Taking a pet out of Thailand · By destination
Taking a pet from Thailand to China
China’s GACC rules (Announcement No. 5, 2019) classify Thailand as non-designated. Without a valid rabies antibody test from a recognised lab, expect 30 days quarantine at a designated port.
Last updated 30 May 2026
This guide was last reviewed on 31 May 2026. Export rules — Thai DLD procedures, destination-country requirements and airline policies — change without notice. Use this as orientation, then confirm every current requirement with the DLD and the destination country's authority before booking.
The timeline — Thailand to China
Thailand is non-designated under GACC rules. To avoid 30-day quarantine you typically need two rabies vaccinations and a recognised-laboratory titer test.
| When | Step | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 3+ months before | ISO microchip; first rabies vaccination | Thai vet |
| ≥30 days later | Second rabies vaccination; blood sample for rabies antibody test (≥ 0.5 IU/ml at GACC-recognised lab) | Thai vet + lab |
| 6+ weeks before | Confirm destination city port has quarantine facilities if waiver uncertain | GACC / agent |
| ≥15 days before export | Apply for Thai DLD export permit (form 1/1) with GACC requirements attached | DLD AQS |
| Within 14 days of arrival | Official export health certificate from Thailand (government-endorsed) | DLD AQS + vet |
| On arrival | Declare pet to customs; microchip scan; on-site quarantine inspection | GACC customs |
One pet per person per entry under GACC rules.
Thai-side export documents
| Thai-side document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Export application (form 1/1) | Apply at least 15 days before export to the AQS at your departure airport. |
| Destination import rules | Attach the destination authority’s import requirements (NOC, import licence, SPSIC, etc.) so the Thai health certificate matches. |
| Microchip & vaccinations | ISO chip and current rabies vaccination; many destinations also require a rabies titer test. |
| DLD export licence & health certificate | Issued after AQS inspection if paperwork complies. |
All of this sits on top of the Thai export process — the DLD health certificate and export permit — which your pet must clear on the way out. The two sets of paperwork have to agree.
Quarantine waiver vs mandatory quarantine
GACC classifies origin countries into designated and non-designated. Thailand is non-designated. Pets that meet all waiver conditions (microchip, two rabies vaccinations, valid titer from a recognised laboratory, official health certificate within 14 days, successful on-site inspection) may enter without the 30-day isolation period.
If waiver conditions are not met, the pet must enter through a port with quarantine facilities (Beijing and Shanghai are commonly used) and complete 30 days at a customs-designated station. Pets arriving at ports without quarantine kennels when isolation is required may be returned or worse — confirm your destination port with GACC and an experienced agent.
A specialist pet relocation agent is strongly recommended on this corridor.
Common mistakes
- Starting with Thailand only — destination import permits and tests are usually the long pole.
- Expired vaccinations — a lapsed rabies shot can void import clearance.
- Microchip mismatch across Thai export papers and destination import forms.
- Last-minute DLD export — applying inside the 15-day window when tests are still pending.
- Only one rabies vaccination — GACC waiver typically requires two, 30+ days apart.
- Titer from unrecognised lab — check GACC’s current approved laboratory list.
- Wrong arrival city — not every Chinese airport has quarantine facilities.
- Two pets, one person — GACC allows one dog or cat per person per entry.
If you came the other way, see our guide to From China (import).
Departing from Pattaya — airports, AQS and lead time
Most owners in Chon Buri export through Suvarnabhumi (BKK), roughly 90–120 minutes by road depending on traffic. U-Tapao (UTP) is closer to Pattaya and suits some regional routes, but your DLD export paperwork must name the actual departure airport — see U-Tapao or Bangkok for the import-side mirror.
Apply for the Thai export permit (form 1/1) at least 15 days before departure to the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) at that airport. In practice, allow more when destination import permits, titer tests or airline cargo bookings still need to align. Email [email protected] for Suvarnabhumi export questions and confirm your flight date at least three days before you fly — the same confirmation rule applies on import.
Keep digital and paper copies of every document in one folder: microchip number, rabies certificate, destination import approval, health certificate draft and flight booking. Mismatched chip numbers between Thai export papers and destination import forms are one of the most common reasons export is delayed at the desk.
When a relocation agent earns its fee
You do not have to use an agent, but many Pattaya owners do for complex destinations (UK, EU, Australia, Japan, Singapore). A good pet relocation specialist lines up three timelines that slip easily when managed alone: destination import rules, Thai DLD export endorsement, and airline cargo or cabin booking.
Agents cannot override law — they still need your pet vaccinated, microchipped and tested on schedule — but they know which AQS forms to submit, which vet clinics issue export-ready health certificates, and how to keep crate dimensions within IATA airline rules. Compare quotes from more than one agent; PattayaPets lists relocation businesses as directory facts, not endorsements.
If you self-manage, budget extra time for a pre-export vet appointment in Pattaya or Bangkok, a dry run to the airport AQS if you have never exported before, and a contingency night in Bangkok if your flight is early and the pet must check in hours ahead in cargo.
Official sources
China sources: GACC Announcement No. 5 (2019) — pet entry (English reference); Shanghai pet entry guide. Import mirror: bringing a pet from China.
Official sources to verify against: DLD export of live animals; Suvarnabhumi AQS export: [email protected]; 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; India AQCS; Philippines BAI; China GACC pet entry; South Africa DALRRD import; Canada CFIA; Switzerland FSVO.
Frequently asked
Is pet import into China complicated?
It is formal and city-specific. GACC Announcement No. 5 (2019) sets the framework: microchip, vaccinations, possible titer test, health certificate within 14 days, and customs declaration on arrival.
Which Chinese authority handles pet import?
The General Administration of Customs (GACC) at your port of entry, with local animal quarantine inspection.
Will my pet be quarantined in China from Thailand?
If you cannot meet non-designated country waiver conditions (including the rabies antibody test from a recognised lab), expect 30 days quarantine at a designated facility. Plan the titer test months ahead.
How many pets can I bring into China?
One dog or cat per person per entry under GACC rules.
When should I apply for the Thai DLD export permit?
At least 15 days before export, once GACC-side requirements (vaccinations, titer if needed) are already satisfied.
Can I export from U-Tapao instead of Suvarnabhumi?
Sometimes — if your airline accepts pets on that route. Export paperwork must match the actual departure airport. See U-Tapao or Bangkok for the Pattaya angle.
How do I get my pet to Suvarnabhumi from Pattaya?
Pre-book a pet-friendly taxi or private transfer with a crate secured. Allow extra time for traffic and cargo check-in cut-offs — often several hours before departure.
Should I stay in Bangkok the night before an export flight?
Many owners do for early cargo departures or when the AQS needs same-day inspection. It reduces the risk of a missed slot if Pattaya traffic is bad.
Take a pet out of Thailand · Export process · Export checklist · Relocation agents
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