Global Pet Transport Guide 2026: Country Rules, Costs & Airlines
The Complete Guide to Moving Your Pet Abroad in 2026
Every year, hundreds of thousands of pets cross international borders with their families. Some journeys are straightforward: a vaccinated dog hopping across the EU with a pet passport. Others involve months of preparation, mandatory quarantine, and costs that run to thousands of pounds.
This guide consolidates the key rules, data, and practicalities across 25 countries and 22 airlines. It is updated for 2026 and based on official government sources (DAFF, APHA, USDA APHIS, MAFF, and others).
Part 1: Quarantine by Country: 2026 Rankings
Not all destinations require quarantine. Of the 25 countries covered here, 9 impose mandatory quarantine of at least some duration. The rest allow compliant pets to enter without quarantine: provided the paperwork is in order.
Countries are ranked from strictest to most straightforward:
Countries with Mandatory Quarantine
| Country | Quarantine Duration | Facility | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 10 days minimum (most countries); varies by origin group | DAFF-approved post-entry quarantine station (e.g. Mickleham, VIC) | Owner |
| Brazil | 30 days | MAPA quarantine station | Owner |
| India | 30 days | AQCS quarantine facility | Owner |
| Indonesia | 30 days | Directorate of Animal Health quarantine | Owner |
| Malaysia | 30 days | DVS quarantine station | Owner |
| Philippines | 30 days | BAI quarantine station | Owner |
| Thailand | 30 days | Department of Livestock quarantine facility | Owner |
| South Korea | 10 days | APQA facility | Owner |
| Japan | Minimum 12 hours (Category A); minimum 14 days (most other origins) | MAFF quarantine station | Owner |
Sources: DAFF (Australia), MAPA (Brazil), DAWE, MAFF (Japan), APQA (South Korea), BAI (Philippines), Department of Livestock Development (Thailand), DVS (Malaysia), Directorate General of Livestock Services (Indonesia), AQCS (India). All verified April 2026.
Countries Without Mandatory Quarantine (Compliant Pets)
Australia, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE, and the USA use a different model: pets from high-risk origins may face quarantine, but pets arriving with full documentation from approved countries usually clear without it. The table below shows the “no quarantine” baseline for compliant pets:
| Country | Quarantine Rule |
|---|---|
| UK | No quarantine for pets arriving via approved routes. Non-compliant animals subject to up to 4 months of compulsory quarantine (at owner’s expense). |
| Canada | No quarantine for dogs and cats from any country (health certificate required from some origins). |
| USA | No quarantine for cats. Dogs from high-risk countries require proof of rabies vaccination or serology. |
| EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Greece) | No quarantine for pets with valid EU pet passport or compliant third-country documentation. |
| Singapore | No quarantine for Category A (low-risk) origins. Quarantine for other origins. |
| UAE | No quarantine for pets from approved countries with correct documentation. |
| Hong Kong | No quarantine for Group 1 origins (UK, AU, NZ, Japan, Ireland, Iceland, Hawaii). Quarantine for other groups. |
| South Africa | No routine quarantine for correctly documented pets. |
| Mexico | No quarantine for vaccinated pets. |
| Switzerland | No quarantine (follows EU-adjacent rules). |
Part 2: Rabies Titre Test Requirements
A titre test (RNATT or FAVN test) measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be done at an approved laboratory after vaccination, and many destinations require the blood to be drawn a minimum number of weeks or months before travel.
This table is the key planning tool if your destination requires a titre test. Start timing from your pet’s first rabies vaccination, not from when you book the flight.
| Destination | Titre Test Required? | Minimum Result | Wait After Blood Draw | Approved Labs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes (Groups 3, 4, 5, 6) | 0.5 IU/ml | 180 days wait before travel allowed | DAFF-approved labs only |
| Japan | Yes (for most origins) | 0.5 IU/ml | 180 days after passing titre | MAFF-approved labs |
| UK | Yes (from non-listed countries) | 0.5 IU/ml | Must travel within 2 years of passing titre | OV-endorsed |
| Singapore | Yes (Category B/C origins) | 0.5 IU/ml | Check Singapore AVS for timing | AVS-approved labs |
| UAE | Yes (for some origins) | 0.5 IU/ml | Varies by origin country | IAHC-endorsed |
| Hong Kong | Yes (Groups 2, 3) | 0.5 IU/ml | Varies by group | FEHD-listed labs |
| South Africa | Yes (from certain origins) | 0.5 IU/ml | Varies | DAFF/DALRRD-listed |
| France / Germany / EU | Yes (from non-approved third countries) | 0.5 IU/ml | 3 months after passing titre | EU-approved labs |
| All others listed | No | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: titre test requirements are origin-country-dependent. Always check your specific route. Sources: DAFF (AU), MAFF (JP), APHA (UK), AVS (SG), MOHAP (UAE). April 2026.
Part 3: Import Permits: Which Countries Require Them
An import permit is a document issued by the destination country’s government, authorising your pet’s entry. Some countries require you to apply weeks or months in advance.
| Country | Import Permit Required? | Issuing Authority | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | DAFF (via BICON portal) | 20-30 days |
| Brazil | Yes | MAPA | 30+ days |
| Hong Kong | Yes | AFCD | 10-14 days |
| India | Yes | DAHD | 30+ days |
| Indonesia | Yes | Directorate General of Livestock | 30 days |
| Japan | Yes | MAFF | Included in notification process |
| Malaysia | Yes | DVS | 30 days |
| Mexico | Yes | SENASICA | 2-4 weeks |
| Philippines | Yes | BAI | 30 days |
| South Africa | Yes | DALRRD | 2-4 weeks |
| South Korea | Yes | APQA | 2-4 weeks |
| Thailand | Yes | Department of Livestock | 30 days |
| UAE | Yes | MOHAP/local authority | 1-2 weeks |
| Canada | No | N/A | N/A |
| Denmark | No | N/A | N/A |
| EU countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal) | No (EU pet passport or endorsed health certificate) | N/A | N/A |
| Singapore | No (notification to AVS required) | AVS | Pre-arrival |
| Switzerland | No | N/A | N/A |
| UK | No (health certificate + microchip) | N/A | N/A |
| USA | No (for dogs/cats) | USDA APHIS | N/A |
Part 4: Airline Pet Policy Comparison 2026
All 22 airlines in this table have been verified against published policies (April 2026). Cabin travel refers to pets travelling in the passenger cabin under the seat. Cargo refers to transport as manifest cargo or excess baggage in the hold.
| Airline | Alliance | Hub | Cabin (small pets) | Cargo | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Star | Toronto (YYZ) | Yes | Yes | Max 10 kg incl. carrier in cabin |
| Air France | SkyTeam | Paris (CDG) | Yes | Yes | Cabin up to 8 kg; cargo for larger pets |
| American Airlines | Oneworld | Dallas (DFW) | Yes | Yes | Cabin on US domestic; cargo international |
| British Airways | Oneworld | London (LHR) | No | Yes | Cargo via IAG Cargo only |
| Cathay Pacific | Oneworld | Hong Kong (HKG) | No | Yes | Cargo via Cathay Cargo |
| Delta Air Lines | SkyTeam | Atlanta (ATL) | Yes | Yes | Cabin select routes; embargoes May-Sep |
| Emirates | Independent | Dubai (DXB) | No | Yes | SkyCargo only; falcons excepted on select routes |
| Etihad Airways | Independent | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | No | Yes | Cargo via Etihad Cargo |
| Garuda Indonesia | SkyTeam | Jakarta (CGK) | Yes | Yes | Cabin domestic; policies vary international |
| Japan Airlines (JAL) | Oneworld | Tokyo (HND/NRT) | No | Yes | Cargo Japan-only domestic |
| KLM | SkyTeam | Amsterdam (AMS) | Yes | Yes | Cabin up to 8 kg; cargo for larger |
| Korean Air | SkyTeam | Seoul (ICN) | Yes | Yes | Cabin max 5 kg incl. carrier |
| Lufthansa | Star | Frankfurt (FRA) | Yes | Yes | Cabin max 8 kg; cargo via Lufthansa Cargo |
| Philippine Airlines | SkyTeam | Manila (MNL) | Yes | Yes | Cabin domestic; cargo international |
| Qantas | Oneworld | Sydney (SYD) | No | Yes | Cargo via Qantas Freight; embargoes Nov-Feb |
| Singapore Airlines | Star | Singapore (SIN) | No | Yes | Cargo via SIA Cargo; no cabin on any route |
| South African Airways | African | Johannesburg (JNB) | Yes | Yes | Cabin on domestic; cargo international |
| Swiss International | Star | Zurich (ZRH) | Yes | Yes | Cabin max 8 kg; cargo via Swiss WorldCargo |
| Thai Airways | Star | Bangkok (BKK) | No | Yes | Cargo only on international routes |
| Turkish Airlines | Star | Istanbul (IST) | Yes | Yes | Cabin max 8 kg; cargo via Turkish Cargo |
| United Airlines | Star | Houston (IAH) | Yes | No | Cabin on US domestic only; no international cargo |
| Virgin Atlantic | Independent | London (LHR) | No | Yes | Cargo via Virgin Atlantic Cargo |
Sources: Individual airline published pet policies (April 2026). Policies change: always confirm directly with the airline before booking.
Part 5: How to Read Route Complexity
Every route on this site has a complexity rating. Here is what each level means in practical terms:
Easy-Moderate
Typical routes: Canada to USA, within the EU (France to Germany, UK to France, etc.).
- No quarantine at destination
- Standard rabies vaccination + microchip sufficient
- Health certificate from an accredited vet (usually within 10 days of travel)
- No import permit required
- Timeline: 4-8 weeks from starting preparation
Moderate
Typical routes: UK to UAE, Singapore to Hong Kong, USA to Mexico.
- No quarantine for compliant pets
- May require import permit (1-2 weeks lead time)
- Health certificate with government endorsement
- Some additional vaccinations (e.g. internal parasites treatment)
- Timeline: 6-12 weeks
Moderate-Strict
Typical routes: UK to Singapore, UAE to India, Australia to Japan.
- Possible quarantine depending on origin
- Import permit required (2-4 weeks)
- Titre test may be required depending on origin country
- Multiple vet visits
- Timeline: 3-6 months
Strict / High Complexity
Typical routes: Most countries to Australia; most countries to Japan.
- Mandatory quarantine (10 days for Australia, 14 days for Japan minimum)
- Titre test required, with a 180-day wait after blood draw before travel is allowed
- Import permit required well in advance
- Government-endorsed health certificate from approved vet
- Timeline: 6-12 months minimum
Part 6: Cost Guide by Route Type
These are estimates based on typical cases for a medium-sized dog (10-25 kg). Costs for cats are typically lower. Costs for very large dogs (over 40 kg) can be significantly higher.
| Route Type | Estimated Total Cost | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple EU route (e.g. France to Germany) | £150-400 | Health certificate, airline fee |
| UK to UAE or UAE to UK | £600-1,500 | Health cert, government endorsement, airline cargo fee, crate |
| USA to Canada (or reverse) | $400-900 | Health cert, airline fee, possible import docs |
| UK to Singapore | £800-2,000 | Import permit, titre test if required, cargo fee, crate |
| UK to South Africa | £800-2,500 | Import permit, titre test, cargo, health cert |
| UK to Japan | £2,500-6,000 | Import permit, titre test (180-day wait), quarantine fees, cargo, vet costs |
| UK to Australia | £3,000-8,000+ | Import permit, titre test (180-day wait), Mickleham quarantine, cargo, all vet costs |
| Southeast Asian routes (e.g. Singapore to Philippines) | £500-1,500 | Import permit, quarantine, cargo |
Estimates only. Professional agent fees (typically £400-1,500 for complex routes) are not included above but are strongly recommended for moderate-to-strict complexity routes.
Part 7: Essential Checklist for Every Route
No matter where you are going, these four documents must be in order before your pet travels:
- Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 compliant. Must be implanted before vaccinations for most countries. Keep the microchip certificate.
- Rabies vaccination: Current and administered by an accredited vet. Some countries require two vaccinations given 30+ days apart.
- Health certificate: Issued within 10 days of travel in most cases. Many countries require a government-endorsed version. Check your specific route.
- Proof of identity: Your pet’s passport (if travelling within the EU) or your microchip and vaccination booklet.
For routes requiring a titre test, add: 5. Titre test blood draw (after completing vaccination protocol) 6. Result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher at an approved lab 7. Waiting period after passing titre (varies: 90 days for EU; 180 days for Australia and Japan)
For routes requiring an import permit, add: 8. Import permit application (allow 2-30 days depending on destination) 9. Import permit number confirmed before departure
About This Guide
This guide is published by PetTransportGlobal and draws on research from official government portals including DAFF (Australia), APHA (UK), USDA APHIS (USA), MAFF (Japan), APQA (South Korea), BAI (Philippines), DVS (Malaysia), and others. It is updated periodically as regulations change. Regulations vary by species, breed, and country of origin: always verify your specific route before travel.
For a personalised quote or help planning your specific route, get in touch with our team.