The Complete Expat Pet Relocation Checklist: Everything in the Right Order
Moving abroad with a pet requires parallel planning tracks: the animal’s documentation track, the logistics track, and the destination track. This checklist organises everything in order so nothing is left to the last minute.
9-12 Months Before (For Australia / New Zealand / Japan Only)
- Confirm ISO 15-digit microchip in place (must predate first recorded vaccination)
- Administer rabies vaccination
- Book blood draw for rabies titre test with DAFF/MPI-approved lab
- Send blood sample; wait for titre result (2-3 weeks)
- Confirm titre result meets minimum threshold
- Record the 180-day countdown from titre confirmation date
3-6 Months Before (All Countries)
- Confirm destination country’s current import rules (official government source)
- Check if breed is restricted at destination
- Determine if import permit is required (Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific: usually yes)
- Apply for import permit if required (allow 4-6 weeks)
- Research airlines flying the route with cargo/cabin pet policies
- Identify IPATA-member agent if using one
- Purchase IATA-compliant crate and begin crate training
6-8 Weeks Before
- Book airline cargo space (specifying species, breed, crate dimensions, weight)
- Confirm import permit received (if applicable)
- Check if pet needs additional vaccinations or treatments (leishmania, rabies booster, etc.)
- Book Official Veterinarian (OV) appointment for health certificate – within 10 days of travel date
2-3 Weeks Before
- Confirm OV appointment is within 10-day validity window before travel
- Download the correct health certificate format for your destination country
- Check APHA or USDA APHIS endorsement timing if required
- Arrange pet’s arrival logistics at destination (quarantine booking, ground transport)
10 Days Before: Health Certificate Window
- OV examination
- OV completes and signs health certificate in correct format
- Submit for government endorsement if required (APHA / USDA APHIS)
- Confirm endorsement received before departure
1 Week Before
- Confirm cargo booking with airline (repeat confirmation)
- Prepare crate: clean bedding, frozen water dish, worn clothing item, food/water holders
- Label crate with “Live Animal” stickers and directional arrows
- Pack all original documents in travel folder: health certificate, microchip scan record, vaccination record, import permit, titre test certificate if applicable
- Do not feed pet within 4 hours of scheduled flight departure
Travel Day
- Exercise pet before departure
- Check in for cargo per airline’s instructions (often 3-4 hours before departure)
- Do not leave until you have confirmed the pet is accepted by the cargo team
- Keep contact details for destination agent, quarantine facility, and airline cargo team
On Arrival
- Declare pet at border inspection post (BIP) with original documents
- Present documents and allow microchip scan
- For quarantine destinations: transfer to approved facility
- For non-quarantine destinations: collect pet from cargo facility after clearance
Sources: IATA Live Animals Regulations 2024; APHA UK pet travel guidance; USDA APHIS export guidance; DAFF Australia. Data current as of June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most countries: 8-12 weeks before departure. For Australia, New Zealand, or Japan: 8-10 months before departure (titre test waiting periods make early planning essential). As a rule, start planning earlier than feels necessary – last-minute pet transport problems are stressful and sometimes unsolvable.
Missing the health certificate timing window. Health certificates are typically valid for only 10 days from the date of examination. If you get the certificate too early, it expires before you travel. If you leave it too late, the vet cannot get an appointment. Book the OV appointment within your travel window and plan backward from there.
For complex routes (quarantine destinations, breed-restricted countries, multiple connections, large animals), a specialist IPATA-member agent significantly reduces the chance of costly errors. For simple routes (UK to EU, USA to Canada), confident owners can self-manage with careful research.