Your pet’s safe trip

France is a dream destination not only for people—but also for pets! From leisurely strolls along the Seine to relaxing afternoons at pet-friendly cafés, your furry companion can live their best life in the land of wine, cheese, and charm. But first, you’ll need to meet the requirements for international pet travel into France.

Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for your pet’s smooth arrival in France.

France, as a member of the European Union, follows the EU’s standardized pet import regulations. U.S. pets can enter France without quarantine as long as all requirements are fulfilled.

✅ Microchip

Your pet must be microchipped with a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip before receiving the rabies vaccine. If your pet already has a microchip, confirm that it is ISO-compliant or travel with a scanner.

💉 Rabies Vaccination

• Must be given after microchip implantation

• Must be at least 21 days old at the time of travel

• Must be valid (not expired) and documented with date, vaccine type, and manufacturer

Note: Pets must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the rabies vaccine and are eligible to travel 21 days after vaccination.

Although other immunizations are not officially required for import, it is recommended that cats and dogs are vaccinated for the following. Do note that if your pet will be boarding, these vaccinations will be required.

• Dogs: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus), Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Leptospirosis, CIV (Canine Influenza Virus)
• Cats: FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia), Feline Leukemia

Blood Tests

If you are moving from a non-listed country (where rabies is a known problem or not reliably controlled), your pet will also have to have a rabies titer blood test to prove their rabies vaccine is active within their body. This blood test must be completed in an approved EU laboratory and must be done at least 30 days after rabies vaccination and at least 3 months prior to travel.

This is not needed when coming from the United States. 

Import Permit

France does not require an import permit for dogs, cats, or ferrets that are personal family pets.

📄 EU Health Certificate (Annex IV)

U.S. pets traveling to France require an official EU health certificate, which must be:

• Completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of entry

• Endorsed by the USDA APHIS office in your region

• Issued in both English and French

• Accompanied by the rabies vaccination certificate and microchip documentation

The health certificate remains valid for:

• Entry into France: 10 days after issuance

• Travel within the EU: 4 months, or until the rabies vaccine expires

📬 Customs Declaration Upon Arrival

You must declare your pet at customs when arriving in France. Customs officials may:

• Scan the microchip

• Verify documents

• Ensure compliance with vaccination timelines

You may be asked to present your pet's documents at the first port of entry (even if connecting to another EU country).

Banned Breeds

If your dog is one of the following breeds, you may not bring them to France unless they have an official, registered pedigree:

• American Staffordshire terrier (formerly Staffordshire terrier) or “pit bulls”
• Mastiff or "boerbulls"
• Tosa

If your dog is one of these breeds and does have a registered pedigree, you may import them but you will have to follow certain rules set forth for dangerous dogs. This also applies to Rottweilers and dogs that are “similar to Rottweilers,” with or without a registered pedigree.

Age Restrictions for France

France does not allow the import of puppies, kittens, or baby ferrets that are younger than 12 weeks and have no rabies vaccination, or those between 12-16 weeks whose rabies vaccine was administered less than 21 days prior to arrival. 

Our France pet shipping services include:

• Door-to-door transport
• Assistance with health certificates, import certificates, and other travel documents needed for animal transport to France (outlined above)
• USDA endorsement and consular legalization (when needed) of all relevant documents where required
• Airline-approved flight kennels provided with personalized labels, identification and emergency notification instructions
• Customs clearance and delivery to your home
• Local pet taxi service to and from the airport, your home, veterinarian, kennel, or groomer – available in major France cities as well as their surrounding areas
• Travel consultation and flight reservations

We will inform you of your pet's full itinerary before the trip and we will update you as your pet travels to France.