Pet Travel Question: Pet Moves from Switzerland to the US

Dear PetRelocation,

Our dog Charlie emigrated with us from the USA to Switzerland eight months ago. We want to bring him back to the USA for our six-week USA vacation and then return to Switzerland with him in September. He has a pet passport from Switzerland now. What does this journey require in paperwork?
Thanks,
Bev


Hi Bev,

Thank you for your question! Here are the pet import requirements for the United States as well as the import requirements for Switzerland. It's significantly easier to travel to the United States with a pet than to Switzerland, but for both cases you'll need proof of an updated rabies vaccine and a health certificate issued by your veterinarian within 10 days of travel.

It's also important to check airline policies carefully to make sure you're in line with them, and as always, help to make sure your dog is well-hydrated before traveling and avoid sedation.

Since you've recently moved it should be easier to navigate this back-and-forth, but if you have any questions don't hesitate to contact us.

Happy traveling, Bev!

Pet Travel Question Details:

Name: Beverley
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Havanese
From: Switzerland
To: USA

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in April 2011 and has been updated with new information.