Vaccination requirements by country
Every destination sets its own rules, but they are built from the same handful of steps — and the order those steps happen in matters more than the effort. A rabies vaccination given before the microchip was implanted usually does not count. A blood test drawn too early restarts a waiting period. Both mistakes move a travel date by months.
Start with your destination
We publish the requirements for 219 destinations, each with the authority that sets them and the date it was last verified.
Going to Hawaiʻi? It is inside the United States and still has one of the strictest regimes anywhere — the 5 Day Or Less programme.
The order the steps happen in
Not every destination asks for every step, and the waiting periods differ — your destination's page has the specifics. What is consistent is the sequence:
Microchip first
The microchip is what ties every later record to the animal. This is why it comes first: in most regimes a rabies vaccination given before the chip was implanted is not recognised, and has to be repeated.
Rabies vaccination, after the chip
Dated after the microchip, and recorded against its number. Some destinations require more than one dose before the animal is eligible to travel.
The blood test, where one is required
A rabies antibody test — often called a FAVN or titer test — proves the vaccination worked. It is drawn after the vaccination, and the waiting period that follows is usually counted from the date the blood was drawn, not from the date the result came back.
The waiting period
This is the step that turns a few weeks into several months, and it cannot be shortened or paid away. It is also the reason we ask for your pet's existing vaccination dates on the very first call.
Import permit, where one is required
Applied for ahead of travel, sometimes with a fixed window before arrival, and sometimes naming the exact flight.
Health certificate and government endorsement
Issued by a veterinarian close to travel and, for most destinations, endorsed by the exporting country's government authority. These have short validity windows, so they are the last thing done rather than the first.
What the destinations we publish actually require
Counted across the 219 destinations published on this site, from the profile data behind each page:
| Requirement | Destinations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Require a microchip | 183 | 84% |
| Require an import permit | 89 | 41% |
| State that no import permit is needed for family pets | 63 | 29% |
| Require a rabies antibody test | 32 | 15% |
| Require one in some cases, depending on where you are coming from | 49 | 22% |
| State no quarantine on arrival when the paperwork is in order | 57 | 26% |
These counts describe the destination pages on this site, not every country in the world, and they are recalculated whenever the site is rebuilt. Use them to get a feel for what is normal — then read your own destination's page, which names the authority and shows the date it was verified.
When to start
Ideally, begin planning at least 30–60 days in advance, as many countries have strict timelines for vaccinations, permits, and health checks. Destinations with a blood test and a waiting period need considerably longer. However, we are experienced with travel emergencies and are happy to discuss during your free consultation.
How we help with your destination's requirements
After receiving your inquiry, we'll give you a free consultation call to review details, check vaccination status, and better understand your needs. We're happy to explain all the requirements for your destination country and help guide you through the process for the stricter locations. While others charge for this, our philosophy is to be as helpful as possible to everyone we speak with.
If a pet shipper isn't necessary, we'll tell you that too. Sometimes there are cheaper options where you don't even need a pet shipper, and if that's the case, we'll let you know.
What we ask you for
Your pet's current vaccination status, where your pet is traveling from and to, the travel date, and your pet's breed, age and measurements — so we can check the requirements against your dates and recommend the right size travel kennel. Fill out the form or call (424) 421-1650 to speak with a knowledgeable pet travel consultant. For urgent moves, call.
Related: requirements by country · Hawaiʻi quarantine · choosing the kennel · military PCS moves · deposit and refund policy
Who sets these rules
- USDA APHIS — Pet Travel — the U.S. authority for taking a pet from the United States to another country
- Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture — Animal Quarantine Information — the authority for Hawai‘i
- IATA — Traveler’s Pet Corner — the airline industry body behind IATA approved travel crates
Questions about vaccination requirements
Why does the microchip have to come before the rabies vaccination?
The microchip is what ties the vaccination record to the animal, so most import regimes only recognise a rabies vaccination dated after the chip was implanted. A vaccination given first usually has to be repeated, which can move a travel date by months.
What is a FAVN or rabies titer test, and when is it needed?
It is a blood test that proves the rabies vaccination produced antibodies. It is drawn after the vaccination, and where a waiting period follows it is normally counted from the date the blood was drawn rather than the date the result arrives.
Of the 219 destinations published here, 32 require one and a further 49 require one in some cases, depending on where you are travelling from. Check your destination.
Do all countries require an import permit?
No. Of the 219 destinations published on this site, 89 require an import permit and 63 state that no permit is needed for personal family pets. The rest depend on the circumstances, such as the breed.
Will my pet have to go into quarantine?
It depends entirely on the destination, and on whether the paperwork is correct and complete. 57 of the 219 destinations published here state there is no quarantine on arrival when the requirements have been met.
Quarantine is usually the consequence of a missed step rather than a routine part of the process — which is why the order above matters so much.
How far ahead should I start?
Ideally at least 30–60 days, as many countries have strict timelines for vaccinations, permits and health checks. Destinations with a blood test and a waiting period need considerably longer.
We are experienced with travel emergencies and are happy to discuss them during your free consultation.