Bringing a pet to Thailand · By country
Bringing a pet to Thailand from New Zealand
Getting a pet out of New Zealand is straightforward. The part that needs real thought, before you ever leave, is whether you might bring it back.
Last updated 30 May 2026
This guide was last reviewed in May 2026. Thailand's Department of Livestock Development, airlines and origin-country authorities change their rules without notice. Treat this as orientation, then confirm every current requirement with the DLD, your airline and your origin-country authority before you book or travel.
The New Zealand side of the paperwork
Follow the standard steps — microchip, rabies and the other vaccinations, the health certificate and the DLD import permit. In New Zealand the export health certificate is completed by your vet and endorsed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). New Zealand is a rabies-free country, so the export side is generally clean — use a vet experienced in export work and book the MPI endorsement in good time.
Think hard about the return to New Zealand
This is the part to research before you leave. New Zealand protects its rabies-free status with strict import rules, and bringing a pet back from Thailand — which is not rabies-free — can be a long, demanding and expensive process, with rabies titer testing, extended timelines and the real possibility of quarantine on arrival. If there is any chance you will return your pet to New Zealand, study MPI’s current import requirements first, so nothing about the timeline takes you by surprise.
See our guide to To New Zealand (export) for the full export paperwork.
Official sources
Official sources to verify against: Thai embassy pet import guide (revised January 2025); DLD import application form R1/1 (via the embassy guide or DLD Animal Quarantine stations); Suvarnabhumi AQS import: [email protected].
Frequently asked
Is it hard to take a pet out of New Zealand?
No — the export side is generally straightforward. Your vet completes the export certificate and MPI endorses it. The difficulty is the return journey, not the departure.
Can I bring my pet back to New Zealand from Thailand?
It is possible but demanding. New Zealand applies strict rules to protect its rabies-free status, and a return from Thailand can involve titer testing, long lead times and possible quarantine. Research MPI's current requirements well before you travel, not after.