IT
Italy
✈️
TH
Thailand

Pet Transport from Italy to Thailand

8-12 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Medium
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified

Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →

Overview

Italy to Thailand is a medium-complexity route for pet owners. Thailand requires an import permit from its Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and the official health certificate from Italy must be endorsed by the Royal Thai Embassy in Rome before you travel.

There is no direct Italy-to-Bangkok flight on most itineraries. You will connect via Dubai, Doha, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam, and each leg of the journey needs to accept your pet.

Give yourself eight to twelve weeks. The DLD permit and embassy endorsement both have fixed processing times that you cannot rush.

Step by step

The Italy to Thailand process

1
First step. Implantation must predate all vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

2
After microchip. 21-day gap between doses. First dose is not valid for entry until the wait period is complete.
Rabies vaccination (two-dose course if new)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

3
At least 15 days before travel. Via dld.go.th or through your agent.
Apply for Thailand DLD import permit

Responsible: You or your pet transport agent

4
Within 10 days of departure. Official vet only.
Obtain official Italian veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Veterinario ufficiale (Italian Ministry of Health authorised)

5
Allow 3-7 working days. Book appointment with the Royal Thai Embassy in Rome.
Thai Embassy endorsement in Rome

Responsible: You

6
6-8 weeks before travel. Confirm IATA crate dimensions and routing.
Book cargo space with airline

Responsible: You or your pet transport agent

7
3 hours before departure for cargo check-in.
Travel day: present all documents at cargo desk

Responsible: You and cargo desk

Checklist

Thailand: entry requirements

RequirementDetail
MicrochipRequired (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccinationRequired. Two doses at least 21 days apart (if no prior valid history), or one dose if history is current.
Rabies titre testNot required for pets from Italy under current DLD guidance. Verify with DLD before booking.
QuarantineNo quarantine if documentation is complete and the import permit is valid.
Import permitRequired. Apply to Thailand Department of Livestock Development (DLD) at least 15 days before travel.
Health certificateOfficial health certificate from Italian official vet, endorsed by the Royal Thai Embassy in Rome before departure.
Leaving Italy

Export requirements

RequirementDetail
Export permit{'required': False}
Health certificateOfficial veterinary health certificate required. Issued by an Italian official vet (veterinario ufficiale) under the Italian Ministry of Health. Must be endorsed by the Royal Thai Embassy before departure.
Costs

What this route typically costs

1Airline cargo fee (Rome or Milan to Bangkok, based on pet weight and crate size)
2IATA-compliant crate (hard-sided for cargo travel)
3Official veterinary health certificate fee
4Thai Embassy endorsement fee in Rome
5DLD import permit fee
6Pet transport agent fee (recommended for this route)
Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ Embassy endorsement must be done before travel. It cannot be completed in Thailand after arrival.
⚠ DLD import permit is required before flying. Applying without enough lead time is the most common mistake.
⚠ Source: Thailand Department of Livestock Development (dld.go.th); Italian Ministry of Health (salute.gov.it).
Carriers

Airlines on this route

Thai Airways
Cabin pets (under 5kg including carrier) on approved routes. Cargo for larger pets. Book early. Direct Bangkok routes from Rome and Milan operate seasonally.
Cabin and Cargo
Emirates
Cargo via Emirates SkyCargo. Temperature-controlled hold. Via Dubai. Brachycephalic breeds subject to seasonal and breed-specific restrictions.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways
Cargo via Doha. Temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted. Allow 48 hours for booking confirmation.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Cabin pets (up to 8kg with carrier). Cargo via Lufthansa Cargo. Via Frankfurt to Bangkok. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round.
Cabin and Cargo
ITA Airways
Cabin pets on European routes (up to 10kg with carrier). Long-haul cargo to Southeast Asia via partner carriers. Confirm Thailand acceptance directly.
Cabin and Cargo

Thailand DLD permit: apply early

Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development controls all pet imports. The DLD import permit must be applied for at least 15 days before travel. Applications go through dld.go.th or via your pet transport agent.

The permit specifies the entry point (typically Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok). Arriving at a different port without an amended permit can cause problems on arrival.

Italian health certificate and Royal Thai Embassy endorsement

Your health certificate must come from an official Italian veterinarian (veterinario ufficiale) under the Italian Ministry of Health. Your regular private vet cannot issue this.

After the certificate is issued, take it to the Royal Thai Embassy in Rome for endorsement. Call ahead for an appointment. Allow a full working week to be safe. The endorsed original document must travel with your pet.

Connecting flights and pet logistics

There are no direct Italy-to-Thailand passenger services at most times of year. Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar (via Doha), and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) all serve the route. Thai Airways occasionally operates from Rome direct in peak season.

For cargo pets, book space with the cargo division of your chosen airline, not through the passenger desk. Confirm all legs of the journey accept the pet before committing.

On arrival in Bangkok

At Suvarnabhumi Airport, present your pet and all documents at the animal quarantine checkpoint. With a valid DLD permit and endorsed health certificate, inspection is usually completed within a few hours. There is no mandatory quarantine for correctly documented pets from Italy.
FAQ

Common questions

Apply via the Thai Department of Livestock Development at dld.go.th. Applications should be submitted at least 15 days before travel. Your pet transport agent can handle this if preferred. The permit specifies your entry point.
Yes. Your official health certificate from an Italian official veterinarian must be endorsed by the Royal Thai Embassy in Rome before departure. This is not optional and cannot be done after arrival in Thailand.
Two doses are required if your pet has no prior valid vaccination history, given at least 21 days apart. One dose suffices if the pet has a current valid vaccination record. The microchip must be in place before any vaccination counts.
No mandatory quarantine if your DLD permit is valid and your documents are complete. The arrival inspection is usually a few hours. Incomplete documentation can result in quarantine at the owner’s expense.
Breed guides

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