How Much Does A Health Certificate For Pet Travel Cost?

If you’re researching health certificate for pet travel cost, the price varies widely depending on whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, your destination country, and required tests.

A pet health certificate is a mandatory veterinary document that confirms an animal is healthy, properly vaccinated, and fit to travel. Whether you’re planning a domestic flight or international pet travel, understanding pet health certificate costs, from basic veterinary exams to government endorsement fees, is critical to budgeting accurately and avoiding expensive mistakes.

Many pet parents assume a health certificate is a simple, inexpensive form. In reality, costs can range from under $200 to well over $1,000 depending on your destination, timing, and required tests.

This guide explains how much a pet health certificate costs, why prices vary so widely, and what factors most commonly increase expenses. All information reflects current requirements and real-world pricing from 2024–2026, including recent regulatory changes. Many pet parents ask whether a pet travel agency is required to handle health certificates, or if this can be managed independently. Our Pets Travel Agency Guide explains how documentation support typically works.

How Much Does a Health Certificate For Pet Travel Cost?

The cost of a pet health certificate depends on:

• Domestic vs international travel
• Destination country
• Required laboratory tests
• Government endorsement fees
• Timing and urgency

At a high level:

• Domestic health certificates (USA): $155–$350
• International health certificates (USA): $400–$1,200+

At Paws Abroad, we provide personalized cost breakdowns based on your exact route, pet details, and timing window so you know what to budget before booking flights or vet appointments.

For a full overview of timelines, documents, airline rules, and country-by-country requirements, see our International Pet Travel Guide 2026. It ties health certificates, endorsements, and flight planning together in one place.

Domestic Pet Health Certificate Costs (USA)

Many pet owners ask how much a health certificate costs for domestic dog travel. In most cases, domestic health certificates for airline travel within the United States fall between $155 and $350.

For travel within the continental United States, pets typically require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), also referred to as a domestic health certificate.

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection Cost

This typically includes:

• Physical examination by a licensed veterinarian
• Review of vaccination records (especially rabies)
• Completion and signing of the CVI form
• Basic parasite screening (if required)

Veterinary clinics in high cost-of-living areas (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco) tend to charge toward the upper end of this range.

Validity Period

Domestic health certificates are usually valid for 30 days, but many airlines impose stricter requirements some only accept certificates issued 3–10 days before travel.

When Is a Domestic Health Certificate Required?

Domestic health certificates are most commonly required when:

• Flying with a pet (airline policy)
• Traveling to Hawaii (strict quarantine laws)
• Entering Alaska
• Transporting pets commercially or for sale

For personal road travel, most U.S. states do not legally require a health certificate, though having documentation is considered best practice.

Airlines often impose stricter timing rules than governments. For example, under the Air Canada pet policy, health certificates may need to be issued within a much shorter window than the standard 30 days.

Always defer to the airline’s requirement if it’s stricter than the state or federal guideline.

International Pet Health Certificate Costs (USA)

International travel introduces significantly higher costs due to additional veterinary visits, testing, and mandatory government endorsement.

How Much Is an International Health Certificate for Dogs?

For international travel, health certificate costs for dogs typically range from $510–$560 for standard destinations and $800–$1,100+ for high-requirement countries.

Veterinary Examination and Certificate Fees

International health certificates must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

Typical veterinary fees:

• Initial/preparatory exam: $100–$200
• Final exam (within validity window): $200–$400
• Total veterinary fees: $300–$600

Most clinics require two appointments one to review vaccines and begin paperwork, and a final exam close to departure.

Because costs vary so much by destination and timing, many pet parents choose to map this out before booking flights.

At Paws Abroad, our planning engine works backwards from your arrival date and shows you exactly when each appointment should happen to stay within validity windows.

If your destination requires FAVN (rabies titer) testing, this must be completed before your health certificate can be issued.
Our complete FAVN Testing (2026) guide explains timelines, lab requirements, and how to plan this step correctly.

USDA Health Certificate Endorsement Fee (APHIS)

Once the veterinarian completes the international health certificate, it must be endorsed by USDA APHIS.

USDA Health Certificate Endorsement Fee (2026)

Number of Lab Tests	Number of Pets	USDA Fee
0 tests	Any number	$101
1–2 tests	1 pet	$160
1–2 tests	2+ pets	$160 + $10 per pet
3–6 tests	1 pet	$206
7+ tests	1 pet	$275+

Important: USDA endorsement fees are non-refundable, even if travel plans change.

Electronic vs Physical Endorsement

• Electronic (VEHCS / “Green Banner” countries): 2–4 business days
• Physical (wet stamp required): 5–7+ business days including shipping

In Paws Abroad, we flag whether your destination typically requires electronic or physical endorsement so you can account for shipping time and extra fees.

Total International Health Certificate Cost (USA)

Typical Cost Scenarios

Minimum scenario (no tests):

• Veterinary fees: $300
• USDA endorsement: $101
• Total: ~$401

Standard EU / UK scenario:

• Veterinary fees: $350–$400
• USDA endorsement (1–2 tests): $160
• Total: ~$510–$560

High-requirement destinations (Australia, New Zealand):

• Veterinary fees: $400–$500
• USDA endorsement: $206+
• Rabies titer test: $200–$400
• Total: $800–$1,100+

USDA-Accredited Veterinarian vs Regular Veterinarian

One of the most expensive mistakes pet owners make is assuming any licensed vet can issue an international health certificate.

Key Differences

Regular Veterinarian

• Can issue domestic health certificates
• Cannot issue international certificates
• Cannot submit to USDA VEHCS

USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

• Completed NVAP training
• Authorized to issue international certificates
• Can submit endorsement requests through VEHCS

If a non-accredited vet completes the certificate, the USDA will reject it—forcing the entire process to restart.

Pet Health Certificate Costs in Canada

Canada uses health certificates overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Cost Breakdown

• Veterinary exam: $49–$75 CAD
• CFIA endorsement: $20 CAD
• Total base cost: ~$50–$70 USD

Additional costs may include:

• Microchip: $30–$75 CAD
• Rabies vaccination: $20–$69 CAD
• Rabies titer test: $150–$250+ USD

UK and EU Pet Health Certificate Costs

Costs and validity rules differ significantly depending on whether you’re traveling from the UK/EU or into it.

UK Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

Since Brexit, UK residents must obtain a new Animal Health Certificate for every EU trip.

• Typical cost: £100–£300
• Rush service: £190+
• Validity: 10 days

Single-use only

Frequent travelers quickly find this more expensive than the previous pet passport system.

EU Pet Passport

• EU residents can still obtain EU Pet Passports:
• Initial cost: €135–€400
• Valid for life (with current rabies vaccines)

Cost Factors That Increase Health Certificate Expenses

The biggest drivers of higher costs include:

1. Timing and urgency
2. Destination country requirements
3. Required laboratory tests
4. Multiple pets
5. Microchip issues
6. Endorsement complexity

High-biosecurity destinations (Hawaii, Japan, Australia, New Zealand) often require months of preparation and can cost $1,500–$3,000+ including quarantine.

What Is and Is Not Included in Health Certificate Fees

Typically Included

• Physical examination
• Review of vaccination records
• Completion of the certificate
• Signature and clinic stamp
• Microchip verification

Not Included (Charged Separately)

• New vaccinations
• Microchip implantation
• Lab tests (rabies titer, parasites)
• USDA / CFIA endorsement fees
• Shipping costs
• Airline pet fees
• Import permits
• Quarantine costs

Common Mistakes That Increase Costs

1. Scheduling the exam outside the validity window
2. Using a non-accredited veterinarian
3. Microchip implanted after rabies vaccination
4. Underestimating USDA processing time
5. Incorrect destination-specific paperwork

At Paws Abroad, we built our system specifically to prevent these mistakes by turning complex regulations into clear timelines and checklists.

Seasonal restrictions can also affect costs and timing. During peak heat months, many airlines enforce summer airline embargo restrictions, which can limit flight options and increase last-minute expenses.

FAQ: Pet Health Certificate Costs for Travel

How much is a pet health certificate?

Domestic certificates usually cost $155–$350. International certificates typically range from $400–$1,200+.

How much does a dog health certificate cost?

How much does a dog health certificate cost depends on destination:

• Domestic (USA): $155–$350
• International: $400–$1,200+

How much does a health certificate cost for a cat?

How much does a health certificate cost for a cat is usually similar to dogs domestically. International costs vary by country but often fall in the same range.

What is the pet health certificate for international travel cost?

The pet health certificate for international travel cost includes vet exams, lab tests, and government endorsement usually totaling $510–$560 for standard destinations.

How long is a pet health certificate valid?

• Domestic (USA): up to 30 days
• International air travel: usually 10 days
• EU onward travel: up to 4 months after entry

Why We Built Paws Abroad

After traveling internationally with my own dogs multiple times, I learned that health certificates are rarely “just paperwork.” They’re a coordination challenge involving vets, governments, airlines, and strict timelines where one small mistake can cost hundreds of dollars or derail an entire trip.

That’s why we built Paws Abroad: to give pet parents clear timelines, destination-specific requirements, and realistic cost breakdowns so they don’t have to learn the hard way.

Key Takeaways

• Domestic health certificates: $155–$350
• International health certificates: $400–$1,200+
• USDA endorsement fees are separate and non-refundable
• USDA-accredited vets are mandatory for international travel
• Plan 2–4 months ahead for international trips
• Microchip before rabies vaccination always
• Health certificates are time-sensitive changing travel dates can increase costs