Interstate Dog Transport Regulations: What Owners and Breeders Need to Know in 2026

Moving a dog across state lines involves more paperwork than most owners expect — and more legal exposure than most transporters advertise. This guide covers the regulatory framework in plain language.

Note: Regulations change. This guide reflects the framework as of mid-2026. Always verify current requirements with your veterinarian and the destination state’s agriculture department before transport.

The Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) — commonly called a health certificate — is required for virtually all interstate dog transport. It must be:

• Issued by a licensed, accredited veterinarian
• Dated within 10 days of travel (some states require 7 days or fewer)
• Signed with the vet’s USDA accreditation number
• Specific to the individual dog (not a batch cert for a litter without individual identification)

Health certificates expire. A cert issued for a transport that gets rescheduled may need to be reissued. Budget accordingly.

USDA Licensing for Transporters

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) governs the commercial transport of dogs. Under USDA APHIS regulations:

• Class T (Transporter) License is required for carriers transporting dogs in commerce across state lines
• The license is tied to the individual business, not the vehicle
• Licensed carriers are subject to USDA inspections and must maintain transport records

How to verify a carrier’s license: Visit the USDA APHIS license search and enter the carrier’s name or business. If they claim exemption, ask them to explain the specific basis — not all exemptions apply equally.

Breeder Exemptions: Narrower Than They Look

Breeders transporting their own dogs directly to buyers may qualify for an AWA retail pet store exemption, but the rules are specific:

• The breeder must have four or fewer breeding females
• The sale must be direct to the buyer (not through a broker or intermediary)
• The breeder must be transporting their own animals (not acting as a carrier for others)

Breeders who exceed these thresholds, use third-party transport, or ship to brokers are generally subject to standard licensing requirements. The exemption is frequently misunderstood — and misapplied.

State-by-State Entry Requirements

Every state has the authority to set its own entry requirements for animals. Common requirements include:

Requirement	Common States
CVI required	All states
Rabies vaccination certificate	Most states
Specific diseases on CVI	Varies widely
Import permit	Some states require advance application
Brucellosis testing	Several states for intact dogs

High-attention states (requirements that frequently surprise owners):

• California — strict on documentation; health cert must meet specific format requirements
• Hawaii — not ground-accessible but worth noting for completeness; extreme quarantine rules
• Florida — requires health cert; specific requirements for commercial shipments
• Texas — health cert plus rabies certificate; brucellosis testing increasingly expected for intact dogs

The only reliable source for current entry requirements is the destination state’s department of agriculture. Do not rely on the carrier or Google — requirements change and the consequences of non-compliance fall on you.

Brucellosis: The Underappreciated Risk

Canine brucellosis (Brucella canis) is a bacterial disease that spreads between intact dogs and can, rarely, infect humans. Several states now require or strongly recommend brucellosis testing for intact dogs entering commerce — especially for breeding dogs.

Reputable breeders test their dogs regularly. If you are purchasing a dog from a breeder and the dog will be transported, ask for brucellosis test results as part of your due diligence.

Puppy Age Restrictions

Federal regulations under the AWA set the minimum age for commercial transport of puppies at 8 weeks. Some states set higher minimums. Responsible breeders typically don’t release puppies before 8 weeks regardless of legal minimums, but the rule exists because it’s been violated.

If you are purchasing a puppy, confirm the age at which the breeder plans to ship. Anything earlier than 8 weeks should be an immediate disqualifying flag.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Licensed carriers are required to maintain records of each transport, including:

• Identity of animals transported
• Origin and destination
• Health documentation received
• Any incidents during transport

Ask your carrier whether they maintain transport records and how long they retain them. A carrier who doesn’t keep records isn’t operating at a professional standard.

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Navigating these requirements on your own is manageable — but time-consuming. If you’re a breeder moving multiple dogs across multiple states, or an owner planning a complex multi-state relocation, a Trotway consultation can map the specific documentation requirements for your route and connect you with a pre-vetted carrier who’s already familiar with them.