Pet Relocation Rules by Country
Relocating with dogs or cats is one of the most under-planned aspects of international moves. This reference covers microchip requirements, rabies vaccination + titer protocols, import permits, quarantine windows, and approved-airline routes across 25+ major destinations. Some countries (Australia, NZ, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan) require 6-8 months of advance preparation — plan accordingly.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-13. Pet-import regulations change periodically with rabies-status reclassifications and trade agreements — verify with the destination's veterinary authority before booking.
| Country | Rabies | Chip | Import permit / documents | Quarantine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Rabies vaccination | No | International Health Certificate within 10 days; rabies ≥30 days; SENASA endorsement | None | SENASA inspection on arrival at Buenos Aires Ezeiza |
| Australia | Rabies + titer test | Yes | Import permit from DAFF required; rabies blood-titer test ≥180 days before entry showing ≥0.5 IU/mL antibody level | 10 days minimum at Mickleham Quarantine Facility (Melbourne) for most countries | Pet must arrive on approved airline at Melbourne airport only One of the world's strictest pet-import regimes. Total preparation time ~7+ months. From Group 3 countries (NZ, Hawaii, UK, Ireland, Singapore, Japan, etc.) requirements simpler. |
| Brazil | Rabies vaccination | Yes | International Veterinary Certificate (CVI / Certificado Veterinário Internacional); rabies vaccination ≥30 days <1 year before entry | None for compliant pets | Brazilian Federal Agriculture (MAPA) endorsement; specific airports of entry |
| Canada | Rabies vaccination | No | Rabies vaccination certificate ≥30 days before entry (for pets >3 months old) | None | CFIA-approved rabies cert; airlines have own kennel + manifest requirements Among the easiest major-destination pet imports — no microchip required at federal level (some provinces require for licensing). https://inspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals |
| EU (Schengen + Ireland) | Rabies vaccination | Yes | EU Pet Passport for EU-resident pets; EU Animal Health Certificate (within 10 days) for non-EU origin | None standard for compliant pets | Pets must enter via Travellers' Point of Entry; some airlines allow in-cabin small pets Treats EU as a single jurisdiction for pet movement. Tapeworm treatment additionally required for entry to Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway. |
| Hong Kong | Rabies + titer test | Yes | AFCD import permit; rabies titer ≥6 months pre-arrival from Group II countries (most of Asia, Latin America) | None for Group I (rabies-free); up to 120 days for non-compliant | AFCD approved kennel + manifest |
| India | Rabies vaccination | No | Import permit + veterinary health certificate; only 2 pets per family per year; rabies + 4-in-1 vaccinations | None for compliant pets | Specific airline cargo routes; international airports of entry only |
| Israel | Rabies vaccination | Yes | Veterinary Services & Animal Health import licence; rabies vaccination + titer ≥30 days ≤1 year | None for compliant pets | Ben Gurion airport veterinary inspection |
| Japan | Rabies + titer test | Yes | Advance notification ≥40 days before arrival; rabies titer ≥0.5 IU/mL conducted at MAFF-approved lab; 180-day waiting period after titer | 12 hours minimum at arrival; up to 180 days if requirements not met | Specific Japanese airports of entry Among the strictest in Asia. Total preparation ~7-8 months including waiting period. |
| Malaysia | Rabies vaccination | Yes | DVS import permit; rabies vaccination + titer for some country groups | 7-180 days depending on country of origin | DVS endorsement at KLIA |
| Mexico | Rabies vaccination | No | Health certificate from veterinarian within 10 days of entry; rabies cert ≥30 days; deworming + parasite treatment within 6 months | None | SENASICA-issued certificate of compliance on arrival Pet entry simplified materially in 2019 — no longer requires advance import permit for most cases. |
| New Zealand | Rabies + titer test | Yes | MPI import permit; rabies titer test typically 6 months pre-export | 10 days minimum from most countries; can be at home in Auckland under MPI supervision | MPI-approved transit airports only Comparable to Australia in strictness; specific rules per country of origin (rabies-free vs rabies-present). |
| Norway | Rabies vaccination | Yes | EU Pet Passport rules apply via EEA agreement; tapeworm treatment required 24-120 hours pre-arrival (echinococcus-free status) | None for compliant pets | EU rules apply Tapeworm treatment additionally required (along with Ireland, Finland, Malta). |
| Saudi Arabia | Rabies vaccination | No | Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture import permit + Saudi consulate-attested health certificate | Variable | Specific airports of entry Dogs face cultural restrictions; cats more readily accepted. |
| Singapore | Rabies + titer test | Yes | AVA import permit; rabies titer ≥0.5 IU/mL ≥180 days before import from Category C+D countries; not required from Category A+B (Australia, NZ, UK, Ireland, etc.) | 10-30 days at Sembawang Quarantine Facility for some country categories; home quarantine option for compliant pets from Category A | Specific airline + cargo route requirements Categorises countries A through D based on rabies risk. Detail rules vary significantly between categories. |
| South Africa | Rabies vaccination | Yes | DAFF veterinary import permit; rabies vaccination ≥30 days ≤1 year; specific deworming protocol | None for compliant pets | Specific airports of entry (OR Tambo Johannesburg primarily) |
| South Korea | Rabies vaccination | Yes | Quarantine inspection on arrival; pet must have rabies certificate >30 days <12 months | Visual inspection only if requirements met; up to 15 days if non-compliant | Animal Quarantine Inspection Agency endorsement |
| Switzerland | Rabies vaccination | Yes | Follows EU Pet Passport rules de facto since Switzerland is part of EU pet-travel rules via bilateral agreement | None for compliant pets | EU Pet Passport accepted |
| Taiwan | Rabies + titer test | Yes | Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection (BAPHIQ) import permit; rabies titer required | 7-21 days quarantine standard | BAPHIQ endorsement |
| Thailand | Rabies vaccination | Yes | Health certificate from veterinarian + rabies cert; Department of Livestock Development import licence | None for compliant pets | Suvarnabhumi airport entry typical |
| Turkey | Rabies vaccination | Yes | Veterinary health certificate; rabies cert ≥30 days; max 2 pets per traveller | None | Specific airline cargo limits |
| United Arab Emirates | Rabies vaccination | Yes | MOCCAE import permit; rabies vaccination + parasite treatment | None for compliant pets | Specific airline cargo or in-cabin allowances vary Limit of 2 pets per resident; specific dog-breed restrictions (Pitbull, Mastiff, etc.). |
| United Kingdom | Rabies vaccination | Yes | Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from official veterinarian within 10 days of travel; tapeworm treatment for dogs 24-120 hours pre-arrival | None if all paperwork in order; 4-month quarantine if non-compliant | Pet must travel via approved transporter on approved route; no in-cabin pet travel into UK Post-Brexit: UK accepts EU Pet Passports for EU-resident pets re-entering UK; UK pets need GB Pet Health Certificate for EU travel. |
| United States | Rabies vaccination | Yes | CDC requires rabies vaccination ≥30 days before entry from high-risk-rabies countries (most of Africa, Eastern Europe, parts of Asia/Latin America). USDA APHIS health certificate required. | None standard; 90 days observation possible if paperwork incomplete | USDA endorsement of health certificate required for international flights Hawaii has separate strict quarantine (5-day or direct release depending on prior preparation). |
| Vietnam | Rabies vaccination | No | Department of Animal Health import permit + health certificate | Variable; typically minimal for compliant pets | DAH endorsement at Hanoi or HCMC |
Planning checklist
- Start 8 months ahead if moving to Australia, NZ, Japan, Singapore (Category C/D), Hong Kong (Group II). The rabies titer test + 180-day waiting period is the binding constraint.
- Microchip first, vaccinate second. Most destinations require rabies vaccination AFTER the microchip is implanted — earlier rabies vaccinations are not counted.
- EU Pet Passport works across all EU + Schengen + Switzerland + Norway + Iceland. Issued by an authorised vet in any EU country. UK no longer accepts EU Pet Passports as the primary document post-Brexit.
- USDA APHIS health certificate is the US equivalent — must be issued by USDA-accredited vet then endorsed at USDA Veterinary Services.
- Airline approval is separate. Even with all paperwork correct, your specific airline may not accept the pet's breed (e.g. brachycephalic dog breeds — pugs, bulldogs — are widely banned on summer flights for heat-stroke risk).
- Specialist pet-relocation services (PetRelocation, Air Animal, Jetpets) handle the paperwork + cargo booking. Cost typically $1,500-$5,000 per pet depending on origin/destination.
- Brachycephalic + restricted breeds. Pitbull-type dogs face full bans in UK, Germany, France, UAE, Singapore, NZ. Verify breed restrictions before committing.
See also: Voltage / plug compatibility · Driving licence exchange · Apostille by country.