TH
Importing Your Pet to Thailand
Moderate to importVerification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared by Dr. Sarah Okafor, International Animal Health Consultant
Thailand uses one set of rules for every origin country. The Department of Livestock Development (DLD) regulates pet imports through the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) at each port of entry, and it does not sort countries into groups.
No titre test is required, and pets showing no sign of illness are not routinely quarantined. The DLD instructions say that if the documents are complete, the animal is released on the arrival date.
What Thailand does ask for is an import permit before you fly, a set of core vaccines given at least 21 days before departure, and an original health certificate. Pets must be at least 4 months old to be imported.
Import Requirements
Every requirement below is taken from an official government page, and each one links to the page it comes from. The rules were last checked on 2 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.
Who is in charge
- Pet imports are regulated by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, through its Division of Veterinary Inspection and Quarantine and the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) at each port of entry.
Instructions for importation of dogs, cats, and rabbits into the Kingdom of Thailand (from the USA), checked 1 October 2026
Where your pet travels from
| Group | What applies | Origins |
|---|---|---|
| All origins | One set of DLD conditions for every origin: R1/1 import permit, microchip, rabies and core vaccines at least 21 days before departure, official health certificate valid 10 days, no titre test, no routine quarantine. DLD's formal requirements also allow 12 months' rabies freedom as an alternative to rabies vaccination, but current Thai government guidance requires vaccination. Source | All countries |
- DLD does not publish origin groups for pets: one set of conditions applies to all origins. The only origin-linked clause is in DLD's formal requirements, which allow freedom from rabies in the origin country for 12 months as an alternative to rabies vaccination.
Requirements for the importation of dogs and cats into the Kingdom of Thailand, checked 2 October 2026Official sources differ
The newer dated Thai government pages (Royal Thai Consulate-General Chicago, updated 11 Feb 2025, https://cgchicago.thaiembassy.org/en/page/bringing-pets-to-thailand-2) and the DLD instructions (https://www.opsmoac.go.th/dc-regulation-files-471891791806) list rabies vaccination for every dog and cat with no rabies-free exemption; treat rabies vaccination as required for all origins.
Import permit
- Apply by email to the Animal Quarantine Station at the port of entry for an import permit at least 7 days and no more than 60 days before departure, using DLD Form R1/1 (Royal Thai Embassy Washington agricultural office, rev. 30 January 2025).
Instructions for Bringing Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits into Thailand from the USA (Rev. 30 January 2025), checked 1 October 2026 - The R1/1 application gives the traveller's name, addresses in Thailand and the origin country, pet details including microchip number, a microchip implantation certificate and the flight itinerary.
Applies to dogs and cats from the USA (DLD instructions written for US departures).
Instructions for importation of dogs, cats, and rabbits into the Kingdom of Thailand (from the USA), checked 1 October 2026 - The import permit is valid for 60 days after issue; processing takes about 3 to 7 business days (Royal Thai Consulate-General Chicago, updated 11 February 2025).
Bringing Pets to Thailand (updated 11 February 2025), checked 1 October 2026
Microchip
- A microchip implantation certificate must be presented with the import documents (DLD Animal Quarantine Station Suvarnabhumi requirements, general for all origins; the DLD instructions for US travellers also ask for the microchip number on the R1/1 application).
Requirements for importation of Dogs/Cats/Rabbits into Thailand, checked 2 October 2026
Rabies vaccination
- Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before departure (Royal Thai Consulate-General Chicago, updated 11 February 2025).
Bringing Pets to Thailand (updated 11 February 2025), checked 1 October 2026 - DLD instructions: the 21-day wait applies after a primary or lapsed vaccination, not after a booster (previous records must be sent); a primary rabies vaccine must be given at 12 weeks of age or older.
Instructions for importation of dogs, cats, and rabbits into the Kingdom of Thailand (from the USA), checked 1 October 2026 - A rabies vaccination must be given when the animal is at least 12 weeks (3 months) old (DLD Animal Quarantine Station Suvarnabhumi requirements).
Requirements for importation of Dogs/Cats/Rabbits into Thailand, checked 2 October 2026
Rabies titre test
- Not required: a rabies blood test certificate is listed as optional among the documents to present on arrival (Royal Thai Consulate-General Chicago, updated 11 February 2025). DLD's formal requirements contain no titre test.
Bringing Pets to Thailand (updated 11 February 2025), checked 1 October 2026
Health certificate
- An English-language health certificate signed or endorsed by a full-time authorised government veterinary official of the exporting country is required.
Requirements for the importation of dogs and cats into the Kingdom of Thailand, checked 2 October 2026 - The health certificate for dogs and cats is valid for 10 days after government endorsement; the AQS accepts only the original with ink endorsement, not digitally signed copies (Royal Thai Consulate-General Chicago, updated 11 February 2025).
Bringing Pets to Thailand (updated 11 February 2025), checked 1 October 2026
Other vaccines and tests
- Dogs: rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis; cats: rabies and feline panleukopenia; all at least 21 days before departure.
Bringing Pets to Thailand (updated 11 February 2025), checked 1 October 2026 - Dogs must either be vaccinated against leptospirosis at least 21 days before departure or test negative for leptospirosis within the 30 days before departure (DLD formal requirements).
Requirements for the importation of dogs and cats into the Kingdom of Thailand, checked 2 October 2026
Parasite treatment
- Not required as a treatment for dogs and cats: the per-species list sets internal parasite treatment only for rabbits. Dogs and cats must however be found free of ectoparasites at the pre-export examination (DLD formal requirements).
Instructions for Bringing Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits into Thailand from the USA (Rev. 30 January 2025), checked 1 October 2026 - The animal must be examined and found healthy and free from signs of infectious disease, including ectoparasites, before export.
Requirements for the importation of dogs and cats into the Kingdom of Thailand, checked 2 October 2026
Quarantine
- Not required routinely: pets showing no sign of illness are not quarantined, although an AQS officer may detain any animal at discretion. The DLD instructions say compliant animals are released on the arrival date.
Bringing Pets to Thailand (updated 11 February 2025), checked 2 October 2026Official sources differ
The Department of Livestock Development formal REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IMPORTATION OF DOGS AND CATS INTO THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND (undated, hosted by the Thai MFA, https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/SRBviAC5gs/Requirement-Dog-Cat_(1).pdf) says animals are subjected to quarantine at approved premises for at least 30 days on arrival; the same clause appears in UK APHA EHC 2917 notes. The newer dated Thai government page (Chicago consulate, updated 11 Feb 2025) and the DLD instructions (https://www.opsmoac.go.th/dc-regulation-files-471891791806) describe release on arrival, so release on arrival is taken as current practice. - DLD instructions: if documents are complete the animal is released on the arrival date; animals not meeting requirements face a fine or return to the exporting country at the owner's expense.
Instructions for importation of dogs, cats, and rabbits into the Kingdom of Thailand (from the USA), checked 1 October 2026
Arrival points and notice
- Animal Quarantine Stations operate at six international airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui and Krabi (served by Trang AQS) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington agricultural office, rev. 30 January 2025). Apply at least 7 days before departure to the AQS at the arrival airport.
Instructions for Bringing Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits into Thailand from the USA (Rev. 30 January 2025), checked 1 October 2026Official sources differ
The Chicago consulate page (updated 11 Feb 2025, https://cgchicago.thaiembassy.org/en/page/bringing-pets-to-thailand-2) gives permit email addresses for only three airports (Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, Chiang Mai); the DLD instructions (https://www.opsmoac.go.th/dc-regulation-files-471891791806) add a fourth, Samui (qssm_urt@dld.go.th). Confirm the AQS before booking into Don Mueang or Krabi. Seaports and land borders were not covered by the pages read. - Suvarnabhumi: hand-carried pets are handled 24 hours daily at the AQS next to carousel 8; air cargo pets at the cargo terminal AQS Monday to Friday 08:30 to 16:30. Phuket and Chiang Mai AQS work 08:30 to 16:30 daily.
Bringing Pets to Thailand (updated 11 February 2025), checked 1 October 2026
Minimum age
- Pets must be at least 4 months old to be imported (Royal Thai Consulate-General Chicago, updated 11 February 2025).
Bringing Pets to Thailand (updated 11 February 2025), checked 1 October 2026
How many pets
- No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.
Banned and restricted breeds
- Not required: no dog breed is banned from import (Royal Thai Embassy Washington agricultural office, rev. 30 January 2025; Chicago consulate, updated 11 February 2025). Airlines may set their own restrictions.
Instructions for Bringing Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits into Thailand from the USA (Rev. 30 January 2025), checked 1 October 2026Official sources differ
The undated Royal Thai Embassy Canberra page (https://canberra.thaiembassy.org/en/content/bringing-pets-to-thailand) says Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier are prohibited from importation. The two dated 2025 Thai government pages say there is no breed restriction and are taken as current; confirm with the AQS for these two breeds.
How your pet may travel
- Pets may arrive hand-carried with a passenger (cleared at the AQS at the port of entry) or as air cargo (cleared at the cargo terminal AQS with Customs import declaration).
Bringing Pets to Thailand (updated 11 February 2025), checked 1 October 2026
Official fees
- On arrival the AQS charges a processing fee of 500 baht per animal for the import approval and licence (DLD Animal Quarantine Station Suvarnabhumi requirements; the DLD instructions for US travellers name the forms R-6 and R-7).
Requirements for importation of Dogs/Cats/Rabbits into Thailand, checked 2 October 2026 - Pets are not exempt from Thai import duty: passengers pay duty and taxes at the Customs 'Goods to Declare' channel after AQS clearance, in addition to the DLD processing fee (Thai Customs, Suvarnabhumi Airport Cargo Clearance Customs Office, on the Thai government portal, updated 11 July 2023). The page does not give rates.
Applies to dogs and cats accompanying passengers, all origins.
Passengers bringing pets into Thailand, checked 2 October 2026 - Pets arriving as air cargo: the importer or agent pays the duty and taxes assessed by Customs on the Simplified Customs Declaration (Kor.Sor.Kor.102) before release (Thai Customs, Suvarnabhumi, updated 11 July 2023).
Applies to dogs and cats imported as air cargo via Suvarnabhumi, all origins.
Procedures for importation of pets at the Customs Office at Suvarnabhumi Airport, checked 2 October 2026
Other conditions
- The import licence lets the pet stay in Thailand indefinitely, but a new licence is needed after the pet leaves Thailand.
Bringing Pets to Thailand (updated 11 February 2025), checked 1 October 2026 - After the AQS issues the import permit (Form Ror.7), passengers must present the pet and the permit at the Customs 'Goods to Declare' channel and pay duty and taxes (Thai Customs, Suvarnabhumi, updated 11 July 2023).
Applies to dogs and cats accompanying passengers, all origins.
Passengers bringing pets into Thailand, checked 2 October 2026 - Pets imported temporarily as cargo can be cleared on a Simplified Customs Declaration under a bond or guarantee that they will be re-exported within six months of import; Customs returns a copy of the bond for use on export (Thai Customs, Suvarnabhumi, updated 11 July 2023).
Applies to dogs and cats imported temporarily as air cargo via Suvarnabhumi, all origins.
Procedures for importation of pets at the Customs Office at Suvarnabhumi Airport, checked 2 October 2026
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The import permit: apply before you book
Apply by email to the Animal Quarantine Station at your arrival airport for an import permit, using DLD Form R1/1, at least 7 days and no more than 60 days before departure. The application gives your name, your addresses in Thailand and the origin country, your pet’s details including the microchip number, a microchip implantation certificate and the flight itinerary.
The permit is valid for 60 days after issue, and the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Chicago says processing takes about 3 to 7 business days. Animal Quarantine Stations operate at six international airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui and Krabi.
Health certificate timing
The health certificate must be in English and signed or endorsed by a full-time authorised government veterinary official of the exporting country. It is valid for 10 days after government endorsement, and the AQS accepts only the original with ink endorsement, not a digitally signed copy.
Dogs need rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccines; cats need rabies and feline panleukopenia; all given at least 21 days before departure. A primary rabies vaccine must be given at 12 weeks of age or older.
Routes to Thailand
Frequently Asked Questions
Not routinely. Pets showing no sign of illness are not quarantined, although an AQS officer may detain any animal at their discretion. Animals that do not meet the requirements face a fine or return to the exporting country at the owner’s expense, so make sure all documentation is in order before travel.
No. The DLD’s formal requirements contain no titre test, and the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Chicago lists a rabies blood test certificate only as an optional document.
Your pet still needs a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before departure. That wait applies after a primary or lapsed vaccination, not after a booster, so send previous records with the application.
Yes. Apply to the Animal Quarantine Station at your arrival airport at least 7 days and no more than 60 days before departure, using DLD Form R1/1. On arrival the AQS charges a processing fee of 500 baht per animal for the import approval and licence.
Yes, cats can be imported into Thailand under the same DLD rules as dogs. The vaccines differ: cats need rabies and feline panleukopenia, given at least 21 days before departure. No parasite treatment is required, but your cat must be found free of ectoparasites at the pre-export examination.
An English-language health certificate, signed or endorsed by a full-time authorised government veterinary official of the exporting country. It is valid for 10 days after government endorsement, and only the original with ink endorsement is accepted.
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Thailand
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Code: TH