US low-risk companion certificates, chip/rabies, air entry and animal-welfare restrictions, separate from high-risk/cargo paths.
Eligibility and unresolved conditions
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage
Selected US path: at most five adult private dogs/cats travelling with their owner, no sale/ownership transfer. An authorised companion needs the written owner declaration and an owner journey within five days before or after. Competition exceptions and commercial movements are separate.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage
Use a working microchip before rabies vaccination and scan it before vaccination. If an accepted non-ISO chip is used, carry its reader or add an ISO chip and record both numbers. This selected path uses microchips.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage
Vaccinate against rabies at twelve weeks or older. Wait at least 21 days after the primary protocol, or the longer manufacturer immunity period required by the US export guidance, with valid coverage at entry. An on-time booster has no new wait; a lapse becomes primary.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage
For US vaccinations, APHIS treats primary rabies vaccination as valid for one year even if the product is labelled three-year. Boost within twelve months; subsequent valid boosters follow manufacturer duration. Carry the continuous vaccination records, not only the last injection date.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage
The Swiss June 2026 official list classifies the US as low rabies risk, subject to temporary safeguards. Use that selected source branch; the extra antibody test and FSVO air-import authorisation described for high-risk countries must not be imposed on every direct US pet or waived for an unknown source.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage
For first US entry without an eligible existing EU/Swiss passport, obtain the selected new non-commercial health certificate and owner declaration. A USDA-accredited vet issues it and APHIS ink-signs/embosses; carry the endorsed paper original. Ordinary electronic issuance does not replace the required original ink endorsement in this selected branch.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage
For the selected new model reach the entry documentary/identity check within ten days of official issue or competent-authority endorsement after an authorised vet signs. APHIS’s thirty-day accredited-vet preparation window does not extend the final ten-day arrival window. Keep supporting chip and vaccination documents attached.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage
For direct accompanied air entry use Basel, Geneva or Zurich and present the animal at the red Customs exit for mandatory checks. The separate unaccompanied air-waybill route is limited to Geneva/Zurich and is outside this selected companion certificate path.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Ordinary import of dogs with cropped ears or docked tails is prohibited. Do not assume a rabies certificate removes the animal-welfare restriction; natural short tails, medical cases, temporary visits or relocation exceptions need their own authority assessment. This rule is dog-specific.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage
Under the selected new model the animal shows no disease symptoms and is fit for the movement. Attach the signed non-commercial declaration and, for an authorised companion, the separate written authorisation identifying the animal/certificate and owner’s journey date.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
Other origins need their own classification and route. For high-risk countries the Swiss general page requires antibody testing and long waiting, while its linked new model specifies at least ninety days from sampling to certificate issue. Confirm the Swiss applicable waiting rule and any required air permit before booking; do not reuse EU six-month onward validity as Swiss entry/residence permission.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
Confirm carrier acceptance, safeguards, canton-specific dog rules and actual Customs service. Cargo, more than five, young animals, transfer, CITES hybrids, docking exceptions and permanent-registration procedures require separate evidence; no universal quarantine exemption is established here.
Healthy adult private US domestic dogs/cats on the low-rabies-risk accompanied air path, at most five, microchip/valid rabies, no transfer, owner or authorised companion within five days and selected new certificate. Actual safeguards/carrier/canton restrictions apply. High-risk origins, cargo, young animals, cropped/docked exceptions and residence are separate.
