Guide
Taking your pet out of Thailand
Leaving Thailand with your pet is the import process in reverse — plus whatever the destination country demands. And destinations vary enormously.
Last updated 30 May 2026
There are two halves to this. The Thai side is relatively consistent: the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) requires an export health certificate and an export permit. The destination side is where it gets serious — the UK, EU and Australia all require a rabies titer test with a waiting period of three months or more, and the USA has its own CDC rules for dogs.
The single biggest mistake is starting late. If you might leave Thailand with your pet, get the rabies titer test done early — ideally you already did it before arriving. Many owners use a pet relocation agent to keep the paperwork aligned.
This guide was last reviewed on 31 May 2026 against DLD export procedures and published destination-country import rules. Export rules — Thai DLD procedures, destination-country requirements, airline policies and CDC/APHA rules — change without notice. Use this as orientation, then confirm every current requirement with the DLD and the destination country’s authority before booking.
Official sources to verify against: DLD export of live animals; Suvarnabhumi AQS export: [email protected] (Mon–Fri 08:30–12:00 and 13:00–15:30, Thai public holidays excepted); UK pet travel; CDC animal import (USA); EU pet movement; Japan MAFF Animal Quarantine; Singapore AVS; UAE MOCCAE pet import; Australia DAFF; New Zealand MPI; Canada CFIA; Switzerland FSVO.
By destination (26)
Where you are heading changes everything — these are the common ones.
To the UK
Titer test, the three-month wait, and tapeworm treatment.
To the USA
The CDC dog-import rules and the rabies titer test.
To the EU
Titer test, the three-month wait and the EU certificate.
To Japan
MAFF import approval, microchip and the 180-day wait from the titer sample.
To Singapore
AVS licence, rabies titer test and the import permit.
To the UAE
MOCCAE import permit, microchip and vaccination requirements.
To Australia
The hardest route — why it takes six months or more.
To Germany
The EU titer test, the three-month wait and the entry certificate.
To Sweden
Standard EU entry rules for a pet arriving from Thailand.
To Norway
EU-style entry, plus the tapeworm rule for dogs.
To Denmark
Standard EU entry rules and the Danish authority.
To Finland
EU entry, plus the tapeworm treatment for dogs.
To the Netherlands
EU entry, with direct routes into Amsterdam.
To France
EU entry rules, with Paris a common arrival point.
To Ireland
EU entry, plus the tapeworm treatment for dogs.
To Switzerland
EU-aligned rules: titer test and a waiting period.
To Canada
One of the simpler routes — no titer test or quarantine.
To Russia
A relatively straightforward route for a large community.
To New Zealand
A long, strict route that needs early planning with MPI.
To India
AQCS import clearance and planning from Pattaya.
To the Philippines
BAI import paperwork and direct flights to Manila.
To China
Customs import clearance and quarantine on arrival.
To South Africa
DALRRD import permit and routing from Bangkok.
To Italy
EU titer test, three-month wait and entry certificate.
To Malaysia
DVS import approval and short ASEAN flight.
To South Korea
APQA import permission and antibody testing.
More to read
Related guides on PattayaPets and sister sites in the Pattaya Authority network.