The Pet Passport Checklist: 10 Things to Do Before Moving Abroad With Your Pet

Moving abroad is stressful enough without wondering whether your dog or cat will actually be allowed on the plane, or into the country, when the day comes. Every destination has its own rules around microchips, vaccinations, health certificates, and paperwork timelines, and missing even one requirement can mean delays, quarantine, or a pet left behind.

The good news: none of this is complicated once you know the order of operations. Here's the checklist our team at Starwood Pet Travel walks clients through before every international move.

1. Research your destination country's import requirements first

Every country sets its own rules about pet travel, and they change without much notice. Before you book flights or make any other plans, find out what your destination requires: permitted airlines and entry points, quarantine policies, breed restrictions, required vaccinations and tests, and how far in advance paperwork must be filed. Some countries (Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and others) have strict, multi-month processes. Others are far simpler. This research shapes your entire timeline, so it has to come first.

2. Start the process 4 to 6 months out (or earlier)

The single biggest mistake pet owners make is waiting too long. Rabies titer tests, quarantine-exempt program requirements, and some import permits can take months to complete and cannot be rushed. If your destination requires a titer test, for example, the blood draw has to happen, the results have to come back, and then a waiting period often applies before travel. Starting early gives you room to fix problems if a test needs to be redone.

3. Confirm your pet has an ISO-compliant microchip

Most countries require an ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip. If your pet already has a chip that doesn't meet this standard, you'll likely need it re-chipped, and the new chip must be implanted before certain vaccinations and tests are done, not after, since dates matter for eligibility. Bring the chip registration paperwork with you.

4. Update rabies vaccinations, and schedule a titer test if required

Your pet's rabies vaccination needs to be current and, depending on the destination, given after the microchip was implanted. Many countries also require a rabies antibody titer test (FAVN or equivalent) performed at an approved laboratory, sometimes followed by a mandatory waiting period of several months before entry. Check whether your destination requires this test at all, since it's a step people frequently miss or start too late.

5. Book a health certificate exam with a USDA-accredited (or equivalent) veterinarian

Most countries require an official health certificate issued by an accredited vet, often within a tight window before departure, commonly 10 days or fewer. This exam typically needs to be endorsed by a government agency (in the U.S., USDA APHIS) as well. Because the timing window is so narrow, this appointment should be scheduled around your travel dates, not the other way around.

6. Check for any additional destination-specific tests or treatments

Some countries require extras beyond rabies, such as tapeworm treatment within a set window before arrival, internal or external parasite treatments, or additional vaccinations. These requirements are easy to overlook because they're often destination-specific rather than universal. Confirm the full list for your specific country and any transit countries your pet's route passes through.

7. Choose an airline and confirm their pet travel policies

Not every airline flies pets internationally, and each one has its own rules on breed restrictions, crate specifications, temperature embargoes, and cargo versus in-cabin travel. Confirm your pet's routing (direct flights are best), book early, since space for pets is limited, and double check seasonal embargoes that block travel during extreme heat or cold.

8. Get an IATA-compliant crate and get your pet comfortable in it

If your pet is flying as manifest cargo or checked baggage, the crate must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations: correct size for your pet to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably, secure ventilation, and proper labeling. Introduce the crate weeks in advance with familiar bedding, treats, and short practice sessions so travel day isn't the first time your pet has been inside it.

9. Gather and organize every document in one place

By the time you travel, you'll likely be carrying a folder that includes: the health certificate, vaccination records, microchip registration, titer test results (if applicable), the import permit (if required), and airline booking confirmation. Make copies, both physical and digital, and keep them with you rather than in checked luggage. Customs and airline staff will ask to see these at multiple points.

10. Plan for arrival, not just departure

Your pet's journey doesn't end when the plane lands. Know what happens at customs on arrival, whether any quarantine period applies, and how you'll get your pet from the airport to your new home. Line up a local vet ahead of time, and pack a familiar travel kit, food, water, a favorite toy, so the transition feels less jarring once you're through the door.

The bottom line

International pet travel is manageable, but it rewards planning and punishes procrastination. Requirements vary widely by country and change over time, so always verify current rules directly with the destination's agriculture or customs authority before you finalize plans.

If you'd rather hand off the research, paperwork, and logistics, that's exactly what we do at Starwood Pet Travel. Reach out to our team and we'll build a timeline specific to your pet, your destination, and your move date.