Traveling with a pet to the European Union*? Written by Tracy Smoak
Here are some helpful tips for making sure that the whole family is ready for the trip.
The veterinarian should place a microchip in the pet, which meets ISO standards 11784/11785.
Rabies vaccine must be given more than 21 days prior to travel but less than 12 months prior to travel. Puppies of less than 12 weeks require an import permit since they will not have been vaccinated for rabies.
The veterinarian should sign and date the EU Bilingual Health Certificate Form 998 as close to departure as possible, but not more than 14 days before you enter the EU.
After your veterinarian has signed the EU form 998 it is REQUIRED that you obtain the official USDA stamp, which is given by the local USDA office for the state in which you are located.
South Carolina APHIS Areas Veterinarian–In–Charge: Dr. Delorias M. LenardVSSC@aphis.usda.gov
803-788-1919
USDA-APHIS-VS
9600 Two Notch Rd.
Suite 10
Columbia, SC 29223
More details for pet import / export as well as the EU 998 form can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov.
*Please note that Sweden, Ireland and the United Kingdom have different regulations than listed above.
