Pet Transport from the United States to Kazakhstan

Shipping a dog or cat from United States to Kazakhstan rewards owners who start planning early. Plan on roughly 4-8 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. …

4-8 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Medium

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Lead time needed

4-8 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Medium

Airlines

3 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from United States to Kazakhstan typically takes around 4-8 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The import process, in full

10-12 weeks before travel. Kazakhstan's permit process can take longer than other Central Asian destinations.

Apply for KVCS import permit from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture

Responsible: Owner or relocation agent with Central Asia experience

Before any vaccinations

Confirm ISO microchip is implanted and recorded

Responsible: USDA-accredited veterinarian

After microchip implantation

Confirm or administer rabies vaccination (ensure validity within 12 months of travel)

Responsible: USDA-accredited veterinarian

6-8 weeks before travel. Confirm Almaty (ALA) or Astana (NQZ) as arrival airport with your agent.

Book cargo space once KVCS permit is confirmed

Responsible: Owner or relocation agent

Within 10 days of travel, allowing 3-5 business days for USDA APHIS endorsement

Schedule vet appointment for USDA APHIS health certificate

Responsible: USDA-accredited veterinarian

3-5 business days before travel

Submit health certificate to USDA APHIS State Veterinarian for endorsement

Responsible: Owner or agent. Check state office process at aphis.usda.gov.

Travel day. Total journey time US to Kazakhstan via IST: 20-28 hours.

Arrive at ALA or NQZ. KVCS customs and veterinary inspection on arrival.

Responsible: Keep all original documents accessible throughout.

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip required. Must be implanted before vaccinations are administered.

Rabies vaccination

Current rabies vaccination required. Some Kazakhstan requirements specify validity within the past 12 months; ensure the vaccination will be within that window on arrival.

Quarantine

No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals. A brief customs and veterinary inspection is carried out at the airport on arrival.

Import permit

Import permit required from the Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision (KVCS), Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, before import. Apply well in advance; processing can take longer than for other destinations in the region.

Health certificate

Official health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS State Veterinarian. Must confirm microchip number, vaccination status, and fitness to travel.

Export permit

No export permit required from the US side. The USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate is the controlling export document.

Health certificate

USDA APHIS Veterinary Health Certificate (VS Form 7001 or equivalent international health certificate), issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA APHIS State Veterinarian. Allow 3-5 business days for endorsement. Certificate must be dated within 10 days of travel. Source: aphis.usda.gov.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United States to Kazakhstan move gets missed.

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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

Turkish Airlines Cargo

US gateways (Atlanta ATL, New York JFK, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX) via Istanbul (IST) to Almaty (ALA) or Astana (NQZ). Turkish Airlines serves both Kazakhstani international airports from IST. Live animal cargo accepted on many routes; confirm acceptance on each leg before booking.

Cargo Only

Lufthansa Cargo

US gateways to Frankfurt (FRA), then connections to Almaty (ALA) via Air Astana or other cargo partners. Lufthansa Cargo operates a live animal programme at FRA. Onward legs to Kazakhstan must be confirmed for live animal acceptance independently.

Cargo Only

Air Astana

Air Astana operates FRA-ALA and AMS-ALA routes from European hubs. As Kazakhstan's own carrier, it is well-suited for the final leg into ALA. Confirm live animal cargo policy directly with Air Astana Cargo before booking; acceptance criteria and conditions vary by route.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

Cargo freight: USD 900-2,800 depending on crate and pet weight, routing, and airline

IATA-compliant crate: USD 80-300 depending on size

USDA APHIS health certificate and endorsement: USD 150-350 combined

KVCS import permit fee: confirm current amount with Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture

Relocation agent fee (strongly recommended for Central Asia routes): USD 400-800

Transit handling fees at Istanbul or Frankfurt: variable

Critical points

The KVCS import permit is mandatory and must be confirmed before booking any cargo or finalising travel dates. Kazakhstan's permit process takes longer than some other regional destinations.

Kazakhstan has two main international airports: Almaty (ALA) for the south and Astana (NQZ) for the capital. Confirm the correct arrival airport before booking cargo.

Rabies vaccination validity window: some Kazakhstan requirements specify the vaccination must be current within 12 months. Confirm current requirements with KVCS directly and ensure the vaccination date will meet this on arrival.

Air Astana Cargo live animal acceptance must be confirmed directly and in writing before booking; policies can vary by aircraft and route.

Kazakhstan entry requirements at a glance

The path into Kazakhstan is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.

Getting the details right

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.

FAQ

Common questions

Allow at least 10-12 weeks for the full process. Contact the Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision (KVCS) under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture well in advance. A relocation agent with Central Asia experience can help manage and expedite the application.

No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals. A brief customs and veterinary inspection is carried out at ALA or NQZ on arrival. Pets with complete documentation, a current rabies vaccination, ISO microchip, and KVCS import permit are cleared without quarantine.

Choose based on your final destination in Kazakhstan. ALA serves Almaty and the southern region; NQZ serves Astana and the north. Both airports handle live animal cargo from international routes. Confirm the correct airport with your cargo agent before booking.

Air Astana Cargo may accept live animals on routes including Frankfurt (FRA) and Amsterdam (AMS) to Almaty (ALA). Confirm their current live animal policy directly with Air Astana Cargo before booking, as criteria and conditions can vary by aircraft type and route.

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Airline guides

Turkish Airlines Cargo
Lufthansa Cargo
Air Astana

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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Pet Transport from the United States to Kazakhstan

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

Kazakhstan entry requirements at a glance

Getting the details right

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote