Pet Transport Thailand to Italy: DLD Permit, FAVN Test and EU Entry
20-24 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Moderate
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
Thailand to Italy requires the full EU unlisted country process: FAVN titre test, 90-day wait, and EU AHC. The Thai side is the DLD export permit applied for by email. Qatar Airways and Emirates via their Gulf hubs are the most common cargo routes to Rome or Milan. Plan for five to six months of preparation.
Step by step
The Thailand to Italy process
1
Before rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip
Responsible: Vet
2
After microchip. Allow 21 days before titre test.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
3
Blood draw at least 21 days after vaccination. EU-approved laboratory.
FAVN titre test
Responsible: EU-approved laboratory
4
From confirmed blood draw date.
90-day waiting period
Responsible: Owner to track
5
During 90-day wait. Email local DLD office.
DLD export permit application by email
Responsible: Owner
6
Within 10 days before arrival in Italy.
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
Responsible: Authorised vet
7
On travel day.
DLD inspection at BKK on departure
Responsible: DLD, airline cargo
Checklist
Italy: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit non-encrypted. Before rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. After microchip. At least 21 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
Required. FAVN rabies antibody titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Thailand is an unlisted third country under EU Regulation 2016/429. 90-day waiting period from blood draw date.
Quarantine
None for compliant pets entering Italy at an approved EU entry point.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an authorised vet within 10 days before arrival in Italy.
Leaving Thailand
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
DLD (Department of Livestock Development) export permit applied for by email to the local DLD district office. Inspection at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) on departure day.
Health certificate
Issued by an accredited vet. Documents microchip, rabies vaccination, and health status.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory: THB 3,000 to THB 8,000
2
DLD export permit (email application): low cost, allow processing time
3
Rabies and core vaccinations: THB 800 to THB 2,500
4
IATA-compliant travel crate: THB 3,000 to THB 10,000
5
Cargo airline fees (BKK to FCO or MXP): THB 22,000 to THB 65,000
6
Pet transport agent fee: THB 8,000 to THB 20,000
7
EU AHC: THB 2,000 to THB 5,000
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Thailand is unlisted for EU pet travel. The FAVN titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory for Italy, as for all EU member states.
⚠ DLD applies the email permit process. Responses can take several days. Apply at least 2 weeks before you need the certificate.
⚠ Italy uses Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) as main international pet cargo entry points. Confirm which airport your cargo agent will use.
⚠ Italy has an approved entry point system. Your cargo agent must pre-notify through TRACES before the flight.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Thai Airways Cargo
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) via connecting hub. Thai Airways accepts pets as cargo.
Cargo Only
ITA Airways Cargo
BKK to FCO via connecting hub. ITA Airways accepts pets as cargo.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways Cargo
BKK via Doha (DOH) to FCO. Qatar Airways Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Emirates Cargo
BKK via Dubai (DXB) to FCO or Milan Malpensa (MXP). Emirates Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
The DLD email application: how to approach it
Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development does not have a centralised online portal for export permits. You email the local DLD district office with the pet’s health certificate, microchip record, and vaccination history. The DLD processes the application and confirms the permit, which is presented to the DLD officer on departure day at Suvarnabhumi.
Allow at least 2 weeks for a response. The DLD inspection at BKK involves a physical check of the animal and a review of all documents. Arrive early at the cargo terminal on the day of departure.
Italy entry at FCO or MXP
International pet cargo to Italy enters at approved border inspection posts, typically Rome Fiumicino (FCO) or Milan Malpensa (MXP). Your cargo agent pre-notifies the arrival through EU TRACES, and an Italian Ministry of Health veterinary inspector checks the AHC and microchip on arrival.
For compliant pets from Thailand, no quarantine applies. The EU entry inspection confirms the documentation is in order, and the pet is released to the owner or cargo agent. Italy has no additional requirements beyond the standard EU AHC protocol for unlisted country arrivals.
FAQ
Common questions
No additional documentation is required beyond the standard EU AHC (Animal Health Certificate) issued within 10 days before arrival. Italy follows EU Regulation 2016/429 without additional national requirements for pets from unlisted third countries like Thailand. The EU AHC, combined with the DLD export health certificate, constitutes the full document set.
With one stop (Doha, Dubai, or Frankfurt), the total journey time is typically 12 to 16 hours. Qatar Airways via Doha and Emirates via Dubai are common options with transit times of around 2 to 4 hours. For pets in the hold, the temperature and ventilation of the crate matter more than the total time, but a shorter total duration is always preferable.
Yes. Your vet in Thailand draws the blood sample, which is sent to an EU-approved laboratory for analysis. Check the European Commission’s current designated laboratory list to identify which laboratories accept samples from Thailand. Commonly, samples go to laboratories in the USA or Europe. Your Thai vet or pet transport agent will know the current approved options.
Yes. All airlines on the Bangkok to Italy cargo corridor require pets to be transported in IATA-compliant crates (IATA Container Requirement 82 for live animals). The crate must have correct ventilation, a solid floor, secure door fittings, and meet size requirements for the aircraft. Contact your chosen airline for their specific crate dimension and weight limits before purchasing the crate.