Bringing a pet to Thailand · By country
Bringing a pet to Thailand from the USA
From the US, the Thai steps are standard. The US-specific points are the USDA endorsement and the CDC’s rules for dogs.
Last updated 21 May 2026
Rules change — verify before you act
This guide was last reviewed in May 2026. Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD), airlines and origin-country authorities change their rules without notice. Treat this as an orientation, then confirm every current requirement with the DLD, your airline and your origin-country authority before you book or travel.
The US side of the paperwork
Follow the standard steps — microchip, rabies, the other vaccinations, the health certificate and the DLD import permit. In the US, the health certificate is completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and then endorsed by USDA APHIS (the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), usually through its online VEHCS system. Build in time for that endorsement.
The CDC rules for dogs
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tightened its rules for dogs entering the United States. If you may ever bring your dog back to the US, this matters: dogs must meet CDC requirements including a microchip, a minimum age, and — for dogs that have been in a high-rabies-risk country — additional steps such as a rabies titer test and CDC paperwork. Thailand is treated as a rabies-risk country by the CDC.
The takeaway is the same as for UK owners: if a return to the US is possible, do the rabies titer test early, and check the current CDC rules well before any return trip.
Frequently asked
Who endorses my pet's health certificate in the US?
A USDA-accredited vet completes it and USDA APHIS endorses it, generally via the online VEHCS system. Your vet will guide you through it.
Do CDC rules affect taking my dog TO Thailand?
The CDC rules govern dogs entering the United States, not leaving it. They matter most if you plan to bring your dog back to the US later — in which case plan for them in advance.