Considering bringing your cat with you to Thailand? If you are like us, then you consider your cat to be a member of the family and aren't comfortable putting your fur child on a plane without first confirming safety and legality.
Shipping a cat to Thailand isn't always an easy process! It wasn't until a time-consuming and confusing ordeal of uncovering and gathering information that we were able to safely and legally ship our cat. For anyone shipping a cat to Thailand from the US, here's an extensive timeline on what you need know, to include the paperwork, medical requirements, and shipping process.
1. Identify General Requirements, Restrictions, and Timeline
Look at the basic vaccine and timeline requirements for shipping a cat to Thailand.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Will I be able to afford to transport and maintain proper care for my cat once we've arrived in Thailand? We spent over $1000 USD for travel, and now spend about $20 a month on food and litter.
- Is the breed allowed on the airline? Some snub-nosed cats (and dogs) are not allowed on certain airlines due to difficulty in breathing and possible death due to high altitude.
- Is my cat healthy enough to travel? A certified veterinarian will tell you if you cat is healthy enough to travel during its health examination.
- Is my pet too young or old to fly? If a cat is younger than four months, there may be airline restrictions. If your cat is too old, it will not pass the health inspection by a veterinarian.
- What time of year should I avoid shipping a cat to Thailand? Shipping a cat to Thailand during America's warm weather months can lead to a higher risk of suffering from dehydration or heat stroke during plane transfers.
- Will my cat be required to stay in quarantine for any amount of time? Thailand does not need the animal to be quarantined if it comes from a rabies-free country, like the US.
2. Establish a Firm Departure Date
When shipping a cat to Thailand, you should have a firm departure date set a minimum of two months in advance. Everything revolves around this date. Decide if you want your cat to fly with you or on a different flight and/or day.
3. Buy an Airline Approved Shipping Container
If you are shipping a cat to Thailand via cargo, buy an appropriately sized airline approved cargo shipping container for your pet. The cat must be able to stand up in the crate and turn around. Look at this guide to make sure your pet stays comfortable.
Shipping container requirements differ if the cat is traveling in the cabin. Check your specific airline for weight and container requirements.
4. Contact a Professional Animal Shipping Company
Professional animal shipping companies offer services such as flight booking, overnight care of your pet, and ground transportation. These are great services, as they take much of the stress off your shoulders during your big move. However, when shipping a cat to Thailand, choose a company that is reputable and reliable.
The shipping company should be able to recommend an airline and an airport with pet holding facilities that offer excellent care during layovers. They should be able to give quotes for the fastest and most affordable routes based on your priorities.
Provide the pet shipping company with a pet description, pet weight, shipping crate specifications, departure and arrival airports, and a phone number and address for your emergency contact in the US.
NOTE: Some airlines require the booking to be completed by a professional pet shipper and will not deal directly with the pet's owner.5. Vaccinate Your Pet
No less than the 30 days* before the departure date, but no more than one year, take your cat to the vet for all required vaccines and a microchip. Obtain a paper copy of the rabies vaccination certificate, a list of the administered vaccines, and evidence that the pet is microchipped. Keep copies for your records.
The required vaccines for shipping a cat to Thailand are:
*Thailand requires a rabies certification no less than 21 days before entering into the country but no more than one year. However, most airlines and other countries require vaccinations no more than 30 days before arrival.
6. Notify Thailand of Your Intent to Ship an Animal
No more than 45 days, but no less than 7 days before arrival in Thailand, contact Thailand's Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and notify them of your intent in shipping a cat to Thailand. Thailand's DLD is easily contacted via email at [email protected]. They will send you a list of information to email back to them.
Email the following information to Thailand's DLD:
- Completed Import Permit (Form r1-1) by a certified veterinarian*
- Importer's passport or identification card*
- History of vaccination (both vaccination record AND rabies certificate)*
- Picture of your animal*
- Address in your country
- Detail of your animal (such as type of breed, sex, etc.)
- Approximate date of arrival to Thailand
- Name of port of exit from your country
We were later asked for:
- Email and phone number of owner or point of contact in exporting country (US)
- Address and phone number of point of contact in Thailand (we used our pet-friendly hotel's address and phone number)
- Arrival date, airline, and flight number
- Microchip number
Sample copy of our email to the DLD:
Dear Sir or Madame,I would like to import my cat from USA into Thailand, departing from NAME OF TERMINAL IN USA on DD MMM YYYY at TIME and arriving at NAME OF TERMINAL IN THAILAND on DD MMM YYYY at TIME. The cat will be on CARRIER flight #XXX, layover in CITY, COUNTRY, and arrive in CITY, Thailand on CARRIER flight #XXX (FOREIGN TERMINAL to THAILAND TERMINAL) DD MMM YYYY at TIME.Information about the cat:
One COLOR with MARKINGS BREED cat.
The cat is NUMBER years old and IS/IS NOT neutered.
His name is NAME and his microchip ID# is XXXXXXXXXX.Information about the owner:
FIRST NAME LAST NAME
Passport Number: XXXXXXXXX, Expires DD MMM YYYY
USA Address: FULL ADDRESS
Cell phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Email: [email protected]Respectfully,
FIRST NAME LAST NAME
Once your information is processed, the DLD will email you the Import Permit, which will be on letterhead stating that you are shipping a cat to Thailand.
Print a copy of the Import Permit. This Import Permit must be presented to the arriving cargo facility in Thailand, NOT to the departing cargo facility in the US. You will also receive a nine-digit account number, to be used if you ever contact the DLD Office.
Sample copy of our import permit, valid for 45 days:
7. Visit a Veterinarian for a General Health Overview
Ten days before shipping a cat to Thailand, a general health overview must be administered. A certified veterinarian must fill out and sign the International Health Certificate, known as the Aphis Form 7001. This form should be available at your local veterinarian's office.
- International Health Certificate (Aphis Form 7001) completed and signed
- Photocopy of the rabies certification
- Check for $38 made out to USDA
- Photocopy of the cat owner's driver license
- Pre-paid (overnight) self-addressed envelope (so that it gets back to you in time!)
Within a week, you will receive the certified International Health Certificate required for shipping a cat to Thailand.
8. The Date of Departure
Bring the certified International Health Certificate (Aphis Form 7001), a copy of your flight reservations provided by your pet shipper, your cat, the crate and travel accessories to the departing airport. If you're shipping a cat to Thailand via cargo and not in the cabin, go to the cargo facility the day of departure, not the main terminal.
It is recommended to check in three hours before the flight departs, but no less than two hours, on international flights. Although the flight has been booked in advance by the animal shipper, the tickets must be paid for the day of travel.
At the cargo facilities, the shipping crate should include the following:
- "Live Animal" stickers on each end
- Food and water bowls that can be clipped onto the inside door of the crate
- A ziplock bag labeled with your pet's name and containing several meals
- A bottle of water
- A picture of the animal taped to the outside of the crate
- Absorbent pads to line the bottom of the crate
What We Packed for Our Cat
We brought a folder to house our important paperwork for our cat. We included the required copies of the Import Permit and the International Health Certificate. We also brought a photo of our cat and copies of the rabies certificate and shot record if we needed them.
In our checked bags we packed some cat travel accessories:
Our Experience with Shipping a Cat to Thailand
Our 20+ year experienced pet shipper recommended flying Lufthansa. He said their pet shipping services are excellent. Our particular route flew through Frankfurt, Germany, which supposedly has professional and caring staff at the animal holding area.
We had a great experience with Lufthansa. Our cat arrived at the Bangkok cargo facility on time, clean and happy to see us, and the crate was in good condition. We recommend Lufthansa if you're shipping a cat to Thailand.
Cost of Shipping a Cat to Thailand
It cost us roughly $1050 total to ship our cat. Here is an approximate total cost of a one way trip to Thailand:
- $150 medical exam plus up-to-date vaccines
- $50 hard-shelled airline approved cat carrier
- $50 two overnight packages (one to the USDA, one from the USDA to your home)
- $50 Pet Shipper Fee
- $750 Lufthansa ticket to Thailand
Pet Friendly Hotels
We stayed at several pet friendly hotels while traveling with our cat:
41 Sukhumvit Road Soi 4
Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Telephone: (026) 675-888
Rama 1 Wangmai
Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand
Telephone: (028) 747-111
413/1 Soi Narathiwat 24
Silom / Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 Thailand
Telephone: (026) 742-1912
Email: [email protected]
8 Lane (Soi) 1, Sribhum Rd
Chiangmai 50200 Thailand
Telephone: (053) 214-754
Mobile: (086) 654-1122
Email: [email protected]
35 Moo 1 Changpuak, Huay Kaew
Chiang Mai, Thailand 50300
Telephone: (053) 215-555
Mobile: (089) 633-4477
Email: [email protected]
Additional Information
Department of Livestock Development (DLD), at the Suvarnabhumi Airport Animal Quarantine Station
Phaya Thai Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10400
Telephone +66 (021) 340-731
Fax (021) 340-635
Email: [email protected]
