Pet Transport from Thailand to France
Planning to move your pet from Thailand to France? Get Your Quote
Moving to France from Thailand with a dog or cat means starting the paperwork months before your flight.
This route is moderately involved, with a clear checklist to follow. Start preparations at least 20 weeks before your travel date: some steps have fixed waiting periods that cannot be shortened. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a mandatory waiting period after your pet’s vaccination. You cannot speed this up.
The paperwork is the hard part. Once everything is in order, the journey itself is well-managed.
Step-by-Step Process
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
First step: must be done before any vaccinations.
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Rabies vaccination
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Responsible: Official veterinarian
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
France Import Requirements
What France requires for pets entering the country.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or at same time as rabies vaccination
Rabies Vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. Standard EU protocol. 21-day wait from first vaccination.
Rabies Titre Test
Required for: Pets from unlisted third countries. Not required for: Pets from EU and listed third countries (all P1 countries listed). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry
Quarantine
No routine quarantine. Non-compliant animals may be quarantined or returned at owner's expense.
Import Permit
No formal import permit. EU pet passport or AHC serves as documentation.
Health Certificate
Required
Exporting from Thailand
What you need from Thailand before your pet can leave.
Export Permit
No formal export permit required. Destination import documentation serves as travel authority.
Cost Factors
Costs vary depending on pet size, transport method, and whether you use a transport agent.
- 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
- Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Important Warnings
Key requirements for moving your pet to France
Compared to some international pet transport routes, Thailand to France is manageable. That said, every country’s rules are different and the timing requirements are strict.
France follows EU harmonised pet movement rules. Direction Generale de l’Alimentation (DGAL) under the Ministry of Agriculture oversees implementation. France is one of the most pet-friendly countries in Europe with high pet ownership, though some rental properties restrict pets. France has its own breed-specific legislation (Categories 1 and 2) that is notably strict.
Things to sort before you book
Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.
Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.
Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.
If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
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