In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United States to Nepal
typically takes around 12-16 weeks.
Expect 7 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
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Written and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
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Overview
Taking your dog or cat from United States to Nepal comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. There is a fair amount of paperwork here, so plan on around 12-16 weeks. Your pet will spend 7 days in quarantine after landing.
Depending on origin, a rabies titre test may be part of the process here. Everything you need, from documents to carriers, is broken down below.
Step by step
The United States to Nepal process
1
Before vaccinations.
ISO microchip implanted
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet
2
At least 21 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet
3
At least 30 days after most recent rabies vaccination.
Titre test blood draw
Responsible: Approved laboratory
4
At least 6 weeks before travel.
Apply for Nepal DLS import permit
Responsible: Owner or agent
5
After permit confirmed.
Book cargo transport via Gulf or Turkish hub
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
6
Within 10 days of travel.
USDA health certificate
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet, then USDA APHIS endorsement
7
Begins on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.
7-day quarantine on arrival in Kathmandu
Responsible: Nepal DLS
Checklist
Nepal: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age 12 weeks. 21-day wait after primary vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required for most countries. Rabies antibody titre test (minimum 0.5 IU/ml). Blood drawn at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. Verify with Nepal's DLS.
Quarantine
Required. 7 days at a quarantine facility managed by Nepal's Department of Livestock Services in Kathmandu.
Import permit
Required. Issued by Nepal's Department of Livestock Services. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel.
No formal US export permit. USDA endorsement serves as export documentation.
Health certificate
USDA-accredited veterinarian health certificate, endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. Must list microchip, vaccinations, titre test result, and all treatments.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Cargo airline fee: $1,400 to $3,000 from US hub to Kathmandu via connection, depending on routing and crate size
2
USDA health certificate plus endorsement: $200 to $450
3
Titre test: $150 to $350
4
Nepal DLS import permit fee: confirm with DLS
5
7-day quarantine costs: confirm current rates with DLS
6
Pet transport agent fee: $600 to $2,000
7
IATA-compliant travel crate: $60 to $400
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ No nonstop US to Kathmandu flights exist. All routing involves a Gulf or Turkish hub connection. Total crate time is 20-28 hours. Choose carriers with good live animal handling records.
⚠ A titre test is required. Allow 6-10 weeks for vaccination and titre test preparation.
⚠ 7-day quarantine is mandatory. Budget for this and factor it into your arrival schedule.
⚠ Apply for the DLS permit at least 6 weeks before travel.
⚠ Kathmandu's altitude (1,400m) may affect brachycephalic breeds. Consult your vet before travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Qatar Airways
Via Doha to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport. Connections from multiple US hubs. Primary option for US to Nepal pet cargo. Confirm live animal acceptance on both legs.
Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines
Via Istanbul to Kathmandu. Handles live animal cargo. Connections from major US cities.
Cargo Only
Emirates
Via Dubai to Kathmandu. Live animal cargo. Connection from multiple US hubs.
Cargo Only
Nepal entry requirements at a glance
The requirements for Nepal are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.
Getting the details right
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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
All US to Nepal routing involves a connection, most commonly via Doha (Qatar Airways), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), or Dubai (Emirates). These carriers all handle live animal cargo. Book with the airline’s cargo team directly for both legs. Pet transport agents specialising in Asia-Pacific routing know which carriers consistently accept live animals on the Kathmandu leg, which changes by aircraft type. Total crate time is 20-28 hours from the US.
Nepal requires titre tests for pets from most countries, and the USA’s non-rabies-free status means US pets are expected to need one. The blood draw must be at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination. Verify the current requirement with Nepal’s Department of Livestock Services when applying for the import permit. Laboratory results take 2-3 weeks after the blood draw.
7 days at a quarantine facility managed by Nepal’s Department of Livestock Services, starting on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The quarantine cannot be shortened for any origin country. The owner pays facility fees for the full period. Confirm current rates and visiting arrangements with DLS when applying for the permit.
Kathmandu sits at approximately 1,400 metres above sea level. For most healthy dogs and cats, this altitude is not a significant problem, but brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persian cats, and similar types may face additional stress. Consult your vet before booking, particularly if your pet has any respiratory history. Some airlines also restrict brachycephalic breeds in cargo holds regardless of destination.
Airline guides
Qatar Airways
Turkish Airlines
Emirates
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.