Pet Transport from Thailand to the USA

The journey from Thailand to United States for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. This route sits at the strict end, and about 12-20 weeks of preparation is realistic. …

Get your free quote →

12-20

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

12-20 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Very High

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

Start my quote

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Thailand to United States typically takes around 12-20 weeks.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The Thailand to United States import process

Start of planning.

Confirm ISO microchip pre-dates rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Vet

5+ weeks before blood draw.

Rabies vaccination at least 30 days before serology blood draw.

Responsible: DLD-authorised vet

Determines earliest US entry date.

CDC serology blood draw. Must be 28+ days before US entry.

Responsible: CDC-approved lab

Before travel.

Complete CDC Dog Import Form online.

Responsible: Owner

During waiting period.

Reserve CDC-registered facility at US entry airport.

Responsible: Owner or agent

4-8 weeks before travel.

Book cargo with Cathay Pacific, United, or Delta.

Responsible: Owner or agent

Within 10 days.

DLD health certificate issued within 10 days of US arrival. Original only.

Responsible: DLD vet

Travel day.

Pet arrives at CDC-registered facility. CDC inspection.

Responsible: CDC facility

Requirements

United States entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

ISO-compatible microchip. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.

Rabies vaccination

Required. Current valid vaccination.

Leaving Thailand

Export requirements

Health certificate

DLD-endorsed health certificate from a DLD-authorised vet. US-compatible format. Original only. Issued within 10 days of US arrival.

Costs

What this route typically costs

CDC serology test

DLD health certificate

IATA-compliant crate

Cargo fee: BKK to US hub

CDC facility reservation

Agent fee

Critical points

Thailand is high-risk for CDC. The serology test and CDC facility are mandatory.

No direct BKK-US flights for most US cities. Your pet will transit via an Asian or European hub.

The 28-day gap between blood draw and US entry is a firm requirement. Plan the blood draw date first.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Thai Airways	Thai Airways Cargo from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to US cities via connections. No direct BKK-US routes; connects via hubs. Confirm live animal availability on your specific routing.	Cargo Only
United Airlines	United PetSafe cargo from BKK via connecting routes to US hubs. Temperature-controlled. Seasonal and breed restrictions apply.	Cargo Only
Delta	Delta Cargo from BKK via Asian hubs to US cities. Good transpacific coverage. Confirm routing and live animal availability.	Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific	Via HKG. BKK to HKG, then onward to US cities. Strong live animal handling at Hong Kong. Popular BKK-US routing.	Cargo Only

How United States handles incoming pets

United States runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.

What experienced owners do

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Yes. Thailand is classified as high-risk for dog rabies by the CDC. A serology test at a CDC-approved laboratory is required. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before US entry.

There are no direct Bangkok-US cargo services that carry live animals with the required handling. Your pet will transit via a hub, most commonly Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific) or through another Asian or Pacific gateway. This adds transit handling time, but the major hubs used on this route all have capable live animal facilities.

No federal documentation is required for cats entering the continental USA from Thailand. Your airline will require a health certificate from a DLD-authorised vet, typically issued within 10 days of travel. If your destination is Hawaii, the state HDOA quarantine rules apply separately to cats.

You must arrive at a US airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility. Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK/EWR), and Houston (IAH) are among the airports with registered facilities. Verify the current list at cdc.gov before booking.

Allow 12-20 weeks from vaccination to US arrival. The minimum is around 12 weeks (30 days post-vaccination before blood draw, plus 28 days pre-entry). DLD health certificate preparation, cargo booking, and CDC form completion add practical time beyond the minimum.

Airline guides

Thai Airways
United Airlines
Delta
Cathay Pacific

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet
to United States.

Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. We map the complete preparation timeline and costs. No commitment required.

Get my free quote