Pet relocation from United States to Thailand
Thailand has become one of the most sought-after destinations for Americans relocating to Asia, and bringing a dog or cat along is entirely workable with the right lead time. Two authorities set the pace: on the US side, the health certificate must be USDA APHIS endorsed, and since August 2024 dogs also fall under the CDC export framework; on the Thai side, the DLD import permit (the R7) has a short validity window that the rabies interval must sit inside. We build the calendar backwards from your Bangkok arrival, aligning the USDA endorsement, vaccines and R7 so your pet clears on the first attempt.
Get a Quote: United States → ThailandLeaving United States
USA export needs USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate via VEHCS, accredited vet, IATA crate.
- Permit / authority
- USDA APHIS export endorsement (VEHCS)
- Border control
- JFK/LAX/SFO/ORD cargo terminal inspection
Entering Thailand
Thailand requires an import permit, microchip and rabies certificate; no quarantine for compliant pets.
- Permit / authority
- DLD import permit
- Border control
- None if compliant
How long it takes
- Leaving United States: Plan 6–12 weeks ahead (longer for AU/JP/EU)
- Entering Thailand: Plan 3–6 weeks ahead
- Flight: A long-haul journey of roughly 18–24 hours from major US hubs to Bangkok (BKK), typically via one transit point, flown as manifested live-animal cargo.
Estimated cost
$2,800–$5,500
Indicative range for one cat or small dog, door-to-door. The final quote depends on pet size, crate dimensions, routing and season.
Document checklist
- ISO 15-digit microchip (implanted before rabies vaccination)
- Rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel and still valid
- USDA APHIS endorsed health certificate; dogs also per current CDC export rules
- Core vaccines: dogs need distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis; cats need panleukopenia
- Thailand DLD import permit (R7), filed inside its short validity window
- IATA-compliant travel crate sized to the pet
Regulations change. We verify current requirements before every move.
Airlines we coordinate with
- Korean Air Cargo
- EVA Air
- China Airlines Cargo
Subject to each airline's live-animal acceptance at the time of booking.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does pet relocation from United States to Thailand take?
- Timelines depend on import permits and quarantine rules for Thailand. Most United States-to-Thailand moves are planned 4–8 weeks ahead; we map the exact timeline after a quick assessment.
- What documents are required to move a pet from United States to Thailand?
- Typically a health certificate, vaccination records, microchip, and an import permit for Thailand. We prepare and verify the full document set for you.
- How much does it cost to move a pet from the US to Thailand?
- For one cat or small dog handled door-to-door, plan on roughly USD 2,800–5,500. The long-haul routing, pet size, crate dimensions and season move the figure; we confirm a fixed quote after a short assessment.
- Does Thailand quarantine pets arriving from the US?
- A fully compliant cat or dog is generally not held in facility quarantine — Thailand may ask for a short observation period at the registered address instead. Detention usually comes from a mistimed R7 permit, a rabies interval outside the window, or missing core vaccines, which is exactly what we lock down before the flight.
- How do I keep my pet safe on such a long flight?
- We book carriers with proven live-animal handling, choose routings that limit transit time, and size an IATA crate with room to stand and turn. Where the season brings heat embargoes, we plan flights around the safe temperature windows so the journey stays as short and low-stress as possible.