Germany is the most common OCONUS pet move we handle, and the rules are strict but predictable. Do the steps in the right order and nothing surprises you at Frankfurt.
Order matters more than anything
ISO 11784/11785 microchip first. Rabies vaccination second — a vaccination given before the chip does not count and must be repeated.
Then wait 21 full days from the vaccination date before the pet may enter the EU. There is no way to shorten it.
The EU health certificate and USDA endorsement
Your veterinarian completes the EU health certificate within 10 days of travel, and it must then be endorsed by a USDA APHIS office. Endorsement takes several business days, so book the vet appointment with that lead time in mind.
Dogs continuing onward to Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway need tapeworm treatment recorded before entry.
Flying into Ramstein, Frankfurt or Stuttgart
Pets travel as manifest cargo. Snub-nosed breeds are restricted by most carriers, and summer heat embargoes can move your date — we book around both rather than promising a date we cannot hold.
On arrival, customs clears the pet and we hand over to you or the ground team at the destination airport.
What it costs
Cargo runs roughly $1,250 for a small pet to $3,300 for a giant crate, plus crate, veterinary and health certificate, USDA endorsement, and EU document coordination.
PCS orders qualify for the military discount and let us prioritise short-fuse timelines.
Frequently asked questions
Does Germany require a rabies titer?
Not for pets travelling from the United States. The titer requirement applies to high-rabies-risk countries.
How young can my puppy travel?
Because rabies vaccination happens at 12 weeks plus a 21-day wait, pets travel to the EU at 15 weeks or older.
Can my pet fly in the cabin instead?
Only small pets on specific carriers and routes. Most PCS moves travel as cargo, which is also how we guarantee handling standards.