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Pet Transport from Vietnam to Turkey
Shipping a dog or cat from Vietnam to Turkey rewards owners who start planning early. Expect about 20-26 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. There is no routine …
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Weeks lead time needed
Start this early minimum
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
9
Airlines on this route
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Vietnam to Turkey
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Step by step
The Vietnam to Turkey import process
01
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
02
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
03
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
04
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
05
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
06
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
Requirements
Turkey entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted and readable at time of travel
Rabies vaccination
Required. Rabies vaccination must be current (within 12 months). For puppies/kittens minimum 3 months old at time of vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required for: Generally not required for standard companion animals from most countries. Not required for: Most origin countries
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for dogs and cats arriving with correct documentation. Inspection on arrival by veterinary officer.
Import permit
No pre-travel import permit required for dogs and cats (up to 5 animals per person).
Health certificate
Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Issued by: Official veterinarian in country of origin. Valid for 10 days from issue. Certificate must state microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and confirm animal is healthy. Must be in English or Turkish or accompanied by translation.
Leaving Vietnam
Export requirements
Export permit
No export permit for pet dogs and cats.
Health certificate
Required. Issued by MARD-authorised official vet.
Costs
What this route typically costs
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)
Critical points
Breed restrictions apply at destination. Check if your dog is affected before booking.
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
| Airline | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines | Small pets (under 5kg with carrier) allowed in cabin on some routes. Cargo: larger pets in hold. Advance booking required. Vietnam import/export documentation must be fully prepared before travel. | Cabin and Cargo |
| Turkish Airlines | Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg with carrier on European/short-haul routes). Cargo: larger pets via Turkish Cargo. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Connects Istanbul hub to over 120 destinations - useful for Middle East and African routes. | Cabin and Cargo |
| Emirates | Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region) | Cargo Only |
| Lufthansa | Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round | Cabin and Cargo |
| British Airways | Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route. | Cargo Only |
| Singapore Airlines | Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons | Cargo Only |
| Cathay Pacific | Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met | Cargo Only |
| Air France | Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes | Cabin and Cargo |
| KLM | Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo | Cabin and Cargo |
What Turkey requires
The path into Turkey is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Avoiding the common mistakes
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.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in Turkey for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Turkey. Start this process as early as possible.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Vietnam. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Turkey’s authority for the exact format required.
Yes, Turkey bans or restricts certain breeds including American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa. If your dog is one of these types or a mix, contact the destination authority before making any travel arrangements.
Move your pet
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