Taking a pet out of Thailand
Form Ror.1/1, the health check no more than three days before departure, the Ror.9 export permit, and how to plan backwards from your destination.
← Pets in Thailand
JLIT pet relocation hub · Last checked 3 November 2026
Moving pets to and from Thailand
Every step of bringing a dog or cat into Thailand, or taking one home — import permits, flights, arrival, export and the rules for the UK, the EU, the USA and Australia — in one place.
7–60 daysbefore departure: the window to apply for a Thai import permit
500 bahtper animal for the import licence issued on arrival in Thailand
3 daysor less before you fly out: the Thai export health check
Monthsneeded for the UK, EU, USA or Australia — start early
Start here
Which way is your pet travelling?
Moving a pet into Thailand is mostly about getting the Thai paperwork right: a microchip, the right vaccinations, an import permit from the Animal Quarantine Station at your arrival airport, and an official health certificate from the country you leave. Most well-prepared owners clear arrival in a single visit to the quarantine desk and Customs.
Taking a pet out of Thailand is the opposite: the Thai export permit is quick, but your destination's rules can take months. The UK, the EU and the USA need a rabies blood test for pets coming from Thailand, and Australia does not accept pets from Thailand directly at all.
Part 01
Moving to Thailand with a pet
Read these in order
Bringing a pet into Thailand
Five guides, from first vet visit to first night home
- 1
Bringing a dog
The complete guide for dog owners: vaccines, permit, flights, arrival and Bangkok's pet law.
- 2
Bringing a cat
The same journey for cats, with carrier training, settling in and Bangkok's pet rules.
- 3
Import documents
Every form and certificate, who issues it and when — plus the station email for each airport.
- 4
Flying with a pet
Cabin, hold or cargo; which airlines carry pets; crates, breeds and the hot season.
- 5
Arriving in Thailand
The airport quarantine desk, the import licence, Customs duty and cargo collection.
The Thai import rules in brief
What every dog or cat needs
- Microchip, with the same number on every document.
- Vaccines at least 21 days before departure — dogs: rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis; cats: rabies and feline panleukopenia. Rabies at 12 weeks or older.
- Import permit: Form R1/1 emailed to the Animal Quarantine Station at your arrival airport, 7–60 days before departure.
- Official health certificate, endorsed by the government of the country you leave.
- On arrival: inspection, the R-7 import licence (500 baht per animal), then the red Customs channel — pets are not duty-free.
Part 02
Leaving Thailand with a pet
Start with your destination
Taking a pet out of Thailand
The export guide and four country guides
Read the export guide first for the Thai side, then your destination's guide for the rules that set your timeline.
Flying out with your pet
Which airlines carry pets on routes out of Thailand, and when your destination decides the travel method for you.
Using a relocation company
What agents do, what to ask, and when they are worth the cost — especially for cargo-only destinations.
Compare destinations
The UK, the EU, the USA and Australia at a glance
The main rules for a dog or cat moving from Thailand. Each country guide explains them in full, with official sources.
| Destination | Rabies blood test | Minimum wait | How the pet arrives | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | 3 months from the blood sample | As cargo, on an approved route | Thailand to the UK → |
| European Union | Yes | 90 days from the blood sample | Through a travellers' point of entry | Thailand to the EU → |
| United States | Dogs: yes, or 28 days' quarantine. Cats: no | Dogs: 28 days after the sample | Dogs: at one of eight airports with a CDC facility | Thailand to the USA → |
| Australia | Yes, in an approved country | 180 days in an approved country | Direct to Melbourne as cargo; 10–30 days' quarantine | Thailand to Australia → |
Plan early: for the UK and the EU, a pet starting from scratch needs about four months at the very least; for Australia, a year or more. Keep rabies boosters on time while you live in Thailand.
Getting help
Do it yourself, or use a relocation company?
A pet travelling with you on a direct flight, with complete vaccine records, is often manageable on your own. A relocation company earns its fee when your pet must fly as cargo, connects through several countries, or is going somewhere with strict rules such as the UK or Australia.
Compare written, itemised quotes, and ask exactly who handles each official step — the Thai permit, the export certificate, custody in transit and Customs.
Explore the Pet Relocation gateway →
Quick answers
Moving pets to and from Thailand: FAQs
Do I need a permit to bring a pet into Thailand?
Yes. Apply by email on Form R1/1 to the Animal Quarantine Station at your arrival airport, 7 to 60 days before departure. On arrival you also receive an import licence (R-7) for 500 baht per animal.
Will my pet be quarantined in Thailand?
Not routinely. A healthy pet with complete, matching documents is released after inspection. A pet with missing or mismatched paperwork can be returned or held at the owner's cost.
Which flights to and from Thailand allow pets in the cabin?
Rarely. Thai Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific do not allow pets in the cabin apart from service dogs. Some European airlines allow small pets up to 8 kg including the carrier.
Do I have to pay duty on my pet in Thailand?
The Thai government says pets are not exempt from duty and must be declared at the red channel. If your pet will leave again within six months, ask Customs about a temporary import.
How do I take my pet out of Thailand?
Apply on Form Ror.1/1 and take your pet for a health check at the Animal Quarantine Station no more than three days before departure. You receive the Ror.9 export permit and a health certificate.
Which countries need a rabies blood test for pets from Thailand?
The UK, the EU and Australia all do, and the USA does for dogs (or the dog spends 28 days in quarantine). The waiting period after the test is three months for the UK, 90 days for the EU and 180 days for Australia.
Can I take my pet directly from Thailand to Australia?
No. Thailand is not an approved country, so the pet must live in an approved country for at least 180 days first.
Do I need to register my pet in Bangkok?
From 10 January 2027. Bangkok's pet ordinance requires registration and microchipping within 30 days and limits pets per home, but enforcement was postponed by a year. You can register voluntarily now at petregis.bangkok.go.th.
Official sources
Where our guides get their facts
Each guide lists its own sources and the date it was last checked. These are the main official sources behind this section.
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