A practical 2026 guide to Iceland’s destination-led export process, CDC low-risk rules, Icelandair’s international pet restriction, alternative carriers, costs, and timing.
Everything you need to navigate international pet relocation: import rules, customs, costs, timelines.
Moderate
6–10 weeks
Varies substantially by accepted routing
None required (mainland US)
The CDC pathway is simple, but a valid passenger itinerary is not proof that the pet is accepted. Icelandair has not accepted animals in the hold on international flights since November 1, 2024, and its cabin service is for qualified service dogs rather than ordinary pets. Confirm every operating segment before buying the passenger ticket.
A practical 2026 guide to Iceland’s destination-led export process, CDC low-risk rules, Icelandair’s international pet restriction, alternative carriers, costs, and timing.
US federal agencies and MAST do not publish a general certificate requirement for this pathway, but the airline, cargo provider, transit country, or destination state may require one.
Confirm with MAST and the Transport Provider
The signer and endorsement depend on the document required by the accepted carrier, cargo provider, transit country, or state. Confirm the exact form before the veterinary appointment.
Not Required
Iceland is FMD-free and not listed as screwworm-affected, so no additional APHIS disease certificate applies based on Iceland origin alone.
Set by the Transport Provider or Requesting Authority
Confirm the validity window after choosing the provider. Delta Cargo, for example, publishes a 10-day international health-certificate window.
Carry Originals and Offline Copies
Keep the CDC receipt, microchip record, vaccination and ownership records, carrier confirmation, and any health certificate accessible.
→ Iceland is not on the CDC high-risk dog-rabies list
→ Every dog needs a readable microchip and CDC Dog Import Form receipt
→ The dog’s full 6-month travel history controls the pathway
→ Icelandair does not currently carry ordinary pets internationally
→ Carrier, cargo, transit, or state certificate rules may apply
→ Assuming Icelandair’s direct US flights accept ordinary pets
→ Buying the passenger ticket before confirming pet space
→ Ignoring the dog’s 6-month travel history
→ Copying MAST’s EU or UK certificate rules
→ Assuming no federal certificate means no certificate
→ Routing a hold pet through Munich
Cabin & Cargo
EUR 70–500
8 kg cabin / 75 kg hold
Verify Iceland-origin and US segments with each operating carrier
Cabin & Cargo
Varies
8 kg cabin; hold by accepted kennel
USA registration and airport limits; no hold connections via Munich
Cargo
Varies
Health certificate within 10 days
No ordinary cabin pets from/to Iceland; IPATA shipper required internationally
Follow this timeline to make sure you complete everything on time for a smooth, stress-free travel day.
Its current international hold service is unavailable and ordinary pets do not have a cabin alternative.
Acceptance depends on every operating carrier, aircraft, route, breed, and kennel.
MAST's detailed EU and UK procedures govern different destinations.
Costs vary based on pet size, airline, season, and any additional Services.
No reliable Iceland-to-US total was verified. The largest variables are accepted routing, cargo or passenger-baggage handling, kennel, veterinary documentation, ground transport, and professional support.
Typical total cost
Price in USD, Estimate only.
→ CDC Dog Import Form receipt — dogs
→ Microchip record — dogs
→ Airline or cargo reservation confirmation
→ Vaccination and ownership records
→ Health certificate and transit/state documents when required
Start with your origin country guide for route-specific requirements, timelines, and common pitfalls.
→ No. Iceland is absent from the CDC’s current high-risk list.
→ The dog’s complete 6-month travel history still controls the pathway.
→ Healthy appearance, minimum age of 6 months, readable microchip, and CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
→ This assumes exclusively low-risk travel history.
→ Not under the current policy.
→ Icelandair says international hold transport has been unavailable since November 1, 2024, and ordinary pets are not offered cabin carriage.
→ Not as a general US federal rule for this pathway.
→ The carrier, cargo provider, transit country, or destination state may require one.
→ Not for the low-risk pathway.
→ High-risk travel during the prior 6 months can change the requirements.
→ Not for a compliant mainland-US arrival.
→ Hawaii and Guam have separate programs.
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.
This route should be planned in the opposite order from many low-risk routes: confirm the carrier first, then complete the paperwork.
The CDC requirements are simple, but they do not create an airline option. A confirmed pet booking on every operating segment is the critical dependency.
Icelandair’s direct US network may look like the obvious choice, yet its current international fleet policy excludes ordinary pets from the hold and does not offer them cabin carriage.
MAST tells exporters to obtain the importing country’s requirements. The exact certificate process therefore depends on the accepted carrier and itinerary rather than one universal US-bound form.
Professional help is especially relevant for a large pet, cargo movement, multi-carrier itinerary, restricted breed, or owner who needs help identifying a feasible 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.
