Pet Transport from Vietnam to Germany: EU Titre Test and MARD Certificate

The EU import process for pets from unlisted third countries like Vietnam is consistent across all EU member states. The full sequence: ISO microchip (implanted before or on the same day as first vaccination); rabies vaccination primary course (21-day wait from initial vaccination); FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or above; blood draw at least 30 days after the final vaccination; mandatory 90-day wait from the blood draw date; EU-format AHC from a MARD-authorised official vet in Vietnam, endorsed by DAH, issued within 10 days of EU entry. No quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. Source: EU pet travel regulations, ec.europa.eu.

Germany adds federal-level breed restrictions that apply at import. Four breeds are banned from import into Germany: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Bull Terrier. If you own one of these breeds, import is not permitted regardless of documentation. Some German states (Bundeslaender) impose additional breed-specific rules; check with the relevant state authority for your destination in Germany.

Vietnam’s export process for personal pets is less bureaucratic than China’s GACC process. No separate export permit is required. The MARD-authorised official vet in Vietnam issues the health certificate in the format required by the destination country (EU AHC format for Germany), which is then countersigned by the Department of Animal Health (DAH). Allow 1-2 weeks for the health certificate process. The certificate is issued within 10 days of your German entry date.

Approved international departure airports for live animal exports from Vietnam include Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat (SGN) and Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN). Frankfurt (FRA) is the main German entry airport for this route. Lufthansa Cargo offers connecting services from SGN and HAN via European hubs to FRA. Air France/KLM via Paris CDG or Amsterdam AMS are also practical options, though these would make France or the Netherlands the EU entry point for documentation purposes.

All EU member states apply identical requirements for pets from Vietnam: the EU-unlisted country titre test process, 90-day wait, and EU-format AHC. The differences are purely in routing and specific breed restrictions. Germany has the most comprehensive federal breed restrictions (four breeds banned at import). France and the Netherlands do not have the same federal-level ban, though local restrictions may apply.

For routing, Germany (Frankfurt) is directly served by Lufthansa Cargo connections from Vietnam. France (Paris CDG) benefits from Air France direct services from SGN. The Netherlands (Amsterdam AMS) benefits from KLM direct services from SGN and HAN. For owners who have already chosen Germany as their destination, Frankfurt is well-served. For owners with flexibility, the entry airport matters for documentation purposes: the first EU entry point is where the AHC is presented.