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Pet Transport from Vietnam to Cambodia

Getting your pet from Vietnam to Cambodia is entirely achievable, but the preparation timeline is not flexible. This route is moderately involved, with a clear checklist to …

20-26 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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What's required
MicrochipRequired (ISO 11784/11785)
Rabies vaccinationRequired. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day …
Rabies titre testRequired for: Check with GDAHP; …
QuarantineVeterinary inspection on arrival. …
Import permitRequired. Issued by: GDAHP
Health certificateRequired. Issued by: Official …
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

2
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

3
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

4
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from Cambodia

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

5
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

6
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

7
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785)
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel
Rabies titre test
Required for: Check with GDAHP; requirements change. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml
Quarantine
Veterinary inspection on arrival. Quarantine if non-compliant.
Import permit
Required. Issued by: GDAHP
Health certificate
Required. Issued by: Official veterinarian
Export permit
No export permit for pet dogs and cats.
Health certificate
{'required': True, 'issued_by': 'MARD-authorised official vet'}
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Vietnam to Cambodia move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global
Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

Vietnam Airlines
Small pets (under 5kg with carrier) allowed in cabin on some routes. Cargo: larger pets in hold. Advance booking required. Vietnam import/export documentation must be fully prepared before travel.
Cabin and Cargo
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Costs

What this route typically costs

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 (Cambodia)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

What to know about the Vietnam to Cambodia route

Compared to some international pet transport routes, Vietnam to Cambodia is manageable. That said, every country’s rules are different and the timing requirements are strict.

Cambodia regulated by General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Significant expat community (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap). Import and export processes can be complex.

Things to sort before you book

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.

FAQ

Common questions

Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in Cambodia for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Cambodia. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from Cambodia’s authority (GDAHP). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Vietnam. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Cambodia’s authority for the exact format required.
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