10 Steps to Ship Your Dog From US to Germany (2025 Expat Guide)

JFK airport, 6 a.m. I’m clutching a caramel latte in one hand and trying to calm a very indignant golden retriever named PomPom in the other. Not literally in my arms — PomPom tips the scale at 70 pounds. He’s pacing in an airline-approved crate, shooting me side-eye like I’ve just enrolled him in military school.

Nobody mentioned the USDA APHIS forms, EU Animal Health Certificates, IATA kennel dimensions, customs officers, and $2,000 invoices that would turn my life upside down.

So here it is: the guide I wish someone had handed me before I stumbled into the maze of international dog relocation from the US to Germany.

The Road to International Doggie Freedom

Step 1: Microchip + Rabies Vaccine (The Non-Negotiables)

Germany doesn’t bend on this:

• Microchip first — ISO-compliant, 15 digits. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccine.
• Rabies vaccine second — must be done at least 21 days before departure.

💡 Pro tip: Only a USDA-accredited vet can issue the paperwork you’ll need. Don’t assume your local vet qualifies.

PomPom tried to gnaw on the microchip scanner during his appointment. He didn’t succeed, but he gave it his all.

Step 2: The Health Certificate Sprint

Your dog’s EU Animal Health Certificate is their passport to Europe. Without it, no boarding and no entry.

Here’s the skinny:

• Issued by a USDA-accredited vet within 10 days of travel.
• Must be endorsed by the USDA APHIS office.
• Originals only — photocopies won’t cut it.

💡 Pro tip: Build in time for FedEx or a road trip to the USDA office. Travelers often underestimate this and end up scrambling.

Step 3: The Titer Test Question

Dogs flying from the US don’t need a rabies antibody test — the US is considered low-risk.
But if your dog has been in a high-risk country in the last 3 months:

• Blood drawn 30 days post-vaccine.
• Processed in an EU-approved lab.
• 90-day wait period before entry.

Not needed for PomPom — but horror stories abound of owners who didn’t know the rule and had to kennel their dog abroad.

Step 4: The Crate Conundrum

The IATA-compliant crate must allow your dog to:

• Stand upright without crouching
• Turn around fully
• Lie down stretched out

Translation: PomPom’s crate looked like a Berlin micro-apartment.

Price tags:

• Small plastic models: $70–150
• XL and custom aluminum crates: $800–1,200

💡 Pro tip: Start crate training weeks ahead. Make it a den, not a prison.

Step 5: DIY vs. Pros for the Flight

Here’s your fork in the road:

Option A: DIY Booking

• Call the airline directly.
• Dogs under ~17 lbs/8 kg may fly in-cabin (soft carrier).
• Larger dogs = climate-controlled, pressurized cargo hold.

Option B: Hire a Shipper
Companies like ARK JFK, WorldCare Pet Transport, or Pets in Transit:

• Handle customs clearance
• Arrange flights + layovers
• Manage temperature restrictions (many airlines won’t fly pets if temps exceed ~85°F)

Top 5 Dog Shippers for U.S. → Germany

Step 6: Budget Breakdown (Bring Tissues)

By dog size:

• Small dog in cabin, DIY: ~$900
• Medium dog, cargo DIY: ~$1,800
• Large dog with pro shipper: ~$3,500–5,000

Cost breakdown:

• Airline fee: $400–2,000
• Crate: $150–1,200
• Vet + USDA APHIS paperwork: $100–500
• German customs fee: ~€55 per dog (Frankfurt/Munich)
• Professional shipper: $2,000–5,000

PomPom’s one-way relocation? Roughly $2,800 all in. And no, he didn’t get frequent flyer points.

Step 7: Departure Day Mayhem

The airport routine:

• Arrive 3–4 hours early
• Airline staff inspects crate, bowls, bedding
• Tape a kibble bag to the crate door
• Mark crate clearly: LIVE ANIMAL + contact info (English & German)

Watching PomPom roll away on the conveyor belt was a cinematic gut punch. I’ve never been so anxious boarding my own plane.

Step 8: Touchdown + Customs

At Frankfurt or Munich:

• Dogs go through the Animal Lounge
• Officials scan the microchip
• Paperwork checked line by line
• Import fee: ~€55

✅ Good paperwork = reunited in 1–3 hours
❌ Missing documents = quarantine (your expense)

PomPom strutted out like he owned the terminal. I ugly-cried. He sniffed a trash can. Balance.

Step 9: Becoming a German Dog

Landing isn’t the end:

• Register for Hundesteuer (~€120/year for first dog; more for listed breeds)
• Dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht): mandatory in Berlin, smart elsewhere
• Add your dog to your Anmeldung household registration

PomPom now “pays” taxes in two countries. He’s unimpressed. I’m appalled.

Step 10: Adjusting to the New Normal

The flight is behind you, but your dog needs decompression:

• Jet lag is real — expect disrupted routines
• Ease into busy German streets with bikes + trams
• Keep leashed until fully settled
• Book a vet visit within the first month

💡 Pro tip: Bring patience and treats. Dogs often adapt faster than their humans.

Breed Restrictions When Flying Dogs to Germany

Germany restricts or heavily regulates certain breeds (often called listed breeds), including:

• Pit Bull Terriers
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers
• American Staffordshire Terriers
• Bull Terriers
• Certain Mastiffs

Always confirm restrictions before booking flights.

US → Germany Dog Travel Checklist (2025)

• ISO 15-digit microchip
  
• Rabies vaccine (≥21 days before travel)
  
• EU Animal Health Certificate (endorsed by USDA APHIS)
  
• IATA-approved travel crate (fit-tested)
  
• Airline booking confirmed
  
• Bag of kibble + water bowls attached to crate
  
• Contact info + “LIVE ANIMAL” label (English + German)
  
• Customs import fee (~€55) ready in cash/card
  
• Register for Hundesteuer on arrival
  
• Dog liability insurance (mandatory in Berlin)
  

More Pet Resources for New Berliners

Once your pup has landed, the real adventure begins.

Need a place for them to stay while you get settled? Check our guide to the Best Pet Boarding Options in Berlin or spoil them with one of the Best Dog Hotels in Berlin.

Stock up on food, toys, and essentials at the Top Pet Supply Stores in Berlin.

And when you’re ready to explore the city together, don’t miss our roundups of Dog-Friendly Restaurants, cozy Dog-Friendly Cafés, and the Best Dog Parks for Expats for off-leash adventures.

FAQs: Shipping Dogs from the US to Germany

Can my dog fly in the cabin to Germany?

Most likely, but only if under ~17 lbs/8 kg in an airline-approved soft carrier. Larger dogs must travel in cargo.

Do certain dog breeds face restrictions in Germany?

Yes. Restricted breeds (Pit Bulls, Staffies, certain Mastiffs) face stricter rules, higher taxes, and sometimes import bans.

How far in advance should I start preparing?

At least 2–3 months. Some shippers require 30–35 days’ notice.

How much does it cost to ship a dog from the US to Germany?

DIY: $800–3,000. With pro shippers: $2,000–5,000+.

Will my dog be quarantined on arrival?

Not if paperwork is perfect. Quarantine only if documents are missing or incorrect.

What happens when my dog lands in Germany?

Pets at Frankfurt/Munich go through the Animal Lounge for inspection. If approved, you’ll reunite in 1–3 hours.

Do I need extra insurance for my dog in Germany?

Yes. Hundehaftpflicht liability insurance is mandatory in Berlin and several states.

From TSA Tears to Berlin Bark Parks

Flying a dog across the Atlantic isn’t cute — it’s paperwork, crates, and airport tears.  

👉 Want a smoother landing? Check out A4ord Pet Services in Berlin. They offer vetted sitters, English-speaking vets, and the support every expat dog owner wishes they had.