Specializing in Family Reunions

Coppersmith knows how important your pets are to you; they’re family. That’s why we take extra care to ensure that, whether they're traveling with you or traveling alone, they clear customs as quickly as their owners do when they arrive in the United States. Our knowledgeable Customs brokers nationwide understand the need for accurate documentation to be filed with the many government agencies that oversee the safe importation of live animals. We can handle customs clearance at all ports of entry with a CDC officer on site, from any of our nine U.S. Regional offices. We work closely with overseas companies responsible for arranging transportation to ensure your pet gets home to you as soon as possible.

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Coppersmith works with all major airlines and is the contracted Customs Broker for American Airlines for their PetEmbark program.

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REMINDER: USDA requires resellers of dogs to complete Live Dog Import Permit under the Animal Welfare Act.

Pet Importations
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Bringing a Dog into the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has clarified and simplified the process to import dogs to the U.S. following concerns coming from industry partners and various countries that planned changes to the importation rules would make the importation process too complicated. An update as to the current status can be found on CDC’s website.
The effective date remains Aug. 1 for the changes.
In May, the CDC finalized new requirements for imports of dogs to address the risk of rabies. Among other changes from its July 2023 proposed rule, the agency said it no longer would require that U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in countries at high risk for rabies be imported through a port with a CDC quarantine station, although foreign-vaccinated dogs would still be subject to that requirement.
However, many trade associations raised concerns about the rule, saying the modifications to import requirements were too far-reaching, affecting even service dogs. The groups were concerned that the rule would have required airlines to issue an air waybill for all dogs entering the U.S., even service dogs, that are carried in the cabin of an aircraft or checked in as baggage. They said that action would have departed from the existing procedure of using an air waybill only for actual cargo that is subject to CBP and TSA clearance procedures.
In response to industry concerns, the CDC said on July 22 that it has made the process for importing dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries simpler.
  • The airline industry will have a process for requesting a waiver in lieu of issuing an AWB for in-cabin/excess baggage dogs.
  • Dogs that have spent the prior six months only in dog rabies-free or low-risk rabies countries will also be able to enter the U.S. with only a CDC Import Form online submission receipt as acceptable documentation. This form can be filled out the day of travel, and the receipt can be shown to airlines and border officials as a printed copy or by phone, the CDC said.
Complete details of the current status of this ruling can be found on CDC’s website.
Visit The CDC

International Pet and Animal Transport Association Members

Coppersmith is also a proud member of the International Pet and Animal Transport Association (IPATA) and one of but a few authorized Customs brokers who are able to help pet shippers clear their animals through the appropriate U.S. regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to, the CDC, USDA, and Customs and Border Protection.

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What your Dog Needs to Enter the United States

CDC is extending its temporary suspension of dog importation from high-risk dog rabies countries until July 31, 2024.

This suspension includes dogs arriving from countries without high risk of rabies if the dogs have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months. Learn about the current rules.

Coppersmith has the Expertise

Different animal species require different clearance procedures. Are veterinary certificates required? Are their shots current? Does your pet require quarantine? If so, how long? These are just a few of the many questions that must be answered to avoid any delays or additional quarantines upon arrival in the United States. Advanced notice of arrival and documentation before beginning the journey are essential.

Advanced Notification Systems

With advanced copies of documents from the owner or importer, we review, prepare, and submit the documents while in transit, ensuring all relevant agencies are ready to play their part upon arrival. By monitoring the trip and travel, our Customs brokers attempt to minimize delays, reducing stress for you and your animal(s).

Decades of Experience in Live Animal Clearance

The government takes public health seriously, and the regulations for the importation of animals are constantly evolving. As experienced Customs brokers who clear animals regularly, we know what may have changed, and this knowledge and proactivity are key to avoiding release delays upon arrival.

Our goal is the safe and secure transit of your pet and those who care for, travel with, and handle it. From climate monitoring to quarantine, live animal shipments are complex and require care and attention from everyone involved. Our decades of regularly handling live animals means we are familiar with the relevant regulations governing live animal shipments. Coppersmith works diligently to ensure the safety and health of your animals in transit.

Your Pets are Your Family

Your pets are your family, just as Coppersmith’s customers are our family. We treat every live animal importation with care and consideration. We understand that any single hiccup in the journey is significant and take all possible steps to avoid them. We do our best to ensure the speed of those family reunions as though they’re our own.

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On behalf of a grateful nation,

A reunion in honor of a fallen hero.

Because pets are a Coppersmith specialty, there are no shortage of heartwarming stories about their travels in our office. Most of us agree, the story of Beau is our favorite. He was a retiring soldier, headed home after his last tour overseas assisting our brave military with detection services and had earned a much needed break. As we reunite pets and families so often, Beau didn’t seem much different than our normal canine cargo, until his new family arrived to recover him.
His new family was the family of his handler who didn’t make it home.
They chose to honor the life of their soldier by giving Beau the comfort and love that his handler requested should anything ever happen to him. Watching that healing moment when the two came together to honor a fallen hero made every shipment, from that day forward, one of Coppersmith’s most important missions.
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