Pet Transport from Hong Kong to Thailand

Getting a pet from Hong Kong to Thailand is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. Plan for approximately 26-32 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress the …

Get your free quote →

26-32

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

30 days

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

26-32 weeks

Quarantine

30 days

Route complexity

Very High

Airlines

8 carriers on this route

Start my quote

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Hong Kong to Thailand typically takes around 26-32 weeks. Expect 30 days of quarantine on arrival. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.

Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The Hong Kong to Thailand import process

First step: must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 30-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks

Apply for import permit from Thailand

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Immediately on arrival: mandatory

Quarantine on arrival (30 days)

Responsible: Thailand quarantine authority

Requirements

Thailand entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

Required (ISO 11784/11785). Before rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 30-day wait after vaccination before travel. Must be at least 30 days before import.

Rabies titre test

Required. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 30-day wait from test date before entry

Quarantine

Mandatory quarantine. 30 days. Facility: Department of Livestock quarantine facility. 30-day quarantine mandatory for all dogs and cats.

Import permit

Required. Issued by: Department of Livestock. Import license required before travel.

Health certificate

Required. Issued by: Official veterinarian. Valid for 14 days from issue. Issued within 14 days of travel.

Leaving Hong Kong

Export requirements

Export permit

Required for all live animal exports from Hong Kong

Health certificate

Must meet destination country requirements

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Import permit application fee (Thailand)

Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Cathay Pacific	Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met	Cargo Only
Thai Airways	Cargo: Pets as checked baggage or Thai Cargo for larger animals. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during hot season (March-May). Some breed restrictions apply	Cargo Only
Emirates	Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round	Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons	Cargo Only
British Airways	Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.	Cargo Only
Air France	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes	Cabin and Cargo
KLM	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo	Cabin and Cargo

Thailand import rules, explained

Thailand runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.

Practical tips for this move

Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

Yes, quarantine is mandatory in Thailand. Your pet will stay for 30 days at Department of Livestock quarantine facility on arrival. Confirm the facility, duration, and current charges with the destination authority before travel.

Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Thailand. Start this process as early as possible.

Yes, an import permit is required from Thailand’s authority (Department of Livestock). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Hong Kong. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Thailand’s authority for the exact format required.

Airline guides

Cathay Pacific
Thai Airways
Emirates
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
British Airways
Air France
KLM

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet
to Thailand.

Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. We map the complete preparation timeline and costs. No commitment required.

Get my free quote