Everything you need to navigate international pet relocation: import rules, customs, costs, timelines.
Moderate
4–6 weeks if already microchipped; 6–8 weeks from first vet visit; 3–6 months recommended
$2,000–$5,000 (cat/small dog); $5,000–$12,000+ (large dog)
None required (US mainland)
The complexity on this route is almost entirely on the Australian export side — the DAFF Notice of Intention deadline and documentation requirements — rather than on US entry.
Issued by a DAFF departmental veterinary officer after confirming your pet meets US import and Australian export requirements.
DAFF Veterinary Officer
A registered vet prepares your pet, and a DAFF departmental veterinary officer issues the export permit and health certificate.
Not Required
The US side has no USDA endorsement requirement for this route. DAFF handles all export-side certification.
Within 72 Hours
The final health and welfare examination must occur within 72 hours of departure.
Required
Bring the original DAFF export permit, health certificate, and pre-export declaration.
→ Submit the DAFF Notice of Intention at least 10 working days before departure
→ Implant the microchip before any rabies vaccination
→ A final health and welfare exam is required within 72 hours of departure
→ All dogs need a completed CDC Dog Import Form
→ Bookings must go through a licensed pet travel specialist
→ Missing the DAFF Notice of Intention deadline (10 working days before departure)
→ Vaccinating before microchipping
→ Assuming United, Delta, or American can carry your pet
→ Not booking the cargo slot early enough
→ Not checking for seasonal Qantas embargoes
→ Not checking destination state rules
→ Recording the microchip number inconsistently across documents
→ Confusing this route with the much stricter USA-to-Australia requirements
Follow this timeline to make sure you complete everything on time for a smooth, stress-free travel day.
The NOI must be submitted at least 10 working days before departure, or DAFF cannot issue your export permit in time.
Much of the information found online about "Australia pet relocation" actually describes the much stricter reverse direction.
$2,000–$12,000+
No
Costs vary based on pet size, airline, season, and any additional Services.
$2,000–$12,000+
Typical total cost
Price in USD, Estimate only.
→ CDC Dog Import Form receipt — Dogs
→ Microchip implant record
→ DAFF export permit
→ DAFF export health certificate
→ Pre-export declaration
→ Fit-to-fly veterinary certificate
→ Rabies vaccination certificate (if required by airline or destination state)
Start with your origin country guide for route-specific requirements, timelines, and common pitfalls.
→ No, for US mainland destinations.
→ Australia is not on the CDC’s high-risk list for dog rabies.
→ Hawaii and Guam have separate quarantine rules not covered in this guide.
→ A form submitted to DAFF signaling your intent to export your pet.
→ Must be submitted at least 10 working days before departure.
→ Without an approved NOI, DAFF cannot issue your export permit and health certificate.
→ No — all pets travel as air cargo on direct Australia-US flights.
→ Qantas Freight is the primary carrier.
→ Bookings must go through a licensed pet travel specialist.
→ 4-6 weeks if already microchipped and healthy.
→ 6-8 weeks from the first vet visit.
→ 3-6 months recommended to allow for DAFF processing and limited cargo availability.
→ The CDC does not require it for dogs from Australia.
→ Your airline or destination state may still require it.
→ If vaccinating, it must be given after the microchip is implanted.
Our pet relocation experts are here to guide you every step of the way.
If a regulation changes after this page was published, the official source always takes precedence over this guide — check the links above for the current rules before you travel.
Australia to the US is one of the longer-haul routes on this site, and its complexity comes less from government requirements — Australia is CDC low-risk — and more from how few realistic transport options exist.
Qantas Freight is effectively the only realistic carrier for this route, and bookings must go through a licensed pet travel specialist — Qantas does not accept direct public bookings for pet cargo. Unlike shorter routes with several competing airlines, there isn’t much comparison shopping to do here.
Qantas has previously imposed seasonal embargoes on pet cargo to some US airports during the warmer months. If your travel dates are flexible, confirm current embargo status for your specific destination airport before committing to a date.
Given the long-haul distance and specialist-only booking requirement, most owners have little control over routing specifics beyond choosing their US destination airport. Confirm with your specialist which US airports Qantas Freight currently serves for pet cargo.
Effectively yes, by design — Qantas Freight requires bookings through a licensed pet travel specialist, so a professional is built into this route’s process rather than an optional add-on. The main decision is choosing a specialist experienced with this specific route. You can compare vetted international pet relocation services to find one experienced with this route.
If a regulation changes after this page was published, the official source always takes precedence over this guide — check the links above for the current rules before you travel.
