Pet Transport from Thailand to the USA
Thailand is on the CDC's high-risk list for dog rabies. Moving a dog to the USA from Thailand means the CDC Dog Import Form alone is not sufficient: you also need a serological test at a CDC-approved …
Get your free quoteThe Thailand to United States import process
Responsible: Vet
Responsible: DLD-authorised vet
Responsible: CDC-approved lab
Responsible: Owner
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: DLD vet
Responsible: CDC facility
United States entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Export requirements
What this route typically costs
Critical points
Thailand is high-risk for CDC. The serology test and CDC facility are mandatory.
No direct BKK-US flights for most US cities. Your pet will transit via an Asian or European hub.
The 28-day gap between blood draw and US entry is a firm requirement. Plan the blood draw date first.
Approved carriers on this route
| Airline | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Thai Airways | Thai Airways Cargo from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to US cities via connections. No direct BKK-US routes; connects via hubs. Confirm live animal availability on your specific routing. | Cargo Only |
| United Airlines | United PetSafe cargo from BKK via connecting routes to US hubs. Temperature-controlled. Seasonal and breed restrictions apply. | Cargo Only |
| Delta | Delta Cargo from BKK via Asian hubs to US cities. Good transpacific coverage. Confirm routing and live animal availability. | Cargo Only |
| Cathay Pacific | Via HKG. BKK to HKG, then onward to US cities. Strong live animal handling at Hong Kong. Popular BKK-US routing. | Cargo Only |
At a glance: Thailand to USA vs. comparable Southeast Asian routes
| Requirement | Thailand to USA | Singapore to USA | Malaysia to USA | Vietnam to USA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDC risk category | High-risk | Low-risk | High-risk | High-risk |
| Serology test | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| CDC facility required | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| CDC Dog Import Form | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cats (federal) | No requirement | No requirement | No requirement | No requirement |
| Complexity | Very high | Low-moderate | Very high | Very high |
Singapore’s low-risk CDC status continues to be the key differentiator for Southeast Asian routes to the USA. Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam are all high-risk with the same additional requirements.
Airline comparison: Thailand to USA
| Airline | Route | Pet policy | Transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathay Pacific | BKK to US via HKG | Cargo only | 1 stop (HKG) | Popular Thailand-US routing. Strong live animal handling at HKG |
| United | BKK to US via hubs | Cargo only | 1-2 stops | PetSafe. Connections from BKK through Asian gateways to US |
| Delta | BKK to US via hubs | Cargo only | 1-2 stops | Via Asian hubs. Confirm specific routing and live animal slots |
| Thai Airways | BKK to US via connections | Cargo only | 1-2 stops | Via partner connections. Fewer direct options than Cathay |
Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong is the most-used routing for Thailand-US pet moves. HKG has strong live animal cargo infrastructure and good transpacific connections to US CDC-facility airports.
The difference between high-risk and low-risk CDC entry for Thailand
The practical difference between high-risk and low-risk CDC entry is significant. For a dog from Singapore (low-risk), the CDC process is: fill in the CDC Dog Import Form, confirm microchip, appear healthy. Done.
For a dog from Thailand (high-risk), add: serology test at a CDC-approved lab (blood drawn at least 30 days after rabies vaccination, result 0.5 IU/ml, at least 28 days before US entry); plus a pre-booked reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility at your US entry airport.
The CDC-registered facility receives your dog on arrival, coordinates with CDC inspectors for the health check, and releases the dog to you once cleared. This is typically same-day, but you need to be at the airport to collect. The facility charges a fee, which varies by airport and facility.
If your dog already has a passing serology result on file from a previous move (and vaccination coverage has not lapsed), you may not need to repeat the test. Verify this with your vet before assuming.
Common questions about this route
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