Pet Transport Turkey to the United States: 2026 Guide
Turkey is classified as a CDC high-risk country, which affects how dogs enter the United States. The process is manageable but requires advance planning, particularly the CDC facility reservation for dogs vaccinated outside the US. Cats have no CDC …
The Turkey 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.
Responsible: Owner, ideally with a pet transport specialist
Responsible: Vet
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
Responsible: TRGM-authorised vet
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Airline cargo
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.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
Turkey is a CDC high-risk country. If your dog was vaccinated in Turkey, you must follow the foreign-vaccination CDC pathway on entry to the US. Understand this before booking.
Dogs must arrive at a CDC-approved airport. Not all US airports are approved for dogs from high-risk countries.
Cats have no CDC high-risk classification. A cat from Turkey enters the US with only a standard health inspection. No titre test, no facility reservation.
Turkey bans certain breeds including Pit Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Terriers. The TRGM health certificate may reference breed, so confirm your dog's documentation is consistent.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
CDC high-risk country: what it means for your dog
The CDC’s August 2024 rule changes categorise Turkey as a high-risk country for dog rabies. The implication for dog owners differs based on one key question: where was your dog vaccinated?
If your dog was vaccinated in the US before moving to Turkey, and you have proof of that US vaccination, the return process is more straightforward. You need a current CDC Dog Import Form and documentation of the US-issued vaccination.
If your dog was vaccinated in Turkey (the typical case for expats who acquired their dog there or whose pet’s vaccination history is Turkish), you must follow the foreign-vaccination pathway. This means arriving at a CDC-approved airport with a reservation already made at a CDC-registered animal care facility. The facility handles your dog’s entry processing. If you arrive without this reservation, your dog may be turned back or held for a 28-day quarantine.
The CDC website lists approved airports and registered facilities. Use the current list, as it changes. JFK, LAX, Chicago O’Hare, Miami, and other major gateways are typically on it.
Cats from Turkey: no CDC concerns
If you are bringing a cat rather than a dog from Turkey, the high-risk classification does not apply. The US imposes no federal vaccination, titre test, or quarantine requirements on cats arriving from any country. Your cat goes through standard customs and health inspection and that is it.
Some airlines require a basic health certificate for cats travelling as cargo, but this is an airline policy, not a US entry requirement. Turkish Airlines allows cats in-cabin on some routes, which can make the journey more comfortable. Confirm in-cabin eligibility for the Istanbul-to-US route when booking.
Turkish Airlines: better US connections than most
Turkish Airlines operates direct Istanbul to JFK, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Miami, and several other US gateways. This direct service is a practical advantage: it means your pet does not face a mid-journey transfer in a European cargo terminal, which is the route most other non-US airlines take.
Turkish Airlines Cargo handles live animals as standard. For owners of larger dogs, direct Istanbul to US cargo on Turkish Airlines is generally preferable to a European hub connection. As always, confirm live animal cargo availability on your specific flight, as not every scheduled service accepts live animals.