top of page
Image by Robin Noguier

Pet Travel from the UK to Thailand: Dog & Cat Import Requirements

Exporting a dog or cat to Thailand requires advance planning, including mandatory rabies vaccination, species-specific core vaccines, microchip identification, and an official Export Health Certificate issued by a UK Official Veterinarian. We ensure your pet meets Thailand’s import regulations to avoid delays on arrival.

Image by Mathew Schwartz

Step-by-Step Guide: Importing Your Dog or Cat from the UK to Thailand

Step 1 — Check Age Eligibility

Pets must be at least 4 months old to be imported into Thailand.

​

You should confirm age eligibility before starting the certificate process.

Step 2 — Microchip Check

Your pet must be microchipped and clearly identifiable.

 

We will:

  • scan and verify the microchip

  • ensure it matches all vaccination and export documents

Image by Alejandro Cartagena 🇲🇽🏳‍🌈

Step 3 — Vaccination Requirements for Thailand (Dogs & Cats)

Thailand requires a complete vaccination record (in English) before a dog or cat can be exported from the UK.

 

The vaccination record must include:

  • Pet details (breed, sex, date of birth, colour, and microchip number)

  • Full name, signature, and licence number of the administering veterinarian

  • Vaccine name and date of administration

 

🐶 Dogs – Required Vaccines

 

Dogs must be vaccinated against:

  • Rabies

  • Canine Distemper

  • Canine Hepatitis (Adenovirus)

  • Canine Parvovirus

  • Leptospirosis

 

If a dog does not have a valid Leptospirosis vaccination, a negative Leptospirosis blood test must be obtained within 30 days prior to departure.

 

🐱 Cats – Required Vaccines

 

Cats must be vaccinated against:

  • Rabies

  • Feline Panleukopenia

 

Rabies-Specific Rules

​

  • In the case of a primary rabies vaccination, the animal must be at least 12 weeks of age at the time of administration.

​

  • After a primary vaccination (or lapsed vaccination), a minimum waiting period of 21 days is required before travel.

​

  • If the rabies booster is still valid, no additional 21-day waiting period is required, but previous vaccination history must be available.

​

  • All mandatory vaccines must be given no fewer than 21 days prior to export and must have been administered within the preceding 12 months.

 

Important Timing Note

If any vaccination is given as a primary course or following a lapse in validity, the pet must wait at least 21 days from the date of vaccination before departure.

Correct timing is essential to avoid export delays.

Image by Sumit Chinchane

Step 4 — Book Your Pet’s Flight

Once your destination requirements and timeline are confirmed, you should arrange your pet’s flight with an airline or approved pet transport company.

​

When booking:

  • confirm the airline accepts pets for your chosen route

  • check whether your pet must travel as manifest cargo or accompanied baggage

  • ensure the arrival airport is approved for live animal entry where required

  • confirm crate size and airline transport rules

  • share your planned flight date with us so we can schedule all veterinary checks, tests, and certificate timing correctly

 

We recommend booking flights before the final certification appointments, but only after the medical and permit timelines have been reviewed to avoid date conflicts.

Image by Miltiadis Fragkidis

Step 5 — Apply for Thailand Import Permit (Owner Step)

Owners must request an import permit from the Thai Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) before travel. This permit is valid for 60 days.

​

Apply by email to the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) at your arrival airport no earlier than 60 days and no later than 7 working days before travel.

​

You will need:

  • R1/1 application form

  • copy of owner passport

  • pet photo with face clearly shown

  • flight itinerary

  • vaccination record (in English)

  • microchip certificate

 

AQS will:

  • review documents (≈ 5 working days)

  • issue the import permit by email​

Step 6 — Request the Export Health Certificate (EHC 2917)

Before we can certify your cat/dog for travel to Thailand, the official Export Health Certificate (EHC 2917) must be requested from DEFRA.

​

To start this process:

  • You confirm us as your chosen Official Veterinarian

  • Once you have chosen your Official Veterinarian, you must request the correct Export Health Certificate from DEFRA — for Thailand this is EHC 2917 (Export of cats and dogs to Thailand).

  • The EHC is then issued through DEFRA to us for completion and signing

 

We guide you through this request step to make sure the correct certificate is issued and linked to your export — please do not apply for a certificate without confirming the details with us first.

Image by Aleksandra B.

Step 7 — Owner Declaration (Required for EHC)

Thailand requires a signed owner/exporter declaration for certification.

​

This includes:

  • required health and residency statements

  • official wording

  • acknowledgement that false declarations are an offence

 

We provide the template and collect your signed copy.

Step 8 — Final Clinical Examination (Within 72 Hours of Travel)

Your pet must undergo a final pre-export clinical examination by an Official Veterinarian no more than 72 hours before departure.

​

At this appointment we will:

  • perform a full physical examination

  • confirm there are no signs of infectious or contagious disease

  • verify your pet is fit to travel

  • complete and sign the clinical section of the Export Health Certificate

 

Because this exam has a strict time window, it should be booked to align closely with your flight departure time.

Image by Prashant

Step 9 — Arrival in Thailand

At arrival airport:

Contact Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) for inspection.

 

You will receive:

  • Import Approval Form (R-6)

  • Import License (R-7)

 

Fee: approx 500 THB per animal (paid in cash)

 

If your pet is healthy and documents are correct:

  • quarantine is often waived

  • otherwise minimum quarantine may apply​

bottom of page