How to Move Your Pet Overseas

How to move your pet to another country

Bringing a pet abroad involves far more than booking a ticket. It’s a detailed process with strict timelines, health requirements and country-specific rules. From paperwork and vaccinations to travel logistics and arrival procedures, each step plays an important role in ensuring your pet’s safe and compliant journey. Starting early and staying organized can make the difference between a smooth move and costly delays.

1. Research your destination country's requirements

Begin by contacting the embassy or consulate of your destination country for the most up-to-date information on pet import regulations. Call the appropriate embassy in Washington, D.C., to confirm the entry requirements. Requirements vary dramatically between countries and change frequently, so verify information directly with official sources rather than relying on potentially outdated online resources.

Start your research six to 12 months before immigrating with your pet to Pacific rim countries like Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and the Fiji Islands. Start three months ahead when moving to Europe, the Middle East or Africa. Start two months ahead when moving to Central America, South America or the Caribbean.

Check for breed restrictions in your destination country. For instance, the UK prohibits ownership of certain dog types. Some countries also limit which species can enter. In New Zealand, for example, only rabbits from Australia, guinea pigs from Australia, chinchillas from Great Britain and cats and dogs are permitted.

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2. Find a USDA-accredited veterinarian

Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel. They can help you determine your destination country's pet entry requirements, including needed vaccinations, tests or treatments. They can also assist you in obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate or other needed paperwork.

Not all veterinarians have USDA accreditation. Search for accredited vets through the USDA-APHIS website. These veterinarians are familiar with international health certificate requirements and can ensure your documentation meets destination country standards. Most countries require that a federally-accredited veterinarian check your pet and issue a United States Interstate and International Certificate for Health Examination for Small Animals (7001 USDA-APHIS Form).

Schedule your initial consultation early. Your vet creates a timeline for required vaccinations, tests and treatments based on your destination's specific requirements.

3. Update vaccinations and health requirements

Rabies vaccination is mandatory for most international destinations. All animals need a rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before the travel date. Requirements can vary by country — some recognize three-year vaccines while others require annual vaccination.

If your pet comes from a country with a high incidence of rabies, plan further in advance. Your pet will need a Blood Titer Test one month after their rabies vaccination, then must wait three more months before travel. This rabies antibody titer test proves your pet has sufficient immunity levels.

Beyond rabies, your destination may require parasite protection. The anti-Echinococcus treatment, which gets rid of parasite larvae, is not required for dogs traveling directly between Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland. Other EU countries may require tapeworm treatment within specific time frames before travel.

4. Microchip your pet

Dogs, cats and ferrets must have individual identification through an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) compliant (11784 and 11785) microchip. ISO compliant microchips are 15 digits long. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination for the vaccine to be valid for travel purposes.

EU transponders do not read non-ISO microchips. If your pet already has a non-ISO microchip, you need to have an ISO-compliant chip implanted or travel with a microchip reader that can read your pet's existing chip.

Verify the microchip works properly at each veterinary visit. Keep the microchip number documented on all health certificates and travel paperwork.

5. Obtain health certificates and permits

Health certificates must be issued close to your travel date. Airlines typically require pet health certificates no older than 10 days, even if the receiving country accepts an older one. The certificate must include specific information about vaccinations, microchip numbers and your pet's health status.

A licensed veterinarian in the country of origin must complete and sign an export pet health certificate. This certificate should be in English or accompanied by an English translation. After your veterinarian completes the certificate, USDA-APHIS must endorse it, which requires additional processing time.

Some countries require import permits to be obtained before travel. Apply for these permits well in advance, as processing can take several weeks.

6. Choose your travel method

There are a few different ways to travel with your pet:

Confirm airline pet policies and seasonal embargoes early

• In-cabin travel works for small pets that fit in airline-approved carriers under the seat. This option allows you to keep your pet with you, but it has strict size and weight limits. Some countries do not allow pets to enter in-cabin.
• Cargo travel accommodates larger pets. While some small pets can fly in the passenger cabin, the majority travel as manifest cargo in the plane's hold. Every pet flies in a temperature-controlled, oxygenated and pressurized environment, just like the passenger cabin.
• Pet relocation services handle the entire process for you. Your dedicated pet relocation consultant organizes custom travel plans. These services handle every step from vaccinations and flight bookings to arrival at your new home. They cost more but provide expertise in navigating complex regulations.

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7. Prepare travel carriers and supplies

Airlines have specific requirements for pet carriers. The crate must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. It needs proper ventilation, secure latches and absorbent bedding.

Start crate training a few weeks before travel. Place familiar items like blankets or toys with your pet's scent inside the carrier. Try feeding your pet in the crate to create positive associations. Practice short trips in the car using the travel crate.

Be prepared to pack a travel kit with food, water, bowls, medications and cleanup supplies. Include copies of all health documents in a waterproof folder attached to the carrier. Keep the original documents with you.

8. Book transportation and quarantine facilities

Airlines have limited space for pets, so book early. Many airlines no longer allow pet owners to book pets directly as cargo if your pet does not fit in the cabin. In those cases, you may have to ship your pet through a licensed commercial shipper and pay the cargo rate plus the pet shipper's fee.

If your destination country requires quarantine, make reservations well in advance, even before applying for an import permit. Quarantine facilities fill quickly during peak travel seasons.

Coordinate ground transportation to and from airports. Some countries require pets to enter through specific ports with animal reception facilities.

9. Navigate customs and arrival procedures

You can only enter the EU with your pet through a designated traveler's point of entry in the EU country of destination. The authorities will check your pet's documents and identity upon entry. Have all original documents easily accessible.

Customs officials verify your pet's microchip, check health certificates and inspect your pet's condition. If your pet fails compliance checks, it may be returned to the country of departure or placed in quarantine until it complies with EU health rules. If neither option is possible, the animal may be euthanized.

Also, be prepared for additional inspections. Dogs traveling from certain countries must be inspected for screwworms within five days before entering the United States. Different countries have various disease concerns requiring specific examinations.

Customs and quarantine regulations

Quarantine requirements vary dramatically between countries. Most popular travel destinations don't require quarantine for dogs. This includes most of Europe (including the United Kingdom, which previously had a long quarantine period), the United States (except Hawaii and Guam), Canada and Mexico.

Island nations typically have the strictest quarantine rules. Most countries requiring quarantine are island nations free of many transmissible diseases, including rabies. Australia has one of the strictest quarantine policies globally. Most pets, including dogs, must spend at least 10 days in quarantine upon arrival to ensure they meet Australia's health and vaccination standards.

Some countries, like Australia, have strict quarantine policies. Be sure to research those requirements early in the process.

Plan around quarantine timelines

Check if your destination requires quarantine and reserve space months ahead. Build extra time into your move for permits, inspections and possible delays.

Pet owners pay costs associated with pet quarantine, including facility fees, veterinary exams and any required treatments or tests. Arranging quarantine accommodations and complying with import regulations requires careful planning and coordination. For example, 30 days in Australian quarantine for one animal costs at least $2,200 (AUD). Add permit costs and you're looking at nearly $3,000 (AUD).

Quarantine duration depends on multiple factors. Japan's quarantine rules vary based on the pet's origin and vaccination history. Dogs without required vaccinations or from high-risk countries may face quarantine up to 180 days. Pets from approved countries with complete vaccination records may only need a 12-hour health inspection upon arrival.

Plan for possible extended quarantine if documentation issues arise. Quarantine applies to pets that don't conform to the destination country's pet import regulations. If facilities aren't available, the pet must be returned to its country of origin or face euthanasia.

Post-arrival care for your pet

Your pet will likely need time to adjust after international travel. Set up a quiet, comfortable space in your new home with familiar items from your previous residence. Maintain consistent feeding schedules and use the same food brand initially to avoid digestive upset.

Schedule a veterinary check-up within the first week of arrival. Local vets can advise on regional health concerns, required local registrations and ongoing preventive care specific to your new country. They also verify your pet's microchip reads with local scanners. 

Here are a few other tips for settling into your new home country with your pet:

• Maintain routine and stability. Keep daily routines consistent during the adjustment period. Walk dogs at similar times, feed pets on schedule and provide plenty of attention. Gradually introduce new environmental elements.
• Register with local authorities. Many countries require pet registration with municipal authorities. This often involves providing proof of rabies vaccination, microchip details and paying local licensing fees. Research requirements for your specific city or region.
• Exercise patience during the adjustment period. Pets may experience stress-related behaviors like decreased appetite, excessive vocalization or house-training regression. Most pets adapt within two to four weeks with consistent care and routine.
• Update your pet's identification tags with new contact information immediately. Consider adding a local phone number if you're using a new mobile service. Keep your microchip registration up to date with your current contact information.