Compliance · 5 min read · May 1, 2026
USDA Pet Transport Requirements: The Plain-English Guide
TL;DR
Most commercial pet transporters need a USDA APHIS Class T license under the Animal Welfare Act. The license is public record — verify it yourself in 60 seconds.
USDA APHIS regulates commercial animal carriers under the Animal Welfare Act. Here's the plain-English version of what that means for your booking.
What "Class T" actually is
Class T is the carrier license category. It signals the operator has registered with USDA, agreed to inspection, and follows minimum care standards for animals in transit.
Who needs it
- Commercial carriers moving regulated animals across state lines
- Operators paid to transport pets on behalf of customers
- Companies operating vehicles configured for animal transport
Who doesn't need it
- Owners driving their own pet
- Volunteer rescue transport (rules vary by org)
- Friends and family helping for free
How to verify a license
Ask the carrier for their cert number (looks like 74-T-0123). The first two digits are the state code. APHIS publishes active status publicly.
Or skip the manual step: browse our directory — every listing is cross-checked against APHIS.
Read more in our USDA APHIS explainer.
FAQ
- Does every pet transporter need a USDA license?
- Commercial carriers moving dogs, cats, and certain other regulated animals across state lines for compensation generally need a Class T license. Private individuals moving their own pet do not.
- How can I verify a USDA license?
- USDA APHIS publishes inspection reports and active license status. We cross-check every company in our directory against this public record.