In-Cabin & Excess Baggage Arrivals at DFW
What happens when your dog travels in-cabin or as excess baggage on a passenger ticket — and why the Post-Entry Air Waybill process is required for CDC import compliance at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport.
CDC-Registered Animal Care Facility — DFW Airport
DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine is Texas's first CDC-registered ACF. We work directly with airlines operating at DFW, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and our dedicated customs broker to manage the arrival process for dogs entering the U.S. under CDC import requirements — including dogs arriving in-cabin or as excess baggage on passenger tickets. Final approvals for arrivals at DFW were confirmed September 1, 2026.
Dogs arriving from CDC-designated high-risk rabies countries must pass through a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (ACF) before they can be released to their owner. How your dog travels on the flight — as manifested cargo, as excess baggage, or in-cabin — determines exactly how the transfer and customs clearance process works at DFW.
This page explains the in-cabin and excess baggage process in plain language, including the Post-Entry Air Waybill (AWB) requirement that applies at DFW.
Two Ways Your Dog Can Arrive at DFW
Manifested Cargo
Your dog is booked as a cargo shipment from the origin airport. An Air Waybill (AWB) is issued at the start of the journey.
- Dog travels in the aircraft hold as a cargo shipment
- AWB exists from the start — no post-entry paperwork needed
- Our team collects from the airline's DFW cargo warehouse
- Transfer can take several hours after landing
In-Cabin or Excess Baggage (PETC)
Your dog travels with you on a passenger ticket — either in the cabin or checked as excess baggage.
- Dog checks in with the owner and travels on the passenger flight
- No AWB exists at origin — it must be issued after arrival at DFW
- Our team meets you at DFW Terminal D
- Post-Entry AWB required before transfer to our ACF — approximately 2–3 hours
What Is a Post-Entry Air Waybill?
When a dog arrives in-cabin or as excess baggage, the owner would normally collect the pet at baggage claim or pass through CBP with the dog as hand carry — no Air Waybill required. However, CDC import requirements for dogs from high-risk rabies countries demand that the animal pass through cargo-style customs clearance, not the standard passenger baggage process — regardless of how the dog physically traveled.
Since the dog didn't travel as cargo, no AWB was issued at origin. The airline resolves this by issuing a Post-Entry AWB (also called a Post-Arrival AWB) after the flight lands at DFW. This is a paperwork document only — it does not mean your dog is physically moved as cargo. What it does is create the paper trail that allows your dog to be formally processed through the cargo customs clearance system, which is what CBP and the CDC require for ACF transfer.
In plain language:
Your dog arrives with you at the passenger terminal. The airline then creates an Air Waybill on paper — as if the dog had been a cargo shipment — so that U.S. Customs and CBP can process the animal through their cargo clearance system. Once the Post-Entry AWB is issued, our team can formally take custody of your dog and transport them to our CDC-registered facility for the required veterinary examination, rabies vaccination, and CDC compliance processing.
Step-by-Step: In-Cabin & Excess Baggage Arrivals at DFW
Your Flight Lands at DFW
You and your dog arrive at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport on your passenger flight. Your dog must have arrived at DFW — not another U.S. airport — to use our facility.
Our Team Meets You at Terminal D
Our representative meets you and your dog inside DFW Terminal D and begins coordinating the CBP transfer process with the airline and our customs broker.
Airline Issues the Post-Entry AWB
The airline issues the Post-Entry Air Waybill — the paperwork that formally re-routes your dog from the passenger arrival process into the cargo customs clearance system. This is a paper document only.
CBP Customs Clearance
Our customs broker coordinates customs clearance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection using the Post-Entry AWB. Processing typically takes approximately 2–3 hours after landing.
Transfer to Our ACF
Once CBP has authorised the transfer, your dog is formally released into our care and transported to our CDC-registered facility at 6148 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, TX — minutes from DFW Airport.
CDC Compliance & Release
Veterinary examination, rabies revaccination, and CDC compliance processing are completed at our facility. Your dog is released once all federal requirements are satisfied.
Important — Not All Airlines at DFW Are Currently Able to Issue Post-Entry AWBs
Not every airline serving DFW has a cargo facility capable of managing the Post-Entry AWB process. Some airlines hold waivers at other ACF locations that allow them to approve the process differently. Airlines are currently working through DFW compliance following the September 1, 2026 approval date for ACF arrivals at DFW.
Before booking your flight, contact our team to confirm whether your airline can issue a Post-Entry AWB at DFW. Choosing an airline that cannot complete this process may prevent your dog from being transferred to our ACF and could result in significant delays or denial of entry.
You Cannot Take Your Dog Home Directly from the Airport
Even if your dog traveled in-cabin with you, they cannot be collected at baggage claim or taken home directly if they require CDC ACF processing. Your dog remains under federal CBP hold until the Post-Entry AWB is issued, customs clearance is completed, and transfer to our registered facility is authorised. Do not make arrangements to collect your dog at the terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about in-cabin and excess baggage arrivals at DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine.
Full Quarantine Process
The complete six-step process from pre-travel guidance through to safe release at our CDC-registered ACF.
View the ProcessReservation Requirements
What you need before making a reservation — document checklist and federal requirements explained.
View RequirementsImport Service Tracks
Confirm which of the three import tracks applies to your dog before you book travel.
Review Import TracksQuestions About Your Airline or the AWB Process?
Contact our team before booking your flight — we'll confirm whether your airline can complete the Post-Entry AWB process at DFW and advise on the best travel arrangement for your dog's import.
6148 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, TX 76054