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Pet relocation

Safe, Compliant International Pet Relocation Services.

Navigate USDA endorsements, biosecurity permits and flight logistics with trusted international pet transport specialists.

USDA VEHCS electronic processing IPATA network standards IATA Live Animals Regulations compliant

Free pet moving quotes

Step 1 of 4 · Route & timing

Classified as a non-commercial movement. Non-commercial moves need USDA endorsement within 10 days of arrival.

What a specialist pet mover handles

USDA VEHCS document processing

Category II accredited veterinary certificates prepared and submitted electronically, with wet-ink originals where Australia, Japan or Panama demand them.

IATA-compliant crate sizing

Crates measured to the IATA Live Animals Regulations formula — L = A + ½B, W = 2C, H = D + bedding — with 10% extra volume for flat-faced breeds.

Air cargo & flight logistics

Routing built around carrier embargoes, heat restrictions and approved arrival airports such as Melbourne (MEL) for Australia.

Quarantine & arrival management

Advance bookings at government and approved private quarantine facilities, plus home quarantine filings like Panama's MINSA request.

Pet travel timeline calculator

Pick your destination and target flight date to see every veterinary and administrative milestone counted backwards from departure.

Plan backwards

Complexity: Extreme

Lead time: 6–7 months

Governing body: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

Quarantine: 10 days at Mickleham PEQ, Melbourne

  1. T−210d

    Microchip + records review

    Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip and confirm every vaccination record post-dates it.

  2. T−203d

    Rabies vaccination

    Rabies vaccine administered after the microchip — a vaccine given first is legally invalid.

  3. T−187d

    FAVN rabies titer blood draw

    Blood sample sent to an approved laboratory; must return ≥ 0.5 IU/mL.

  4. T−180d

    180-day waiting period starts

    Counted from the date the laboratory receives the sample. Served in the United States.

  5. T−60d

    Apply for the import permit (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)

    Permit requirement: Yes (DAFF via BICON). Approval must be in hand before departure.

  6. T−45d

    Book flights and IATA-compliant crate

    Confirm carrier acceptance, crate sizing and any brachycephalic or breed embargoes on the routing.

  7. T−10d

    USDA-accredited vet exam + health certificate

    Category II accredited veterinarian completes the certificate and submits it via VEHCS.

  8. T−7d

    USDA APHIS endorsement

    Endorsement within 10 days of arrival for non-commercial moves, or within 48 hours of departure for commercial moves.

  9. T−3d

    Parasite treatments and final checks

    Tapeworm or parasite treatments given inside the destination's required window, recorded by the vet.

  10. Day 0

    Departure day

    Check-in as cargo, checked baggage or in-cabin per the booked service.

Country requirements at a glance

Nineteen destinations, grouped by biosecurity complexity. Open a country for the full veterinary protocol, breed restrictions and airline constraints.

Extreme complexity

Rabies-free or near rabies-free nations with multi-month lead times, titer testing and government quarantine.

High complexity

Titer testing required, but compliant pets clear on the day of arrival.

Moderate complexity

Permit-driven or window-sensitive: import permits, home quarantine registration or tight treatment timing.

Standard complexity

Harmonised entry: microchip, active rabies vaccination and an endorsed international health certificate.

The mistake that costs families months

If a rabies vaccine is given before the microchip is implanted, biosecurity authorities treat that vaccination as legally invalid. The pet must be re-vaccinated and every waiting period — 21 days for the EU, 180 days for Australia and Japan — restarts from zero. Flights get rebooked, temporary housing is extended and the household goods shipment slips with it.

Check my pet's timeline with a specialist