Moving your pet from Peru to Australia?

The Peru–Australia route requires quarantine on arrival, so planning well ahead matters. In plain terms, this is a very_high route, meaning the requirements are relatively straightforward compared to many international moves.

Most owners start the process around 26-32 weeks before the flight date. That window is not arbitrary — it accounts for vaccination waiting periods, titre test processing, and document endorsement.

Here is how the preparation unfolds from start to travel day:

Costs vary considerably depending on your pet's size, the airline, and whether you use a pet relocation agent. The main factors to price up are:

• Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
• IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
• Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
• Rabies titre test laboratory fee
• Import permit application fee (Australia)
• Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)
• Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Microchip: Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on same day as rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination: Minimum age: 12 weeks. Vaccination schedule must be completed before titre test blood draw

Titre test: Required for: Groups 3, 4, 5, 6 (all except Groups 1 and 2). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml

Health certificate: Required. Government-issued veterinary health certificate (country-specific format). Issued by: Government veterinarian in country of export. Certificate format is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Must use exact DAFF-approved format for the specific country of export.

Import permit: Required. Must be obtained BEFORE travel. Permit specifies conditions for import.

Quarantine: Mandatory quarantine. Facility: Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility. Location: Melbourne, Victoria

Export permit: {'required': True, 'issued_by': 'SENASA Peru'}

Export health certificate: SENASA-endorsed health certificate required for export.

Several airlines serve routes between Peru and Australia, each with different policies on pets in cabin versus cargo hold:

This is one of the more demanding international pet transport corridors. Australia runs a strict biosecurity programme and there are no shortcuts through it.

All pets must complete quarantine on arrival in Australia (at the designated facility). This is non-negotiable and is entirely separate from the pre-travel preparation.

Among the strictest pet import regimes globally. All imported cats and dogs undergo mandatory quarantine. Only pets from approved countries (Groups 1-6) can be imported. Allow minimum 6 months to complete all import steps. DAFF strongly recommends using an experienced pet transport agent.

Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.

Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.

Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.

If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.

• Pet Transport Australia to Peru