International Health Certificate — Step-by-Step Guide

Before you do anything

  1. Find destination requirements: Go to the USDA APHIS Pet Travel website and select your destination country. Read the country page carefully — it lists required vaccines, tests, parasite treatments, timelines, and extra forms.

Step 1 — Gather required documents & travel details (ASAP)

Collect the following and bring them before or at drop-off:

  • Rabies vaccine documentation
    • Manufacturer, lot number, expiration date must be shown.
    • If rabies protection lapsed and your pet needs revaccination with a 1-year vaccine, the new certificate is acceptable.
  • Microchip information
    • Microchip number and implant date.
    • Important: microchip must have been implanted before the first rabies vaccine to be valid for travel. If implanted afterward the rabies vaccine may need to be repeated.
  • Travel itinerary details — provide exactly as on travel documents:
    • Date of departure and arrival
    • Airline(s) and flight number(s) (include layovers)
    • Method of travel for the pet (in-cabin, checked baggage, cargo, etc.)
    • Your North Carolina address (current residence)
    • Destination address
    • Name of the person traveling with the pet (must match passport)

Step 2 — Review country-specific timeline & medical requirements

  1. Use the APHIS country page to confirm:
    • Required vaccinations or boosters (other than rabies)
    • Rabies titer tests (if required)
    • Parasite treatments and timing
    • Number and timing of veterinary exams
    • Any quarantine or special documentation steps
  2. If the destination is not the EU, you must work with a pet relocation/transport company (they coordinate multi-step timelines and prevent denied entry).
    • We recommend Continental Pet Relocation, but you may choose another company.

Step 3 — Contact a pet relocation company (non-EU travel)

  • For all non-EU destinations, contact a relocation company and confirm all steps and deadlines they require.
  • Share the relocation company’s instructions with our clinic so we can perform required medical services to match their timeline.

Step 4 — Schedule an IHC appointment 

  • Schedule the appointment after you’ve reviewed the APHIS requirements and (if applicable) after speaking with your relocation company.
  • Email us all documents and itinerary details to Care First.  Please also bring all documents and itinerary details to your appointment.  

Step 5 — Clinic completes paperwork & exam

  • We will perform the travel exam, complete the IHC accurately, and submit it for USDA endorsement (if required).
  • Care First’s role: prepare and submit the certificate correctly.
  • Owner / relocation company role: make sure all destination-specific requirements (vaccines, titers, treatments, quarantine, timeline steps) are satisfied.

EU-specific notes (if traveling to the European Union)

  • We can complete the entire EU IHC process without a relocation company.
  • EU requirements to remember:
    • Current rabies vaccination is required. A one-day lapse (between a 1-year and 3-year vaccine) makes a rabies certificate invalid.
    • If revaccination is needed, the pet must wait 21 - 28 days after vaccination before entering the EU.
    • Microchip must be implanted before first rabies vaccine (or revaccination is required).
    • We can submit the EU certificate within 30 days of travel; USDA will endorse it within 10 days of travel.

Non-EU travel — additional cautions

  • Non-EU countries often require extra steps: additional vaccines, rabies antibody titers, parasite treatments, multiple exams, and sometimes quarantine.
  • Because requirements vary and timelines can be strict, Care First requires a relocation company to coordinate these steps.

Final checklist to bring 

  • Rabies certificate (manufacturer, lot, expiration)
  • Microchip number + implant date
  • Complete flight itinerary (dates, airlines, flight numbers)
  • Method of pet travel (in-cabin, cargo, etc.)
  • North Carolina address + destination address
  • Traveler’s name as on passport
  • Any relocation company instructions or forms

Where to start (quick)

  1. Visit USDA APHIS Pet Travel → select your destination country.
  2. Confirm requirements and timelines.
  3. If non-EU, contact a pet relocation company.
  4. Call our hospital to schedule an IHC appointment once you have the above information.