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Bringing your dog or cat home to the United States? Pets arriving from abroad go through several security and customs checks. We handle US customs clearance for you and connect you with trusted partners to manage the export side, so your pet lands safely and gets home faster.
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40 years of experience     4.7   500+ Google reviews     12,000+ safe trips

I n c o m i n g   P e t s

We're ready for touchdown

Whether your pet is flying to the United States after a short stay abroad or a lifetime in another country, there are a number of hoops to jump through. Getting every detail right can be confusing and time consuming, and a missed document can delay your pet's entry. Let us handle the US side for you.
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Customs cleared in the air

In most cases, we can begin customs clearance while your pet is still flying to the United States. That cuts processing time after landing and helps avoid unnecessary overnight stays.

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Experience that matters

Every year we oversee hundreds of pet imports into the United States, backed by four decades of moving pets around the world.

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Transparent pricing and regular updates

We know the latest country, state, and airline import rules and how to move through US security and customs quickly. You'll get clear pricing up front and updates on arrival day.

Pets cleared through US customs

4,000+

Pets cleared on entry

100%

Live updates

  • A pet from BAH just cleared US customs at JFK!
  • A pet from AKL just cleared US customs at SFO!
  • A pet from MAD just cleared US customs at LAS!
  • A pet from LHR just cleared US customs at IAH!
  • A pet from LHR just cleared US customs at PIT!
  • A pet from LHR just cleared US customs at DEN!

HOW IT WORKS

What's the import process?

  1. 1

    Request a quote

    Tell us about your pet, where they're flying from, and when. It takes about a minute.

  2. 2

    Choose your service

    Once your invoice is paid, a dedicated booking specialist is assigned to your pet's import.

  3. 3

    We gather the details

    Your specialist collects the information and documents needed for US customs.

  4. 4

    Arrival day updates

    On the day your pet lands, we keep you updated through clearance until your pet is released.

Before the flight

In your origin country, you or your export partner handles

Find an export partner →
After landing

Upon arrival in the US, Starwood handles

  • US customs clearance
  • All airline terminal fees
  • Collecting and reviewing your import documents
  • Arrival day updates until your pet is released

IMPORT SERVICES

Choose your import service

We can clear your pet remotely at any US port of entry, and every package covers US customs clearance once your pet lands. Pick how you'd like to be reunited: collect your pet yourself, meet our driver near the airport, or have your pet delivered home.

Customs clearance coordinated through our licensed U.S. customs broker

Remote customs clearance

$575

We clear your pet through customs remotely at any US port of entry, and you collect your pet from the airline cargo area yourself.

  • US customs clearance at any US port of entry
  • All airline terminal fees
  • Driver pickup at the airport
  • Delivery to your home

Customs clearance with handover at the airport

$950

Our driver collects your pet once the airline releases them and meets you at a convenient spot at or near the airport.

  • Pre-clearance paperwork through our licensed U.S. customs broker
  • All airline terminal fees
  • Driver collects your pet from the airline
  • Handover at or near the airport
  • Delivery to your home

Customs clearance with local delivery

$950+ delivery

Our driver picks up your pet from the airport and brings them straight to your new home.

  • Pre-clearance paperwork through our licensed U.S. customs broker
  • All airline terminal fees
  • Driver collects your pet from the airline
  • Delivery to your new home

Delivery is priced by mileage from the airport. Share your address when you request a quote and we'll confirm the exact charge.

Our regular hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm local time, Monday through Friday. Pets arriving on weekends or outside these hours have a $100 after-hours surcharge.

COMMERCIAL IMPORTS

Importing animals for a business or organization?

We also clear commercial animal imports into the United States, including group shipments like rescue greyhounds. Tell us about your shipment and we'll put together a custom quote.

E x p o r t   p a r t n e r s

Trusted partners to get your pet on the plane

Our service covers US customs clearance after your pet lands in the United States. For the export and the flight, we recommend working with one of the trusted agents below in the country your pet is flying from.
Flying from
Export partner Our recommended agents in each country of origin. They can handle the full export service, from paperwork to your pet's flight.
Status Shows extra requirements for dogs from this country: CDC rules for countries considered high-risk for dog rabies, and USDA rules for countries affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) or screwworm.
Australia
Standard import
United Kingdom
Standard import
Ireland
Standard import
Italy
Standard import
Germany
USDA: FMD rules
Singapore
USDA: screwworm rules
Hong Kong
USDA: FMD & screwworm
South Africa
Dogs: no quarantine onlyUSDA: FMD & screwworm
United Arab Emirates
Dogs: no quarantine onlyUSDA: FMD & screwworm
Malaysia
Dogs: no quarantine onlyUSDA: FMD & screwworm
Latin America
Varies by country

Status reflects CDC and USDA APHIS country disease listings as of October 2026. Requirements can change, so our team confirms what applies to your pet when you request a quote.

F A Q

Common Customs
Clearance Questions

Do you handle the export from my current country?

No. Our service covers US import and customs clearance. You can arrange the export directly with an airline, or let one of our trusted import partners prepare your pet to leave the country.

Can you help if my dog is flying from a high-risk rabies country?

We can assist when your dog won't need quarantine on arrival. CDC requirements depend on where your dog was vaccinated and where it has been in the past 6 months. Check whether your dog's origin country is on the CDC high-risk countries list, then use the CDC Dog Importation Navigator to see which rules apply.

What happens on arrival day?

Your booking specialist tracks clearance and keeps you updated until your pet is released. Because we start clearance while your pet is in the air, there's less waiting after landing. Arrival day is just one part of the journey, so our United States pet travel guide covers the timelines leading up to it.

Do cats need to meet the CDC dog requirements?

No. CDC's dog import rules apply to dogs only, but cats still need to meet other US and state entry requirements. Our USA Import FAQ covers what cat owners should prepare.

Does your service include my flight?

No. Starwood Pet Travel’s import service covers US customs clearance only, starting once your pet arrives in the United States. You or your export partner books your pet’s flight and pays the airline fees. If you need help with the flight and export paperwork, our recommended export partners can handle the full export service from your pet’s origin country.

What does US customs clearance include?

When your pet arrives in the United States, Starwood Pet Travel handles:

  • US customs clearance, which in most cases we begin while your pet is still in the air
  • All airline terminal fees
  • Collecting and reviewing your pet’s import documents
  • Updates on arrival day until your pet is released

It doesn’t include the flight, health certificates or veterinary prep. Those are handled before departure by you or your export partner.

What documents do I need to provide?

To clear your pet through US customs, we’ll typically need:

  • The air waybill (AWB) for your pet’s flight
  • A copy of your passport or government-issued ID
  • A signed power of attorney (POA) so we can clear customs on your behalf
  • Your pet’s veterinary and CDC paperwork, as required for their origin country

Your specialist will confirm exactly what applies to your move, so you can have everything ready before your pet flies.

Testimonials

14 days ago

Fantastic service, moved our two dogs from Aberdeen, Scotland to Houston USA via Heathrow, so good to deal with!

Barry Moir
✈️ Scotland → United States
🐶 Arlo & Angus
Arlo & Angus's pet

46 days ago

Our french bulldog traveled from Frankfurt Germany to Boston MA. Starwood Pet Travel handled everything on the US side and made sure the the paperwork is done the right way and we had a good experienc...

Felix Zech
✈️ Germany → United States
🐶 Gisbert
Gisbert's pet

79 days ago

Julie Smith and the team at Starwood did a great job! Moving two dogs from Germany to the U.S. is hard but they made the process easier. There was an issue with a delay in arrival times and Julie was ...

Hilary Williams
✈️ Germany → Germany
🐶 Momi & Lilu
Momi & Lilu's pet

129 days ago

When we started moving from Hawaii my main concern was traveling with my two big dogs (Boxer and Australian Sheppard). After research I decided to contact Starwood and see what they had to offer. Afte...

Delaney Maufroy
✈️ Hawaii → United States
🐶 Nova & Ona
Nova & Ona's pet

167 days ago

Truly an incredible service!!! We sent our 5 year old lab from England to America and everything went so well. They gave us updates and made sure we knew where she was every step of the way. They trea...

Paige Wester
✈️ United Kingdom → United States
🐶 Flo
Flo's pet

416 days ago

This is the second time when I worked with Starwood and Ryan to move my dogs. First time was from the mainland to Hawaii and this time from Hawaii to the mainland, both pretty significant moves. I hav...

Eliza Hagen
✈️ United States → United States
🐶 Hazel and George's Trip to San Francisco
Hazel and George's Trip to San Francisco's pet

466 days ago

Having researched a number of resources we selected Starwood Pet Travel to handle the inbound process of relocating our Misty from Cavite, Philippines to Houston, Texas USA. Throughout the process our...

Peter Staines
✈️ Philippines → United States
🐶 Misty's Trip to Houston
Misty's Trip to Houston's pet

513 days ago

I was so worried up moving my dog to Thailand from the US. Thanks to Starwood Pet Travel everything went perfectly! 🥰

Gail Welch
✈️ Thailand → United States
🐶 Trek to Thailand
Trek to Thailand's pet

533 days ago

The trip went extremely well. We met up with the Starwood team in New York on Wednesday morning, handed our pup over to them, and then arrived in Hawaii, where we met our pup at our new home. Everyone...

Michele Harrison
✈️ United States → United States
🐶 Bulldog to Hawaii
Bulldog to Hawaii's pet

538 days ago

It was nice having everything handled for us. Ryan was always able to answer any thing I had questions about and was overall so great.

Tabatha Havunen
✈️ United States → United States
🐶 Tabatha from Hawaii to NYC
Tabatha from Hawaii to NYC's pet

554 days ago

I have hired Starwood twice to transport my two dogs from London back to the US. The team is amazing and I highly recommend working with them if you want a stress-free experience.

✈️ United Kingdom → United States
🐶 Labs to Seattle
Labs to Seattle's pet

570 days ago

Julie and team ❤️ We have Oscar now in Tucson. We just wanted to pass on our deepest gratitude to you and your teams. We were so worried and stressed about Oscar’s trip due to his age and medical hist...

Victoria Norn
✈️ United States → United States
🐶 Oscar
Oscar's pet

573 days ago

We used Starwood to assist us in relocating our girls from New York to Hawaii. Both are close to 50 pounds each and had to travel via cargo. We were fortunate to have a direct flight and chose the pac...

✈️ United States → United States
🐶 The girls to Hawaii
The girls to Hawaii's pet

575 days ago

Throughout the process of getting Buster from CA to Hawaii Ryan was incredible. Helping every step of the way ensuring my vet received and had all the proper documents required. Reassuring me that we ...

✈️ United States → United States
🐶 Buster
Buster's pet

577 days ago

Just wanted to give a huge thanks to the Jet Pets team in New Zealand and Starwood Pet Travel in the US for getting our beloved Kona safely to the United States. From the initial discussions to the Ve...

✈️ New Zealand → United States
🐶 Kona
Kona's pet

585 days ago

If you're a concerned pet owner like me, Starwood makes the process of transporting them so much easier. My family and moved 3 dogs from California to Hawaii, and there is no way this would've gone as...

✈️ United States → United States
🐶 Loki, Lucy, & Gertie to Hawaii
Loki, Lucy, & Gertie to Hawaii's pet

633 days ago

We could not have done our move internationally without Molly and Starwood! Our pup was comfortable and happy throught the whole experience. Even when there were hiccups at the last minute, Starwood h...

✈️ Australia → United States
🐶 Bentley
Bentley's pet

635 days ago

Incredible experience using this service. Everything was truly 'hands free' as Starwood took care of all the heavy lifting. Each point of contact was detailed, communicative, and readily available for...

✈️ United Kingdom → United States
🐶 Maverick
Maverick's pet

681 days ago

Extraordinary service, from each Starwood employee who made it possible to fly our dog from Colorado mountains to Hawaii!! Thank you so much!

✈️ United States → Hawaii
🐶 Carlo
Carlo's pet

Stories

Nova & Ona's Trip to the United States

✈️ HNL-LAX

Nova and Ona had spent their whole lives on the island. Nova, the Boxer, had the kind of energy that made strangers smile and the kind of worry in her eyes that made her owners stop to reassure her a ...

Read full story →
Nova & Ona's pet