There’s no single number that answers “how much does it cost to move a pet internationally.” Your total depends on your pet’s size, your airline, your origin country’s own export process, and whether you handle the paperwork yourself or hire a relocation company. This guide breaks down every piece so you can build a realistic budget instead of guessing.
As of 2026, the fees and figures below are current estimates gathered from government sources and pet-travel industry pricing. Airlines and vendors change their fees on their own schedule, so confirm current pricing directly with your airline, vet, or relocation company before you budget or book.
What Drives the Total Cost
A handful of factors decide whether your move costs a few hundred dollars or several thousand:
- Your pet’s size and species. Small cats and dogs that fit in an under-seat carrier cost far less to fly than large dogs that need to travel as cargo.
- Your origin country’s export process. Some countries require little more than a vet visit. Others require a formal government-issued export certificate with its own fees and lead time. Check your specific route guide for these details.
- Whether you use a full-service relocation company. Handling the paperwork yourself is cheaper but takes more of your time and carries more risk of a mistake. A relocation company charges a service fee but manages the process for you.
- Your airline and travel dates. Cabin, checked, and cargo pet fees vary by airline and change over time.
U.S. Government and Documentation Fees
Based on the official pages reviewed, no general federal fee was identified for entering the United States with most pets.
- CDC Dog Import Form: Free. Every dog entering the U.S. needs one, and CDC does not charge for it.
- USDA APHIS: No import fee was identified on the official APHIS pages reviewed for bringing a dog into the U.S., including for dogs from countries affected by foot-and-mouth disease or screwworm. (USDA does charge a separate $101-and-up endorsement fee, but that only applies to pets leaving the U.S. for another country — not to pets entering. Don’t confuse the two if you’re researching a future move in the other direction.)
- Cats: No federal health certificate or vaccination requirement, and no associated federal fee, at the USDA or CDC level.
Where the real documentation cost usually comes from is the origin country’s side of the move — an export certificate, a government vet’s endorsement, or customs paperwork. This varies enormously by country, from effectively nothing to a formal paid process. Check your specific route guide for what your origin country actually requires.
Veterinary Costs
These are common potential veterinary costs pets may need before traveling:
| Item | Typical Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip (if not already chipped) | $35–$60 at a private vet; $10–$25 at low-cost clinics | Must be ISO-compatible and scannable with a universal scanner |
| Microchip registry registration | $0–$40 | Often a separate line item from the chip itself |
| Rabies vaccine (if not current) | $20–$75, plus a $40–$90 exam fee if required | Lower at retail/walk-in clinics |
| Health certificate (vet exam and paperwork) | $100–$350 in the U.S. context | For pets entering the U.S., this exam happens with a vet in your origin country, so local pricing will vary |
These are U.S. price references for context. If you’re moving to the U.S. from abroad, your vet and government fees will follow your origin country’s local pricing — not these figures.
Crate and Airline Costs
- Travel crate: An IATA-compliant hard-sided crate, sized to your pet, typically runs $50–$300 depending on size. Cabin-only soft-sided carriers are usually cheaper, around $30–$80.
- Cabin (carry-on) pet fee: Currently $150–$200 per kennel, each way, on Delta (confirmed on Delta’s own site: $150 for U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands, $200 for international, for tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025). Fees vary by airline and change over time — some older published figures around $95 are legacy pricing and no longer current. Confirm the fee directly with your airline before booking.
- Cargo or manifest cargo: Much less standardized. Industry pricing commonly runs $500–$3,000+, depending on your pet’s weight, crate size, and route distance. Some major U.S. carriers have significantly restricted general household-pet cargo shipments in recent years, so check availability early rather than assuming your airline offers it.
DIY vs. Full-Service Pet Relocation
You have two broad paths.
Handling it yourself means you pay only the direct costs above — vet fees, crate, airline fees, and your origin country’s documentation. It’s the cheaper path, but it puts the research, paperwork, and timing entirely on you, and a missed step can mean a delayed or denied entry.
Hiring a full-service pet relocation company adds a service fee on top of those same direct costs, in exchange for someone else managing the process — paperwork, booking, and often door-to-door logistics. Published industry pricing for full-service moves commonly runs:
- $2,000–$4,000 for a smaller pet on a more straightforward route.
- $4,000–$8,000+ for a larger pet, a longer distance, or a more complex origin country’s requirements.
Service fees themselves (separate from the required government, vet, and airline costs) are often quoted per pet, with additional pets priced lower than the first.
Ways to Reduce the Cost
- Start early. Rushed timelines often mean paying for expedited services you wouldn’t otherwise need.
- Fly your pet in the cabin if they qualify. Cabin travel is almost always cheaper than cargo.
- Confirm your microchip and vaccination status before you need a health certificate. Knowing what’s already current before that visit avoids surprises at the appointment.
- Compare relocation companies rather than accepting the first quote. Services and pricing structures vary.
Related Route Guides
Origin-country requirements affect your total cost significantly. See a specific route for real figures:
