Taking a pet from Thailand to the USA

The timeline — dogs from a high-rabies country

CDC rules for dogs changed several times from 2024 onward. The table below is orientation — your dog’s vaccination history and US entry airport determine the exact path. Read the CDC site directly before acting.

CDC rules for dogs — what Thailand triggers

A dog vaccinated outside the United States that has been in Thailand during the six months before entry follows the CDC foreign-vaccinated, high-risk-country pathway. The dog must be at least six months old, appear healthy and have a universally readable microchip implanted before its valid rabies vaccination. Thailand risk list; foreign-vaccinated pathway.

You need an endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form and a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. You must also reserve a CDC-registered animal care facility and fly directly to the US airport where that facility is located. The facility examines the dog and revaccinates it with a US-licensed rabies vaccine.

A valid rabies serology titer avoids the standard post-arrival quarantine, but it does not remove the facility reservation. Without a valid titer, the reservation must include 28-day quarantine. For a dog starting with its first valid rabies vaccination, the blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 28 days before US entry. Recheck the current CDC pathway before booking because vaccination history can change the preparation sequence. CDC source.

Cats — lighter, but not automatic

Cats face fewer CDC restrictions than dogs, but must still be healthy on arrival and may need documentation depending on airline and state rules. Some US states and airlines impose extra requirements beyond the CDC. Confirm cat rules with the CDC, USDA and your airline before booking.

The Thai export side (DLD)

CDC approval does not replace Thailand’s export process:

See export process and budget in what export costs.

Common mistakes on this corridor

• Starting with Thailand only — destination testing, forms or an approved-country pathway may have a separate calendar and must be checked first.
• Expired titer or vaccination gap — a lapsed rabies shot can invalidate a titer test and restart months of waiting.
• Mismatched microchip numbers — across Thai export papers, airline booking and destination import forms.
• Confirm this step with the responsible DLD station; Thai procedural guidance remains withheld. Guidance limits and reviewed English source.
• Wrong airport AQS — export paperwork must match the actual departure port; confirm which AQS is responsible.

• Assuming pre-2024 dog-import rules still apply — verify the current CDC page.
• Identification mismatch — follow the current CDC microchip rule and ensure the same identifier appears throughout the records.
• Wrong US arrival airport — a foreign-vaccinated dog must land at the airport where its reserved CDC-registered facility is located.
• Leaving the facility and document review until travel day — the endorsed foreign-vaccination form and facility reservation must already be valid.

If you came the other way, see our guide to From the USA (import).

Departing from Pattaya — confirm the port and DLD sequence

Confirm this step with the responsible DLD station; Thai procedural guidance remains withheld. Guidance limits and reviewed English source. Source retained for disclosure, not approved guidance: DLD procedure; DLD AQS map.

Using an agent is optional

An agent cannot change government or airline rules. If you request assistance, obtain an itemised scope and verify each regulated requirement directly with the authority. PattayaPets has not independently measured agents’ prices, error rates or outcomes.

Official sources

US sources: CDC animal import; USDA APHIS pet travel. Mirror import guide: bringing a pet from the USA.

Official sources to verify against: DLD Region 9 export procedure; 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.

Frequently asked