Pet import requirements for Nepal
What Nepal asks for before a dog or cat can enter — the microchip, the rabies work, the permit and the paperwork — and how far ahead you need to start. We handle all of it on a move we arrange.
Import rules change, and they change without notice. Last verified 2026-03-30 by the country-profile service Furry Freight uses; profile last updated 2026-03-30. Confirm every requirement with the authority named below, or with us on (424) 421-1650, before you book a flight or start any vet work.
Nepal at a glance
| Requirement | For Nepal |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Animals should be identifiable via microchip |
| Rabies | The vaccine must be administered at least 30 days before travel to Nepal and is only valid for 12 months |
| Rabies antibody test Not required | No rabies titer is required for entry into Nepal |
| Import permit Not required | Not required for a personal pet |
| Quarantine | Do NOT send the pet without documentation approval from Kathmandu |
| Minimum age to travel | Not less than 12 weeks of age at the date of shipment |
| Customs clearance | Strongly advised |
| Agent at destination | Strongly advised |
Where this fits in the timeline. The order matters more than the effort: a rabies vaccination given before the microchip was implanted does not count in most regimes, and a titer test drawn too early restarts a waiting period. On a move we handle, we check your pet's existing dates against these rules on the free consultation before anything is booked.
The detail
Nepal, of ficially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. Airports: 1. Not less than 12 weeks of age at the date of shipment.
Import requirements
Not less than 12 weeks of age at the date of shipment.
A current vaccination record for dogs and cats is required.
The documents required for import/export of dogs, cats and ferrets:
- Electronic identification. Implanted under the skin of the animal, this microchip must conform to ISO 11784, ISO 11785.
- Health certificate – Once the health certificate is issued, you have 10 days to enter Nepal, or you must obtain a new health certificate. Your pet’s health certificate is valid for 30 days of travel from the time that it is issued. If you travel to Nepal for longer than 30 days, a health certificate from Nepal is required to exit the country.
- Certificate of Vaccination - in cluding rabies, dated at least 30 days prior to arrival and core vaccinations.
- Prior to your arrival at the Kathmandu airport, you must notify the Animal Quarantine Office. It is recommended letting them know up to a week in advance. This guarantees that an Animal Quarantine Officer will be on hand to assist with import papers. Email is the best way to get in touch with them. Include your name, contact in formation, arrival date, arrival time, flight in formation, pet breed, and weight in your email. Multiple copies of your animal transportation documents should be brought. For their records, the Animal Quarantine Office will need to preserve copies.
- It is advised to have proof of ownership of your pets and carry that with you.
Preferred email:ktmquarantine@gmail.com
Owner to be present with clearing customs with pet. Owners can transport up to 2 dogs or cats.
Follow import guidelines for requirements. Contact Quarantine division for more in formation on importation allowance. Owners can transport up to 2 dogs or cats and if over this amount you must contact the Quarantine Department for more in formation and permission.
Do NOT send the pet without documentation approval from Kathmandu.
Pets to arrive between Sunday-Thursday preferably during day hours.
No advance documentation in Nepal to be filled/processed at origin
You must notify the Animal Quarantine Office before arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is recommended notifying them at least a week ahead of time. This ensures that there is an Animal Quarantine Officer available to assist with import paperwork.
Preferred email: ktmquarantine@gmail.com
Identification and microchip
Animals should be identifiable via microchip.
Rabies and vaccinations
The vaccine must be administered at least 30 days before travel to Nepal and is only valid for 12 months.
-
Core vaccinations for dog or cat depending on country of origin. The dog has been fully vaccinated according to manufacturer in structions and the vaccination is valid at time of export. Dogs should be current against: Canine distemper, canine parvovirus, and in fectious canine hepatitis.
Cats - The cat has been fully vaccinated according to manufacturer’s in structions and the vaccination is valid at time of export. Cats should be current against: Feline panleucopenia (in fectious enteritis) and feline respiratory disease complex (cat flu) and core vaccinations.
Tests and treatments
No rabies titer is required for entry into Nepal.
Parasite / tick & tapeworm treatment not required but recommended.
Health certificate and permits
International Health CertificateOnce the health certificate is issued, you have 10 days to enter Nepal, or you must obtain a new health certificate.
The health certificate must be completed and issued by a licensed veterinarian. If you are from the United States, the veterinarian must be USDA Accredited, but the certificate does not need to be certified by the USDA.
A licensed veterinarian must complete and provide the health certificate. From the time it is issued, your dog’s health certificate is valid for 30 days of travel. If you are staying in Nepal for more than 30 days, you will need a Nepalese health certificate to leave the country.
Each country has different regulations regarding the health certificate. Here are a few links to help you find the regulation requirements in your country.
No import permit is required for personal moves. Owners may enter with 2 animals without an import permit.
Must have an in ternational health certificate that is government-issued listing your dog’s rabies vaccination history as well as other pertinent immunizations. It specifies that the dog is in good health and free of contagious diseases.
You have 10 days to enter Nepal after receiving your health certificate, or you must obtain a new one. A licensed veterinarian must complete and provide the health certificate. From the time it is issued, your dog’s health certificate is valid for 30 days of travel. If over 30 days, you will need a new one issued in Nepal.
Quarantine
Do NOT send the pet without documentation approval from Kathmandu.
Pets to arrive between Sunday-Thursday preferably during day hours.
No advance documentation in Nepal to be filled/processed at origin
Dogs and cats can be brought into Nepal with no quarantine period, but the importer must lodge an entry with the veterinary quarantine of ficer 3-4 days prior to entry to Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, at which point the importer must have the veterinary certificate. The documents necessary at the time of import are a current veterinary health certificate (not more than 10 days old). It has been stated that you can contact them up to 24 hours in advance but that is not recommended.
Prior to your arrival at the Kathmandu airport, you must notify the Animal Quarantine Office. It is recommended letting them know at least a week in advance. This guarantees that an Animal Quarantine Officer will be on hand to assist with import papers. Email is the best way to get in touch with them. Include your name, contact in formation, arrival date, arrival time, flight in formation, pet breed, and weight in your email. Send an email with the copies of arrival time in Nepal (flight details), applicant’s passport copy, health certificate and rabies vaccine card at ktmquarantine@gmail.com.
If owner wishes to talk to someone there, they can call at +977-9851181823.
Multiple copies of your animal transportation documents should be brought. For their records, the Animal Quarantine Office will need to preserve copies.
Preferred email: ktmquarantine@gmail.com
Restrictions and banned breeds
No Breed Restrictions listed at this time.
ANIMAL WELFARE: Nepal's animal welfare regulations in clude laws that prohibit animal abuse, protect wildlife, and regulate the care of working animals. Please refer to this Resource.
Customs, agents, and airports
Highly Recommended
Airports:
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (IATA: KTM, ICAO: VNKT)
- Pokhara International Airport, Pokhara (IATA: PKR, ICAO: VNPR)
- Gautum Buddha International, Bhairahawa (IATA: BWA, ICAO: VNBW)
Ground:
- Rasuwagadhi/Kerung, China-Nepal (Connects Rasuwa District in Nepal with Gyirong Town (Kerung) in Tibet, China.)
- Sunauli/Belahiya (Bhairahawa): (connecting the Indian village of Sunauli (Uttar Pradesh) with Belahiya/Bhairahawa in Nepal)
All pets must enter Nepal through Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. The airport is located about 16 km away from the main city and it has a terminal for domestic and in ternational flights. The airport is said to connect as many as 17 countries to Nepal.
Pets can enter in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo.
Airports listed on this destination file: KTM, BWA.
Nepal has a high import / VAT tax for dogs and cats entering as cargo. The tax is paid at the Kathmandu airport upon arrival at the customs department. The breed of your dog or cat will determine its value, and the import tax is a percentage of the value. The import tax rate for dogs is 40% of the “perceived value.”
Owner must be present when clearing customs with a pet.
This company listed below can assist:
Tel: 977-1-4480796, 4480797, 4480798
E-mail: atlas@atlas.com.np
Head Office
Atlas International Relocations Pvt Ltd
Tinkune, Koteshwore
Kathmandu, Nepal
Export notes
If you travel to Nepal for longer than 30 days, a health certificate from Nepal is required to exit the country.
If you are staying in Nepal for more than 30 days, you will need a Nepalese health certificate to leave the country. The paperwork for animal transportation must be completed by a veterinarian in Kathmandu and certified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Services of the Nepalese government. You have 10 days from the time the health certificate is granted to return to your home country.
It is recommended to work with Dr. B.C. Jha at Advanced Pet Hospital & Research Centre to ensure you have the proper paperwork.
Advanced Pet Hospital & Research Centre
8-Bishal Basti (KA), Bishal Nagar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 1 4422855
Dr. B.C. Jha email: bcjhadk@hotmail.com
Other pets / CITES / extra rules
Nepal is a member. If you pet is not a dog, cat or ferret you will want to follow the CITES guidelines.
Nepal accepts other pets such as birds, fish and turtles. For livestock it is best to check with the Government authority.
Email: ktmquarantine@gmail.com
Email: info@ktm.aqo.gov.np
All animals must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. If not, further examination or treatment / quarantine may be required at your expense.
A titer test is not required to travel to Nepal. It is vital to work with your veterinarian to determine if a titer test is needed to return to your home country, as Nepal is considered a high-risk rabies country.
Point-of-sale credit card machines are rare, and there is no ATM near customs. It is best to have cash on hand, and most major currencies are accepted.
Bring multiple copies of your animal transportation paperwork. The Animal Quarantine Office will need to keep copies for their records.
Nepal is a high-risk rabies country. https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/high-risk.html
Recommended Veterinarian:
Advanced Pet Hospital & Research Centre
8-Bishal Basti (KA), Bishal Nagar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 1 4422855
Dr. B.C. Jha email: bcjhadk@hotmail.com
Website: http://aphrc.blogspot.com/
If you travel to Nepal for longer than 30 days, a health certificate from Nepal is required to exit the country.
If you are staying in Nepal for more than 30 days, you will need a Nepalese health certificate to leave the country. The paperwork for animal transportation must be completed by a veterinarian in Kathmandu and certified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Services of the Nepalese government. You have 10 days from the time the health certificate is granted to return to your home country.
It is recommended to work with Dr. B.C. Jha at Advanced Pet Hospital & Research Centre to ensure you have the proper paperwork.
Advanced Pet Hospital & Research Centre
8-Bishal Basti (KA), Bishal Nagar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 1 4422855
Dr. B.C. Jha email: bcjhadk@hotmail.com
Website: http://aphrc.blogspot.com/
You must meet destination requirements for country traveling to. Please double check if you are traveling to the USA. CDC considers Nepal a high-risk country for rabies.
Official contacts
You must notify the Animal Quarantine Office at least 3-4 days before arrival at the Kathmandu airport. Even though it is stated it can be up to 24 hours in advance this is often too close. Advance time ensures an Animal Quarantine Officer will be available to assist with import paperwork.
It is best to contact them by email. In your email, make sure to in clude your name, contact in formation, arrival date, arrival time, flight in formation, dog breed, and dog weight and all pertinent health documentation and in formation.
Website: http://ktm.aqo.gov.np/
Preferred email: ktmquarantine@gmail.com
Email: info@ktm.aqo.gov.np
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development:
Singhadurbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977-1-4211905, 4211950
+977-1-4211935
https://www.facebook.com/Gunaso.moald/
https://twitter.com/Hello_MOALD
Government of Nepal
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
Singhadurbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 1 421-1905, 421-1950
Fax: +977 1 421-1935
Email: info@moad.gov.np
Website: www.moad.gov.np
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
Livestock Development
SinghaDurbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 1 421-1706
Fax: +977 1 421-1480
Email: info@mold.gov.np, pasupanchibakas@gmail.com
Website: www.mold.gov.np
Current as of March 2025
Disclaimer
Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2026-03-30.
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Official sources for Nepal
- Website http:
- Website ktm.aqo.gov.np
- United States aphis.usda.gov
- Canada travel.gc.ca
- Australia agriculture.gov.au
- European Union ec.europa.eu
- United Kingdom gov.uk
- Import Regulations kathmandu.mofa.gov.bd
Questions about moving a pet to Nepal
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for Nepal?
Animals should be identifiable via microchip
From the country profile, last verified 2026-03-30.
What rabies vaccination does Nepal require?
The vaccine must be administered at least 30 days before travel to Nepal and is only valid for 12 months
Is a rabies antibody (titer) test needed for Nepal?
No rabies titer is required for entry into Nepal
A titer test is the single most common reason a move takes months rather than weeks, because the waiting period runs from the blood draw.
Do I need an import permit to bring a pet into Nepal?
Not required for a personal pet
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in Nepal?
Do NOT send the pet without documentation approval from Kathmandu