Pet Transport from Thailand to the USA
Thailand is on the CDC’s high-risk list for dog rabies, so the CDC Dog Import Form alone is not enough. A foreign-vaccinated dog needs its rabies vaccination and microchip certified on the …
Get your free quote →The Thailand to United States import process
Responsible: Vet
Responsible: DLD-authorised vet
Responsible: Your vet draws the sample, a CDC-approved laboratory tests it
Responsible: Owner
Responsible: DLD-authorised vet and DLD
Responsible: DLD vet
Responsible: CDC facility
Which United States rules depend on a pet coming from Thailand?
The United States sorts countries into 2 groups, and Thailand falls in “High-risk countries for dog rabies”.
Dog has been in one of these within 6 months: rabies vaccination mandatory. US-vaccinated dogs need USDA-endorsed CDC certification form; foreign-vaccinated dogs need foreign certification form, CDC-approved titre or 28-day quarantine, facility reservation and arrival at that facility's airport. Official source
These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Quarantine: Without a valid titre, the dog is admitted only after 28 days' quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility; this can be shortened if criteria are met. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries without a valid titre.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Quarantine: All foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs need a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility before entry, where they are examined and revaccinated with a US-licensed rabies vaccine. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Quarantine: The 28-day CDC facility quarantine may be shortened only if all of these are met: personal pet or service dog; documentation of at least 2 rabies vaccines; healthy on exam; the facility gets CDC approval for a prospective serologic monitoring (PSM) assessment; the dog gets a US-issued rabies vaccine under PSM; and a titre is obtained from a CDC-approved US lab (CDC FAQ updated 27 August 2026). Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries without a valid titre.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs need a passing rabies serology titre from a CDC-approved laboratory; blood drawn at least 30 days after the first valid vaccine and at least 28 days before entry. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Passing titre results are valid for life while vaccination does not lapse and the lab remains approved. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Not required: US-vaccinated dogs returning from a high-risk country need valid (unexpired) documentation of a US-issued rabies vaccination, not a titre. If that documentation is invalid, the foreign-vaccinated rules (including titre or 28-day quarantine) apply. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026 - Health certificate: Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries need the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, completed by a vet and endorsed by an official government vet of the departure country. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Health certificate: That form must be completed no more than 30 days before travel, is single use and is valid 30 days from the vet's signature. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Health certificate: US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries need the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, completed by a USDA-accredited vet and USDA-endorsed before the dog leaves the US (at least 28 days after a first vaccine). Page updated 28 April 2026. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Health certificate: USDA-endorsed export health certificates issued after 31 July 2025 are no longer accepted for re-entry; the CDC certification form is needed instead. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: For high-risk dogs the first rabies vaccine must be given at or after 12 weeks (84 days) of age; earlier vaccines are not accepted. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - How your pet may travel: Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs must arrive by air; only service dogs (14 CFR 382.3) may arrive by sea. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs must arrive at the airport where their CDC-registered facility is. CDC list (updated 1 Sept 2026): Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Seattle (SEA, cargo only), Washington DC (IAD). Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities, checked 2 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: There are no CDC-registered facilities in Alaska, Hawaii or US territories, so foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs cannot enter the US through those places. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries may arrive at any airport, land border or seaport matching the receipt. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months cannot enter at a land border crossing (Canada or Mexico). Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026 - Microchip: For dogs from high-risk countries the chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine, otherwise the vaccine is invalid. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
One rule for every pet entering the United States decides whether yours can travel at all:
- Minimum age: Every dog must be at least 6 months old on entry or return to the US.
Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Minimum age: Not listed: cats. CDC's cat section requires only that cats appear healthy on arrival (they may be inspected, examined at the owner's cost if ill, or refused if they show a zoonotic disease); rabies vaccination proof is not required. APHIS states it has no animal health requirements for pet cats (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/cats). Neither sets a minimum age; destination states may.
Bringing an Animal into the U.S., checked 2 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering the United States, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our United States guide.
What does Thailand require before your pet leaves?
- Export permit: To export a pet the owner applies to the animal quarantine checkpoint on Form R1/1; the checkpoint issues an animal export licence (Form R.9) together with a health certificate (DLD Region 9, published 17 October 2025). Applies to dogs and cats leaving Thailand.
ขั้นตอนการส่งสัตว์เลี้ยง (สุนัข แมว นก ฯลฯ) ออกนอกราชอาณาจักร, checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: The health inspection must be no more than 2 to 3 days before travel; supporting documents are the owner's passport copy, the exporting agent's ID and a rabies vaccination certificate (DLD Region 9, published 17 October 2025). Applies to dogs and cats leaving Thailand.
ขั้นตอนการส่งสัตว์เลี้ยง (สุนัข แมว นก ฯลฯ) ออกนอกราชอาณาจักร, checked 2 October 2026 - Other conditions: Passengers taking pets out must apply for the export permit (Form Ror.1/1) and have the pet health-checked at the AQS no more than three days before departure (Thai Customs, Suvarnabhumi, updated 11 July 2023); consistent with DLD Region 9's 2 to 3 days. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Thailand with passengers.
Passengers taking pets out of Thailand, checked 2 October 2026 - Other conditions: Pets exported as cargo need the export permit for animals (Form Ror.9) and a health certificate meeting the destination country's requirements, and a Customs export declaration submitted through one of four channels, followed by green or red line clearance (Thai Customs, Suvarnabhumi, updated 11 July 2023). Applies to dogs and cats exported as air cargo via Suvarnabhumi.
Procedures for exportation of pets at the Customs Office at Suvarnabhumi Airport, checked 2 October 2026
What this route typically costs
Critical points
Thailand is high-risk for CDC. The CDC-registered facility reservation is mandatory for every foreign-vaccinated dog. The serology titre is not: the alternative is a four-week stay at that facility on arrival, billed per day to you, which is why almost everyone takes the titre.
Dogs must be at least 6 months old at US entry. No amount of paperwork cures a younger puppy, so check the arrival date against your dog's date of birth before you start.
There is no direct Bangkok to US service carrying live animals. Your pet transits an Asian hub, most commonly Hong Kong. Verify the facility list at cdc.gov before booking, because it changes.
The 28-day gap between blood draw and US entry is a firm requirement, and the sample may have to travel to a CDC-approved laboratory abroad. Confirm where your sample is tested and how long results take before you fix a travel date.
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
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