PetTravelPass

Bringing a dog or cat from the United States to Thailand

Under Thailand's rules, pets from the United States are in the group “All countries”. A dog from the United States needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, an import permit and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.

About Thailand: A moderately easy destination. You email the airport's Animal Quarantine Station for an import permit (e-permit), vaccinate at least 21 days before travel and carry a government-endorsed health certificate. Official sources found mention no rabies titer, and compliant pets are released after an inspection on arrival.

All countries Paperwork only

Titer test
Not required
Wait after blood test
—
Import permit
Required
Quarantine
None if rules are met

No long wait: Primary vaccines (rabies, plus DHP/Lepto for dogs or panleukopenia for cats) must be given at least 21 days before departure or permit application. Boosters with prior records need no wait.

Step by step

  1. Microchip and vaccinate

    Implant a microchip and give rabies at 12 weeks or older. Dogs also need distemper, hepatitis, parvo and leptospirosis; cats need panleukopenia. Give all of these at least 21 days before travel.

  2. Apply for the import permit

    Email Form R1/1, a passport copy, a pet photo, English vaccination records, the microchip certificate and your itinerary to the AQS at your arrival airport. Apply 7-60 days before departure; about 30 days is recommended. The permit is valid for 60 days, and some airlines want to see it at check-in.

  3. Get the endorsed health certificate

    An official vet in the export country issues an English health certificate, which the government vet authority endorses. For the US the 10-day validity counts from endorsement. Thai AQS has required an original ink-stamped paper copy.

  4. Dogs without a valid lepto vaccine

    Get a negative leptospirosis test within 30 days before departure instead.

  5. Report to AQS on arrival

    Show the originals and the printed permit and pay 500 THB per animal. You receive a Notice of Import Approval (R-6) and an Import License (R-7).

There is no quarantine if the pet is healthy and documents are complete, but an AQS officer can detain a pet at their discretion. Older DLD conditions allow at least 30 days' quarantine at the owner's cost, or return or destruction, for non-compliant animals.

Good to know

Cats
Rabies plus feline panleukopenia, given at least 21 days before travel. The leptospirosis requirement does not apply to cats.
How many pets
Not specified. Permits and fees are per animal.
Parasite treatment
None mandated for dogs/cats. The pet must be free of ectoparasites at the export exam. Rabbits need internal parasite treatment 7+ days before export.
Arrival
Airports with AQS: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK), Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui and Krabi. Accompanied pets are processed 24h at BKK (next to baggage carousel 8). Air cargo at BKK is handled Mon-Fri 08:30-16:30.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to bring a dog from the United States to Thailand?

The United States counts as "All countries" for Thailand. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. Primary vaccines (rabies, plus DHP/Lepto for dogs or panleukopenia for cats) must be given at least 21 days before departure or permit application. Boosters with prior records need no wait. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.

Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the United States to Thailand?

No. Pets from the United States do not need a titer test for Thailand if the other rules are met.

Will my pet be quarantined in Thailand?

Not if every rule is met. There is no quarantine if the pet is healthy and documents are complete, but an AQS officer can detain a pet at their discretion. Older DLD conditions allow at least 30 days' quarantine at the owner's cost, or return or destruction, for non-compliant animals.

Do I need an import permit?

Yes. Thailand requires an import permit, and you need to apply or notify at least 7 days before arrival.

Are the rules the same for cats?

Rabies plus feline panleukopenia, given at least 21 days before travel. The leptospirosis requirement does not apply to cats.

Sources

Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Thailand pet import rules.

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