from Taiwan. Standard customs inspection applies. However, your airline will almost certainly require a health certificate for the cargo booking, so your vet in Taiwan will need to issue one for airline purposes even if it is not technically a US entry requirement.
EVA Air and China Airlines both serve Los Angeles (LAX) with direct cargo services from Taipei. New York JFK and other East Coast cities typically require a connection. Confirm the current direct routes available on your travel dates when booking with your agent or directly with the airline.
For a medium-sized dog on direct cargo to Los Angeles, the airline cargo fee is typically USD 700 to USD 2,500 depending on crate size. Add the BAPHIQ-endorsed health certificate (around USD 50 to USD 120), an IATA-compliant crate if needed, and agent fees if you use one. Total all-in costs for this route are typically USD 1,000 to USD 4,000, which is lower than routes requiring titre tests or CDC facility stays.
No. The US does not impose a waiting period after rabies vaccination for dogs from Taiwan (a low-risk country). The vaccine must be current and properly documented, but there is no 30-day or 90-day wait required before US entry. This is very different from the UK, which requires a titre test and three-month wait for dogs from Taiwan.
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TW USTaiwan to United States
International pet transport route
Lead time2-6 weeks
QuarantineNo
ComplexityLow
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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