Moving Abroad with Pets: Everything You Need to Know About International Pet Relocation
Important Disclaimer: Pet import requirements, quarantine rules, costs, and regulations vary significantly by country and change frequently. Information in this article reflects general conditions as of early 2025 but should not be considered current official guidance. Always verify requirements with official government veterinary and quarantine authorities in your destination country, your country’s USDA office, and licensed pet relocation specialists. Costs are estimates only and vary widely based on pet size, destination, service provider, and specific circumstances. International Van Lines does not provide pet relocation services directly and cannot guarantee accuracy of pet import information.
There was absolutely no question for the Martinez family. When they accepted a job transfer to Singapore, their two rescue dogs were coming with them. Max, a 70-pound golden retriever mix, and Bella, a scrappy terrier who’d been with them for twelve years, were family. Leaving them behind wasn’t even discussed.
What they didn’t expect was how complicated and expensive the process would be. By the time Max and Bella landed in Singapore, the Martinez family had spent seven months preparing, navigated four different veterinary certificates, paid nearly $8,000 in total costs, and experienced more stress than the entire rest of their international move combined.
But both dogs made the journey safely, adjusted beautifully to their new home, and the Martinez family says it was worth every penny and every headache. Let’s walk through what international pet relocation actually involves, because if you’re moving abroad with pets, you need to start planning now.
Understanding Country-Specific Requirements
Every country has different import requirements for pets, and some are significantly more restrictive than others. This is where most people get overwhelmed, so we’ll break down the main categories.
Rabies-Free Countries with Strict Quarantine
Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and a few other locations maintain rabies-free status and protect it aggressively. Their import requirements are the most rigorous you’ll encounter.
Australia requires a minimum 10-day quarantine period in a government facility after arrival. Your pet needs an import permit before travel, microchip implantation, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody titer test with specific minimum results, treatment for internal and external parasites, and an official government veterinary health certificate issued within 5 days of departure.
The process takes a minimum of 7 months from start to finish because you need to wait 180 days after the rabies titer test before your pet can enter the country. Some people think that means 6 months, but it’s specifically 180 days. And if your pet’s titer results come back below the required level, you start the timeline over.
New Zealand has similar requirements with even stricter protocols. Quarantine can last up to 10 days or longer depending on where you’re arriving from. The country categorizes exporting nations into risk levels, with higher-risk countries facing more requirements.
One couple we worked with tried to rush their dog’s move to Sydney and miscalculated the timing. They thought they could start the process three months before moving. Their dog ended up stuck in the US for an additional four months after they’d already relocated because they hadn’t completed the 180-day waiting period. The dog stayed with family, but the separation was tough on everyone.
European Union Pet Passport Countries
The EU has standardized pet import rules that are reasonable and manageable. Your pet needs a microchip that meets ISO standards, rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, an EU pet passport or official veterinary health certificate, and treatment for tapeworm if you’re traveling to certain countries.
No quarantine is required for dogs and cats entering from the US, assuming you have all the paperwork correct. But—and this is important—your pet must enter through an EU country that’s part of the pet travel scheme. You can’t just fly into any airport. Designated entry points exist in each country.
The UK left the EU but maintained similar rules with some modifications. Pets from the US need the same basic requirements: microchip, rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment, and health certificate. No quarantine required if you have everything sorted properly.
One common mistake: the rabies vaccination must happen after the microchip is implanted. If your dog got vaccinated before getting chipped, the vaccination doesn’t count and you need to revaccinate. Several people have discovered this at the airport and been denied boarding.
Countries with Moderate Requirements
Canada, most Central and South American countries, and many Asian nations have moderate requirements. Generally, you need proof of rabies vaccination, a health certificate from a veterinarian issued shortly before travel, and sometimes additional treatments or tests.
Canada is straightforward for US pets. Dogs need a rabies certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days before arrival if the dog is older than 3 months. That’s basically it for dogs from the US. Cats don’t even need rabies vaccination proof unless they’re from a high-risk area.
Mexico requires rabies vaccination and a health certificate but doesn’t have lengthy waiting periods or quarantine for healthy pets from the US.
Japan has specific rules that vary based on where you’re coming from and whether your pet meets “designated region” status. US pets can enter without quarantine if all paperwork is perfect, but the requirements are detailed and mistakes result in quarantine detention.
Banned Breeds and Restricted Animals
Some countries ban specific dog breeds entirely. This catches people off guard because it’s not just exotic animals we’re talking about. Common breeds like pit bulls, rottweilers, and even German shepherds face restrictions in various countries.
Singapore bans pit bull terriers and pit bull mixes. Determining what counts as a “mix” gets subjective and stressful. They also restrict other breeds and require special licensing.
The UK bans pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. If your dog is one of these breeds or looks like one of these breeds, you cannot import them. Period.
Germany restricts certain breeds at the state level, so rules vary. Bavaria might ban a breed that’s allowed in Berlin.
United Arab Emirates has a long list of banned breeds including Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Mastiffs, and many more.
Always research breed restrictions early. Finding out your dog’s breed is banned after you’ve accepted a job overseas creates an impossible situation.
Choosing How to Transport Your Pet
You have several options for getting your pet to your new country, each with pros and cons.
Cargo Hold on Commercial Flight
Most pets fly in the cargo hold of commercial passenger planes. They travel in an airline-approved crate in a climate-controlled, pressurized section of the cargo area. It’s not as scary as it sounds, but it’s not luxurious either.
Only certain airlines accept pets as checked luggage or cargo. United, American, Delta, Lufthansa, and Air France are among the major carriers with pet programs. Each airline has specific crate requirements, size restrictions, and temperature policies.
Many airlines won’t fly pets when temperatures are too hot or too cold. They typically refuse bookings if ground temperatures at any point in the journey exceed 85°F or fall below 45°F. This can make summer and winter travel challenging.
Costs for flying a pet in cargo range from $200 to $500 for domestic US flights, and $500 to $1,500+ for international flights depending on the pet’s size and destination. Larger crates cost more because they take up more cargo space.
In-Cabin Travel
Small pets under 20 pounds (including the carrier) can sometimes fly in the cabin with you. The pet stays in a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. This option is only available for cats and very small dogs.
In-cabin fees run $125-250 per direction for domestic flights, $200-400+ for international flights. The pet counts as your one personal item, so you can’t bring a purse or backpack in addition to the pet carrier.
Not all airlines allow in-cabin pets on international routes. Even airlines that normally accept cabin pets might restrict them on certain aircraft or routes. Always verify before booking.
Your pet must remain in the carrier for the entire flight. A 12-hour journey to Asia means your cat is confined to that small carrier for 12+ hours. Not all pets handle this well.
Pet Relocation Services
Professional pet shipping companies specialize in international animal transport. They handle paperwork, book flights, arrange ground transportation, coordinate quarantine if required, and manage the entire process.
Services like Pet Relocation, Air Animal, and World Care Pet Transport charge $1,000 to $6,000+ depending on destination, pet size, and complexity. For difficult destinations like Australia, expect costs on the higher end.
Why would anyone pay these prices when you can book a flight yourself for less? Because these companies know the regulations inside and out, have relationships with quarantine facilities, handle unexpected complications, and reduce your stress dramatically.
For destinations with complex requirements—Australia, New Zealand, Japan—using a professional service makes sense for most people. They ensure every requirement is met correctly. One missed form or incorrect date means your pet gets detained or refused entry.
For simpler destinations like Canada or Europe, you can probably handle it yourself if you’re organized and detail-oriented.
Pet-Only Flights
Some companies operate pet-only charter flights with no passengers. The entire plane is dedicated to animal transport with specialized handling and monitoring. This is the premium option, expensive but offering the highest level of care.
Companies like Pet Jets offer this service, but costs start around $8,000 and climb quickly from there. Most families don’t choose this option unless they have an extremely valuable animal or a pet with health issues that make regular cargo transport too risky.
The Veterinary Certificate Marathon
Every international pet move requires health certificates from licensed veterinarians. Often you need multiple certificates from different vets at different stages of the process.
Your regular vet provides most of the medical care: vaccinations, health exams, parasite treatments, microchip implantation. They’ll issue a basic health certificate confirming your pet is healthy and fit for travel.
Then you need a USDA-endorsed health certificate for international travel. This requires visiting a USDA-accredited veterinarian who examines your pet and completes specific USDA forms. Your regular vet might be USDA-accredited, or you might need to visit a different veterinarian.
After the USDA-accredited vet signs the forms, you send them to your state’s USDA office for official endorsement. This process takes anywhere from a few days to two weeks depending on your state and their current workload.
The USDA endorsement has to happen within a specific timeframe before travel, usually 10 days but sometimes shorter. If you get it endorsed too early, it expires before your travel date. If you get it too late, you miss your flight.
Some countries require additional certificates from the destination country’s consulate or embassy. You send your USDA-endorsed certificate to them for another layer of approval. More waiting, more fees.
The timing coordination feels like solving a complex puzzle. You need the rabies titer test results back, wait 180 days, schedule the vet visit close to travel but not too close, get USDA endorsement with time to spare but not so much time that it expires, then get any additional endorsements needed.
One missed deadline or incorrectly completed form sends you back to start. We know someone whose destination country rejected their health certificate at the airport because one section was left blank. The dog couldn’t board the flight and had to wait another two weeks while they obtained new certificates.
What It Really Costs
Let’s break down the total cost of moving a medium-sized dog internationally to a destination with moderate requirements, like moving from the US to the UK.
Microchip implantation if not already done: $25-50 Rabies vaccination if not current: $20-35 Rabies titer test: $100-200 Tapeworm treatment: $30-50 Vet health examination and certificate: $100-200 USDA veterinary certificate and endorsement: $150-300 Airline-approved travel crate: $100-400 depending on size Airline cargo shipping fee: $800-1,500 Ground transportation to/from airports: $100-300 Import permit if required: $100-200
Total for a relatively straightforward UK move: approximately $1,500-3,200
Now let’s look at a complex destination like Australia:
Import permit application: AUD $500 ($340 USD) Microchip: $50 Rabies vaccination: $35 Rabies titer test: $200 180-day waiting period: $0 but requires boarding if you move before the 180 days are up Pre-export veterinary inspection: $250 USDA endorsement: $200 Airline cargo shipping: $1,500-2,500 Quarantine facility charges for 10 days: AUD $2,000-3,000 ($1,360-2,040 USD) Additional treatments and tests: $300-500
Total for Australia move: approximately $4,200-6,200
These numbers are for one dog. If you have multiple pets, multiply accordingly. Two dogs to Australia can easily cost $10,000.
Then consider hidden costs. You might need to board your pet while you travel ahead to set up your new home. International-rated boarding facilities charge $40-80 per night. If you need two months of boarding, that’s another $2,400-4,800.
Preparing Your Pet for the Journey
The logistics matter, but so does your pet’s wellbeing during this stressful transition.
Crate training is essential. Your pet needs to be comfortable in their travel crate weeks before the flight. Don’t buy the crate two days before departure and expect your dog to handle 12 hours inside it calmly.
Start by feeding meals in the crate with the door open. Then close the door for short periods. Gradually extend the time. Take car rides with your pet in the crate. By travel day, the crate should feel safe and familiar, not like a prison.
Exercise heavily before the flight. A tired pet is a calmer pet. Wake up early on travel day and give your dog a long, vigorous walk or play session. They’ll be more likely to sleep during the flight.
Avoid sedation unless specifically recommended by your vet for anxiety issues. Airlines discourage sedation because it can affect breathing and temperature regulation at altitude. Sedated pets have died during flights. Natural calm from exhaustion is safer than medication-induced calm.
Put familiar items in the crate. A worn t-shirt with your scent, a favorite toy, a blanket from home. These provide comfort during the journey.
Water and food are tricky. You can attach dishes to the crate door, but spillage is common and makes for a messy arrival. Some people freeze water in the dishes so it melts gradually during the flight. Others skip water entirely for shorter flights to avoid messes.
Managing Quarantine Periods
If your destination requires quarantine, understand what that means for your pet and plan accordingly.
Australian quarantine facilities are government-run and take good care of animals, but your pet lives in a kennel run for 10 days without seeing you. You can’t visit. Some facilities post photos on a portal so you can see your pet, but that’s the only contact you’ll have.
The quarantine facility provides food, water, and daily outdoor time. They monitor health and handle any medical issues that arise. But it’s still a kennel environment, which is stressful for pets who’ve never been boarded.
New Zealand’s quarantine system is similar. Your pet stays in a government facility near Auckland regardless of your final destination. After quarantine clears, you arrange transport to wherever you’re actually living.
Some countries allow home quarantine under certain circumstances. This means your pet stays confined to your property for a specified period with restrictions on interaction with other animals. Not all countries offer this option, and requirements are strict.
Breed-Specific Challenges
Brachycephalic breeds—dogs and cats with short snouts like pugs, bulldogs, Persian cats—face additional risks and restrictions during air travel. Their respiratory systems make them more vulnerable to breathing problems, especially in stressful situations or temperature changes.
Many airlines ban brachy breeds entirely. Those that still accept them impose restrictions like temperature requirements and limit travel to cooler months. United, American, and Delta all have specific brachycephalic breed policies worth researching if you have one of these breeds.
Heat stress kills brachycephalic pets during transport more frequently than other breeds. If you’re moving internationally with a pug or bulldog, seriously consider professional pet relocation services with climate-controlled ground transport options.
Large breeds require huge crates that some airlines refuse or charge premium rates for. A Great Dane or Mastiff needs a crate that might not fit in standard cargo holds. Your flight options become limited.
Senior pets and those with health issues need extra consideration. A 14-year-old dog with arthritis might not handle international travel well. Talk honestly with your vet about whether the journey is in your pet’s best interest.
Alternatives to Taking Your Pet
We don’t like suggesting this, but sometimes rehoming your pet is the more humane choice. If your destination bans your breed, requires multiple months of quarantine, or your pet is elderly and fragile, finding them a loving home might cause less suffering than forcing them through international relocation.
Some destinations make bringing pets prohibitively expensive or complicated. When the cost approaches $10,000 per pet and requires six months of separation and stressful travel, some families make the difficult decision to rehome.
If you’re moving temporarily for a two-year contract, leaving your pet with family might make more sense than putting them through two international moves. Only you can make this decision based on your specific circumstances.
Making the Decision
International pet relocation is complex, expensive, and stressful. But thousands of pets make these journeys successfully every year. With proper planning, attention to detail, and realistic expectations, your pet can transition to your new country safely.
Start researching requirements at least 8-12 months before your move date. Some destinations require processes that can’t be rushed. Build in extra time for unexpected complications.
Keep meticulous records of every veterinary visit, vaccination, test result, and certificate. Create a dedicated folder—physical and digital—with copies of everything. You’ll reference these documents repeatedly.
Consider your pet’s temperament and health honestly. Some animals are adaptable travelers; others are sensitive and anxious. Factor this into your planning and decision-making.
And remember, once you navigate all the regulations and survive the journey, your pet gets to share your international adventure with you. For most families, that makes every headache worth it.
When you’re planning your international move, let us help make at least one part of the process easier. We’ll handle your household goods while you focus on getting your furry family members ready for the journey.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship my pet ahead of me or do we need to travel together?
You can ship pets separately through cargo or pet relocation services. You don’t have to be on the same flight. Some people send pets with a relocation service while they handle other aspects of the move, then reunite at the destination.
What if my pet doesn’t pass the rabies titer test?
Your pet needs to be revaccinated and retested. This restarts the 180-day waiting period for destinations that require it. Always use a reputable lab for titer tests to minimize the risk of false negatives.
How do I find a USDA-accredited veterinarian?
The USDA website has a searchable database of accredited veterinarians by state. Your regular vet might already be accredited, or they can point you to one nearby.
Can I visit my pet during quarantine?
Most quarantine facilities don’t allow visits because they maintain strict disease control protocols. Some facilities post photos or videos, but direct contact isn’t permitted until quarantine ends.
What happens if I miss a deadline or make a mistake on paperwork?
Your pet won’t be allowed to board the flight or will be detained upon arrival. You’ll need to correct the paperwork and rebook travel, which means additional costs and delays. This is why careful attention to detail is crucial.
Are emotional support animals subject to the same rules?
Yes. Emotional support animals are not service animals and don’t receive exemptions from import requirements. They follow the same regulations as pets. Only properly trained service animals (guide dogs, etc.) sometimes receive modified treatment, and even they usually must meet basic health and vaccination requirements.
