Pet Transport France to Kazakhstan: 2026 Guide

The Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision (KVCS), operating under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, issues the import permit for companion animals entering the country. This permit is not optional, and you should apply for it before making any other bookings.

The KVCS will want your pet’s microchip number, vaccination history, and intended entry airport. Almaty International Airport (ALA) is the main entry point and has the most established veterinary inspection infrastructure. If you prefer to arrive at Astana (NQZ), confirm with the KVCS that the inspection facilities there can process your arrival.

Allow eight to ten weeks from your application for permit processing, then work backwards to schedule your vet appointments and flight bookings. A permit that arrives late can throw the whole plan into confusion, so applying early gives you room to resolve any queries the KVCS raises.

France’s standard rabies vaccination protocol gives your pet a vaccination that is typically valid for three years. Kazakhstan, however, applies a one-year validity rule for import purposes. This is common among Eurasian Economic Union member states and catches some pet owners off guard.

Before your vet appointment for the health certificate, check the date on your pet’s last rabies vaccination. If the vaccination is more than a year old even though it shows three years on the label, you will need a booster before travel. Your DGAL-authorised vet can advise and administer the booster if needed.

This is worth checking early in your planning rather than a few days before departure. A new or booster rabies vaccination typically requires a short wait before the health certificate can be issued.

Paris to Almaty is a long journey without a direct service. Turkish Airlines Cargo via Istanbul is the most practical option, with CDG-IST and then IST-ALA both operated on a regular schedule. The full journey from CDG to ALA typically takes 12 to 15 hours including the Istanbul transit.

Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier, also connects European hubs to Almaty and Astana. Routing via Amsterdam or Frankfurt and then on to ALA is possible; confirm live animal cargo acceptance directly with Air Astana. Air France Cargo can also arrange connections, though it may involve additional complexity.

On arrival at Almaty, the KVCS inspection team checks your permit, health certificate, microchip, and vaccination records. For compliant arrivals, this is a customs-style check rather than a quarantine process. Your pet proceeds with you once documents are verified.